Vision Expo 2026 concluded March 14 at the Orange County Convention Center, marking the event’s 40th anniversary and the debut of a unified annual format that brought together the global optical industry for 4 days of business, education, and product discovery.
Co-organized by RX and The Vision Council (TVC), the event drew more than 8,000 attendees from 92 countries and all 50 US states. Organizers reported more than 220 hours of accredited education programming, with attendance increasing 17% year over year. The exhibit hall spanned approximately 115,000 square feet and featured more than 350 exhibitors representing a range of sectors, including clinical care, eyewear design, retail, and emerging technologies.
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The show floor featured a mix of product launches, interactive exhibits, and networking spaces. Appearances included eyewear designers Coco Dotson and Breezy Dotson, who presented their Coco & Breezy Eyewear collection, and athlete Jordan Stolz, who appeared in connection with EssilorLuxottica and Oakley.
New features included the Now Stage, which hosted sessions on eyewear trends, consumer preferences, and design innovation, supported by research from TVC. A corresponding trends exhibit highlighted frame and accessory design across independent and licensed brands. The Independent Design area showcased emerging and boutique labels aimed at buyers seeking differentiated offerings.
Technology and clinical innovation were highlighted through the Innovation Stage and Innovation Center, where companies demonstrated developments in artificial intelligence, smart eyewear, and diagnostic tools. The VSP Vision Innovation Challenge featured startup pitches, with Altris AI named the judge’s winner and Captify receiving the audience choice award.
Education programming covered clinical, business, and technology-focused topics. Featured sessions included the OptiCon General Session, which examined the impact of smart eyewear on opticianry, and the UOA College Bowl, a student competition supported by EssilorLuxottica.
Additional programming included the Vision Expo Eyewear Fashion Show, where brands presented trend-driven collections on the runway. Attendees selected Keeks Eyewear as the 2026 Visionary Winner.
In addition to business and education programming, the event featured networking opportunities, anniversary installations, and a vintage eyewear display curated with the Optical Heritage Museum, highlighting the evolution of eyewear design.
Organizers announced that the next edition, Vision Expo 2027, will take place March 10-13, 2027, at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas.