The Vision Council announces travel incentives, expanded networking to 2025 Vision Expo East

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Vision Expo East has been revitalized and is ready to showcase the newest trends, tech, and fashion in eye care and eyewear. During a webinar hosted by The Vision Council, expansions and reimagined events and programming were detailed for this year’s event, being held in Orlando, Florida from February 19 to 22. This will be the event’s first year outside of New York City.

“This decision to move Vision Expo East out of New York City to Orlando was made a year and a half ago and it was based on our direct feedback from our customers, you, the exhibitors, as well as our attendees, that we needed to find a place where we could deliver a different experience for the community,” said Ashley Mills, CEO of The Vision Council, during the webinar. “So Orlando presented that opportunity. In addition, it gives us a sense of a much closer, campus-style feel to the show.”

The move also highlights The Vision Council’s belief in expansion that is possible in the southeastern US, Caribbean, and Latin American regions, with designated funding available for its hosted buyer program also highlighting potential opportunities available.

For the 2025 show, Mills said that the event’s board of directors took feedback they received from recent exhibitors and attendees in order to make improvements. That included changing the days of the week the show is held (now Thursday through Saturday), increasing accessibility between hotels and the convention center, and offering more dedicated happy hour times for networking opportunities. The board of directors also held several discussions in the process of planning the event and approved an increased investment in the show in order to make these additions possible. Mills also stated that the high concentration of practice in the southeastern US allows for increased attendance, even with half of previous years’ attendees reporting that they traveled for the event.

“This isn’t just packing up from New York and moving in the exact same experience, just in a different location,” Mills said. “You will see a totally new show floor where we’ve really leaned into eyewear, including the fashion brands that you know and love.”

In The Vision Council’s pursuit to include current trends in eye care, an Indie Lab pavilion and lounge will showcase the role independent labs play in eye care today with a speakeasy approach. Mills said that the show’s inclusion of the pavilion developed from interest showed by The Vision Council’s Lens, Lab, and Lens Processing and Technology (LPT) division. “They have been telling us at the board level that there is green grass sprouting up in the lab community and brand new independent labs are thriving and growing and expanding, and the show absolutely needs to do something to engage them,” Mills said.

Additionally, Vision Expo East will be integrating an OTC showcase that will feature a different set of retailer buyer in eye care. The showcase will also be featured in a panel moderated by Women’s Wear Daily, which is still seeking moderators, according to Mills. A Zeiss German Beer Garden, a French inspired conferee café, the VBar offering coffee all day, and food trucks to be parked outside the convention center will also be featured in the show.

As for programming, a state of the industry address will be given on February 21, The Vision Council division meetings on February 19, networking events held with organizations like the Optical Women’s Association and Optometry Divas, and keynote speaker Venus Williams speaking on February 21, among other events. Mills said that Williams’ taking to the main stage is highly anticipated, both by attendees and The Vision Council.

“We are all really excited,” Mills said. “We think she is absolutely the embodiment of the personality of optical and the optical business. She embodies innovation, she embodies lifestyle, she embodies performance, and of course she is very famous for her fashion as well.”

As for incentives, those attending the show will also be able to receive a discount for a business class ticket on the Bright Line high speed train service that runs from Miami to Orland. By using a code on the Vision Expo East site, attendees can take 50% off their ticket, which can span from $40 to $80 in savings, according to Mills. Visit Orlando is also offering incentives and discounts for those traveling.

Additionally, there are several hotels within walking distance of the convention center, with many connected by pedestrian bridges. Shuttles will also be provided for attendees. Mills said that although blocks for this year’s show are already sold out, The Vision Council is looking to expand block options for 2026.

To learn more about the 2025 Vision Expo East, visit the show’s website.