Vision Expo Unifies into One Annual Event Starting 2026

Vision Expo, the leading event for the optical community, is about to take an exciting new step thanks to The Vision Council and RX. Beginning in March 2026, Vision Expo will become a single, unified annual event—kicking things off in Orlando, Florida, and then bringing the experience to top U.S. cities each year.

This new annual format will make it even easier for everyone in the optical world to connect, starting with Orlando in 2026, followed by Las Vegas in 2027 and New York in 2028. Stay tuned for details on the 2029 location. In the meantime, Vision Expo West is still on the calendar for September 17–20, 2025, in Las Vegas.

These changes are the result of valuable feedback from exhibitors, attendees, partners, and industry leaders, ensuring Vision Expo stays the place where connections are made, innovations are unveiled, and professionals can come together to move the industry forward.

“Vision Expo was built to support the industry’s needs, and this transition is a forward-looking investment in its continued growth,” said Ashley Mills, CEO of The Vision Council. “By focusing on a single major event each year, we unlock new opportunities for innovation and collaboration while driving the industry forward.”

The new format is engineered to maximize value, enhance operational efficiency, and address the evolving dynamics of the marketplace—broadening the show’s reach and reinforcing its leadership in the Americas.

Core objectives of the new annual Vision Expo include:

• Enhanced experiential offerings, with expanded technology showcases, immersive programming, targeted education, and improved networking opportunities
• Streamlined participation for exhibitors and attendees, easing the demands of a crowded trade show calendar
• A central event encompassing eyewear, vision care, and optical technology for industry leaders to connect, learn, and conduct business
• Strategic scheduling in March, aligning with product rollouts, CE credit cycles, and key buying periods
• A rotating city model, leveraging premier destinations for local access, fresh experiences, and international engagement
• Platform for growth into emerging categories while maintaining Vision Expo’s status as the leading optical industry event in the Americas

“Bringing our efforts into one flagship event enables higher impact, greater visibility, and amplified value for all participants,” noted Jamie Shyer, co-CEO/COO, Zyloware. “This is a smart evolution for the industry—delivering more focus and opportunity to exhibitors and retailers alike.”

“As an industry veteran, navigating overlapping event schedules has always been challenging,” said Mollie Tavel Kaback, Vice President, Dr. Tavel & Founder, Alternate View. “A larger, unified Vision Expo lets us achieve all our objectives efficiently and return inspired by new possibilities.”

“Focusing on a single annual event makes participation simpler and enables us to invest in dynamic experiences, curated content, and unique business opportunities unmatched elsewhere,” added April Stackhouse, Event Vice President, RX.

Upcoming Show Dates and Locations

• Vision Expo 2026: March 12–14 | Orlando, Florida – Orange County Convention Center
• Vision Expo 2027: March 11–13 | Las Vegas, Nevada – The Venetian Expo
• Vision Expo 2028: March 30–April 1 | New York, New York – The Javits Center

Vision Expo is excited to keep bringing you outstanding accredited education, meaningful networking opportunities, and the very best in product discovery—now with even more value and an even broader community than ever before.

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