Looksee at Major Eyewear Exhibitions Around the World
For companies in the eyewear industry, trade shows remain one of the most important ways to understand market trends, meet partners, and explore new cooperation opportunities.
Each year, the Looksee team attends several major international exhibitions across Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia. These events allow us to meet customers face-to-face, understand market demand, and introduce our manufacturing capabilities.
Below are some of the key eyewear exhibitions we regularly participate in.
MIDO Eyewear Show
MIDO is one of the most influential eyewear exhibitions in the world. Held annually in Milan, it gathers companies from across the entire eyewear supply chain.
The exhibition is well known for presenting the latest design trends, materials, and technologies in the global eyewear market. For many brands, MIDO is an important place to launch new collections and explore new manufacturing partners.
For the Looksee team, attending MIDO is mainly about understanding design trends and meeting partners from the European market.
At the same time, we bring a curated selection of samples tailored for Europe: understated yet design-driven fashion sunglasses, with a strong focus on acetate collections. We also present a wide range of sustainable material options, including G820, G850, rPET, and bio-acetate. In addition, we showcase our in-house developed 3D-printed eyewear, reflecting our ongoing exploration of design and prototyping possibilities.
Time: January – February, every year
Location: Fiera Milano, Rho, Milan, Italy
Who attends MIDO:
- International eyewear brands
- Independent designers
- Optical retailers and distributors
- Eyewear manufacturers and OEM suppliers
- Material and component suppliers
SILMO Paris
SILMO Paris is another major global event in the optical industry. The exhibition is known for its strong focus on design, innovation, and technology.
Every year, many European brands and designers present their new collections here, making it an important platform to observe design directions and product trends.
For manufacturers like us, SILMO is also a good opportunity to connect with brands looking for new suppliers or ODM development partners.
For this show, Looksee continues to present collections aligned with European aesthetics: refined, low-profile fashion sunglasses with strong design language, primarily in acetate. We also bring an expanded range of sustainable material samples, including G820, G850, rPET, and bio-acetate, alongside a selection of our original 3D-printed eyewear designs to demonstrate our flexibility in rapid development and creative design support.
Time: September 25 – 28, 2026
Location: Paris Nord Villepinte, Paris, France
Who attends SILMO Paris：
- European eyewear brands
- Independent designers
- Optical chains and distributors
- Eyewear manufacturers
- Lens companies and optical technology suppliers
SILMO Istanbul
SILMO Istanbul is one of the largest optical exhibitions in the Eurasia region. Its location makes it an important meeting point for companies from Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and North Africa.
Many regional distributors and retailers attend this exhibition to look for new products and suppliers.
For Looksee, it is a valuable opportunity to meet partners from emerging markets and understand demand in the Middle East and surrounding regions.
For this market, we typically bring a selection of more expressive and commercially competitive designs, including fashion sunglasses with stronger visual elements and a mix of acetate and injection materials. We also prepare styles that balance design and price, suitable for high-volume retail channels. At the same time, we present selected sustainable material options such as G820, G850, and rPET, responding to the growing interest in eco-friendly products in the region.
Time: November 18 – 21, 2026
Location: Istanbul Expo Center (IFM), Halls 5-6-7, Istanbul, Turkey
Who attends SILMO Istanbul：
- Regional eyewear brands
- Distributors and wholesalers
- Optical retailers and store owners
- Eyewear factories and OEM manufacturersIndustry service providers
Vision Expo East (VEE)
Vision Expo East is one of the most important eyewear events in North America. The exhibition brings together professionals from across the U.S. optical industry.
In addition to eyewear brands and manufacturers, the event also includes educational programs and industry discussions, making it a key gathering for professionals in the American market.
For our team, Vision Expo East provides a chance to meet existing partners and connect with new customers from the U.S. and Canada.
For the North American market, we focus on practical and market-driven collections, including lightweight optical frames, everyday sunglasses, and styles with strong commercial appeal. We also bring a range of sustainable material samples such as bio-acetate and rPET, as well as selected 3D-printed designs to demonstrate our flexibility in prototyping and customization.
Time: March 10-13, 2027
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Who attends Vision Expo East:
- U.S. eyewear brands
- Optical retailers and chains
- Eye care professionals
- Distributors and importers
- Eyewear manufacturers and suppliers
Canton Fair
The Canton Fair in Guangzhou is one of the largest trade fairs in the world and an important event for international trade in China.
For companies involved in manufacturing and export, the Canton Fair offers the opportunity to meet buyers from many different countries in a short period of time.
Many long-term partnerships in the eyewear industry have started from conversations at this exhibition.
For this exhibition, Looksee presents a broad and well-balanced product range to match the diversity of global buyers. In addition to classic optical frames and fashion sunglasses, we also bring a variety of specialized categories including Bluetooth smart glasses, reading glasses, sports glasses, and party eyewear.
Our collection covers both commercial best-sellers and trend-driven designs, allowing buyers from different markets to explore products suited for retail, promotions, fashion, and functional use.
Time:
Spring Session: April, 2026
Autumn Session: October, 2026
Location: Canton Fair Complex, Guangzhou, China
Who attends the Canton Fair:
- International importers and buyers
- Trading companies
- Brand owners
- Wholesalers and distributors
- Chinese manufacturers and factories
Why Eyewear Brands Visit Trade Shows
For eyewear brands and buyers, exhibitions are still one of the most efficient ways to understand the market.
By visiting multiple suppliers in one place, companies can compare designs, materials, and manufacturing capabilities. Trade shows also provide opportunities to discover new brands, identify emerging trends, and establish long-term partnerships.
For many brands, exhibitions are where:
- new collections are launched
- new suppliers are discovered
- industry relationships are built
How Looksee Supports Eyewear Brands
As part of a manufacturing group with factories in Taizhou, China and Vietnam, Looksee works with brands, distributors, and retailers at different stages of development.
Our team supports customers with:
- OEM manufacturing for eyewear brands
- ODM product development
- sourcing and supply chain coordination
- production management and quality control
Meeting customers at exhibitions allows us to better understand their needs and discuss projects face to face.
Which Exhibition Is Best for Eyewear Sourcing?
Different exhibitions serve different markets and purposes.
For example:
MIDO Milan
Best for discovering global eyewear trends and European brands.
SILMO Paris
Strong focus on design and independent eyewear labels.
Vision Expo East
One of the key events for the North American optical market.
SILMO Istanbul
Important gateway to the Middle East and Eurasian markets.
Canton Fair
A major platform for connecting with Chinese manufacturers and exporters.
Choosing the right exhibition often depends on whether a company is looking for design inspiration, retail partners, or manufacturing suppliers.
See You at the Next Show
For us, exhibitions are not only about displaying products. More importantly, they are an opportunity to meet partners, understand market needs, and exchange ideas with people across the eyewear industry.
If you are planning to attend any of these exhibitions, feel free to connect with the Looksee team. We are always happy to meet new partners and discuss potential cooperation.
Upcoming Exhibitions We Will Attend
MIDO – Milan
SILMO Paris
SILMO Istanbul
Canton Fair – Guangzhou
Hongkong International Optical Fair