Vision Expo 2026 will celebrate four decades of programming when it debuts as a single, annual event next week at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.
Organized by The Vision Council and RX, this year’s optical meeting kicks off March 11-14 with an extensive roundup of accredited education, innovations, product launches, and signature (plus new!) events.
Just one event?! Did I miss this announcement…?
If you did, no worries—see here for last summer’s news on Vision Expo shifting from a bi-annual to an annual event.
So what’s new this year?
For starters: The show is introducing three dedicated stages on the show floor, each offering targeted content centered on three distinct segments in the optical industry.
- The NOW Stage
- Its focus: fashion, design, and trend intelligence
- See here for the featured three sessions)
- Its focus: fashion, design, and trend intelligence
- The Innovation Stage
- Its focus: artificial intelligence (AI), clinical advancements, and new care delivery models
- See here for the featured sessions
- The Vision Stage (located within the exhibit hall)
- Its focus: accredited education, business programming, and major industry gatherings
- See here for the featured sessions
- Its focus: accredited education, business programming, and major industry gatherings
Let’s talk programming.
With 350+ exhibitors expected in the Exhibit Hall (more on this in a moment), Vision Expo will also showcase “standout product launches and collaborations” from a select number of exhibitors.
Among the participating brands: Barti Software, DigitalOptometrics, Eschenbach Optik of America, Inc, and HOYA Vision Care.
- Check out the full list here.
Speaking of exhibitors …
Over 100 of those 350+ exhibitors are new to Vision Expo this year—and this listing of all the companies is designed to help attendees navigate the show floor.
- See here for a look at the nearly 1,000 products to be featured.
What’s new: A curated Exhibitor Live Demo schedule running Thursday through Saturday (March 11-13) will offer vendor booth demonstrations from select companies.
Among these:
- Live edging from Coburn Technologies & Huvitz
- Finishing systems from DAC Vision / National Optronics
- Portable manufacturing from GoodVision USA
- Personalized lens technology from Horizons Optical
- In-office lens production from SuperOptical
- CNC milling and professional color consultations from Thema Optical
- Practice management software from Ocuco
Nice! And any updates on the education front?
Event organizers are debuting what they refer to as a "simplified registrational model” that allows attendees to register for a single day or unlimited access to sessions—and attend sessions without needing to pre-select courses.
And take note of these new offerings:
- Exclusive hands-on courses designed for immediate real-world application (10 in total)
- Expanded business, digital health, and retail strategy content
- Accredited education across optometry, opticianry, allied health, and practice management
For a broader look at the course list, speakers, and education packages, click here.
Sounds like this’ll be quite the show …
For sure — and those are just a few of the updates attendees can expect.
- See here for Vision Expo’s complete schedule of events.
And check back at Glance for live coverage throughout the week!