For four intense days from 20 September, SILMO Paris 2024 was the meeting place for industry professionals. This year, 32,125 visitors (+2.6% compared to 2023), 52% of whom were international and 48% French, travelled to see the latest innovations from more than 900 companies on 75,000 sqm.
In addition to the exhibitors’ offerings, there was a lot more for visitors to see in Paris.
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SILMO: Awards and prizes
SILMO d’Or: The 30th anniversary
The SILMO d’Or Awards recognise technical excellence, creativity and innovation. The 2024 edition was marked by the 30th anniversary of the award, which demonstrates the consistency and lasting influence of this award and emphasises the importance of know-how in this constantly evolving industry, according to the trade fair. Discover the winners here.
Optical Design Contest
Showcasing expertise, promoting the industry, stimulating innovation: SILMO Paris also supports the talents of tomorrow with the ‘Optical Design Contest’ (Concours Design Optique).
The third edition of this competition, which is open to design students from all over the world, focussed on eyewear accessories that offer new functions and potential uses beyond vision correction and protection. The 2024 winner is ‘Distroal’ by Thomas Deneufbourg and Adrien Gallois (École de Design Nantes Atlantique).
Award for committed companies
The adoption of a comprehensive CSR strategy is crucial to fulfil the expectations of industry players and to strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of companies in the optical sector. To promote these sustainable and responsible practices, SILMO has launched the ‘Award for a Committed Company’ in collaboration with the Hyssop agency.
This award recognises companies that take a holistic approach that takes ethical, environmental and social concerns into account and is actively committed to a more responsible future. The 2024 winners are the companies Vanni and Skans.
‘International Optician of the Year’ award
This award, presented by the IOA (International Opticians Association) in partnership with SILMO Paris, honours and encourages opticians for their vision and commitment to promoting the values of the profession to both employees and customers. The 2024 winner is Vitor Martins (Portugal).
Inter-School Challenge
Always on the Monday of the SILMO Paris editions, the ‘Day of Schools’ offers students and teachers a special opportunity to immerse themselves in the heart of the optical industry. The ‘Inter-School Challenge’, a competition organised in partnership with Optic 2000 and dedicated to second-year BTS students, also took place on this day. This year, the ESSO Angers school won the competition, with the five best students winning a trip to a European optics fair.
SILMO Next – Futurology: The future of possibilities
Diving into the future of optics and exploring the fascinating prospects for the years 2025 to 2035, the experts discovered an area divided into several different sections where technological innovations, customised solutions, interactive experiences, augmented reality and virtual reality come together.
A trend show on the shapes, colours and materials of eyewear, a complete overview showcasing the best of optical and sunglasses frames from the exhibitors present at the show with four trends highlighted at the show.
Focus on savoir-faire
Masters of French craftsmanship
Explore the unmissable workshops of the ‘Meilleurs Ouvriers de France’, where master French craftsmen reveal their expertise and offer demonstrations: Customised frame design, handmade moulding, welding.
And as every year, visitors were able to discover the ‘Design Challenge’ exhibition, which brought together the creations of design students and interns from the Morez Eyewear School. The eclectic frames were inspired by plant materials and took up the themes of transmission and sharing.
The expertise of French eyewear makers
In the heart of the Jura massif, you can discover the unique expertise of its companies and meet their craftsmen at captivating events. Here, the talent and tradition of eyewear makers are highlighted, preserving a centuries-old know-how that is crucial to the worldwide reputation of ‘Made in France’.
Museum Oyonnax – Morez
Presentation of a fascinating collection of historical artefacts and innovations that have shaped two centuries of eyewear history. This showcase of the heritage of French eyewear manufacturing offered the opportunity to explore the evolution of eyewear frame techniques and designs while immersing oneself in the rich history and heritage of the two emblematic towns of Oyonnax and Morez.
An even more interactive experience with a series of inspiring talks in which renowned specialists reveal their insights and analyses. In parallel, the new SILMO Academy format offered visitors the opportunity to attend exciting talks by leading international researchers and experts (the programme).
A playful and engaging competition, the ‘OPTympics’ celebrated the intersection between the spirit of sport and the fascinating world of optometry. Like athletes challenging their limits, opticians had the opportunity to put themselves in the game and test their skills with passion, creativity and expertise.
More than 800 people took part in the tests (here is the ranking list). In collaboration with Radioottica, Nico Caradonna & Behind My Glass.
SILMO Touch: Engagement all year round
RSE: At the heart of the optical industry
SILMO is actively committed to supporting the industry in adopting sustainable and ethical practices. In partnership with the Hyssop agency, the show provides documents that decode key challenges such as sourcing, packaging and transport to guide companies in integrating social responsibility into the core of their operations.
The fact sheets offer concrete advice on reducing environmental footprints, promoting diversity and improving transparency in supply chains. By combining innovation and responsibility, SILMO supports the industry in its transition to a more sustainable future.
Podcasts ‘The right optics’
‘The Right Optics’ is designed to follow professionals throughout the year, even beyond the confines of the show. These lively conversations with experts and special guests, all recorded by Nick Coffer, explore the exciting world of optics with depth. The episodes revealed success stories, highlighted exceptional expertise and shared inspiring visions for the future of the industry.
SILMO TV and news
Throughout the four days of the show, the SILMO TV team was on hand to capture all the industry news live and ensure visitors didn’t miss any key moments from the event. Thanks to expert analyses, testimonials and reports, professionals stayed connected to the latest happenings at SILMO Paris and can also follow the SILMO News broadcasts throughout the year to keep up to date with the latest trends and innovations in the optical industry.
SILMO Job
SILMO Paris, as a partner of the optical industry, accompanies professionals in the key challenges of the sector, particularly in the recruitment of talent. Recruiters and candidates benefit throughout the year and beyond the show from a dynamic area with exclusive opportunities to build the teams of tomorrow.
SILMO Paris: next year from 26 to 29 September in Paris Nord Villepinte.
