Malaysia’s biggest optical fair, a 2-day MAPO Fair 2011 comprising of the 16th Optical Exhibition and 26th Anniversary Gala Dinner, opened its doors to welcome invited guests and the public on Saturday, 23rd April 2011, at the Kuala Lumpur International Convention & Exhibition Centre.  Since its creation in 1997, MAPO Fair has proven to be a crucial sourcing platform for more than 500 Malaysian buyers – a meeting point for traders, suppliers and manufacturers.

The Malaysian Deputy Minister Of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism, YB Dato’ Tan Lian Hoe, was invited to officiate the opening ceremony of MAPO FAIR 2011.

In her speech, the Deputy Minister conveyed her grave concern about the proliferation of unauthorized eyewear products at “pasar malam” (night markets), endangering the health of the public. She said that it could not be ascertained whether products sold there were real or fake. She highlighted that spectacles and contact lenses should only be prescribed and dispensed by qualified registered opticians and optometrists. She said it was important that, apart from strict enforcement, consumers have to be educated on the importance of choosing only quality products and services, especially when it comes to health-related products. She pointed out that this only show that there is demand from consumers, who are ignorant or unaware of the risk in purchasing such items without advice from qualified eye care professionals.

This year, participating merchants make up a total of 35 exhibitors, categorized by sunglasses and frames, ophthalmic lenses, contact lenses, solutions, ophthalmic instruments, lens material manufacturer, optical accessories, optical retail software, eye specialist centre, and educational institutions. Among the 35 exhibitors, there were 4 overseas exhibitors from Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Korea. To harness the potential of Malaysia’s optical business, the business opportunity was marketed intensively to encourage increased trade. Initiatives such as special offers of various promotional packages to buyers were conducted 20% to 30% below market price.

The objectives of the exhibition were not simply about showcasing optical latest products and technologies, or to provide the best offers for attending eyewear practitioners, but also about developing friendships and nurture collaborative relationships, consecutively enhance and strengthen the expertise of practicing opticians in this country. In addition, the cooperation and continuing relations of MAPO with other optical associations such as APCO (Asia Pacific Council of Optometry, MOWA (Malaysian Optical Wholesalers Association), SOA ( Sabah Optical Association), MOA (Malaysian Optometry Association), ABDO (Association of British Dispensing Optician), SOP (Singapore Opticianry Practitioners), etc facilitated more opportunities to share a global goal for optical industries in the future.

To emphasize, the Fair was thus certainly worth visiting for optical instruments buyers. New product sectors this year commencing high-tech computers and peripherals with digital imaging auto refractors and phoroptors that give exceptional measurement accuracy and unequalled reliability, and additional features for even sharper diagnosis that allow ECPs (Eye Care Practitioners) to be able to source quality products and parts in the optical world.

Lens manufacturers initiate attractive promotions bringing in a large amount of sales contribution throughout the whole exhibition. The unofficial sales figure generated during this 2-day exhibition was approximately RM1.5 million, however, more than 60% of the sales were from the lens manufacturers.

An optical gallery was set up for the first time in the Fair this year, so that interested exhibitors could showcase their products or valuable information to visitors. For the very first time, the Fair was opened to the public on Saturday, 23rd April 2011, from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. Besides that, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the same day, Alcon had a public forum addressing the issue of contact lenses dryness and discomfort. This was a very good platform for the public to get more information about optical products.

The activities ended each day with daily Lucky Draw sessions for buyers who had completed their transactions with any trader at the exhibition. Each RM1,000 value of order placed with participating exhibitors was entitled to one lucky draw voucher. Ten prizes of cash worth RM888 each were drawn as a complimentary appreciation of valuable ECPs who made purchase order during the fair.

On the night of 23rd April, a gala dinner for MAPO’s 26th Anniversary was organized with the colourful theme “The Sight of Fantasia”.