Page 93 - The Indian Optician Digital Edition September-October 2021

18,000. And DaTe is an important show that is
organised in partnership with and support of the
Italian Trade & Investment Agency (ITA).

The three-day in-person event in Italy, at
the Stazione Leopolda di Firenze, attracted
almost 1,500 eyewear professionals and select
buyers, exceeding the organiser’s expectations
and reiterating the importance of in-person
events for the industry. With 45 per cent of the
brands that participated being international
ones, this too was a healthy sign considering all
the set-backs and travel limitations since the
pandemic began. While the international buyers
were in larger numbers from countries closer
geographically – Spain, France and Poland – it
still sets an optimistic tone for the sector.

There’s nothing to compare with meeting and
exhibiting in a physical live showcase. This is what
does full justice to a show like DaTE that looks
ahead and shapes the future of eyewear. The
event places beauty, craftsmanship and design
ingenuity at the core of the supply chain, adding
value in the form of research and innovation. It’s
all about showcasing brands which stand out
due to their originality, design and innovative use
of materials. ‘Shaping the future of eyewear’ was
the theme of the 2021 edition.

The show was, of course, hosted strictly with
all the anti-Covid measures in place, following
all the standard operating procedures and
protocols, in full compliance with the Italian
government’s safety regulations for trade-fairs
and events.

“This year, more than ever, DaTE was a pivotal
driver for the industry, as well as the place where
in-person meetings, sharing and business was
possible. For three days, we were surrounded by
keen interest and a craving to invest in the future
and in new projects. We are extremely pleased
with the outcome of this edition,” stated Giovanni
Vitaloni, president of the event.

Online interaction also yielded active
engagement and excellent results. Through
social media messaging, FB and IG combined
reached 513,353 users and a total of 14,877
interactions, while video content was viewed
more than 15,000 times.

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