Editorial

Pand 43 Pand 41

IT'S ALLOWED AGAIN!

After two years of general measures and restrictions due to the Corona pandemic with partial and hard lockdowns, quarantine obligations, home working advice, emergency support and of course the wellknown phrase: 'wash your hands a lot - keep 1.5 metres away - wear a mouth mask', (almost) everything is allowed to go back to the way it used to be. Back to the old normal.

Many opticians yearn to visit a fair 'the old-fashioned way', without admission tests or obligatory walking directions, and where you can view new collections and new brands without worrying, talk to suppliers or network with your fellow opticians and of course enjoy the freedom and inspiration. We are finally allowed again!

A lot has happened in the world in those two years. Many industries have had a hard time and some companies have had to pull the plug. Fortunately, the economy is recovering miraculously fast. We will have to support the companies that have been hit hardest in order to keep our society beautiful. Going away for the weekend or on holiday more often, go to a restaurant or a pub and visit the cultural and event sector. There are worse things to do, aren't there? The retail sector has also had a hard time, but fortunately money is being spent there again. Often at bargain prices because the stock or 'old' collection has to be sold quickly. Still, some branches have been lucky in those two years, especially producers of medical equipment, food producers, webshops, DIY stores and garden centres and of course the essential sector: optics.

It is often extremely busy in many optical stores and a lot of glasses are sold. Time is short, unfortunately there are also too few hands on the shop floor to do anything about it. The shortage of staff in almost all industries causes a (sometimes too) high workload in many optical stores. As a result, work is often left unfinished and there is often no time to receive representatives to supplement the collections. Fortunately, the necessary items can often be ordered online. But real entrepreneurs still want to stay up-to-date with all the developments in the market. Also, there is often a need for new brands to distinguish you as an entrepreneur from your competitors. Online it is quite difficult to find the right brand you are looking for. That is why physical fairs remain of great importance for optics entrepreneurs. The chance to see or buy many brands in two days, to experience the quality, to speak with the representatives or the designers remains essential in our industry. Essential to grow or stay ahead of the rapidly changing supply and demand in the world.

Therefore we believe that the renewed Dutch optics fair Bold Optical Fair is an added value for you, nice to visit in the Netherlands a well organized fair where many beautiful high-end, commercial but also special brands will be present. In the field of glass and equipment you can also experience the latest innovations and developments. At Bold you will mainly find brands in the mid and high segments.

We have been looking for a new spacious location in the Netherlands and came across the amazingly beautiful Taets Art & Event Park, which is situated in the middle of the Randstad and houses more than 600 independent opticians. For some opticians it will now be closer than Nijkerk, for some a bit further. But let's face it, the Netherlands is not that big and if there is a nice fair abroad, we drive there too. So we will provide a very well-organised fair that you will not want to miss and all that just for you. So come to Bold, a new stylish location with large open exhibition areas with beautiful brands that are happy to welcome you on 20 & 21 March 2022.

For the Dutch optician, the new location is easily accessible by car. You can park for free in a large parking lot directly in front of the main entrance. For visitors from abroad, Bold is easy to reach within half an hour from Schiphol Airport and from Amsterdam Central Station. For opticians from Belgium and from the border area of Germany, Zaandam is also easy to drive to.

We hope to see you soon!

With kind regards, Terressa & Walter