Vision Expo West returns to the Venetian Expo in Las Vegas from Wednesday to Saturday, the last edition in the West before the exhibition shifts into a new singular cadence beginning in March.

The event will take place against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, partially fueled by the Trump administration’s tariffs policy, and major changes in the sector, not the least of which is the news last week that VSP Vision, parent company of Marchon, plans to acquire Italian eyewear group Marcolin for an undisclosed amount. The combined group will own brands stretching from Zeiss, Linda Farrow and Calvin Klein to Tom Ford, Zegna, Christian Louboutin, ic! berlin, Guess and many others.

Co-owned by RX and The Vision Council, this year’s Vision Expo West introduces a lineup of elevated activations that highlight the technologies, trends and creatives charting the future of vision care and eyewear globally.

The 2025 edition features a newly redesigned exhibit hall organized into four distinct areas: eyewear; eye care; independent design, and tech and innovation.

A redesign debuted at Vision Expo East earlier this year, and the response “was overwhelmingly positive,” said Ashley Mills, chief executive officer of The Vision Council. “The goal was to create a more seamless and intuitive experience for attendees by clearly segmenting the show floor into four areas. This allows attendees to more easily navigate, discover products and engage with the areas most relevant to them, while also enjoying new activations, food and beverage options and networking spaces woven throughout the show floor.”

In step with an evolving industry, technology sits at the forefront of the show, with the tech and innovation area showcasing the latest diagnostic devices, treatment tools, software platforms and retail technologies. These sit alongside breakthroughs in eye care such as AI-powered diagnostics, smart lenses, robotic and laser-assisted surgical tools, regenerative therapies, innovative pharmacology advancements and next-generation wearable technologies.

Activations will take place across the show floor. LaunchPad, a showcase of more than 25 start-up companies ranging from early to late stage, is set to be a highlight. This year it features the six finalists of the VSP Vision Innovation Challenge, each of whom has gone through a four-week bootcamp with Matter, the health care incubator, to refine their pitches and solutions.

“These companies are presenting cutting-edge work in AI, VR, AR and diagnostic innovations, everything from AI-powered decision support for early disease detection to AR glasses restoring functional sight, to VR-based vision therapy,” Mills explained.

Some of the early-stage finalists may secure a $400,000 investment from Topcon Healthcare’s Thinc Ventures. The competition winners will be revealed during the live pitch event with audience participation on Thursday at 4 p.m. on the main stage.

The Indie Lab Speakeasy highlights an important element of the show each year — the chance for attendees to network. It is a dedicated space where independent labs can gather, share insights and connect with customers and partners in a relaxed environment.

“It provides visibility and a collective voice for this important segment of the industry,” the CEO said. “With GSRX’s sponsorship, the speakeasy has been elevated as a central hub for indie labs, reinforcing their role as innovators and essential partners within the optical supply chain.”

Additionally, the Meeting Zone offers yet another dedicated space for one-on-one networking.

The Platinum Club brings together a space with exclusive access for million-dollar practices, media and influencers who receive early and extended access to the show floor. Open during show hours, it offers a private retreat on the busy show floor, with complimentary food and beverage, workspaces, charging stations and areas designed for meetings or media interviews.

Other new activations include a VSP Beer Garden, an eclectic spot to relax with themed drinks and mini golf; the Conferee Café, a French-inspired lounge sponsored by Hoya Independent Design Lounge, a space with daily barista service and TVC Bar where attendees can enjoy coffee, happy hours and meet experts from The Vision Council’s government relations and research teams.

The UOA OptiCon Hub is a dedicated space with specialized programming for opticians, presented by the United Opticians Association. It is designed exclusively for opticians, and features interactive workshops on practice growth, technical skills and industry trends, alongside accredited continuing education. A highlight of this year’s program is the OptiCon General Session on the main stage, “Dream Big: The Future of Opticianry in the 21st Century,” led by David Friedfeld, president and co-owner of ClearVision Optical, which will explore the trends shaping the profession’s future.

Over on the main stage, there will be discussions and presentations on practice management, the future of the industry, advancements, trends and staffing and leadership development, alongside a pitch competition and award presentations.

The VSP Vision Innovation Challenge Awards on Thursday are expected to be a standout moment. The six finalists — three early stage and three later stage — will live pitch on-stage before the crowning of the winner. 

On Friday at 4 p.m. there will be Invision’s 2025 America’s Finest Optical Retailer Award Presentation & Champagne Toast. The award celebrates the most innovative optical retailer in the U.S., chosen by a panel of industry judges. The winner will receive their trophy and $1,000 from Vision Expo, followed by a Champagne toast.

The Flaunt the Frame Eyewear Fashion Show will take place on Friday at 4:40 p.m., hosted by Eyecare Business. It will showcase the latest trends in eyewear design, style and craftsmanship.

This year’s education programming offers more than 270 hours of accredited and nonaccredited content, including 13 hours of free COPE-approved content and OptiCon @ Vision Expo programming, presented by the United Opticians Association.

New for 2025 will be the Summits series, one-hour, CE-accredited sessions to provide fast-paced insights on trending issues across eye care based on proprietary research only at Vision Expo. Attendees can engage with peers in an interactive learning environment featuring real-world cases and practical applications.

The Refractive Program is a collaboration between optometry and ophthalmology offering CE-accredited sessions focused on refractive and cataract care, while the Technology Showcase is a dive into hands-on product learning in a space that connects classroom learning with exhibit hall solutions.

Now by Vision Expo, the trend showcase and award program celebrating innovation in eyewear, launched its first Now Design Competition, a challenge to rethink what eyewear could be.

Under the theme “Visionaries of Tomorrow,” the competition called on designers, students, eye care professionals and creators from around the world to submit conceptual or functional designs for all eyewear or optical accessories. From avant-garde frames to accessories and technology-infused designs, participants were invited to explore how eyewear can redefine personal expression, enhance health and shape fashion for the future.

The inaugural five finalists are Arcatura by David Minich; Luman Vantage by Rosebell Gicheru; Orbit Progressives by Jennifer Wicks; See Beyond by Haoxuan Huang, and The Cinematic Frame by Dohn Ash.

Finalist designs and project descriptions will be showcased at Vision Expo West 2025 in the Now Pavilion from Thursday to Saturday, with attendees able to preview the entries and vote for their favorites. The Now creative team will make the final selection.

The Grand Prize winner will be revealed on Jan. 15, and their design will be featured in the Now Trends Showcase at Vision Expo in Orlando from March 12 to 14.

Planning for March has already begun and the Las Vegas show will include an Orlando 2026 Pop-up, a space to preview and plan for Vision Expo 2026 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. It comes with perks, daily chances to win all-expense-paid trips and Michelin-star restaurant vouchers. “The goal is for our community to get more information and share feedback,” the CEO said.

“Vision Expo is where the vision community gathers to move the industry forward,” Mills said. “By bringing together groundbreaking innovations, education that empowers, and a vibrant community of professionals, Vision Expo West reflects our industry’s shared commitment to growth, collaboration and shaping the future of eye care,” she said.