Last month, many of us at 20/20 were writing about the arrival of September, and with it, the hustle and bustle of the fall travel season. Trips were discussed and planned for travel to Vision Expo West in Las Vegas and SILMO in Paris, and the editorial team was excited to hop on planes, trains and automobiles to get where we needed to be. We knew that our industry colleagues—friends old and new—were awaiting us, along with the latest fall and winter eyewear collections, most current technologies in the ever-evolving space of optical and contact lenses, and digital product offerings to support exam processes and operations.

Now on the other side of that travel hustle (at least for now), it’s wonderful to report that the events in Las Vegas and Paris more than delivered on their ever-anticipated promise. As a newbie stepping into the conference center at VEW and, later, heading down the steps into the exhibit hall at SILMO, all for the very first time, I was inspired. While I would like to say that it was the beautiful eyewear or stunning examples of technology that struck me, what got to me even more was the energy and warmth that stems from people all working together toward the same goal. Of course, there are business drivers behind attending, presenting and exhibiting at the trade shows, but more than that, at these events, our common goals come into focus. The threads that run among us—to ensure eye health, clear vision and that patients receive the best possible care—unite us and drive a positive energy and creative force that is hard to match.

That said, we are excited to feature some of the designers and companies we saw at the shows on the pages of 20/20, including the purpose-driven work of members of the eyewear designers of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (edCFDA), featured in our Upfront section.

We are also thrilled to showcase the Eco Dani from Modo and db4k React Echo from Europa Eyewear in our Partnership Feature, as well as a MarketPulse Survey on “Seeing Sustainably” as part of our focus on sustainability in this month’s issue. We also turn the spotlight on Modo in a conversation with Rebecca Giefer, CEO of Modo Americas, who shares her perspectives on the future of sustainability in eyewear.

We hope you enjoy this month’s issue, with its focus on sustainability and purpose, as much as we do.

Anne Cooper
Editorial Director, 20/20 and Vision Monday
[email protected]