NORWALK, Conn.—Pre-registration for the upcoming International Vision Expo West, to be held in Las Vegas Oct. 1-3, opened July 4 and currently numbers 3,000 eyecare professionals, a pace on par with last year's show, show organizers said late last week.

"Vision Expo West 2009 will have over 350 exhibitors including 50 new exhibitors," said Tom Loughran, event director, Reed Exhibitions. "While we recognize that conditions have compelled a few companies to make decisions which will preclude them from the show this year, we wish them the best."

In addition, "We recognize Luxottica will pursue its own event,” Loughran said. “While disappointed, show management wishes them well in their new endeavor and looks forward to welcoming their event attendees at International Vision Expo West in October when the rest of the industry meets.”

As a result of a seminar series Luxottica is planning this fall (see related story above), Luxottica will not exhibit at Vision Expo West this year, Pierre Fay, executive vice president, Luxottica Wholesale, told Vision Monday. "As we will be meeting with many of our customers in person at these sessions, which will launch in September in San Diego and continue into October, with many on the West Coast, we will not be at the West show," Fay said.

Other companies reinforced their presence at West. "Vision Expo West is an iconic Marchon event, as well as an important and successful business building show for us" said Al Berg, CEO of Marchon Eyewear. "It allows Marchon to demonstrate our support of, and in many ways celebrate, the U.S. optical industry. We will once again host our annual party on Friday night Oct. 2, at the Flamingo Hotel and look forward to celebrating with the industry."

Mike Cundiff, Kenmark Group's COO, added, "Since The Vision Council and Reed brought the show to Las Vegas, it has proven to be a destination of choice where our customers come to network, see new products on the show floor, take their CE and see everything under one roof. We would not consider any other vehicle to entertain our West Coast customers than at Vision West where we meet with our existing customers and long time friends and welcome new customers as well."

"Sàfilo continues its support of Vision Expo West as the best place to service ECPs in the western part of the U.S., said Ross Brownlee, president and COO of Sàfilo North America. “VEW presents an important opportunity for ECPs to view the latest trends and product offerings and as the leader in the industry, we want to be where our customers are. Sàfilo's long-term relationship with the independent practitioners has played an integral role in our success, hence, we will be there to support that relationship. Sàfilo values this forum to meet with our customers as business partners while continuing to build strong alliances with them,” Brownlee said.

Several new programs and initiatives are planned for this year's Expo West, organizers said, including a new graphic look and organization of the exhibit floor, the move of the Suites to the new Palazzo hotel at the Venetian, and education events including Visionomics, a health-care reform keynote, courses on social networking and other programs. Information on exhibitors, courses and registration is available at www.visionexpowest.com.