In the beautiful city of Paris, where the worlds of fashion and innovation naturally intertwine, the SILMO Eyewear Conference 2023 took place. This gathering drew in over 27,000 attendees and featured more than 900 exhibitors from 42 countries, making it a truly exceptional event.
Morgan Latif, executive search, and leadership consultants, had the privilege of participating in this remarkable assembly of the eyewear industry. Our Head of Vision Care, Giuseppina Montalto, and Director, Oliver Morgan, were grateful for the opportunity to connect with both existing clients and candidates, as well as foster new relationships at the event.
A particular highlight at the event was the impressive EssilorLuxottica booth. These global eyewear leaders left attendees enchanted with their stunning collaboration with Swarovski, not only showcasing exquisite eyewear but also offering exclusive branded cocktails in the evening—a tasteful blend of fashion and innovation. Additionally, Essilor Luxottica presented its partnership with Meta, introducing innovative combined vision care and hearing solutions. The booth reflected the industry’s commitment to providing holistic solutions to enhance the quality of life for millions. Silmo d’Or awards were also given out, honouring Eyewear Design and Technology Achievements. Winners included Veronika with Lane winning the Premier Classe Show Award, Lafont with Ouvrage winning the Special Jury Prize as well as Marchon with Nike Fly Free and EssilorLuxottica with Varilux XR Series. Congratulations to all the award winners.
The SILMO Eyewear Conference also served as a window into the future of vision care, shedding light on emerging trends shaping the industry. Sustainability was a recurring theme, as more eyewear manufacturers and brands pledged to embrace eco-friendly practices, including sustainable materials and responsible production processes. The eyewear sector continues to lead in technological advancements, with developments like smart glasses, augmented reality, and cutting-edge lens technologies, pushing the boundaries of functionality and style.
Undoubtedly, the sector has faced its share of challenges in recent years, including the impact of geopolitical conflicts, supply chain disruptions, and demand fluctuations. Nevertheless, at SILMO 2023, there was a sense of cautious optimism and industry leaders, including many of Morgan Latif’s clients, are in the process of business planning for next year and are looking ahead to 2024 with renewed hope and growth-oriented plans.
Morgan Latif, known for its expertise in assembling diverse, high-performing leadership teams, introduced its “Project Hire” initiative earlier this year. This innovative program addresses the rising demand for high-calibre commercial talent at the national level. The success of this initiative, initially launched in the United States and across French, Italian and German-speaking European markets, has been truly remarkable. In 2024, Morgan Latif aims to extend this initiative to new geographical areas, striving to maintain its position as a trusted partner in executive search and leadership consulting within the vision care industry as well as supporting our clients achieve their ambitious growth plans through commercial talent.
We look forward to seeing you at other conferences we are attending such as OPTI in Munich and MIDO in Milan in 2024.
Please contact @GiuseppinaMontalto to understand how Morgan Latif can support your business hire and develop high-performing teams in the Vision Care sector.
