Four days in Las Vegas where optometrists, opticians and eyewear buyers meet 300+ exhibiting companies across frames, lenses and eyecare tech.
Dates
10–13 Mar 2027
City / country
Las Vegas, United States
Venue
The Venetian Expo
Time
Exhibition halls open daily during the four-day run
Event overview
Vision Expo 2027 is the annual North American gathering for eyecare and eyewear, running 10-13 March 2027 at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas.
Organised by RX with The Vision Council, it pairs a large exhibition of frames, lenses, ophthalmic equipment and practice technology with a continuing-education conference for optometrists, opticians and ophthalmologists.
The 2026 edition drew more than 8,000 industry professionals and more than 300 exhibiting companies from 80+ countries, making this the practical once-a-year checkpoint for buyers who stock, specify or prescribe optical products in the United States.
TL;DR
You come for the combination: a floor that covers frames, lenses, diagnostic instruments and practice software, plus education hours that count toward your licence. Four days is enough to trial equipment, negotiate frame assortments and sit in on clinical sessions without choosing between them.
US optical buying is concentrated in a few annual moments, and this is the largest. Distributors, independent opticians and multi-practice groups walk the floor with budgets, and 66% of attendees are reported as decision makers, so conversations move to terms and rollout quickly.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
Halls & areas
4The Venetian Expo, 201 Sands Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89169, United States
Self-park and valet garages at The Venetian and Palazzo, connected by indoor walkway to the Expo halls.
Step-free access from the Sands Avenue entrance; guest services desk near Expo registration arranges wheelchair loans.
Coat and bag check near the Expo main lobby during show hours.
Food options
The Venetian food court, Expo hall concessions
On-site diningParking: Use the Venetian/Palazzo self-park garages off Sands Avenue; walk to the Expo via the Grand Canal Shoppes corridor.
Gate: Badge pickup at the Expo registration counters; bring photo ID matching your registration.
Attend
Event days & opening times
Ticket info
Badge collection
Print or download your badge before arrival and collect it at the Expo registration counters with photo ID.
Ticket notes
Registration opens in November ahead of the March show. The organiser publishes badge categories and any fees on the registration page; no price was printed at the time of this listing.
What's on
How the last edition performed
Last edition
2026
Visitors: 8,000
Exhibitors: 300
Visitor countries: 80
This edition
2027
Visitors: 8,000
Exhibitors: 300
Next edition
2028
No 2028 dates have been announced; the organiser has confirmed only the March 2027 Las Vegas return.
Impact
Vision Expo is the annual North American meeting point for optometry, optical retail and eyewear. With 8,000+ professionals and 300+ exhibitors in 2026, a four-day Las Vegas run gives buyers enough time to compare frames, lenses, diagnostic equipment and practice software in one trip, and to book continuing-education hours alongside supplier meetings.
Audience quality
The buyer mix is practice-led: optometrists, opticians, ophthalmologists and practice owners who sign off on equipment and frame assortments. The organiser reports that 66% of attendees hold decision-making power, so floor conversations tend to be about terms, rollout and staff training rather than general enquiry.
Exhibitor outcomes
For a frame brand, lens lab or diagnostic vendor, four days in Las Vegas compress a year of US account work: national distributors, independent opticians and multi-practice groups all walk the same halls. Value comes from booked follow-ups and distributor meetings rather than raw badge scans; plan the booth around scheduled appointments.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
US optical retail runs on annual buying cycles anchored by this show: frame collections are picked here for the next season, and equipment and software purchases are budgeted around it.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Independent practice consolidation
Optical groups and private-equity-backed platforms keep absorbing independent practices, concentrating purchasing decisions in fewer, larger buyers.
What it changes: Exhibitors meet group buyers who can commit to multi-location frame and equipment orders.
Myopia management moves mainstream
Orthokeratology, low-dose atropine and specialised spectacle lenses are being adopted by general optometry practices rather than specialists only.
What it changes: Opens a product conversation with everyday practitioners, not just clinical researchers.
Diagnostic imaging and tele-optometry
Fundus cameras, OCT units and remote-consult workflows are being bought by practices short of clinical staff.
What it changes: Equipment demos on the floor convert directly into capital budgets.
Vision Expo runs a single annual US edition in Las Vegas, sitting alongside the European eyewear calendar and the larger med-tech shows a buyer may also attend.
Sister-show dates are circuit knowledge and should be rechecked before booking.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Harry Reid International Airport
Main gateway; taxi or rideshare to the Strip.
4 miles
to venue
15-20 minutes
by car
North Las Vegas Airport
General aviation only; useful for private aircraft.
12 miles
to venue
25-30 minutes
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
USD 75–120 / night
Older Strip and convention-corridor properties; walkable or a short ride.
USD 180–280 / night
Directly across from The Venetian Expo.
USD 350–600 / night
Connected to the Expo halls; book the official block early.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Rideshare
Pickup on the designated rideshare level.
Las Vegas Monorail
Runs behind the east Strip hotels.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B-1 business visitor | Visitors who are not eligible for the Visa Waiver Program | $185.00 | Weeks to months; apply early |
Visa Waiver Program nationals may travel on an approved ESTA instead of a visa; check eligibility before booking.
The US accepts ATA carnets for professional equipment; confirm with your freight forwarder.
Official visa pageWeather
March is mild and dry: daytime highs near 22-25C, nights around 10C, with strong air conditioning indoors.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Venue and hotel Wi-Fi is standard; buy a US eSIM for reliable data on the floor.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Tipping
18-20% at restaurants and a dollar or two per drink is standard.
Casino etiquette
Casino floors are 21+; smoking rules vary by property and the Expo halls are non-smoking.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: LAS
Book 3-4 months out; March is a high-demand convention month in Las Vegas.
Most European and several Asian visitors can use the Visa Waiver Program with an approved ESTA; others need a B-1 visitor visa.
Estimated cost: USD 21 ESTA or USD 185 visa
Processing: ESTA usually within 72 hours; visas take weeks to months
Apply before booking non-refundable flights.
OfficialGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Rideshare or taxi, 15-20 minutes, USD 25-40.
Hotel → venue: Walk from Strip-centre hotels; monorail or rideshare from further properties.
Ride-hail: Uber and Lyft both operate; use the designated pickup zones.
Public transit: Las Vegas Monorail links the Strip to the Convention Center station.
Parking: Self-park garages at The Venetian and Palazzo; expect convention-week pricing.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: March
Temperature: 10-25C
Seasonality: Dry month with low rainfall; occasional windy days.
Packing: Light layers for air-conditioned halls, comfortable shoes for a large floor.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: 2027-03-11
Day two has the full exhibition open plus the Vision Council member reception that evening, so buyer meetings and networking land on the same day.
Book flights and hotel — Use the official hotel block for the best rates.
Register and print badge — Registration opens in November.
Shortlist exhibitors and book meetings — Use the online exhibitor directory.
Plan education sessions — Check the conference schedule for clashes.
Pack and confirm transfers — Comfortable shoes; photo ID for badge pickup.
Badge pickup and floor entry
Expo registration countersFrame and lens supplier meetings
Expo Hall AEducation session
Conference roomsEquipment demos and follow-ups
Expo Hall CRed Rock Canyon
Nature
30 minutes by car
Desert scenery and short drives after show hours.
Hoover Dam
Landmark
45 minutes by car
Half-day trip for a free afternoon.
The Venetian Grand Canal Shoppes
Lobby and bars
Walkable from the halls for evening meetings.
Sugarcane
Restaurant
Used for The Vision Council member reception on 11 March, 6:30-8 p.m.
US practices often decide on equipment and frame ranges within a month of the show, so fast follow-up matters more than volume.
Budget
Shell scheme
USD 180–320 / m²
Raw space
USD 54–80 / m²
Standard booth
9 m²
Raw space is quoted per square foot by the organiser; figures here are USD per square metre estimates for planning, not a published tariff.
sourceAdjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Decision
Six quick questions to decide whether to visit, exhibit or skip Vision Expo 2027.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your role?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You have target suppliers or CE hours to complete.
Best for
Optometrists and buyers sourcing products or education
Min. budget
$1,500.00
Timeline
6-8 weeks out
Risks
March hotel rates spike
exhibit
You have US distribution or want to build it.
Best for
Brands and equipment vendors selling into US optical
Min. budget
$8,000.00
Timeline
3-4 months out
Risks
Stand and freight costs
Slow lead follow-up
skip
Your buyers are entirely outside the US market.
Best for
Vendors with no North American pipeline
Timeline
Not applicable
Risks
Missing competitor launches
Book with
The Venetian Expo
Host venue on the Las Vegas Strip with connected hotel towers.
Venue name confirmed from the official show page.
The Vision Council
Co-owner of Vision Expo and the US optical industry association.
Named by the organiser as co-owner.
RX
Global exhibitions business that runs Vision Expo.
Named by the organiser.
Harry Reid International Airport
Las Vegas gateway, 4 miles from the venue.
Public airport serving Las Vegas.
Recommended providers
ESTA or B-1 visa depending on nationality.
Vision Expo official hotel block (Connections Housing)
Official block is named on the organiser site.
Airline or OTA of choice
Book 3-4 months out for March.
Official show freight contractor
Named in the exhibitor manual.
Travel and exhibitor liability insurer
Liability cover is required to build a stand.
Local tour operators
Red Rock Canyon and Hoover Dam are the standard half-day trips.
Badge scanner or your own CRM app
Confirm the official scanner offer with the organiser.
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
5 more alternate names hidden
Trust footer
3
References
2
Publishers
3
Date checked
Vision Expo
The Vision Council
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.
