WE ARE opti 2026
opti is the annual kick-off event for the ophthalmic optics industry - a place for exchanging knowledge, innovations and inspiring encounters. But what makes the trade show really special is its unique atmosphere: the personal exchange and interaction between trade visitors and exhibitors from all over the world.
With the WE ARE opti campaign 2026, we want to emphasise this special sense of community even more - not only during the trade show, but throughout the year.
Strong community - strong personalities
WE ARE opti stands for creating together, for a lively meeting place for the optical industry, for passion and a clear promise: Together we create something new, together we move the industry, together we are opti!
Committed industry representatives were selected for the campaign who embody this message and convey the diversity of the optical industry to the outside world. Get to know the strong personalities here:
Reya Kons
Dipl. AO/Optometrist (FH), lecturer at Brandenburg University of Technology, lecturer at Berlin University of Applied Sciences, lecturer at the Brandenburg Opticians' Guild
How did you find your way into optometry?
It was probably because of my own defective vision, as I am very myopic. That's how I got into optometry. Then I did a classic professional formation and later I studied in Berlin. However, contact lenses were always my hobbyhorse. I've spent the last twenty years basically doing nothing else. My greatest wish was always to teach, instruct and motivate – well, and that's what I do now as a lecturer.
Christian Metzler
Photographer & Collector of glasses
How did you find your way into optometry?
My path into optometry is a relatively fasciniting one. I came into optics as an outsider. About 15 years ago, I started collecting glasses, vintage glasses at the time, and almost ten years ago it was precisely because of this passion that opti approached me to give a speech about my passion for collecting at opti.
Fola Osu
Sales representative
How did you find your way into optometry?
I actually got into the optical business via fashion and streetwear. I was in the field with streetwear and was offered an eyewear brand that wanted to position itself in the market with streetwear.
Tom Luis Platten
Student of the B.Sc. Optometry at Munich University of Applied Sciences, PLATTEN Optik + Akustik
How did you find your way into optometry?
I come from a small family-run optician's shop in Rhineland-Palatinate, so I practically grew up with optics. I'm now doing my Bachelor's degree at the University of Applied Sciences in Munich, I'm in the final stages and I really enjoy working in the shop and making customers happy time and time again.
Daniela Steinkämper
Managing Director Purchasing & Sales of the Viehoff Group
How did you find your way into optometry?
I actually took the classic path into optometry. I trained as an optician, then after two years as I went to master school and became a master optician. In the meantime, after various positions – quite classically in companies, as manager – I joined the Viehoff Group, where I work in management and am responsible for purchasing and sales.
Camilla Stramare
CEO of Strato Eyewear
How did you find your way into optometry?
Actually I was born and raised in optics, because I am the second generation in an eyewear manufacturing company that my parents started forty years ago.
The faces of the 2025 Campaign
Lena Eberhardt
Optician, graduate of the B.Sc. in Ophthalmic Optics/Optometry at Aalen University
Petra Lindner
Master optician, optometrist M.Sc., trainer
Sabine Siegmund
Owner of Siegmund Augenoptik & Hörakustik, communication coach
Jean-Pierre Schwalb
Owner of Optik Schwalb in Nidda
Boris M. Stolle
Sales representative
Lars Teubler
Nupsies Podcast & master optician at Arndt & Weiß in Bünde