Breaking with tradition, Vision Expo East will move out of its longtime setting at New York’s Jacob Javits Center this year, opting instead for Orlando, The Vision Council announced today. The decision was based on the current restrictions on large gatherings in New York State and the successful track record of previous events held at the Orange County Convention Center, a press release explains.

“It is our mission and responsibility to the vision care community to provide a platform to effectively show products and conduct business,” said Mitch Barkley, Vice President of Trade Shows and Meetings at The Vision Council. “With strict limitations on large gatherings still in place in New York, we wanted to find a suitable location that would allow us to provide the exceptional Vision Expo experience that the community needs and deserves.”

The show dates will also be pushed out a week. Originally planned to run May 25-28, VEE will now happen June 2-5, organizers say. Education begins June 2 and exhibits open the next day.

The Vision Council cites the new venue’s “track record of successfully hosting more than 50 in-person events between March 2020 and December 2020” and expresses confidence that “the right decision is to move the show to the Orange County Convention Center as the new 2021 host site in order to give our customers every opportunity to network and share their new products.” 

The Orlando convention center "has strict health and safety precautions in place,” the press release notes, and explains that the event will be “upholding all nationally recommended precautions, including mandatory mask-wearing and social distancing.”

“The decision to adjust the show dates and location is a positive solution in the midst of a challenging time for everyone,” said Fran Pennella, Event Vice President, Vision Expo, at Reed Exhibitions. “As we continue our planning efforts, the health, wellbeing and safety of everyone in attendance at the Show continues to be our top priority, and we will be working closely with the Orange County Convention Center to ensure all health and safety guidelines and procedures are maintained.”