Amélie Morel
Future of the Industry Begins at Silmo Paris
In this exclusive interview, Silmo Paris President Amélie Morel says their ambition is for every industry professional to leave Paris with more ideas, more opportunities and more confidence in the future than when they arrived.
Every September, the global optical community gathers in Paris. Beyond the show itself, what do you believe professionals are really seeking at Silmo Paris?
I believe they come looking for perspective. Our industry is evolving faster than ever before, and professionals need more than products. They need inspiration, ideas and meaningful conversations. Silmo Paris offers a unique environment where people can step back from their daily business, meet peers from around the world and better understand the forces shaping tomorrow’s market. It’s this combination of business, innovation and human connection that makes the experience so valuable.
Silmo Paris brings together professionals from more than 140 countries. How important is this international diversity for the future of the industry?
It is essential. Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation. It grows through dialogue, through different cultures, different ways of thinking and different market realities. When professionals from every continent meet in the same place, they don’t simply exchange products—they exchange visions. This international diversity is one of Silmo Paris’ greatest strengths because it creates opportunities that simply cannot happen elsewhere.
The optical industry is changing rapidly. What transformation do you believe will have the greatest impact over the next decade?
Without hesitation, I would say the convergence of technology and human expertise. Artificial intelligence, connected eyewear and digital tools will profoundly transform our profession. Yet I firmly believe technology will never replace the expertise of optical professionals. Instead, it will enhance their ability to advise, personalise and create better experiences for patients and customers. The future belongs to those who successfully combine innovation with human relationships.
Silmo Paris has always celebrated creativity. Why do you think design remains such a strategic asset for the optical industry?
Because eyewear is unlike any other product. It improves vision, certainly, but it also expresses personality, confidence and identity. Design therefore plays a much broader role than aesthetics alone. It creates emotion, differentiates brands and responds to evolving lifestyles. Encouraging creativity also means encouraging the industry’s ability to reinvent itself, which is why initiatives such as the Trends Forum and the Silmo d’Or Awards are so important to us.
Finally, what would you say to a professional who has never attended Silmo Paris?
I would simply tell them: come with curiosity. Whether you are looking for new suppliers, new technologies, new ideas or simply a fresh perspective on your business, you will find far more than you expected. Silmo Paris is not only a place where business happens. It is a place where ambitions grow, where international connections are built and where the future of our profession becomes tangible. Once you have experienced that atmosphere, you understand why so many professionals return year after year. Because the future of optics doesn’t wait. It meets in Paris.
September 2026