MILAN—ANFAO, the Italian Optical Goods Manufacturers’ Association, held its General Meeting on July 14, 2026, at Palazzo Flangini in Milan, Italy. This annual meeting brings the association’s member companies together to discuss shared objectives and future initiatives, ANFAO said. At the meeting, ANFAO president Lorraine Berton and the ANFAO team presented the association’s strategic vision for supporting the eyewear industry through a period of transformation shaped by shifting economies, technological innovation and evolving global markets.
“In a world where change has become the norm, ANFAO’s role is not simply to represent companies, but to help them build the future,” Berton said. “Today, competitiveness depends not only on the ability to respond to change, but on the ability to anticipate it—helping companies recognize emerging signals, create new opportunities and build the conditions that will enable our industry to remain a leading force in international markets.
“And it is precisely with this objective that we must above all recognize the value of people and talent, because they are the true driving force behind every business,” Berton continued. “We can invest in new technologies, enter new markets and build new facilities, but without skilled, motivated people who are capable of innovating, no company can truly grow. That is where this general meeting begins: with the voices of those who are turning these projects into reality.”
In addition, Alessia Godler, director of space applications at Adaptronics, described as “a spin-off” of the University of Bologna, joined the meeting to share her personal and professional journey, and the lesson that space has taught her: “there are no boundaries, only new horizons to explore,” ANFAO said in a release. Godler reflected on her path shaped by curiosity, study, sacrifice and perseverance in a field that the group said remains largely male-dominated, explaining that every achievement is earned through hard work and determination, and stressing that tenacity is often the true talent that transforms.
According to ANFAO, its guiding strategy for the next several months as presented at the general meeting is built around five key pillars designed to help member companies navigate the ever-evolving business environment: People, Innovation, Markets, Culture and Strategic Outlook.
Under the People category, ANFAO has developed Talent Bridging, a new program designed to help eyewear companies attract, develop and retail talent, the group stated. The initiative will begin on September 15 with Talent Magnet, a workshop focused on enhancing companies’ attractiveness, understanding the expectations of younger generations and developing effective employer branding strategies, ANFAO said. Max Maiorino, a shoemaker from Saronno who has transformed his business through TikTok and Instagram, will be a featured speaker. Then, on October 27, the Talent Sustain workshop will help companies explore strategies for developing skills, preserving corporate know-how and strengthening talent retention. ANFAO will also hold follow-up sessions designed to support participating companies in implementing their action plans and sharing their results. Finally, the initiative will conclude during Mido 2027 with a closing event featuring a special guest and a certification recognizing participants’ experience and skills acquired.
Under the Innovation pillar, ANFAO’s Lens Group presented Open Vision, its new initiative designed to strengthen dialogue among opticians, optometrists, ophthalmologists and patients while fostering a greater awareness of eye health. Inspired by the experience of its past Eyevolution event, this project will consist of eight podcast episodes hosted by journalist Nicoletta Carbone, the voice of Radio 24 in Italy. The podcast will be distributed through major streaming platforms, ANFAO said.
Following the success of its inaugural edition, ANFAO is also renewing is partnership with the LUISS Business School in Rome for its Export Management program, tailored specifically to eyewear sector businesses. The program is offered free of charge and includes three training sessions scheduled for September 17 in Belluno, October 8 in Milan and October 27 in Rome, the group advised. The 2026 edition will focus on the practical application of AI in internationalization processes, ANFAO said, providing companies with practical tools to navigate global markets and strengthen their competitiveness.
In the Markets pillar, ANFAO notes that it continues to support the internationalization of member companies and strengthen their presence in global markets through the Italian Eyewear Exhibition (IEE) program, developed in partnership with the Italian Trade Agency (ITA). The calendar opens on September 24 in Paris with the second edition of IEE Paris, which showcases a new format and an expanded hosted-buyer program for professionals from France and neighboring markets. The inaugural edition of IEE Sao Paolo, a new initiative created to foster connections between Italian eyewear companies, Brazilian opticians and buyers from Central and South America, will follow on October 15 and 16.
DaTE, scheduled for September 12 through 14 in Naples, Italy, continues its evolution highlighting independent and design-driven eyewear. The show will benefit from the support of ITA through a hosted-buyer program focused on European markets and a digital communications program targeting France, the United Kingdom and Spain, ANFAO said.
Silmo Istanbul is scheduled for November 19 through 22. Following successful 2025 involvement, ANFAO will also focus attention on the show, “reaffirming ANFAO’s commitment to a strategic and rapidly evolving market,” the association said. ANFAO is also looking ahead to Mido 2027, scheduled for February 6 through 8 in Milan, which will build on the innovative path it has pursued in recent years.
Through the Culture pillar, ANFAO notes that its popular the Lens of Time exhibition will be held from October 13 through 30, 2026, at Palazzo Piacentini on Rome’s Via Veneto. This year’s edition will also feature a special focus on cinema, with the aim of further developing the project and expanding its content in the lead-up to MIDO 2027, ANFAO said. That same spirit informs Bella Storia, a project developed by Venice’s M9 Museum as part of its social inclusion initiatives. ANFAO will offer free admission to the museum for all visitors on July 22, 24 and 25, 2026.
The Strategic Outlook pillar sees the launch of Scenari, ANFAO’s new initiative designed to provide entrepreneurs with fresh perspectives and practical tools for understanding the major economic, geopolitical and social shifts that are reshaping the international landscape, the association said. The inaugural event was held on June 30 with journalist Monica Maggioni and Paolo Magri, executive vice president of the Italian Institute for International Political Studies and professor of international relations at Bocconi University.
Through these five pillars, ANFAO will continue to support the Italian eyewear industry through the rest of 2026 and beyond, the association said.
