LOFT NYC, the largest annual independent eyewear show is preparing for increased crowds in this post-pandemic recovery. The event will run from March 16 – March 19 at the familiar Hudson Mercantile event space at the corner of 10th and West 36th St in New York City.

LOFT Eyewear Shows have set the standard for independent eyewear events in North America since 2000. This year will mark the second New York Event since the pandemic shut down trade events across the world.

Founder, Richard Mewha, is very optimistic about this year’s event, “Looking back to when we started this event back in 2000 with just a couple of independent brands, our show has evolved into a very special highlight on the international trade calendar. As we were growing the event, the independent eyewear movement also grew and as such, we have been at the forefront of showcasing the most interesting eyewear designers and companies from all across the globe. Our diehard independent retailers and boutique owners look forward to meeting up in our space each year to catch up with their friends and colleagues.”

The LOFT Gallery floor was introduced a few years ago to accommodate many new and interesting independent brands to the ever-popular event, including designers that use innovative and new materials such as acrylic, buffalo horn, wood, vinyl, and carbon fiber.

Mewha continues, “We have been very satisfied with the expansion and the many new opportunities for exhibitors it has brought to the event. Many new buyers from across the industry are discovering LOFT for the first time each year so we are very keen to keep our event fresh and exciting. We are very pleased to also announce that our highly popular and legendary LOFT PARTY is on again in 2023. It’s always a memorable affair!” 

LOFT NYC also implemented a brand new online booking site/app in 2022 that is available through the event website, allowing buyers to easily schedule and manage their appointments across many different vendors right on their smartphones or other devices.

Marketing Director of LOFT Eyewear Shows, Louis Fullagar, said “We are super excited for another great event in New York City! Our new booking website has made the event so much easier for our show attendees to navigate their appointments and our vendors are reporting much greater engagement and advanced bookings. Our event is already famous for having excellent catering and beverage options which will again be a highlight. Our dedicated visitors will again have the unique opportunity of meeting their favorite eyewear designers and gather in-depth knowledge of the eyewear they sell in their stores every day.”

The LOFT NYC event runs an extra day (Thursday) to accommodate buyers and staff who are tied up with appointments elsewhere over the weekend. The event is fully catered including a coffee and breakfast each day and wine and beverages in the afternoon. LOFT NYC is also famous for it’s legendary themed industry parties and 2023 will see a return of the much talked about event. Keep an eye out for details coming soon.

A full designer list and appointment booking is available on the LOFT Eyewear Show website at www.lofteyewearshow.com. You can follow on Facebook and Instagram @lofteyewearshow and tag us using the hashtag #loftnyc on Social Media.