CategoryMedical & Pharma
Bold Optical Fair
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About this event
Bold Optical Fair (BOLD XXL 2026)
Bold Optical Fair is a specialized optics event where opticians and suppliers come together for a large-scale showcase of the latest trends, products, developments, inspiration, and industry networking. It brings the optical sector under one roof and creates a platform for discovering new brands, meeting trading partners, and doing business in a focused, industry-specific environment.
When and where
- Dates: 6 + 7 September 2026
- Venue: Brabanthallen – Den Bosch
- Address: Diezekade 2, 5222 AK ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands
What makes this edition special
The 2026 edition marks 10 years of BOLD. The event is presented as BOLD XXL, featuring a combined lineup under one roof. Visitors can expect a broad brands offering, including both familiar names and brands that are appearing in the Netherlands for the first time. For this anniversary edition, some exhibitors have even preserved a new product line specifically for the event.
Brand and exhibitor atmosphere
Bold Optical Fair positions itself as a high-value marketplace for optical professionals. The event highlights a “full floor” atmosphere with numerous exhibitors and a gathering of hundreds of opticians from across the region. The overall tone is described as relaxed and business-friendly—designed to make meetings and transactions feel like an enjoyable industry get-together.
Good cause initiative
As part of the anniversary, the event includes a lucky draw/lottery in support of three good causes. The good causes are proposed by visitors and exhibitors themselves, and participants are encouraged to submit a cause they care about by before 1 July.
Who should attend
Bold Optical Fair is aimed at professionals connected to optics—especially opticians and optical suppliers. If your organization is involved in eyewear, lenses, optical retail, optical technology, or related services, this event is designed to connect you with decision-makers and partner organizations in the optics industry.
Official sources and updates
The event provides ongoing updates through its social channels and includes an exhibitor path for participation and dashboard access. International visitors are also offered a translation option on the site.
Data sheet
Bold Optical Fair – Event Attendee & Buyer Profile Analysis
Event Date: 6–7 September 2026
Location: Brabanthallen ’s-Hertogenbosch, ’s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands
Event Status: Upcoming
Research Date: 6 July 2026
Event Overview
| Event Name | Bold Optical Fair (BOLD XXL 2026) |
| Event Date | 6–7 September 2026 |
| Event Status | Upcoming |
| Venue | Brabanthallen ’s-Hertogenbosch |
| City | ’s-Hertogenbosch |
| State / Region | North Brabant |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Organizer | BOLD Optical Fair / BOLD XXL (official website does not clearly name a separate organizer entity on the provided page) |
| Official Event Website | bold-opticalfair.nl |
| Event Type | Specialized trade fair / B2B industry showcase |
| Primary Category | Medical & Pharma |
| Secondary Applicable Categories | Retail, Business Services, Fashion & Beauty |
| Audience Reach | National with regional cross-border appeal in Belgium and Germany |
| Estimated Attendance / Expected Footfall | Attendance figure not publicly confirmed by the organizer. Official copy indicates “hundreds of opticians” and a full-floor industry gathering. |
| Attendance Data Reliability | Estimated from official website language; no confirmed total attendance figure published on the provided source |
| Main Purpose of Event | To bring opticians and suppliers together for trend discovery, product presentation, networking, brand launches, and business development in the optical sector |
About the Event
Bold Optical Fair is a focused B2B optics event that brings opticians, brands, and suppliers together under one roof in ’s-Hertogenbosch. The official positioning emphasizes product discovery, new trends, business meetings, inspiration, and a large-scale showcase environment designed specifically for the optical trade.
The 2026 edition is positioned as BOLD XXL and is presented as a 10-year anniversary event combining BOLD, Centrop, and Hall of Frames on one floor. This makes the event especially relevant for supplier targeting, optical retail buying, brand introductions, and relationship-building with decision-makers in eyewear, lenses, instruments, accessories, and optical retail services.
1. Who Attends: Buyers / Attendees
| Buyer / Attendee Segment | Typical Organizations | Buying Role or Influence | Relevance to Exhibitors / Suppliers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent opticians and practice owners | Independent optical stores, multi-site practices | Primary buyers for frames, lenses, equipment, and merchandising | Very high; often make direct purchasing and supplier-switching decisions |
| Retail chain buyers / category managers | Optical retail chains, regional groups | Category selection, vendor approval, assortments, pricing | High-value for frame brands, lens suppliers, and retail tech vendors |
| Lab and prescription optics teams | Optical labs, processing centers | Influence on lenses, edging equipment, coatings, and workflow tools | Relevant for lens technology, machinery, and lab services |
| Procurement and sourcing teams | Retail groups, buying cooperatives, optical distributors | Vendor sourcing, contract negotiation, supply continuity | Important for wholesale suppliers and manufacturers |
| Distributors and wholesalers | Regional optical distributors, importers, agents | Line selection, new-brand onboarding, market expansion | Very strong for brand owners and new product launches |
| Importers and brand agents | International eyewear and optical product agents | Market entry, distribution rights, channel development | High relevance for overseas manufacturers entering Benelux markets |
| Technology and operations leaders | Optical chains, practice management vendors, labs | Digital systems, workflow, POS, appointment, ERP decisions | Relevant for retail software, operations tools, and automation |
| Industry consultants and association leaders | Optical trade groups, advisors, training bodies | Influence, networking, standards, education | Useful for ecosystem partnerships and thought-leadership outreach |
2. Event Location and Attendee Geographic Origin
| Geographic Area | Likely Attendee Origin | Buyer Concentration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Host city: ’s-Hertogenbosch | Local optical retailers, practices, and suppliers | Medium | Convenient access for Dutch attendees and regional businesses |
| Host region: North Brabant | Regional retail, distribution, and optical service buyers | High | Strong regional commercial base and logistics connectivity |
| Nearby business hubs | Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Eindhoven, Antwerp | High | Likely attendance from the Randstad and Belgian optical market |
| National reach | Opticians and suppliers from across the Netherlands | Very high | Official website explicitly references hundreds of opticians from the Netherlands |
| International reach | Belgium and Germany, plus selected other European brands | Medium | Official site notes visitors from Belgium and Germany and international brand participation |
3. Audience Reach
| Reach Level | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Primary: National | Confirmed | The official event text states it draws hundreds of opticians from the Netherlands and is positioned as a nationwide optical sector gathering. |
| Secondary: Regional | Strong | The venue and location support strong attendance from North Brabant, the Randstad, and neighboring Dutch regions. |
| Secondary: Cross-border | Moderate | Official copy references visitors from Belgium and Germany, indicating practical cross-border trade relevance. |
4. Sample Buyer Companies and Websites
| Buyer Company / Organization | Buyer Type | Why It Is Relevant | Website | Best Job Titles to Target | Evidence Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hans Anders | Optical retail chain | Large eyewear and vision-care buyer with recurring procurement needs | hansanders.nl | Procurement Manager, Category Manager, Buying Director, Retail Operations Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Specsavers | Optical retail chain | Major optical retail operator and buyer of frames, lenses, and retail services | specsavers.nl | Procurement Lead, Category Manager, Head of Retail, Commercial Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Pearle Opticiens | Optical retail chain | High-fit target for eyewear brands, lenses, merchandising, and store systems | pearle.nl | Category Manager, Buyer, Merchandise Manager, Franchise Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Eye Wish Opticiens | Optical retail chain | Relevant buyer for premium eyewear, lenses, and in-store technology | eyewish.nl | Procurement Manager, Buying Manager, Retail Director, Store Development Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Fielmann | Optical retail chain | Large European optical retailer with sourcing and rollout potential | fielmann.com | Head of Procurement, Category Director, Expansion Manager, Commercial Procurement | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| GrandVision | Optical retail group | High-value retail buying organization in vision care and eyewear | grandvision.com | Procurement Director, Merchandise Director, Retail Category Lead, Supply Chain Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Charlie Temple | Direct-to-consumer eyewear brand / retailer | Potential buyer for fashion frames, manufacturing partners, and supply chain services | charlietemple.com | Founder, Head of Product, Procurement Lead, E-commerce Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Safilens | Vision care / contact lens company | Relevant for lenses, optical products, and channel partnerships | safilens.com | Sales Director, Channel Manager, Business Development Director, Product Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Menicon | Contact lens manufacturer | Relevant supplier-side buyer/partner target for optical channel development | menicon.com | Business Development Director, Regional Sales Manager, Channel Partner Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| EssilorLuxottica | Eyewear and lens manufacturer / distributor | Key ecosystem decision-maker for frames, lenses, and optical retail partnerships | essilorluxottica.com | Channel Director, Regional Sales Director, Key Account Manager, Trade Marketing Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Hoya Vision Care | Lens manufacturer | Highly relevant for optical retail and lab partnerships | hoyavision.com | National Sales Manager, Business Development Director, Key Account Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| CooperVision | Contact lens manufacturer | Strong fit for optical channel sales and retail practice partnerships | coopervision.com | Trade Marketing Manager, Channel Sales Manager, Account Executive, Regional Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
5. Job Profiles, Industries and Event Type
| Priority | Job Title / Function | Department | Seniority Level | Why This Role Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Owner / Practice Owner | Executive / Operations | Owner / C-level | Direct purchasing authority for optical products and supplier selection |
| 2 | Category Manager | Merchandising / Buying | Manager / Senior Manager | Controls brand assortment, pricing, and supplier onboarding |
| 3 | Procurement Manager | Procurement / Purchasing | Manager | Evaluates suppliers, pricing, terms, and replenishment strategy |
| 4 | Retail Operations Director | Operations | Director | Influences store performance, service quality, rollout, and vendor standards |
| 5 | Supply Chain Manager | Supply Chain / Logistics | Manager / Director | Supports inventory, lead times, and supplier continuity |
| 6 | Business Development Director | Commercial / Partnerships | Director | Relevant for distributors, brands, and cross-border channel growth |
| 7 | Product Manager | Product / Marketing | Manager | Important for assortment planning, launches, and brand positioning |
| 8 | Sales Director / Channel Manager | Sales | Director / Senior Manager | Critical for supplier partnerships and optical channel expansion |
| Priority | Apollo Industry | Why It Fits the Event | Best Buyer Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Medical Devices | Optical instruments, lenses, and vision-care products overlap strongly with the medical device ecosystem | Lens, diagnostic, and optical technology suppliers |
| 2 | Retail | Most attendees are optical retailers, chain buyers, and category decision-makers | Frames, lenses, POS, merchandising, and store solutions |
| 3 | Wholesale | Distributors and agents are highly relevant in this trade show format | Importers, distributors, and agency partners |
| 4 | Consumer Goods | Eyewear and accessories are consumer-facing products with brand-led buying | Fashion frames, sunglasses, accessories, and packaging |
| 5 | Import & Export | Many brands and attendees operate across Benelux and wider European channels | International brand distributors and market-entry partners |
| 6 | Apparel & Fashion | Eyewear is a fashion-led category for many buyers and brands | Designer frames, fashion branding, and licensing |
| 7 | Business Services | Practice software, marketing support, and retail enablement services are relevant | Retail software, consulting, training, and managed services |
| 8 | Information Technology & Services | Retail operations and practice management increasingly rely on digital tools | POS, CRM, ERP, appointment, and workflow systems |
| 9 | Consumer Services | Optical practices provide consumer services with recurring appointments and upsell potential | Service optimization, customer experience, and loyalty tools |
6. Estimated Attendance
| Metric | Figure | Status | Source / Basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated total footfall | Not publicly confirmed | Estimated | Official website language referencing “hundreds of opticians” and a full-floor industry gathering | No exact organizer-published attendance number was visible in the provided source |
| Exhibitor count | Not publicly confirmed on provided source | Not confirmed | Official participant list is visible, but no exact count is stated in the provided source | Large-scale list indicates broad exhibitor participation |
| Buyer count | Not publicly confirmed | Not confirmed | Not published by organizer | Likely dominated by optical retail and sourcing professionals |
| Speaker count | Not publicly confirmed | Not confirmed | No speaker agenda details were visible in the provided source | Event appears exhibitor-led rather than conference-led |
| Historical attendance | “Hundreds of opticians” | Historical / descriptive evidence | Official website wording | Useful directional evidence for lead-generation planning |
7. Key Focus Areas and Buyer Engagement
| Focus Area | Typical Buyer Need | Buyer Engagement Opportunity | Relevant Supplier Offering |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eyewear assortment | Frames, fashion lines, premium brands, kids, sunwear | Merchandising conversations and brand discovery | Frame brands, licensing, private label, category support |
| Lenses and vision care | Prescription lens quality, coatings, contact lenses | Technical product demos and account meetings | Lens products, contact lenses, optical supply solutions |
| Retail operations | Store performance, workflow, staffing efficiency | Operational benchmarking and process improvement | Retail consulting, POS, CRM, planning tools |
| Optical technology | Equipment, instruments, lab tools, measurement systems | Product demos with technical buyers and lab managers | Diagnostic tools, edging equipment, software |
| International distribution | Market expansion, channel partnerships, import rights | Cross-border introductions and distributor meetings | Agency agreements, route-to-market services, import support |
| Brand launches | New lines, exclusivity, product differentiation | Targeted account meetings and launch positioning | New collections, launch support, PR and trade marketing |
Lead Quality Assessment
| Factor | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer relevance | Very High | The event is directly centered on optical buyers, suppliers, and commercial decision-makers. |
| Decision-maker availability | High | Likely strong access to practice owners, category managers, and distributor leadership. |
| Data collection potential | Medium to High | Good if exhibitor and visitor lists are available; however, the current public source does not confirm exact counts. |
| Apollo targeting potential | High | Strong fit for retail, medical devices, wholesale, consumer goods, and IT services targeting. |
| Geographic targeting potential | High | Easy to target the Netherlands, Benelux, and nearby German market with precision. |
| Best outreach approach | High-touch B2B email + LinkedIn + appointment setting | Best for supplier introductions, meeting booking, and category-specific product launches. |
| Overall lead quality | High | Focused trade audience with clear purchasing relevance and commercial intent. |
| Best use case | Event attendee list building, supplier prospecting, and buyer appointment setting | Highly suitable for optical, retail, and channel sales campaigns. |
| Limitations / risks | Moderate | No confirmed current-year attendee list or exact attendance figure was publicly verified in the provided source. |
Apollo.io Targeting Recommendation
| Filter Type | Recommended Filters | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Apollo industries | Retail, Medical Devices, Wholesale, Consumer Goods, Import & Export, Business Services, Information Technology & Services | Prioritize optical buyers, channel partners, and supporting tech/service providers |
| Departments | Procurement, Purchasing, Merchandising, Operations, Sales, Product, Supply Chain, Business Development | Find the people who influence or own buying decisions |
| Seniority | Owner, Partner, C-level, VP, Director, Head, Manager | Reach decision-makers and strong influencers |
| Job titles | Owner, Practice Owner, Procurement Manager, Category Manager, Buyer, Merchandise Manager, Retail Operations Director, Supply Chain Manager, Product Manager, Channel Manager | Target optical buying and commercial stakeholders |
| Geography | Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Benelux, Western Europe | Align outreach with the event’s regional and cross-border buyer base |
| Employee size | 1–10, 11–50, 51–200, 201–500, 501–1,000, 1,000+ | Covers independents through large retail chains and manufacturers |
| Keywords | optical, optician, eyewear, frames, lenses, contact lens, vision care, retail chain, distributor, importer, wholesale, optical lab | Improve precision when building attendee and prospect lists |
| Company type | Privately held, public company, multi-location chain, distributor, importer, manufacturer | Capture both buying organizations and channel intermediaries |
Suggested Apollo Search Logic: (industry: Retail OR Medical Devices OR Wholesale OR Consumer Goods) AND (title contains “buyer” OR “procurement” OR “category manager” OR “owner” OR “retail operations” OR “product manager” OR “channel manager”) AND (location: Netherlands OR Belgium OR Germany)
Client Fit Review Required
Please share the client website or product/service details. I will review the client offering and identify the highest-fit buyer companies, Apollo industries, seniority levels, departments, and job titles from this event.
Sources & Verification Notes
| Source | Type | What It Verified | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bold Optical Fair Official Website | Official organizer / event website | Event name, dates, venue, city, country, positioning, anniversary edition, and attendee profile language | High |
| Provided official website content excerpt | Primary source text | Confirmed 6+7 September 2026, Brabanthallen – Den Bosch, and the “hundreds of opticians” descriptive language | High |
| Brabanthallen ’s-Hertogenbosch | Venue website | Venue identity and location context | High |
| Deelnemers / Participants page | Official event participant directory | Confirmed exhibitor/participant presence on the event platform for 2026 | High |
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Tell us your work email and our AI instantly builds a buyer list matched to Bold Optical Fair — the best‑fit companies to target, the exact decision‑maker job titles, and the industry filters that fit what you sell.
🔒 Get my buyer details Free · ~20 seconds