DIOPS-Asia's Outstanding Mega Exhibition

Presenting a New Future of the Eyeweat Industry to the World

The success of DIOPS 2001 (Daegu Int’l Optical Show), its first show held at EXCO Daegu, has made DIOPS the exhibition representing EXCO Daegu. The creation of a convention center which successfully hosted a series of international exhibitions portends a bright future for the convention industry in Daegu.

Participated by 212 companies from 11 countries

The exhibition held at EXCO Daegu's entire exhibition halls (11,617㎡) from November 2 to November 4, 2001 was filled to capacity with participants from 11 nations including Italy, Germany, France, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, and India. A total of 212 companies in 595 booths showcased their products that represented the new trend in the world's eyewear industry as well as to explore export opportunities and conduct marketing activities. The opening ceremonies were attended by Moon Hi-Gab , mayor of Daegu Metropolitan City, Shyn Dong-Soo, chairman of DIOPS Organizing committee, Ho-taek Park, president of EXCO Daegu, Jae Chul Kim, Chairman & CEO of Korea International Trade Association, Paolo Cannici, the President of Italian Association of Optical Goods Manufacturers, and heads of eyewear organizations from seven nations to express their best wishes for the launching of DIOPS.

Buyers from 52 Countries generated exports worth USD 14 million

DIOPS was visited by 400 international buyers from 52 countries, 8,000 domestic buyers, as well as 21,350 walk-in visitors. The show produced export opportunities worth USD 14 million, domestic sales opportunities worth 2 billion won, export contracts amounting to USD 6.266 million, as well as 900 million won in domestic sales contracts. DIOPS has established itself as one of the representative exhibitions held in Daegu along with Daegu International Automatic Machinary & Tools Exhibition and Preview in Daegu, slated for March 13, 2002.

Developing International Fairs suitable for local industries

An overall assessment of DIOPS can be summarized as follows: an exhibition best reflecting the government's policy of ‘Developing and Supporting International Exhibitions Suited to Local Industries’in the most appropriate manner. Since the 1990s, the manufacturing sector of Korea's industry has witnessed the erosion of its market share due to the superior technology of advanced nations.

The industry has also been losing ground to developing countries armed with price competitiveness. Notwithstanding its efforts to concentrate on value added products, the eyewear industry has also seen a decrease in exports. The 2001 DIOPS served as a breakthrough for the industries in the Daegu area, the eyewear industry in particular, to overcome the recent slump.

Providing with a model for strengthening industrial competitiveness

One of the most significant implications of the 2001 DIOPS was the consensus forged among companies regarding the importance of quality rather than cut-throat price competition, which is detrimental to all. Reflecting such understanding and compromises on business practices to strengthen the competitive edge of the industry as a whole has become one of the greatest accomplishments of DIOPS.

Youp Kim, Vice President of the Daegu EXCO, says "DIOPS has set the standard on how an exhibition can present a collective vision for Korea's industries to hone their competitiveness. "In the wake of DAMEX, the machinery industry in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk area has pledged to refocus its priorities to assert itself as a leading industry, on a par with the region's traditional industry - textiles. A cycle has begun where exhibitions paves the way for the development of industries, which, in turn, draws results in the expansion of exhibitions - a process frequently witnessed in the exhibition industry of advanced countries.