Interview with Lorraine Berton conducted at Silmo, September 2025.

IMAGINEM: Ms. Berton, it seems we're already looking ahead to the next edition of MIDO. We find you here at the SILMO fair in Paris, at the MIDO stand. What can you tell us about the upcoming MIDO 2026?

Lorraine Berton (MIDO): It's true, it's already time to think about MIDO! We're here, and right away, we're laying out a concrete, updated, and innovative program for the next MIDO 2026. We're actually going to anticipate the opening to the end of January. Despite the global period of uncertainty, we believe this can be a moment of great energy and business for the entire sector. We've seen a decent turnout from operators here at SILMO, which is an important sign that benefits the entire movement, including MIDO, and that can be encouraging for eyewear manufacturers.

IMAGINEM: MIDO is clearly the leading event in the eyewear sector. Could you elaborate on its importance?

Lorraine Berton (MIDO): MIDO is the industry's leading event, an exceptional showcase that has been at the heart of business and trends in the eyewear world for over 50 years. It’s the only one where you can find all the players in the supply chain: from manufacturers of frames and lenses to machinery and raw materials; from large multinationals to small, innovative companies; from the most renowned or emerging designers to start-ups and accessories. MIDO is a meeting place for business to foster dialogue—creating contacts, communicating to a vast international audience, and discovering the latest market trends are just some of the possible activities at the fair.

IMAGINEM: You mentioned dialogue. How is this emphasis on dialogue reflected in your commitment to the Italian eyewear sector?

Lorraine Berton (MIDO): The dialogue among all components of the vast Italian eyewear sector needs to regain momentum and concreteness through actions that can be perceived and better appreciated with participation and evaluation of results. One of the strengths of this commitment is Training—it drives innovation and excellence in every sector and stimulates a culture of participant engagement and a culture of sustainability. Training is above all dialogue, and with dialogue, the construction of innovative entrepreneurial models becomes easier.

IMAGINEM: So, Training will have a significant role at MIDO 2026?

Lorraine Berton (MIDO): Absolutely. At MIDO 2026, there will be ample space for training designed to cover the needs of all sector clusters, involving doctors and opticians – and the industry among them – in a dialogue. They must rediscover the path to a synergistic collaboration of skills to support and improve the added value created by service for the benefit of the final customer. Our area, The Vision Stage, will host seminars, presentations, events, and conferences dedicated to the world of optics.

IMAGINEM: Beyond business and training, what else can attendees expect from the MIDO experience?

Lorraine Berton (MIDO): MIDO is also about entertainment, to offer exhibitors and visitors opportunities for relaxation, which, as we know well, become dialogue opportunities at trade fairs. The squares will be renewed and made more functional for meeting needs, including innovative spectacular set-ups.

IMAGINEM: And what about the awards?

Lorraine Berton (MIDO): The Awards will certainly not be missed. Optical Centers and Exhibitors will have the opportunity to distinguish themselves for their excellence by respectively enrolling in the Best Store Award, to enhance design and innovation, and the CSE Award – Certified Sustainable Eyewear, to promote virtuous sustainability practices.

IMAGINEM: Finally, we appreciate this opportunity to exchange views with you, President Berton. We've certainly noticed ANFAO's commitment to supporting its associated companies.

Lorraine Berton (MIDO): Thank you. ANFAO is always projected toward supporting its associated companies of any size and importance, to create increasingly fruitful work opportunities in the international scenario. The American market remains the main outlet for Italian manufacturing, and ANFAO is developing a strategy to place associated companies in the best possible exhibition conditions in that market. Other initiatives will be shared with the sector, always with the spirit of dialogue that this Presidency wants to reaffirm as the cornerstone principle of its mandate.