5 reasons to attend Optometry’s Meeting®

Optometry’s Meeting^® delivers world-class learning, networking and business opportunities that empower your practice and elevate your patient care in one unforgettable experience.

The 125th Annual AOA Congress & 54th Annual AOSA Conference: Optometry’s Meeting, June 15-18, in Chicago is the place where optometry’s leaders convene alongside renowned, contemporary optometric continuing education (CE) and professional development and innovative practice solutions, all oriented toward a single goal: advancing our profession, together.

Come to Optometry’s Meeting for the nearly 150 CE and professional development courses available for doctors, paraoptometrics and optometry students, and stay for the experiential CE opportunities, vendor and industry connections in the Exhibit Hall, influential AOSA and AOA+ programming for students, and the unique entertainment that makes #OM2022 an education destination.

If Optometry’s Meeting is in your future, don’t hesitate to register any longer. Early-bird registration rates can save AOA member doctors 20% or more off on-site fees when you arrive in Chicago for our profession’s premier event. And the savings don’t end there—optometry students, paraoptometrics, educators and others all receive significant registration discounts with early-bird pricing.

Register soon because early-bird rates are only available through Friday, April 1.

What to expect: Optometry’s Meeting 2022

Optometry’s Meeting returns its leadership-focused programming for 2022 with influential advocacy and networking opportunities, combined with the progressive education that keeps advancing our profession. Here is what you can expect from our Chicago meeting:

1. Contemporary CE and professional development.

The AOA’s education selection is what truly distinguishes Optometry’s Meeting from other industry or trade conferences with over 200 hours of credits for doctors, students and paraoptometrics—in topics ranging from contemporary surgical and laser procedures to systemic diseases, functional vision, billing and coding, and more. Consider the Surgical Saturday programming with back-to-back courses oriented toward bolstering doctors’ and staff office-based surgical procedures; any one of 7+ workshops for hands-on learning in topics ranging from pediatrics to laser procedures; or book experiential CE opportunities at iconic Chicago destinations, such as an architectural tour along the Chicago River or an improv workshop at the Second City comedy club. Or, attend foundational courses that dovetail into other areas of education offered beyond Optometry’s Meeting.

2. The Exhibit Hall.

Experience next-generation vision care in the expansive Exhibit Hall—complete with the ideas, people and products that reflect the most advanced points of view. Connect with industry representatives on business opportunities, practice solutions and product offerings at this industry showcase that can elevate your career and position your practice for continued success. Returning to the Exhibit Hall this year is the Education Theater with at least five educational courses covering a variety of subjects, so you can maximize your time on-site.

3. Chicago-style entertainment.

Enjoy unique, Chicago-inspired entertainment opportunities to open and close Optometry’s Meeting. Join colleagues for the Opening Night at Optometry’s Meeting, supported by Johnson & Johnson Vision, with the annual AOA and AOSA Awards Ceremony, followed by a reception at Chicago’s iconic Museum of Science & Industry (MSI) in Jackson Park. The largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere stuns the only remaining building from the 1893 World’s Fair, the MSI provides attendees an exclusive opportunity to enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres next to truly extraordinary exhibits. Then, put on your cocktail attire to close out Optometry’s Meeting with a Celebration of Optometry, outdoors on the McCormick Place Lakeside Terrace, where attendees will enjoy a Blues Brothers-themed evening.

4. Impactful AOSA, AOA+ programming for optometry students.

Optometry’s Meeting delivers an engaging experience for future doctors that intersects the fun, professional collegiality you’ve come to know from school with the ability to jumpstart your career. Students are invited to participate in the first-ever AOSA Student Welcome Mixer on Thursday, June 16, providing students an opportunity to connect over live entertainment, food and refreshments. Then, participate in AOA+ programming with events, sessions and courses oriented to helping build future doctors’ careers. Network with practicing doctors of optometry at the AOA+ Leadership Link; learn about opportunities to expand your education and eventual practice at the AOA+ Residency and State Affiliate Summit; attend AOA+ Pop-Up Sessions on engaging topics, ranging from advocacy and practice management to conquering student debt and more; and build your leadership skills and professional networking through the AOA+ Leadership Society. And don’t forget the renowned AOSA Optometry Student Bowl™ XXXI, powered by EssilorLuxottica, and the EssilorLuxottica Live! Student Party.

5. Paraoptometric skill building and education possibilities.

Optometry’s Meeting delivers relevant, impactful education and collaborative opportunities for all levels of paraoptometrics, not only equipping staff for a successful career but also helping the practice meet the primary eye health care needs of the community. Paraoptometrics can select from any of 50+ CE and professional development courses with 35 hours offered in paraoptometric-specific learning and 31 hours available in an integrated, doctor-paraoptometric setting. Additionally, staff may benefit from live, in-person CPO and CPOA review courses, as well as foundational training courses that can help optimize skills. Paraoptometrics may also participate in dedicated networking events, such as the Paraoptometric Awards Luncheon Celebration, supported by Alcon, and the Paraoptometric Idea Exchange.

Interested in learning more about Optometry’s Meeting? Access the 2022 Conference Preview for full event descriptions, agendas and more, or check out the social conversation on #OM2022 and see what all the buzz is about.