Optometry’s Meeting® announces keynote speaker, special events for Washington, D.C.

Beyond industry-leading education, Optometry’s Meeting® delivers a lineup of special events and a renowned keynote speaker expanding attendees’ opportunities to advocate, collaborate and elevate our profession.

The 126^th Annual AOA Congress & 55^th Annual AOSA Conference: Optometry’s Meeting®, June 21-24, returns to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., only blocks away from the iconic National Mall, U.S. Capitol and White House. The profession’s premier annual event aligns optometric professionals for four days of networking and leadership opportunities alongside a slate of progressive continuing education (CE) and professional development, an expansive Eye Care Square exhibit hall, impactful networking and a unique focus on professional advocacy in the nation’s capital.

“Optometry’s Meeting provides the best education for optometrists, staff and students along with numerous networking opportunities and family-friendly events not offered by other industry conferences,” says Paul Hodge, O.D., AOA Meetings Center committee chair. 

That unique programming is once again on tap as the AOA and AOSA invite doctors of optometry, students, educators and paraoptometric staff to come ‘voice your vision’ for the profession’s future.

• REGISTER
• HOUSING

Interested in attending Optometry’s Meeting? Early-bird registration pricing is available through Friday, March 31, with special AOA-members-only pricing.

Cassandra Worthy, founder and CEO of Change Enthusiasm Global

The AOA is pleased to announce Cassandra Worthy, founder and CEO of Change Enthusiasm Global, will share her practical and repeatable framework for disrupting ‘change as usual’ during a keynote address at the AOA Experience and Opening Reception, supported by Johnson & Johnson Vision, on Wednesday, June 21.

Driven by her professional experience in major organizational mergers and acquisitions, Worthy is recognized as a truly disruptive thought-leader on change that companies need to build organizational resilience and adaptability. With a client base spanning Fortune 500 and larger the world over, Worthy created a cultivated a unique strategy of Change Enthusiasm that arms individuals with the means to harness the power of emotion—a resource in infinite supply—to embrace and accelerate change and transformation journeys. Her message nurtures highly resilient and adaptable organizations beginning at the heart of the individual.

Worthy’s leadership-centric message shares not only her Change Enthusiasm strategy but also her decades-plus experience in mergers and acquisitions distilled down into the critical leadership traits required to lead with exception during high-stress times of change and transformation.

Immediately following Worthy’s keynote address during the AOA Experience, attendees can join the opening reception and networking opportunities over food and beverage.

Special events and programs at Optometry’s Meeting

In addition to Worthy’s keynote address, Optometry’s Meeting attendees can expect a comprehensive schedule of special events and programs designed to inspire, engage and celebrate optometry. Highlights include:

• Eye Care Square
  Exhibit Hall D, Walter E. Washington Convention Center
  Thursday, June 22, through Saturday, June, 24
  
  More than an exhibit hall, the Eye Care Square is an immersive opportunity to connect with the profession and industry leaders. Stop by the Eye Care Square—2-5 p.m., Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday; and 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday—to connect with colleagues, find business and practice solutions, and find unique education opportunities. Visit the Education Theater to attend CE within the hall, then stop by the EyeTalk stage for hot-topic discussions and to learn about cutting-edge products.
  
  
• AOA House of Delegates
  Marriott Marquis Washington, D.C.
  Thursday, June 22, through Saturday, June 24
  
  For more than a century, optometry’s preeminent assembly of leaders and decision-makers has led the advancement of our profession. The House of Delegates is where optometry’s leaders discuss the latest developments affecting the profession, deliberate and govern the association, hear updates from the AOA Board of Trustees, and recognize and celebrate our achievements. All members are invited to attend each session, including presentation of the AOA, AOSA and National Optometry Hall of Fame awards, recognition supported by Johnson & Johnson Vision, as well as the AOA Board of Trustees election and installation. The House of Delegates is in session Thursday through Saturday, June 24.
  
  
• AOSA Optometry Student Bowl XXXII, powered by EssilorLuxottica
  Echostage
  Thursday, June 22
  
  College rivalries take center stage as optometry schools battle to be the smartest, loudest and most creative in the 32^nd AOSA Optometry Student Bowl, powered by EssilorLuxottica. The high-speed, high-stakes test of optometric knowledge pits one champion from each school against all others. Grab your friends and come cheer on your school.
  
  
• AOA Awards and Hall of Fame Reception
  Marriott Marquis Washington, D.C.
  Friday, June 23
  
  Come celebrate and congratulate your colleagues during the AOA Awards and National Optometry Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Friday, June 23. During the event, we will honor the 2023 Hall of Fame inductees, the Dr. W. David Sullins, Jr., InfantSEE® Award recipient, and the AOA’s Advocacy Awards recipients for media, federal, state and payer advocacy.
  
  
• Celebration of Optometry
  The Anthem
  Friday, June 23
  
  Join your colleagues and new connections for an evening to remember as the Celebration of Optometry, supported by Advocacy Roundtable, sends out Optometry’s Meeting with a cheers! Transportation, along with food and beverage, will be provided.

• Optometry Cares®—The AOA Foundation Run/Walk
  Historic Congressional Cemetery and Anacostia Riverwalk Trial
  Saturday, June 24
  
  Supported by Allergan and Neurolens, The Optometry Cares®—The AOA Foundation Run/Walk is a 3.1-mile experience open to all attendees for a $30 entry fee, which includes a performance-blend T-shirt and medal. Awards will be presented to top age-division finishers and overall winners. Packet pickup will take place on-site at Optometry’s Meeting. Attendees also can sign up to “count sheep instead of steps” to make a $30 donation to Optometry Cares and get a T-shirt with the race packet swag but sleep in on race day. 

Throughout the event, attendees are encouraged to participate in dedicated activities and spaces that focus on personal well-being. Activities are ticketed and space limited. Activities include:

• Yoga—7 a.m., Thursday, June 22
• Bootcamp—7 a.m., Friday, June 23

View the full schedule of events planned for Optometry’s Meeting within the 2023 Conference Preview. Register and book your housing for Optometry’s Meeting, June 21-24, in Washington, D.C.