Registration Now Open for Optometry’s Meeting® | 5th World Congress of Optometry
St. Louis, Missouri – January 27, 2025 – The American Optometric Association (AOA), American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) and World Council of Optometry (WCO) are pleased to share that registration is now open for Optometry’s Meeting® | 5th World Congress of Optometry, taking place June 25-28 at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis. This year, WCO will host its 5th World Congress of Optometry in partnership with Optometry’s Meeting – welcoming optometric professionals from around the world to an unprecedented collaboration under one roof.
As the profession’s premier annual event, Optometry’s Meeting aligns doctors, paraoptometrics and office staff, optometry students and industry professionals across four days of progressive continuing education (CE) and professional development, impactful networking and career-building events, an expansive exhibit hall with business solutions and practice resources, and leadership opportunities that advance the profession.
Learn more about this year’s Optometry’s Meeting | 5th World Congress of Optometry in the digital 2025 Conference Preview.
To register, click here. Please note that an AOA profile exists for most U.S. optometrists and optometry students, regardless of membership status, and an AOA profile is required to register.
WCO members can register and learn more about their special promotion code by clicking here.
Registration is open to both AOA and AOSA members, WCO members and nonmembers with special members-only pricing available. Early-bird registration rates are available now through March 31.
Welcoming Optometry’s Leaders and Advocates from Around the Globe
Optometry’s Meeting | 5th World Congress of Optometry is a momentous collaboration that brings together the strongest advocates for optometry, both in the United States and the world. Attendees can expect a convergence of global perspectives and innovative solutions aimed at realizing universal access to high-quality eye health and vision care. Through advocacy, education, policy development and humanitarian outreach, Optometry’s Meeting | 5th World Congress of Optometry will empower optometrists to play a pivotal role in promoting eye health and vision care for all.
Beyond the 5th World Congress of Optometry, the AOA will once again convene its preeminent assembly of leaders and decisionmakers during the AOA House of Delegates. During this event, the AOA and affiliates will discuss the latest in optometry and essential governance updates, the most-up-to-date news from the AOA Board of Trustees and presentation of annual awards. All AOA members are invited to attend each session, including the election and installation of the AOA Board of Trustees on Saturday, June 28.
300+ Hours of Continuing Education and Professional Development
Optometry’s Meeting provides leading-edge CE and professional development with over 300 hours of education available for doctors, paraoptometrics and optometry students. Attendees can access an exciting lineup of sessions that will not only enhance their skills but also transform patient outcomes and strengthen community health.
From hands-on workshops and peer-to-peer forums to doctor-staff integrated learning opportunities, traditional lectures and the returning Education Theater in the Eye Care Square, Optometry’s Meeting delivers an exceptional professional education experience suitable for every member of the care team.
Doctors of optometry and paraoptometrics can earn up to 36 credits across the four-day conference as more than 120 industry-renowned speakers deliver a range of contemporary topics. View the full 2025 education schedule.
Special Events at Optometry’s Meeting | 5th World Congress of Optometry
But Optometry’s Meeting | 5th World Congress of Optometry delivers a renowned—and rounded—conference experience that goes beyond the professional education, leadership and advocacy opportunities, too. A full schedule of special events, networking and entertainment ensures attendees will get the most out of their time in Minneapolis.
Special event highlights, including:
AOA Experience: Opening Session
Wednesday, June 25
Hear from AOA, AOSA and WCO leadership and be inspired by optometry’s visionaries who are innovating and upholding the profession and patient care. Following the event, the Eye Care Square Exhibit Hall Opening Reception offers a celebratory kickoff and taste of Minneapolis.
Paraoptometric Idea Exchange
Thursday, June 26
Paraoptometrics are invited to join an interactive forum discussion for the challenges and opportunities unique to optometric practice staff. Network with colleagues from across the country and find practice solutions and educational resources. Come early and participate in the Paraoptometric Appreciation Luncheon Celebration honoring AOA associate-member paraoptometrics.
AOSA Optometry Student Bowl™ XXXIV powered by EssilorLuxottica
Thursday, June 26
Calling all optometry students! Get ready for some fierce competition as college rivalries ignite in the 34th annual AOSA Optometry Student Bowl. Optometry schools go head-to-head in this storied competition of optometric smarts and cheer your school on to victory.
Celebration of Optometry
Friday, June 27
Come to the visually striking Minneapolis Orchestra Hall and Peavey Plaza for the lively Celebration of Optometry as attendees close out the conference under the stars with music, food and drink. Don’t forget to wear your favorite purple outfit as we ‘Party Like it’s 1999’ to Prince-inspired hits from the late Minneapolis native.
The AOA Foundation 5K
Saturday, June 28
Participate in a 3.1-mile run through downtown Minneapolis in support of The AOA Foundation and compete against optometry’s top runners.
Learn more about these and other special events and networking opportunities at Optometry’s Meeting in the digital 2025 Conference Preview.
Optometry’s Meeting | 5th World Congress of Optometry takes place June 25-28 in Minneapolis at the Minneapolis Convention Center. For more information on Optometry’s Meeting, visit www.optometrysmeeting.org and follow along on social media on Facebook.
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About Optometry’s Meeting®
Optometry’s Meeting, the annual meeting of both the AOA and AOSA, aligns optometric and industry professionals for a four-day experience to advance optometry and engage the association’s official business. Optometry’s Meeting renowned educational program supports every member of the care team with progressive continuing education and professional development opportunities. Simultaneously delivering an impactful conference experience, Optometry’s Meeting promotes networking and connection through the expansive exhibit hall, as well as a dynamic program of special events.
About the American Optometric Association
The American Optometric Association (AOA) is the leading authority on and advocate for quality eye health care, representing more than 50,000 doctors of optometry, optometry students and optometric professionals. As the sole primary eye care provider in many communities across America, doctors of optometry are often a patient's first entry point into the health care system, and have extensive, ongoing training to examine, diagnose, treat, and manage disorders, diseases, and injuries that affect the eye and visual system. Through a nationwide public health initiative, AOA's Eye Deserve More campaign is fostering awareness of the importance of eye health and vision care and the overall health benefits of in-person, comprehensive eye examinations with AOA doctors of optometry for all Americans.
About the World Congress of Optometry
The World Council of Optometry’s biennial World Congresses aim to strengthen the presence and impact of optometry globally by offering a global platform where practitioners, students, researchers, and educators can share expertise and engage in the development of optometry’s future. Past World Congresses have been held in partnership with WCO member organizations in Colombia, India, the United States, and Australia. At the 5ᵗʰ World Congress of Optometry, attendees can expect a convergence of global perspectives and innovative solutions aimed at realizing the WCO’s vision of universal access to high-quality eye health and vision care.
About the World Council of Optometry
The World Council of Optometry (WCO) is an international membership-based non-profit organization for individual optometrists, industry professionals, and optometric organizations that envisions a world with high-quality, accessible eye health and vision care for all people. Its mission is to advance and promote optometry, global eye health and vision care through collaboration, education, and advocacy. To learn more, please visit www.worldoptometry.org or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and Instagram.
Media Contacts:
Julia Moore
American Optometric Association
jmoore@aoa.org
Allison Bartnick, Marketing and Communications Assistant
World Council of Optometry
abartnick@worldoptometry.org
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