Will you be an advocate for optometry?
AOA on Capitol Hill is the AOA's single-largest annual advocacy event in Washington, D.C., directly connecting optometry's advocates with our nation's policy leaders to advance optometric eye health and vision care for the benefit of all Americans. Our annual hill day is a key reason why the AOA is consistently recognized as one of the most effective, respected advocacy organizations in the nation's capital with hundreds of advocates participating in this 3-day fly-in to deliver optometry's priorities.
AOA on Capitol Hill participation is open to all advocacy-minded AOA members with our 2026 event focused on honing AOA Federal Keyperson relationships with their Members of Congress. Direct participation among AOA Federal Keypersons and advocates is instrumental as the decisive factor in ensuring optometry's advocacy efforts translate into critical progres.
What issues will advocates champion in Washington, D.C.?
About AOA on Capitol Hill | AOA Federal Keyperson Summit 2026
Our 2026 AOA on Capitol Hill, March 15-17, builds on optometry's single-largest annual advocacy gathering by convening AOA Federal Keypersons, the core of optometry's legislative influencers, together to ensure the profession's loudest and largest impact is made in the halls of Congress and throughout the nation's capital. By attending, you will:
- Participate in targeted briefings and policy sessions intended to maximize meetings with Congressional Members and staff.
- Connect with fellow Federal Keypersons, seasoned advocates and leaders to align strategies and resources for a unified push.
- Drive action on our collective advocacy, ensuring optometry's voice leads to even higher levels of legislative progress.
About Federal Keypersons
Personal involvement in the political and legislative process is among the most important contributions AOA members can make to the profession. Grassroots participation by AOA members has been a vital component in conveying optometry's message to Capitol Hill—and the AOA Federal Keyperson program is an integral part of optometry's legislative strategy.
If you would be willing to serve as a keyperson or learn more about the program, click below.
Our 2026 Political Luncheon Speaker
The AOA on Capitol Hill | AOA Federal Keyperson Summit is pleased to announce Mary Katharine Ham as our 2026 Political Luncheon Speaker. Ham is a Fox News Contributor, author and speaker, and host of two light-heared news podcasts, "Getting Hammered" and "Normally." As a political commentator, she has brought conservative perspective mixed with a humorous take on politics and pop culture to Fox News and CNN before that, from 2015-2022. She's also a frequent speaker on college campuses on the issue of free speech.
In 2016, she moderated an ABC News 2016 GOP presidential primary debate in New Hampshire, which featured nine candidates. Ham is the co-author with Guy Benson of "End of Discussion: How the Left's Outrage Industry Shuts Down Debate, Manipulates Voters, and Makes America Less Free (and Fun),” and has written for The Atlantic, USA Today, and the New York Post.
Storms no match for optometry's force
What optometry's advocates say about AOA on Capitol Hill
Register to Attend AOA on Capitol Hill 2026
Thank you to our 2024 Industry Supporters
