Optometry’s Meeting® 2026 registration is open: 3 reasons why you should attend

January 26, 2026

Registration is officially open for Optometry’s Meeting®, June 17-20 in Phoenix, bringing together cutting-edge CE, leadership development and networking, as well as the AOA+ four-day immersive experience.

Tag(s): Inside Optometry, AOA News

Optometry's Meeting 2026 Registration is Open Header

Key Takeaways

Optometry’s Meeting offers more than 300 hours of premier, industry-recognized continuing education for optometrists, paraoptometric professionals and optometry students across 198 courses.
The AOA aims for over 2,000 AOA+ attendees at Optometry’s Meeting® in Phoenix to participate in this early career-defining experience.

Students can take advantage of more than 2,000 AOA+ travel grants available.

Get ready to let your curiosity shine at Optometry’s Meeting®, June 17-20, in Phoenix. There is something for everyone at the premier optometric event of the year—from top-notch continuing education (CE), elevated networking and leadership opportunities, a variety of special events and more.

So why should you attend Optometry’s Meeting?

There are many reasons; but doctors of optometry, paraoptometric professionals, students and faculty members should peruse these three reasons below.

Rich CE, professional development lineup

Continuing education and professional development are the hallmark of Optometry’s Meeting. The 2026 program features over 300 hours of advanced CE and professional development courses, covering topics such as AI in eye care, myopia management, glaucoma diagnosis and management, retinal disease, laser procedures, OCT imaging, practice management and billing and coding, among others.

There are hands-on workshops, integrated doctor and paraoptometric/staff learning sessions and micro-credential courses offering AOA, COPE, CEE/TQ and CPC credits to help you meet licensure and certification requirements.

Whether you are a seasoned clinician, practice owner or part of the support team, these sessions are tailored to enhance clinical knowledge, refine skills and improve patient care.

Leadership, networking and special events

Attendees can take advantage of many leadership and professional advancement opportunities—connecting with peers, industry leaders and decision-makers from across the profession.

The expansive Eye Care Square exhibit hall showcases the latest clinical technology, practice solutions and innovations in eye health—offering ample opportunities to explore and partner with leading companies.

Special events throughout the conference provide dynamic ways to network, share insights and recharge with colleagues. The Innovation Hub, opening and closing parties, Paraoptometric Appreciation Luncheon, Paraoptometric Connection Breakfast, AOA Foundation 5K and more only add to the meeting experience.

AOA+ offers career-shaping experiences for students, new grads

For optometry students, recent graduates and faculty, AOA+ 2026 in Phoenix is a career-defining opportunity. This immersive program delivers targeted professional development, leadership development, advocacy training and community building, accelerating early career success.

Students and faculty can look forward to the AOA Experience: Opening General Session, Leadership Lab to support advocacy initiatives, the all-new AOA EyeQ Championship, presented by AOAExcel®, the Career Fair & Residency Forum and much more.

To support participation, AOA+ attendees can apply for travel grants—available on a first-come, first-served basis.

⏩Read more about AOA+ Travel Grants

Optometry's Meeting is where the profession's leaders, influencers and change-agents come to chart a course for optometry's future. Be it trying new, state-of-the-art clinical technologies in the Eye Care Square, learning about optometric surgical procedures among the hands-on workshops and CE opportunities, or debating advancing scope nationwide in the AOA House of Delegates, Optometry's Meeting intersects the profession's bright future with its storied legacy of advocacy.

Register for Optometry's Meeting® 2026

Join fellow colleagues, industry professionals and thought leaders at Optometry's Meeting, June 17-20, in Phoenix.