Frequently Asked Questions

What are the dates and location of Optometry’s Meeting® | 5th World Congress of Optometry 2025?

Optometry’s Meeting® | 5th World Congress of Optometry 2025 will take place at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on June 25-28.

Who may attend Optometry’s Meeting® | 5th World Congress of Optometry?

Optometry’s Meeting® | 5th World Congress of Optometry is the annual meeting of the American Optometric Association and American Optometric Student Association, but we welcome both member and nonmember optometrists, paraoptometric office staff and technicians, optometry students, faculty and educators, industry professionals and exhibitors, association executives and staff, and their guests. 

How can I join the online conversation about Optometry’s Meeting® | 5th World Congress of Optometry?

Follow Optometry’s Meeting® | 5th World Congress of Optometry on social media or visit our social feed to see live-updating posts from the meeting. Be sure to use our official hashtag, #OptometrysMeeting, in your social posts to join the conversation. 

How do I download the mobile app?

Attendees are strongly encouraged to download the Optometry’s Meeting® | 5th World Congress of Optometry mobile app for the best attendee experience. The mobile app gives you access to an agenda or schedule of events, an interactive Eye Care Square exhibit hall floorplan, the ability to track and find CE, and add select events—such as workshops—on-site. More information about the 2025 mobile app will be available closer to the meeting date. 

Eye Care Square exhibit hall information

Does Optometry’s Meeting® | 5th World Congress of Optometry have a lost and found location?

Yes, all lost and found items that have been turned in can be retrieved at the registration desk. At the end of the conference, the items will be turned over to the convention center. Optometry’s Meeting® | 5th World Congress of Optometry  is not responsible for any items lost during the conference. 

What are my options on-site for food and beverages?

In addition to social events, concessions, and hosted coffee breaks in the exhibit hall there are a few onsite dining options at the Minneapolis Convention Center.  These options can be found on the website.   

Are there facilitiates at the Minneapolis Convention Center for new mothers and families? 

Yes, the convention center offers two Mothers Rooms located on level two.  

What are the alumni receptions, and when and where will they be held?

The alumni receptions offered at Optometry’s Meeting® | 5th World Congress of Optometry  are a fun and unique way to reconnect and network with former classmates. Alumni receptions will be held on Thursday, June 26 from 5-7 p.m. 

What is included with my registration badge?

Inclusions are dependent on your purchased admission item. For questions related to what is included in your badge purchase, please reach out to optometrysmeeting@aoa.org. 

Do I have to be a member of the American Optometric Association (AOA) to register?

No, but you must be affiliated with the profession. However, AOA members do receive a registration discount. To become an active AOA member, please contact the AOA at memberservices@aoa.org.

Does it cost to register?

There is a cost associated with registration based upon registration type. Please review our registration fees page for more information.

Who do I contact if I have questions regarding my AOA membership?

Please contact Member Services at  memberservices@aoa.org, or by phone at 314.983.4167.

Can I use a credit card or a check to register?

Yes, registration requires a credit card for completion. Optometry’s Meeting® | 5th World Congress of Optometry accepts all major credit cards. Please note:  Optometry’s Meeting® | 5th World Congress of Optometrydoes not accept checks.

Are purchase orders and wire transfers accepted?

No, purchase orders and wire transfers are not accepted. 

When will I receive my badge?

Attendees will receive their badges upon check-in at the on-site registration desk at Optometry’s Meeting® | 5th World Congress of Optometry .

What are the on-site attendee registration hours?

Where is on-site registration located?

On-site registration at the Minneapolis Convention Center will be in Lobby B and C. 

What is the cancellation policy for the Optometry’s Meeting® | 5th World Congress of Optometry  conference?

GENERAL ATTENDEES

Registration cancellations and requests for refunds, which include registration fees, workshops, special events, and guest tickets, must be received in writing to the AOA by April 25, 2025, at which time a full refund less $25 will be administered.

Written requests received on or after April 25, 2025, and not later than May 16, 2025, will be assessed an administrative charge of 25% of the total fees. No refunds will be given to requests received on May 17, 2025, or after.

Submit cancellation requests directly to  optometrysmeeting@aoa.org.

Reservation dates to note for 2025

• Housing is opened for Optometry’s Meeting® | 5th World Congress of Optometry. 
  
• Optometry’s Meeting® | 5th World Congress of Optometry attendees will need to book hotel reservations by May to receive discounted rates.
• Please consult the housing page for further information about attendee room rates in Minneapolis.

Does Optometry’s Meeting® | 5th World Congress of Optometry require pre-registration of courses?

There are a select few courses that do require prior registration: doctor and paraoptometric workshops. All other courses are based on first come, first served seat availability. When possible, we suggest arriving at your course of choice 10 minutes prior to the start time in order to secure your seating. Once a room is full, no one else will be admitted.

What is the best way to access course handouts?

Course handouts can be accessed via the Optometry’s Meeting® | 5th World Congress of Optometry mobile app. Additional instructions on accessing handouts prior to Optometry’s Meeting® | 5th World Congress of Optometry will be available at the end of May.

• If a speaker does not provide handouts for their course, no handouts will be available for that course on the mobile app.
• There will not be a printing station on site at Optometry’s Meeting® | 5th World Congress of Optometry this year, so please print out any handouts you want for the meeting prior to the event.

How do you receive CE credit?

Participants are required to be in a course 50 minutes for every one hour of education for credit. If you are more than 10 minutes late for a one-hour course or 20 minutes late for a two-hour course, you will not be allowed to enter the room. 

Participants must remain in the session room until the completion of the course. Should it be necessary to leave the room at any time, you must return within 10 minutes. If you do not return within 10 minutes, the course monitor is directed not to allow you back in the course, and you will not receive CE credit. 

Earning CE credit requires being scanned into the course AND completing the course survey via the credit claiming platform, available at the end of the course. This two-step process allows you to move more seamlessly between your courses while still providing substantive evidence of your full attendance in a course.

Please make sure you consult the CE schedule to verify if the course qualifies for the credit type you are seeking. Optometry’s Meeting® | 5th World Congress of Optometry  offers AOA CE Hours, CPC, CPD, COPE and CEE/TQ courses. 

Step-by-step credit claiming instructions will be made available closer to the event. 

CEE/TQ courses. These courses have an online examination component for those that require it for licensure. Additional details on accessing the online examinations will be made available close to the event. NOTE: Tests are only available for 60 days from the time you receive the testing notification from ICO; no exceptions or extensions can be granted. 

Looking for your CE transcript? A transcript and certificate can be obtained online after the meeting.

How is CE attendance verified?

Attendees must have their badges scanned upon arrival outside of each course room. If an attendee fails to scan their badge prior to entry, their credit will not be accepted. NOTE: The AOA will report your credit to COPE and CE Broker so long as the attendee provided accurate information, (e.g., OE Tracker number and/or state license number) during registration ; the AOA does not report credit to individual state boards. 

What is CE in the Eye Care Square?

This year there will be at least ten courses offered in Eye Care Square’s Education Theatre. Courses will be offered on Thursday and Friday, and will cover a variety of subject matter. 

How many CE hours are being offered?

250+ hours. Optometry’s Meeting® | 5th World Congress of Optometry offers credit hours, covering a variety of progressive topics. Doctors can earn credit hours and paraoptometrics can earn credit hours over the course of four days. 

What’s happening with Poster Sessions? 

This year, WCO will hold Poster sessions on Thursday and Friday of Optometry’s Meeting® | 5th World Congress of Optometry . These poster sessions will culminate in Top Five Poster Session, jointly offered by AOA & WCO, on Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.