Frequently Asked Questions

What are the dates and location of Optometry’s Meeting 2026? 

Optometry’s Meeting ® 2026 will take place at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona on June 17-20. 

Who may attend Optometry’s Meeting®?

Optometry's Meeting 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®?

Follow Optometry’s Meeting® onsocial mediaor visit oursocial feedto 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 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 2026 mobile app will be available closer to the meeting date. 

Eye Care Square exhibit hall information

Does Optometry’s Meeting® 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 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 in the exhibit hall and throughout the Phoenix Convention Center, local hotels have a wide variety of dining options on-site.  

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® 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 tooptometrysmeeting@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® accepts all major credit cards. Please note:  Optometry’s Meeting® does 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 Phoenix Convention Center will be on the 300 level in the North Building inside Exhibit Hall A-E main entrance. 

What is the cancellation policy for the Optometry’s Meeting® conference?

GENERAL ATTENDEES

Registration Cancellations and request for refunds, which include registration fees, workshops, special events, and guest tickets, must be received in writing to the AOA by April 24, 2026, at which time a full refund less $25 will be administered. 
 
Written requests received on or after April 24, 2026 and not later than May 18, 2026 will be assessed an administrative charge of 25% of the total fees.  No refunds will be given to requests received on May 19, 2026, or after.  

Submit cancellation requests directly to  optometrysmeeting@aoa.org.

Reservation dates to note for 2026 

• Housing opens for Optometry's Meeting in January 2026.
• Optometry's Meeting attendees will need to book hotel reservations by May to receive discounted rates. 

Where can I book a hotel for Optometry’s Meeting®?  

Our partners at the AOA have secured discounted rates with multiple hotels. We encourage you to use this link to book early for the best selection and price. Learn more at https://www.optometrysmeeting.org/about/housing.  

Does Optometry’s Meeting® 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® mobile app. Additional instructions on accessing handouts prior to Optometry’s Meeting® 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® 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®?offers AOA CE Hours, CPC, 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. 

For questions related to Optometry's Meeting Courses, Workshops, and credit claiming, please reach out to omeducation@aoa.org. 

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® 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.