2027 Call for Courses

The AOA is committed to providing exemplary education for Doctors of Optometry, paraoptometric professionals, and future optometrists. Optometry's Meeting^® 2027 will feature innovative and contemporary topics that support integrated, year-round learning and professional development.

We invite you to submit lecture and workshop course applications using the online form located at the bottom of this document. Submissions must be received by July 13, 2026.

For questions regarding the Call for Courses, please contact us at omeducation@aoa.org.

SUBMIT ABSTRACT

Topics

While the AOA is a Council on Optometric Practitioner Education (COPE) qualified administrator and courses accepted for Doctor of Optometry education may be submitted for COPE approval, ALL courses offered will qualify for AOA CE Hours.

Course submissions are welcome on all topics, including but not limited to, emerging technologies, innovations in optometric patient care, and practice management.

Doctor Education & Paraoptometric Education : In addition to familiar past topics, the AOA encourages submissions of innovative and creative courses that foster collaboration with various health care disciplines and introduce unique topics to enhance the quality and distinctiveness of our educational program.

Optometrist/Paraoptometric Joint Education:  The AOA also encourages joint education courses that highlight shared responsibilities and interdisciplinary collaboration. Please ensure submissions are appropriate for a combined Doctor of Optometry and paraoptometric professional audience.

Please ensure that courses submitted as joint education are suitable for a combined doctor of optometry and paraoptometric audience.

*All courses accepted for any form of paraoptometric education will be submitted to the Commission on Paraoptometric Certification for approval.

**All submitted courses that meet the requirements and have been submitted on time will be considered for acceptance for Optometry’s Meeting^® 2027.

Course Criteria and Requirement

Due to the volume of submissions, not all submitted courses will be accepted. All applicants will be notified of accepted courses via email by Sept. 18, 20296. Acceptance will be based on the following criteria:

• The primary speaker must be a member of the AOA. The only exception is for courses categorized under Practice Management, where this requirement does not apply. For those submissions, we expect presentations to be delivered by recognized experts in their respective fields.
• Courses accepted for Optometry’s Meeting should be original and not presented previously at Optometry’s Meeting or slated to be presented at any other meeting/conference in 2026/2027.

Accepted Courses

• If a course is accepted, the speaker(s) must complete an AOA Speaker’s Confirmation Agreement by Sunday, October 4, 2026.
• Final course outlines will be due by Sunday, February 1, 2027.
• Speakers must respond in a timely manner to achieve AOA CE Hour, COPE and/or CPC approvals.
• Course handouts are required and must be submitted electronically by Sunday, April 18, 2027.
• Speakers cannot promote their books, consulting services, etc., during education sessions.
• Speakers must disclose any utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) within their submissions, including their outline and slide deck.

 AOA Speaker Reimbursement Policy

AOA speaker reimbursement, stipend and registration information:

• Honorarium Standard Courses—Up to $350/hour (per instructor, maximum of three instructors).
• Honorarium Labs—Up to $350/hour (per instructor, maximum of three instructors) or $350/hour solo lab.
• Honorarium Panels—Up to $350/hour. Will be split among all panelists (any course with four or more instructors is subject to this fee schedule).

Speakers will receive complimentary full registration for Optometry’s Meeting; speakers must register during Early Bird Registration time frame.

Important Dates