Why Should I Attend a Conference?
Optometric conferences are held throughout the year, all over the country. These conferences are a wonderful opportunity to experience all that is optometry! Most of the larger, national conferences include extensive exhibit halls at which vendors and representatives from numerous companies show off the latest equipment and educate conference attendees about their products and/or services. This is a great opportunity to be exposed to things you may not have seen anywhere else! There are also many great educational programs, lectures, and events scheduled for both optometrists and optometry students! The education can include topics ranging anywhere from practice management, residencies, specialty fields (contact lens, vision therapy, sports vision...) career options, ocular disease, politics, etc. These meetings can be a great learning experience for anyone involved, and can give students the opportunity to network with future employers, business partners, and fellow students. Many of these conferences offer "Job Search" or "Meet-and-Greet" type events which allow job seekers and employers to make a connection. This opportunity is all-the-more reason to attend a conference, whether it be a large, national meeting or a regional or local congress.
To learn more about some of the conferences commonly attended by students, click on the links below!
To learn more about some of the conferences commonly attended by students, click on the links below!
Optometry's Meeting
Optometry's Meeting is the official annual meeting of the American Optometric Association (AOA) and the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA). This meeting has been around from more than a century and is arguably the most well-known in the industry. This meeting includes over 200 hours of continuing education (CE), over 200 exhibitors, and the opportunity to participate in the House of Delegates. The location of this event changes annually.
Vision Expo West
International Vision Expo & Conference West is the world's most inclusive ophthalmic conference and expo. Discover unbiased education covering the full spectrum of medical, diagnostic, lab and practice management skills and the latest trends in eyewear fashion. Vision Expo West is held annually in Las Vegas in the fall.
Vision Expo East
International Vision Expo East is the pre-eminent fashion and medical eyecare event where eyecare professionals in the Americas gather to experience the energy and international style. Vision Expo East is held annually in New York City in the spring.
Heart of America Contact Lens Society Conference
Heart of America, for short, aims to provide quality CE in primary care optometry and the specialty field of contact lens. HOACLS has and will continue to develop meetings that offer camaraderie, education, and innovation to its member doctors. It is held annually in Kansas, City, MO and boasts the largest exhibit hall in the Midwest giving you the opportunity to browse the latest and greatest in ophthalmic products and technology.
South Eastern Congress of Optometry (SECO) International
This annual conference held in Atlanta, Georgia is hosted and organized by the Southern Council of Optometrists, Inc. SECO International takes pride in its phenomenal continuing education, exciting networking events, and innovative exhibit hall. It has taken the motto, "The Education Destination."