Derek Bryant
NSUOCO ‘25
Let me just start by saying WOOOOO HOOOOO!
Registration for Optometry’s Meeting® 2023 is finally open! This year’s meeting is already shaping up to be one for the books.
Optometry’s Meeting is one of my favorite times of year, but just in case you don’t remember why, here are some of the highlights from last year.
From the AOSA Optometry Student BowlTM, powered by EssilorLuxottica, and the EssilorLuxottica Live! Student Party to the Celebration of Optometry and exploring Washington, D.C., Optometry’s Meeting 2023 is the place to be! If you missed out in 2022 and experienced severe FOMO, don’t worry; there is still time to register for this year’s meeting.
Register for Optometry’s Meeting 2023 in Washington, D.C., June 21-24, but hurry because your regional travel grant and free hotel room are only available if you register by March 1.
Optometry’s Meeting FAQs
Q: Will there be any sort of financial assistance available for attending Optometry’s Meeting?
A: Yes! Each AOSA member graduating between 2023 and 2026 has the opportunity to receive free hotel accommodations and a regional travel grant to subsidize your travel expenses.
Q: How do I apply for these travel grants to attend Optometry’s Meeting?
A: When registering for Optometry’s Meeting, you’ll be asked, “Are you interested in obtaining an AOA+ Travel Grant?” Check “Yes.”
Q: What if I’m in my fourth year of optometry school? Am I still eligible for these grants?
A: Yes! All AOSA/AOA members, including those who graduate in May 2023, are eligible and encouraged to sign up.
Q: What’s the catch?
A: No catch. There are a handful of required events you must attend during Optometry’s Meeting to receive your grant, but the requirements are much simpler than in previous years—and they’re the best parts of the meeting anyway! The required sessions include:
- AOA+ Rally: Kicks off at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 21
- Affiliate Connections: Wednesday, June 21
- The AOA Experience: Wednesday, June 21
- AOSA Optometry Student Bowl™ XXXII, powered by Essilor Luxottica: Thursday, June 22
- AOA+ Advocacy Workshop: Friday, June 23
- Residency Summit & Career Fair: Friday, June 23
- Celebration of Optometry: Friday, June 23
- Six (6) AOA+ Recommended Courses (full list of recommended courses available on here): Times vary from Wednesday to Saturday
Q: Free hotel? How does that work?
A: Optometry students will receive three nights of housing within the AOA’s room block—a savings of over $1,000! After the registration window for AOA+ travel grants closes on March 1, housing information will be provided to all registered students. If you know three students you want to room with, rooms will be reserved in groups of four, and only one person from each group needs to fill out the housing form. Your local trustee and trustee-elect will help facilitate this. Find out who that is here. You can room with students from any school if they are AOSA members and can sign up for a random room assignment if you don’t know who to room with. The form (sent out after March 1) must be completed no later than March 31 to reserve your room.
Those who do not require hotel accommodations (or who don’t want to room with 3 others) can opt out of housing and still receive the travel grant.
Q: What about clinic?!
A: We encourage you to talk to your faculty. Share the importance of attending Optometry’s Meeting, taking in continuing education, networking, and participating in a workshop or Capitol Hill visits advocating to advance our profession.
Q: How do I sign up?
A: Just use this link: Optometry’s Meeting Registration and remember to use the email you registered for AOSA with or have your AOSA ID number ready. If you need any of this information, please find and contact your trustee.
Q: When do I need to be registered to receive these benefits?
A: February 28 at 11:59 p.m. CST is the ABSOLUTE deadline to receive these benefits. (Housing Portal to secure your hotel opens March 1.)
Q: What about flights? When do I need to be there?
A: When booking flights, make sure you are in Washington, D.C., and prepared to attend the first event starting at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 21. For your return flight, you can fly home any time on Saturday, June 24, as there will be no required meetings or events to attend that day. (DCA is the nearest airport, and a quick metro ride is about $2 to the event center.)
Q: What if I want to attend AOA on Capitol Hill, too?
A: Please get in contact with your AOSA trustee ASAP.
Q: What if I have more questions?
A: Please reach out to Stacey Struckhoff at smstruckhoff@theaosa.org or optometrysmeeting@aoa.org.