What is AOA+?
AOA+ is an immersive track at Optometry's Meeting and beyond, specifically for optometry students, new grads and faculty, focused on career growth, leadership development and building a powerful professional network.
AOA+ Travel Grants
AOA+ is so formative an opportunity for optometry students, new grads and faculty that the AOA, AOSA and affiliates have made it easily accessible with 2,000+ travel grants available for this career-shaping experience.
About the AOSA
AOSA represents over 7,100 optometry students across the 26 schools and colleges of optometry throughout the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. Led by optometry students for optometry students—learn how AOSA can empower you!
AOA plus you equals a brighter future for our patients and our profession. Like no other industry opportunity, Optometry's Meeting—the official meeting of AOSA and AOA members—is a unique experience for optometry students, residents, educators and new graduates to take their professional involvement to the next level. The programming at Optometry's Meeting brings together the profession’s next generation of leaders for a four-day, immersive experience in career development, skill building, networking and advocacy. But our meeting is just the beginning; the AOA and AOSA are here to help you find success in optometry.
Learn what it takes to stand up and be counted alongside the AOA as one of optometry’s advocates. See how Optometry's Meeting can help you shape your own—and optometry’s—future and how the AOA can help get you here.
Unlock Your Potential: Experience AOA+ 2026 in Phoenix
AOA+ is the premier event designed specifically for optometry students, new doctors and optometric educators like you. Immerse yourself in a dynamic environment focused on career acceleration, leadership development and building a powerful professional network. Don't miss this unique opportunity to shape your future in optometry as it’s done for over 4,500 optometrists to date! Here’s what you can expect from AOA+ 2026 in Phoenix.
✅ Elevated Engagement. Connect with your peers, mentors and our profession’s leaders in meaningful ways.
✅ Career Acceleration. Gain practical skills in practice management, career planning, professional development and much more.
✅ Leadership Cultivation. Discover pathways to lead, influence and chart the future of your new profession.
✅ Advocacy Amplified. Learn how you can get involved and effectively advocate for your profession and your patients.
✅ Build Community. Forge critical relationships within the profession, your affiliate and the AOA that will last your entire optometric career.
✅ Experience Phoenix. Immerse yourself in this vibrant and fun southwestern city.
Your AOA+ Experience: Focused on Your Future
Career Readiness & Professional Development: Launch your optometry career with AOA+ 2026 at Optometry’s Meeting! Gain essential skills in practice management, finance and career negotiation with AOA+ student-recommended education sessions and special AOA+ activations in the Eye Care Square exhibit hall. Explore diverse career paths or find potential employers at the AOA+ Residency Summit and connect with an established cadre of leaders and mentors through an AOA+ Leadership Link or the AOA+ Town Hall. Equip yourself for success beyond graduation and those first career moves.
Networking & Community Building: Forge lasting connections at AOA+ 2026 at Optometry’s Meeting! With over 2,000 of your peers and thousands of experienced ODs, industry professionals and leaders, AOA+ grants you the unprecedented ability to connect with your AOA community. Build your network, share your experiences and become part of this supportive optometric community, one that extends far beyond Phoenix.
Advocacy & Professional Involvement: See what it takes to get involved in shaping optometry’s future through the power of professional advocacy at AOA+ 2026 at Optometry’s Meeting. Learn effective strategies to make our profession’s voice heard and connect with optometry’s champions as part of the AOA Leadership Lab: From Campus to Capitol program. Discover the pathways available to you for contributing to the advancement of optometric care through your state affiliate and the AOA.
The Phoenix Experience: Immerse yourself in this vibrant and fun southwestern city while attending AOA+ 2026 at Optometry’s Meeting. Discover Phoenix’s unique charm and culture while you make memorable experiences with friends beyond the conference. See what makes Phoenix—and Arizona—so mesmerizing with events, activities and nightlife that will be a part of your AOA+ stories for years to come.
Travel Grants & Accessibility: Your journey to AOA+ 2026 at Optometry’s Meeting is within reach! The AOA+ experience is so formative for optometry students and new doctors that AOA and affiliates have made this opportunity easily accessible for you. Don’t let financial constraints hold you back from this career-shaping experience. Learn more about travel grant opportunities below.
Hear from Your Peers: The AOA+ Effect
Don’t Miss Out: Secure Your Spot—and Travel Grant
AOA+ is a can’t-miss event for your optometric career journey. Take that next step and find yourself among the next generation of leaders shaping our profession. AOA+ is so impactful for you—and our profession—that AOA and affiliates are willing to pay your way to attend.
A limited number of AOA+ Travel Grants will be made available starting in January 2026 to cover your expenses to Phoenix. Sign up for early registration and AOA+ Travel Grants alerts so you can be first in line.
*Signing up adds your name to the priority alert list but does not secure your AOA+ Travel Grant. Registering for Optometry’s Meeting & AOA+ 2026 in Phoenix secures your AOA+ Travel Grant on a first-come-first-served basis.
