AOA+ Announces Plans to Offer Over 2,000 Travel Grants for Optometry’s Meeting 2026

(PRESS RELEASE) ST. LOUIS, MO — The American Optometric Association (AOA) and American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) commit to bringing together over 2,000 optometry students, early career optometrists and optometric educators for AOA+ at Optometry’s Meeting, June 17-20, in Phoenix. By making available AOA+ travel grants in 2026, the AOA and AOSA will help offset the cost of travel and alleviate any financial burden of attending this impactful event.

AOA+ empowers the next generation of optometric leaders through unparalleled opportunities for career acceleration, professional advocacy and meaningful community-building connections. Travel grant eligibility comes with registering for Optometry’s Meeting when it opens in January 2026.

Over 4,500 doctors of optometry have participated in an AOA+ event since its launch at Optometry’s’ Meeting 2017 in Washington, D.C., connecting young and future optometrists directly with the AOA’s network of established leaders within the profession.

As the profession’s premier annual event, Optometry’s Meeting aligns doctors, paraoptometrics and office staff, optometry students and industry professionals across four days of progressive continuing education (CE) and professional development, impactful networking and career-building events, an expansive exhibit hall with business solutions and practice resources, and leadership opportunities that advance the profession. Optometry’s Meeting 2026 will take place June 17-20 in Phoenix, Arizona.

AOA+ 2026

AOA+ 2026 offers optometry’s next generation practical skill-building opportunities and actionable insights for starting a new career in optometry. The program is designed to connect optometry’s next generation with current optometric leaders to develop a network of support they can rely on throughout their career.

Kicking off Optometry’s Meeting 2026 and AOA+, attendees will start their experience at the Opening General Session. Over the following days, attendees can expect a robust schedule:

Thursday, June 18 – Leadership in Action *schedule subject to change*

Begin the day with a Coffee Connection, a regional student networking opportunity, then dive deep into advocacy with the AOA’s Leadership Lab: From Campus to Capitol program, a dynamic session featuring keynote speakers and a panel discussion on personal advocacy journeys and legislative success.

In the afternoon, explore Student-Recommended Education Sessions covering topics like communication, business operations, emotional intelligence and career exploration. Then, end the day with a reimagined, energetic student quiz competition and post-event reception.

Friday, June 19 – Future Focus Friday

Tap into more Student-Recommended Education Sessions, then dive into a myriad of AOA+ activations in the Eye Care Square exhibit hall, including the LinkedIn Lounge.

Connect with state affiliates in the Leadership Zone and explore career pathways and opportunities at the Residency Summit. Then cap it off with the AOA+ Town Hall: Your Voice, Your Future, an open mic session with AOA leadership where your ideas shape the future of AOA+ programming, and the All-Student Group Photo.

Plus, attendees can:

• Visit the Career Fair in the Eye Care Square,
• Participate in the Mock Interview Studio to practice these skills with a job coach,
• Get a professional photo taken for your resume at the Headshot Hub, and
• Receive expert feedback on their LinkedIn profile at the LinkedIn Lounge.

AOA+ Travel Grant Application

Travel grants for AOA+ at Optometry’s Meeting will become available with registration launch in January 2026. Travel grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

To receive an AOA+ travel grant, attendees must register for Optometry’s Meeting to be included in the grant selection pool.

Students, young professionals and optometric educators interested in travel grants are encouraged to sign up for an early registration and AOA+ travel grant alert. The alert will provide recipients with an exclusive, early registration window to complete their registration and secure their travel grant eligibility.

For more information on AOA+, click here. For more information on travel grants, click here. To learn more about Optometry’s Meeting 2026, visit Optometry’s Meeting.