Attendance at Academy 2017 Chicago set a record with almost 7,800 registrants.
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CHICAGO—The American Academy of Optometry (AAO) announced this week that the recent Academy 2017 Chicago meeting was the largest meeting in AAO’s history with a total of 7,692 registrants, including 4,799 optometrists and vision scientists and 1,206 students. The meeting, held Oct. 11-14 at McCormick Place, was the 96th annual meeting of AAO.

A highlight of the meeting was the confirmation of 256 new Fellows, according to the AAO announcement. Fellows of the Academy must complete a candidacy process that includes submitting written work demonstrating their skills as an optometrist or vision scientist, and sitting for an oral exam at the annual meeting of the Academy. It is estimated that 10 percent of U.S. practicing optometrists are Fellows of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO).

In addition, 10 individuals were awarded Diplomate status by Sections of the American Academy of Optometry. Diplomates are Fellows of the Academy who wish to demonstrate their skill in a specific area, according to the announcement.

The American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF), the Academy’s foundation supporting research and education, received more than $250,000 in donations and new pledges during the meeting. Approximately 200 supporters attended the Foundation’s Celebration Luncheon, which resulted in more than $70,000 in donations and pledges at that event alone.

Separately, AAO announced that through generosity of Cooper Vision and National Vision, as well as individual donors, the Academy will provide student travel fellowships in the amount of $750 to each student from the Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry (IAUPR) who attended the meeting. (The devastation in Puerto Rico caused by the recent Hurricanes Irma and Maria have led to the closure of the Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry until damage can be repaired.) Individuals residing in Puerto Rico who registered for Academy received refunds on registration fees paid, whether or not the person was or was not able to attend the meeting.

The next annual meeting is scheduled for Nov. 7-10, 2018, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas.