Exhibit Hall and Exhibitors

Exhibitor Information

The 113th Annual AOA Congress & 40th Annual AOSA Conference: Optometry’s Meeting^® will be held June 16- 20, 2010, in Orlando, Fla., at the Gaylord Palms^® Resort & Convention Center. The exhibit hall will be located in Florida Exhibition Halls A-F.

Purchase a booth space today!

Why Exhibit at Optometry’s Meeting^®?:

Optometry’s Exchange (our Exhibit Hall) has been around for more than a century and is well-known in the industry. We provide optometric professionals with the latest and greatest technologies and solutions that optometry has to offer with our wide-range of exhibitors. Our attendees know when they walk onto our floor they can expect to find everything they need to succeed: like how to become a paperless practice, the latest pharmaceutical research, the latest trends in contact lenses and frames, and the newest office equipment and services available. Furthermore, as the national association of optometry, we are also able to provide our patrons with the latest and greatest news on Capitol Hill, with updates on health reform and health initiatives that effect optometry, the way they practice, and their patients every day.

Who Should Exhibit?:

You should exhibit if your business requires the success of ophthalmic professionals. The AOA has more than 34,000 members who are always looking for the latest and greatest products and services for their practice and patients. Eighty-eight percent of our professional attendees are self-employed doctors. Seventy-seven percent of our professional attendees report their practices’ total revenue at $351K to more than $1 million. More decision-makers (specifically more practicing ODs) attend Optometry’s Meeting® than any other optometric meeting worldwide. We are the national meeting for optometry!
Find more statistics below.

According to a survey from the 2009 Optometry’s Meeting^® near Washington, D.C.:

41% of the respondents are self-employed (1-doctor); 43% are self-employed (2-4 doctors); 4% are self-employed (5 or more doctors); 12% are employed affiliates (1 or more doctors).
38% of the respondents’ practice’s total revenue is more than $1M; 39% reported revenue at $351K-$1 million; 15% reported revenue at $151K - $350K; 8% reported revenue at under $150K.
The majority of respondents visited the Exhibit Hall three times or more during the meeting.
76% of respondents said the Exhibit Hall influences their purchasing decisions.
When asked, “If given a choice of two products of the same value and price, would you be more or less inclined to purchase that product knowing the company supports optometry?” 100% of those surveyed said, “Yes, they would be more inclined to support the company that supports optometry.”

Exhibit Hall Hours:

Thursday, June 17: 4:00pm - 8:00pm

Exhibit Hall Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Thursday at 4:00pm
Wines from Across our Nation, hosted by the AOA

Friday, June 18: 10:00am - 6:30pm

4:30pm - 6:30pm Buck-a-Beer Night, hosted by the AOA

Saturday, June 19: 10:00am - 2:00pm

12:00pm - 2:00pm Designated Assistant/Tech and Student Hours

***Times and events are subject to change***

Set-Up Hours:

Tuesday, June 15: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Wednesday, June 16: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Thursday, June 17: 8:00am – 12:00pm

Dismantle Dates:

Beginning Saturday, June 19 at 2:00pm; bills of lading are due Sunday, June 20 at 12 noon.

Exhibitor Service Kit:

The kit will be mailed via e-mail in mid-February 2010. The kit will contain all forms needed to successfully exhibit at Optometry’s Meeting^®.

Booth Payment:

50 percent deposit is due at the time you reserve your space online. The remaining 50 percent is due on Jan. 15, 2010. Checks and credit cards are acceptable forms of payment.

Exhibitor Badges:

Please log on to https://exhibits2010.optometrysmeeting.org to register your booth staff for badges. You receive five (5) comp badges per purchased 10x10 booth space. The AOA requires all exhibiting booth personnel to display a name badge to gain entrance to the Exhibit Hall. Exhibitor Badges can be picked up on-site at the Exhibitor Registration desk. A state-issued license or passport is required to pick up your badge.

Housing:

Exhibitors may register for housing online at www.optometrysmeeting.org in early-February 2010. Log on to view hotel choices and reserve your hotel room(s).

Press Opportunities:

If your company would like to conduct a press conference to announce new products or services during Optometry’s Meeting^®, you may reserve time in the Press Room at the Gaylord Palms® Convention Center. Please contact Susan Thomas at the AOA at 800-365-2219, ext. 4263 or 314-983-4263 to reserve your time.

Sponsorship Opportunites:

If your company is interested in sponsoring programs/items at Optometry’s Meeting^® please contact Kristen Reynolds at 800-365-2219,ext. 4178 or 314-983-4178. (You must be an exhibitor to sponsor items at Optometry’s Meeting®)

Advertisement Opportunities:

If your company is interested in advertising in the Registration Brochure or On-Site Program, please contact Aileen Rivera at 212-633-3721 or a.rivera@elsevier.com for details and pricing. You may also advertise in the AOA News or Journal; both are publications of the AOA, mailed to AOA members.

Admission of Children to the Exhibit Hall:

Children under the age of 18 shall not be admitted to the Exhibit Hall unless accompanied by an adult. Children under the age of 18 will not be allowed in the Exhibit Hall under any circumstances during exhibitor setup and teardown.