Sustainability and Accessibility

Accessibility at the Annual Meeting

The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) strives to host welcoming, inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully in a sustainability-conscious environment. The following considerations will be in place for the 2026 ARVO Annual Meeting (May 3 - 7, Denver, Colo.):

Aides or Personal Care Assistants

If you require the assistance of an aide or personal care assistant, ARVO will arrange complimentary registration for them. Please contact arvo@arvo.org to register your aide or personal care assistant.

Dietary options

• Vegetarian selections will be offered at ARVO-hosted events/receptions where food is served.
• Local restaurant suggestions are available through the VISIT DENVER information desk in the main lobby. Their friendly staff will help guide you on everything to do in Denver.
• Food vendors in and near the Colorado Convention Center offer a variety of food options and may be able to accommodate various dietary requests.

Hearing and Vision Impairment

ARVO recognizes that needs vary and will work to meet your individual needs to the best of our ability. To better serve you, please indicate your needs with your registration and an ARVO staff member will be in contact to discuss your needs and how ARVO is able to assist.

Service Animals

Certified service animals are allowed per ADA guidelines.

Gift Shop

Forgot something? Conveniently located in concourse A (between the 100 and 200 meeting room hallways), a gift shop carries essentials, such as cell phone chargers, travel accessories, over-the-counter medicine, a quick snack or drink and even Colorado-branded gifts.

Housing

When you book your hotel room online, please indicate your request for an accessible room by checking the “Handicap Accessible” box.  Please note your specific needs in the “Requests” box also so we can ensure the hotel can accommodate your needs. If you have any additional questions regarding an accommodation at your hotel, please contact arvohousing@orchid.events.

Meditation Room

A dedicated meditation/prayer space at the Convention Center - Room 505. The room is open and available at any time throughout the day.

Mobility Resources

• Free motorized scooters for use at the Convention Center to assist attendees with navigating the Meeting. Scooters can be requested in advance of the Annual Meeting. Scooters may be picked up in the morning at Meeting Management (Room 205) and must be returned prior to leaving the building, unless other arrangements are made.
• Accessible elevators and escalators at the Convention Center and at all hotels in the ARVO block.

Mother’s Lounge

A relaxing space reserved for nursing mothers at the Colorado Convention Center (Room 504). Please visit Meeting Management (Room 205) where you may request a key — staff will direct you to where the room is located. There is a second lounge attendees may use, located just off the main lobby.

Quiet Room

A comfortable quiet space at the Colorado Convention Center (Room 506) where attendees can get a sensory break from the bustle of the Meeting. The room is open and available at any time throughout the day.

Restrooms

All restroom facilities in the Colorado Convention Center are accessible for all of our guests and are compliant with ADA guidelines.

Sustainability efforts at ARVO 2026

ARVO and the Colorado Convention Center (CCC) are excited to announce recycling options during ARVO 2026.

Your commitment to giving back strengthens the local Denver community by supporting vital programs and resources, while also advancing sustainability efforts that help protect our planet.

What can be recycled at the Colorado Convention Center (CCC)

ALL ATTENDEES:

The CCC operates a single-stream recycling program. This means that at each trash can, you will find a recycling bin. In this bin, they accept: paper, aluminum and tin, glass (all colors), and plastic containers with the numbers 1 - 6 on the bottom.

EXHIBITORS:

Donation hours and locations

Tuesday, May 5 — Freeman Exhibitor Service Desk

Wednesday, May 6 — Freeman Exhibitor Service Desk and Exhibit Hall Exit glass doors

Items we can accept:

• Reusable Water Bottles
• Conference Bags & Giveaways
• Unopened Hygiene Products
• Unopened Non-Perishable Products
• Clothing Items
• Home Décor
• Small Furniture: Side tables, coffee tables, chairs, loveseat couch, small bookcase/shelves, stools, and lamps
• Working electronics: TVs, tablets, laptops
• Toys & Games
• Office/School Supplies

Items we CANNOT accept:

• Filing Cabinets
• Broken Items
• Broken Furniture
• Perishable Items
• Signage
• Lanyards
• Large Industrial Structures
• Indoor Plants/Large Foliage
• Over the Counter Medication or Drugs
• Medical Equipment and Devices
• Open Non-Perishable Items: Napkins, plates/bowls, cups, and utensils

How do we donate leftover conference materials?

The CCC offers a Reclaim Room to help accommodate unused or unwanted conference materials that can be reused. If interested in donating materials, please consolidate into one location (preferably on the Exhibit Hall level if possible). Contact your Event Manager to let them know you would like to donate these materials and the pickup location.

Common items for the Reclaim Room include: vinyl banners, water bottles, conference bags, conference giveaways and set props. If you have questions about what can be donated, please ask your Event Manager.

Where do these materials go?

There are several outlets for these materials. Some of these include the following:

• Food Bank of the Rockies
• We Don't Waste
• Habitat for Humanity
• Denver Public Schools

What are the green cleaning policies of the CCC?

The CCC has a very advanced green cleaning policy focusing on both practices and products. Over 90% of their house cleaning materials are either certified by Green Seal or the equivalent.

Does the CCC utilize alternate energy sources?

The CCC has a 300kw roof top solar array that generates an average of 400,000kwh each year.

What can I do to offset my carbon footprint for attending?

The VISIT DENVER website has a free Carbon Calculator. This calculates attendee, supplier, and organizer travel, as well as use of the venue. The calculator is connected to the Colorado Carbon Fund, which helps to support projects located in Colorado. Learn more

Exhibit Hall vendors' practices

• The Annual Meeting is put together on-site with the aid of our event agency, Freeman. The company prioritizes using eco-conscious/recyclable practices for items such as carpets, graphics, booths, rental furniture and AV equipment.
• Freeman was the first events company to earn both the ISO 20121 and ISO 14001 certifications, an international standard that helps to guide and measure its actions and approach to sustainability.
• Freeman became a founding signatory to the Net Zero Carbon Events (NZCE) in 2021 and recently launched a Roadmap to Net Zero by 2050.
• Utilizing vendors who prioritize sustainable practices, such as
  • infinitely recyclable aluminum frame system for event structures that are returned to inventory for reuse.
  • carpet manufacturer that follows a reuse, repurpose and recycle approach to business.

If you have any questions, comments or need assistance in an area not discussed above, please contact arvo@arvo.org.