ARVO | Social and networking events
Social and networking events
Join us at these events throughout the week for networking and enjoying downtime with your colleagues (all times are MT).
For ticketed events, you can purchase your ticket when you register for the Annual Meeting. If registered already, follow these instructions to add tickets to your current registration.
Saturday, May 2
Snack and Scan (2 - 6pm, Convention Center - Registration)
Looking to beat the Sunday registration lines? Come to the Colorado Convention Center on Saturday to print your badge early and enjoy some networking and yummy treats (2 - 4 pm: Lemonade and Popcorn; 4 - 6pm: Beer/Wine/Non-alcoholic drinks and Snack Mix).
ARVO Foundation Gala & Benefit Concert (7:30 - 10pm, Buell Theatre)
Come celebrate the Foundation's 25th anniversary at our annual fundraising Gala, followed by a special Benefit Concert featuring Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum artist Gavin DeGraw. A great way to start your ARVO 2026 week, this will be a night to remember! Ticket purchase required.
Sunday, May 3 - Wednesday, May 6
WEAVR Drop-In Mentoring (Noon - 3pm, Convention Center - ARVO Central)
Take advantage of drop-in mentoring offered during the Annual Meeting by Women in Eye and Vision Research (WEAVR). Mid- and senior-level female ARVO members will be available to meet with individuals looking for professional guidance from a female perspective.
Careers in Industry Meetup (Sunday: Noon-2pm; Monday: 4-6pm; Wednesday: 3-5pm, Convention Center - ARVO Central)
Have you ever wondered about all the career paths open to eye and vision researchers? Stop by for an informal chat with members of ARVO’s Industry Members Committee. Discuss careers in industry, foundations, biotech and more.
Sunday, May 3
ARVO Sunday Social (7:30 - 10:30pm, Convention Center - Bluebird Ballroom)
Finish your first day of ARVO 2026 with a fun evening of Western-themed activities and networking with colleagues! Beverages and appetizers will be available. Ticket purchase required (proceeds will support the ARVO Foundation, marking its 25th anniversary).
Monday, May 4
Applying to ophthalmology residency in the United States and abroad (7 - 8:30am, Convention Center - Room 605/607)
Are you interested in matching into ophthalmology? Come learn about the competitive match process and gain some tips to help prepare and navigate the application. No ticket purchase required.
SciCommTF information table (2:30 - 4:30pm, Convention Center - MIT Lounge entrance, Room 301/302/303)
Interested in improving your science communication and science advocacy skills? Stop by the Science Communication Training Fellowship information table to learn more about the program, meet past participants and get your questions answered.
PI/ Postdoc Job Meet Up (3 - 5pm, Convention Center - MIT Lounge, Room 301/302/303)
Are you a postdoc currently searching for a job opportunity? Then stop by the MIT Lounge for an informal networking event to meet-up and mingle with PIs from dozens of institutions to chat about job openings in their labs. Remember to bring your résumé and a great attitude. No ticket purchase required.
Student/ Trainee Travel Grant Social (6:15 - 7:45pm, Convention Center - Lobby D)
This networking event draws young researchers from around the world, recognizing travel grantees who have demonstrated exceptional skills in eye and vision research. Grantees are welcome to come and mingle with their colleagues, make new acquaintances and meet members of the ARVO Board of Trustees. No ticket purchase required.
Tuesday, May 5
Breakfast with the Experts (7 - 8:30am, Convention Center - Bluebird Ballroom 2/3)
Breakfast with an Expert is your chance to meet with subject experts for in-depth conversations in a small group setting. Experts will host a table, give guidance and answer questions on a specific theme. Browse the table topics and choose the one most interesting to you. Sign up for a table spot when you register for the Annual Meeting (Table registration - $20).
WEAVR Luncheon (11:30am - 1pm, Convention Center - Bluebird Ballroom 2/3)
Everyone is welcome to attend the annual Women in Eye and Vision Research (WEAVR) Luncheon, a fundraising event for the ARVO Foundation. Over 500 attendees enjoy networking together over lunch and hearing a powerful keynote presentation. Ticket purchase required (proceeds will support the ARVO Foundation, marking its 25th anniversary)
Editor-in-Chief Meet Up (11:30am - 1pm, Convention Center - ARVO Central)
Meet the editors-in-chief of two of ARVO’s scientific journals: Joseph Carroll, PhD, FARVO (Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science - IOVS); Roy S. Chuck, MD, PhD, FARVO (Translational Vision Science & Technology - TVST). This is your opportunity to ask about journal scope, peer review, best practices for improving your manuscript, causes for rejection, and anything else journal-related that you’ve always wanted to know.
Résumé Review (2 - 4pm, Convention Center - MIT Lounge, Room 301/302/303)
Sign up for a one-on-one session with an experienced ARVO member to review your CV/résumé (bring a printed copy of your résumé). To reserve a session, stop by the First-Timers table (location TBA) from Sunday, May 3, to sign up. Any unclaimed spots or no-shows* will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis (as review sessions are only 20 minutes, late arrivals will be treated as no-shows if someone is waiting to claim an available timeslot).
MIT Outstanding Poster Competition (5:30 - 7pm, Convention Center - Poster Hall)
View posters by Members-in-Training (MIT) First Authors of the top-five scored abstracts scheduled as poster presentations from each Scientific Section and Cross-sectional Group. The poster viewing time is open to all. Light refreshments available.
Wednesday, May 6
Poster "Blitz": MIT Competition Winners (12:15 - 1:45pm, Convention Center - Room 403)
Missed the MIT Outstanding Poster Competition? Stop by the Poster Blitz to meet the winners from each section and learn about their science.
ARVO Karaoke Night (8pm - Midnight, Fillmore Auditorium)
You don't want to miss this crowd favorite. Come spend an entertaining musical night with friends, colleagues and a live band! Ticket purchase required (proceeds will support the ARVO Foundation, marking its 25th anniversary)
Thursday, May 7
2027 San Diego Kickoff (4 - 5pm, Convention Center - Exhibit Hall)
Join us for a light snack as we close out the 2026 Annual Meeting and look forward to 2027. All are welcome to join!