Social & networking events
Join us at these events throughout the week for networking and enjoying downtime with your colleagues (all times are MT).
You may purchase tickets for ticketed events when you register for the Annual Meeting. If registered already, you may add tickets to your current registration.
Saturday, May 3
Badge Printing/Sip and Scan
2 - 6pm
East Registration (Street Level)
Salt Palace Convention Center
Looking to beat the Sunday registration lines? Come to the Convention Center on Saturday to print your badge early and enjoy some networking and treats
ARVO Foundation Gala
7:30 - 10pm
Hyatt Regency Salt Lake City
Regency Ballroom AB
Held the evening before the opening of the ARVO Annual Meeting, members and friends of ARVO join together for a semi-formal dinner and celebration to honor individuals and organizations who have shown dedication to the ARVO Foundation and its mission.
Set against the backdrop of Salt Lake City's iconic Wasatch Mountains where après ski meets alpine elegance, the theme of this year's Gala is Chalet Soirée. Put your own twist on clothing worn in the chalet: Puffer vests, sweaters, turtlenecks, boots, gold, faux fur and sparkle are encouraged! This is a great way to start your ARVO 2025 week with a fun evening among colleagues. Ticket purchase required.
Sunday, May 4 - Wednesday, May 7
WEAVR Drop-In Mentoring Program
Noon - 3pm daily
ARVO Central (Exhibit Hall Level)
Salt Palace Convention Center
Take advantage of drop-in mentoring offered by WEAVR during ARVO 2025. Mid- and senior-level female ARVO members will be available to meet with individuals who may be looking for professional guidance from a female perspective.
CRC Careers in Industry Mentoring
Sunday: Noon - 2pm
Monday: 4 - 6pm
Wednesday: 3 - 5pm
ARVO Central (Exhibit Hall Level)
Salt Palace Convention Center
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 Commercial Relationships Committee. Discuss careers in industry, foundations, biotech and more; alternate job opportunities plus get advice and tips.
Sunday, May 4
Sunday Social
7 – 8:30pm
Exhibit Hall level
Salt Palace Convention Center
Join us for an evening of collaboration and networking as we come together as one vision research community to kick-off the week of ARVO! Join us before dinner for a beverage (beer, wine, and soda will be served) and appetizers. A DJ will get the party started for the week and there will be an opportunity to contribute to an art project that will serve as the backdrop for a selfie station for the rest of the week. Everyone is welcome; your badge is your entry. No ticket purchase required.
Monday, May 5 & Tuesday, May 6
Editor-in-Chief Meet Up
Monday: 1 - 2:45pm
Tuesday: 11:30am - 1pm
ARVO Central (Exhibit Hall level)
Salt Palace Convention Center
Stop by ARVO Central to meet the editors-in-chief of two of ARVO’s scientific journals:
- Joseph Carroll, PhD ― Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
- Roy S. Chuck, MD, PhD ― Translational Vision Science & Technology
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.
Monday, May 5
Applying to ophthalmology residency in the United States and abroad
Monday, May 5
7 - 8:30am
MIT Lounge: Hall 1 (Exhibit Hall Level)
Salt Palace Convention Center
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.
PI/Postdoc Job Meet-up
3 - 5pm
MIT Lounge: Hall 1 (Exhibit Hall Level)
Salt Palace Convention Center
Are you a postdoc currently searching for a job opportunity? Then be sure to stop by this 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
6:30 – 8pm
Lower Concourse Adjacent to Hall E
Salt Palace Convention Center
This networking event draws young researchers from around the world and recognizes 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 6
Breakfast with the Experts
7 - 8:30am
Hall 1 (Exhibit Hall Level)
Salt Palace Convention Center
Registration - $15
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 you are most interested in. Sign up when you register for the Annual Meeting.
Women in Eye and Vision Research (WEAVR) Luncheon
11:30am – 1pm
Hyatt Regency Salt Lake City
Regency Ballroom AB
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 support women in the visual sciences.
Résumé Review
2 - 4pm
MIT Lounge: Hall 1 (Exhibit Hall Level)
Salt Palace Convention Center
To reserve a session, stop by the First-Timers table (location TBA) from Sunday, May 4, 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.
Wednesday, May 7
Members-in-Training (MIT) Outstanding Poster Award Competition
5:30 - 7pm
Hall A (Exhibit Hall Level)
Salt Palace Convention Center
View posters by 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.
ARVO Karaoke Night
8 – 11pm
Keys on Main
242 S. Main Street
Salt Lake City
You don't want to miss this crowd favorite. Back this year ― Karaoke!
NOTE: You must be 21 years old or older to attend. Identification may be needed to enter the venue.
Registration for the ARVO Annual Meeting is required to attend this event; guest tickets are also available with your registration. You may purchase tickets online when you register for the Annual Meeting. If registered already, you may add tickets to your current registration.
$20 - includes admission, one drink and light snacks
(tickets are non-refundable)
Tickets may be purchased also at ARVO Central between Saturday, May 3 and Wednesday, May 7, depending upon availability.
Thursday, May 8
2026 Denver Kickoff
4 - 5pm
Exhibit Hall
Salt Palace Convention Center
Join us for a light snack as we close out the 2025 Annual Meeting and look forward to 2026. All are welcome to join!