Social & networking events
Join us at these events throughout the week for networking and enjoying downtime with your colleagues (all times are PT).
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 4
Badge Printing/Sip and Scan
2 - 6pm
Seattle Convention Center - Arch Building (Atrium Lobby)
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.
- 2 - 4pm ― Coffee and biscotti
- 4 - 6pm ― Washington State wine tastings, infused water and snacks
ARVO Foundation Gala
7:30 - 10:30pm
Seattle Convention Center - Summit Building
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.
The theme of this year's Gala — Off to the Races — is a nod to the famous Kentucky Derby, which is occurring on the same day. We invite you to embrace the festive nature of race day and sport your hats, floral prints, seersucker suits and spring-time/garden party formal wear. This is a great way to start your ARVO 2024 week with a fun evening among colleagues. Ticket purchase required.
Sunday, May 5 - Wednesday, May 8
WEAVR Drop-In Mentoring Program
Noon - 3pm daily
ARVO Central
Seattle Convention Center - Arch Building
Take advantage of drop-in mentoring offered by WEAVR during ARVO 2024. 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.
Sunday, May 5
Sunday Social
7:30 – 10:30pm
Museum of Flight
9404 E. Marginal Way South
Seattle, Wash. 98108
$40 - includes shuttle to/from event, admission, two drinks and appetizers. Wristband required for entry to event. Pick up wristbands at Registration Desk on Saturday and ARVO Central on Sunday.
Join your colleagues for a fantastic evening at one of the largest air and space museums in the world! Connect with colleagues over 175 aircraft and spacecraft, countless artifacts, historical photographs, and fun interactive exhibits. Tickets are going fast! It is highly recommended that you purchase your Sunday Social tickets prior to arriving in Seattle. Shuttles will be available between the Convention Center/several hotel locations in downtown Seattle and the Museum of Flight. Those who purchase before April 26 will receive priority boarding for the shuttles.
Registration for the ARVO Annual Meeting is required to attend this event; guest tickets are available as well. You may purchase tickets online when you register for the Annual Meeting. If registered already, you may add tickets to your current registration (tickets purchased online may be cancelled and refunded up to April 26).
Tickets may be purchased on site also on Saturday and Sunday, depending upon availability (tickets purchased on site are non-refundable).
- Saturday & Sunday ― Purchase tickets or pick up your wristband in the registration area of the Seattle Convention Center - Arch Building
- Sunday ― Purchase tickets or pick up your wristband at ARVO Central
Monday, May 6 & Tuesday, May 7
Editor-in-Chief Meet Up
Monday, May 6: 2:30 - 4pm
Tuesday, May 7: Noon - 1:30pm
ARVO Central
Seattle Convention Center - Arch Building
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 6
PI/Postdoc Job Meet-up
3 - 5pm
Seattle Convention Center - Arch Building (MIT Lounge, Level 4 - Room 400)
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 over 35 institutions to chat about job openings in their labs. Remember to bring your résumé and a great attitude. No ticket purchase required.
Please contact kmiller@arvo.og if you are a PI with a job opening and are interested in participating.
Student/Trainee Travel Grant Social
6:30 – 8pm
Seattle Convention Center - Arch Building
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 7
Breakfast with the Experts
7 - 8:30am
Seattle Convention Center - Arch Building
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. Registration will open on Feb. 5.
Women in Eye and Vision Research (WEAVR) Luncheon
11:30am – 1pm
Seattle Convention Center - Summit Building
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 (Level 4)
Seattle Convention Center - Arch Building
To reserve a session, stop by the First-Timers table in the Atrium Lobby (Level 4) from Sunday, May 5, 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 8
Members-in-Training (MIT) Outstanding Poster Award Competition
5:30 - 7pm
Seattle Convention Center - Arch Building
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
9pm – midnight
MoPOP (Museum of Pop Culture)
325 5th Avenue N.
Seattle, Wash. 98109
$25 - includes admission, one drink and light snacks
(tickets are non-refundable)
Karaoke time! Please join us at MoPOP for a fun-filled night of music, cocktails, dancing, light snacks plus delicious Shug's ice cream/sundaes. New this year, Rockaroke Live-Band Karaoke! Rock the stage and sing your favorite song. You will have access also to MoPop’s museum galleries, including Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses, Hendrix: Wild Blue Angel, Guitar Gallery, Indie Game Revolution, Sound Lab, and Hidden Worlds: The Films of Laika.
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.
Tickets may also be purchased on site at ARVO Central between Saturday, May 4 and Wednesday, May 8, depending upon availability.
Thursday, May 9
2025 Salt Lake City Kickoff
4 - 5pm
Exhibit Hall
Seattle Convention Center - Arch Building
Join us for a light snack as we close out the 2024 Annual Meeting and look forward to 2025. All are welcome to join!