SECO, the Southeast Congress of Optometry, will be held this year in Atlanta, GA, March 1-5. The conference provides great opportunities for optometry students of all grade levels, from first year to fourth years.
Registration is free for all current optometry students, and students receive a $100 stipend for attending! This is one conference you can’t miss, especially if you are a student in a southern school or want to practice in the south after graduation.
Here is what the OptometryStudents.com team will be doing:
Networking: A big conference like SECO has all types of professionals from the eye care industry in attendance. At SECO, you will find optometrists, para-optometric professionals, students, and the AOA all in the exhibit hall. Come find us at booth 1631 and let us help you find your way around the things you will not want to miss!
The Events: There’s always something fun happening after-hours at SECO! Come to the ODs on Facebook party at Game-X on Thursday night. On Friday night, relax with optometry students from across the nation at the NEXT party in the Omni ballroom or attend the “Eye Docs of Rock” party at Ventanas. Got Saturday night fever? Don’t miss the disco party to be held at the Tabernacle on Saturday night, featuring Dennis DeYoung and the music of STYX! Make sure to wear your best bell bottoms for the 70s costume contest! Parties not your style? Come to the inaugural Frame Fashion show at 11am on Saturday morning in the Focal Point Lounge of the Exhibit Hall. There will be events for everyone to enjoy!
The Exhibit Hall: Every big name in the eye care industry has a booth set up in the exhibit hall, including the AOA and us! New technology is on display, and there will be plenty of time to learn about opportunities available after graduation. Not sure what to expect? Check out some of the different kinds of people you meet at optometry conferences!
Education: SECO offers some great educational opportunities for optometrists, para-optometrics, and students. As a student, you are allowed to attend the same lectures as an optometrist, which gives you a new perspective on what you’re currently learning in school. The lectures are on a broad range of topics, including vision therapy, ocular surface disease, glaucoma, and coding. You might even find some of your professors teaching Continuing Education classes.
Still not convinced? See how much fun we had at last year’s conference here. But don’t let this be the only conference you attend this year! Registration is open and travel grants are still available for AOA+ and Optometry’s Meeting. Here is some more information on optometry’s biggest event this June 21-25 in Washington, DC. We hope to see all of you there!
