On this page:
Registration and Housing
Academy Registration Policy
Instruction Course Ticket Policies
Academy Members in Training Discount
Additional Policies for Skills Transfer Courses
Program Participants
Spouse and Guest Registration
One-Day-Only Registration
Registration Cancellations and Refunds
Registration Confirmation
Badge Mailing
Group Registration
Onsite Registration
Media Registration

Registration and Housing
Preregistration closed on Sept. 30, but you can still register and purchase tickets onsite.

Obtain housing online; or complete the 2009 Housing Form (PDF 127K) and fax or mail to the Academy. View the Housing Map (PDF 325K) and Housing List (PDF 61K).

Policies

Academy Registration Policy
The Academy does not permit attendance or participation by optometrists at any level in any educational activity at its Joint Meeting.

Instruction Course Ticket Policies

• You must register for the 2009 Joint Meeting in order to purchase course tickets.
• Your courses cannot overlap. 
• You may purchase only one ticket per course.
• Ticket fees, indicated in the course abstract, are for the entire course. Partial purchases are not allowed.
• Spouse and Guest Program registrants, exhibitors and one-day-only registrants may purchase tickets onsite only.
• Attendees may transfer tickets, but only to registrants whose registration category meets course requirements. If the transfer is made prior to the Joint Meeting, the original ticket owner must authorize the transfer by sending a signed letter, on letterhead, to the Academy. If the transfer is made onsite, the letter should be presented at the Ticket Sales/Exchange Counter (West Lobby).
• Tickets for all standard instruction courses may be exchanged onsite, provided the exchange is made at least one day prior to the course. Onsite fees will apply, and the difference in fees will be charged accordingly.

Academy Members in Training Discount

• As a member benefit, Academy members in training automatically receive a 50% discount on all standard Instruction Course, Skills Transfer course and Breakfast With the Experts ticket purchases. This discount will automatically be applied to the ticket price.
• This discount does not apply to physicians in training.

Additional Policies for Skills Transfer Courses

• Attendance in Skills Transfer courses is limited to physicians only, except where noted in the course description. (The term “physician” refers to the definition in the Federal Register: “Those individuals licensed to practice medicine and surgery and osteopathy.”)
• If you are registering for a Skills Transfer lab and a prerequisite lecture is indicated, you must purchase both courses. If you order a lab without the prerequisite lecture, you will be ticketed and charged for the lecture in addition to the lab.
• Skills Transfer courses are given priority on the registration form and any conflicting instruction courses will not be ticketed.
• Registrants in Skills Transfer courses may be required to bring instruments and/or sign an infectious disease waiver form. Refer to individual course listings for specific requirements.
• Skills Transfer course tickets may be exchanged until 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24.

Program Participants

• All program participants are required to register for the 2009 Joint Meeting and pay the appropriate fees. Membership privileges are not transferable.
  The Academy cannot waive any fees or provide any financial assistance for any travel or housing costs.
• In order to avoid waiting in line onsite, participants are encouraged to register in advance. Wednesday, Aug. 26, was the last day to register in advance and have your registration packet mailed to you before the meeting.

Spouse and Guest Program Registration

• The Spouse and Guest Program is a social program open to all spouses and guests accompanying 2009 Joint Meeting professional registrants.
• A co-worker or an associate within the industry may not use the guest registration category.
• Spouses and guests who are physicians must register for the Joint Meeting as professional attendees if they wish to receive verification of attendance or CME credit.
• Spouses and guests must be registered in order to purchase tickets for the tour program, visit the Exhibit Hall, attend scientific sessions or purchase Instruction Course tickets. Instruction Course tickets may only be purchased onsite. Spouse and Guest registration can be completed online or by using the Preregistration and Ticket Order Form.
• Spouse and guest badges are not valid for entry to Subspecialty Day or the AAOE Program.
• Children 17 years of age and under receive complimentary registration. They may enter the Exhibit Hall only if they are wearing a badge and are accompanied by a registered adult.
• For more information, consult the Spouse and Guest Program Web page (registration details) or the virtual Spouse and Guest Program brochure (registration details and tour descriptions).

One-Day-Only Registration

• One-day-only registration for the 2009 Joint Meeting is available for individual days from Saturday, Oct. 24, through Tuesday, Oct. 27.
• Attendees may not register or purchase tickets in advance for this registration category.
• Representatives and distributors from commercial companies are not eligible for registration in this category.
• Commercial representatives, refer to Exhibitor Registration Information.

Registration Cancellations and Refunds

• To cancel your registration and receive a refund, a written request including your name and Academy identification number must have been received by Aug. 26.
• There will be a per-person, per-meeting cancellation processing fee of $50 or your total registration fee, whichever is less.
• No refunds will be processed for cancellation requests received after the Aug. 26 deadline.

Preregistration

Preregistration Dates and Deadlines

Registration Confirmation

• All registrants are sent a confirmation e-mail or letter once their registration form is processed.
• If you do not receive confirmation within two weeks of sending your form(s), contact the Academy.
• Receipt of faxes cannot be confirmed by phone. If you require confirmation of receipt, we recommend that you send your form by overnight carrier.

Badge Mailing

• Preregistration packets were mailed in September to all attendees who registered by Wednesday, Aug. 26.
• If you do not receive your badge before traveling, pick up your materials onsite at the Moscone Center, North Lobby.

Group Registration

• Group registration assistance is available for groups registering 10 or more attendees.
• Group registration processing fees will be assessed for all changes and badges will not be mailed in advance.
• For complete information, including the group registration agreement, timelines and forms, contact the Academy via e-mail at groupreg@aao.org.

Onsite Registration and Ticket Sales
Registration Fees

Media
Visit Media Registration Guidelines and Information to register for the Meeting.