Take the Stage at CAO Congress 2027

Share your expertise and knowledge with colleagues from across Canada.

Every eye care professional has had a case that changed how they practise, a protocol they refined that made all the difference, or a leadership lesson learned behind the front desk. CAO Congress 2027 is where those insights and impact can reach your colleagues.

Submit your session proposal

Call for Speakers

CAO 40th Congress |  July 7-10, 2027  |  Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

The Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) invites dynamic speakers, industry experts, and researchers to submit presentation proposals for our upcoming bi-annual Congress in beautiful Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, taking place July 7–10, 2027. With its prairie hospitality, vibrant arts and cultural scene, and lively summer energy, Saskatoon sets the stage for fresh ideas, practical learning, tangible tips, and meaningful connections.

We're looking for sessions that bring real value to optometrists across Canada, with particular interest in clinical updates and emerging areas of practice — think glaucoma, myopia management, dry ee and ocular surface disease, vision therapy, advanced scope, systemic disease, practice management and leadership.  

Have a bold idea that doesn't fit the list? Even better — we want to hear it!

Session Format

Applicants may propose sessions in the following formats:

  • Plenary Session: 50 minutes (topic relevant to all attendees) 
  • General Session: 50-100 minutes (Deep-dive, interactive educational session)  
  • Rapid Fire Talk: Three fast-paced 12–15-minute talks on high-impact topics connected by a shared theme. May be presented by one or multiple speakers.

Timeline

  • Call for Speakers Opens:  October 7, 2026  
  • Submission Deadline:  November 13, 2026 
  • Review Period: November 16 – December 11, 2026 
  • Speaker Notification: December 18, 2026

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be reviewed by the Scientific Committee based on:

  • Relevance to the target audience. 
  • Alignment with identified priority topics, including glaucoma, myopia management, dry eye and surface ocular disease, advanced scope, systemic disease, aesthetic optometry, practice management & leadership, or another emerging area of relevance to optometric practice.  
  • Indigenous voices and perspectives are welcome. We encourage proposals from Indigenous speakers and on topics that highlight Indigenous knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. 
  • Originality and educational value of the content.  
  • Speaker’s credentials and expertise. First-time presenters and early-career speakers are welcome! 
  • Clear learning objectives and takeaways that attendees can apply in practice. 
  • Absence of commercial pitch or sales intent.

Submit your session proposal. Speakers are welcome (and encouraged) to share more than one topic for consideration.

For any questions regarding the submission process or session topics, please contact CAO. 

Submission does not guarantee acceptance. CAO reserves the right to suggest changes to session format, length, title, learning objectives, or speaker composition to support the overall Congress program.