Future Focus 2025 Brings Canadian Optometry Students Together
Monday, January 20 2025 | 15 h 07 min | News
Save The Dates: March 26th, 6 PM (EDT) | April 3rd, 6 PM (PDT)
Future Focus, the flagship event for Canadian optometry students, is back and bigger than ever. What began as a modest online gathering in 2023 has evolved into an essential annual event, and 2025 promises to be its most exciting iteration yet.
Last year, Future Focus took a bold step forward with a live event at the University of Waterloo’s Federation Hall. The evening buzzed with energy as sponsors and over 200 optometry students from across North America came together to learn, connect, and network.
A simulcast to watch parties at optometry schools in the U.S. and a live Zoom audience extended the reach even further. This year, NextGEN OD Canada is building on that momentum to bring you something truly extraordinary.
On March 26, 2025, the event will feature not one but two live venues, hosted at the University of Waterloo (UW) and the New England College of Optometry (NECO) in Boston, MA. These two hubs will be simulcast to each other, creating a dynamic and unified experience for attendees on both sides of the border.
Several participating optometry schools across North America will host a local “watch party” and all will be invited to a live Zoom simulcast to ensure accessibility to any Canadian Optometry student regardless of the school at which they study.
The live online event on April 3rd (6 PM Pacific Time) is specifically designed to facilitate participating from schools in the Western North American time zones.
An Evening of Inspiration and Insight
The agenda is packed with opportunities to learn and engage.
The evening will also include an independently moderated expert panel discussion, featuring representatives from leading optometric organizations. These industry leaders will tackle tough questions from moderators and students alike, offering valuable insights into the future of the profession.
One of the evening’s highlights is the keynote address by Dr. Jenny Lee (UW 2023), who will share her journey from optometry school, including residency through to her first few years of clinical practice. Dr. Lee’s candid and practical advice on navigating the academic grind and launching a career in optometry will resonate with students preparing for their own transitions.
Of course, the event wouldn’t be complete without plenty of networking opportunities. At both UW and NECO, and online, sponsors will be on hand to meet with students, answer their questions, and share resources to support their journey into optometric practice. And let’s not forget the delicious culinary spreads that attendees at the live venues will enjoy!
Why Future Focus Matters
At its core, Future Focus is about connection—between students, professionals, and organizations dedicated to advancing the field of optometry. By bringing together Canadian students, whether they’re studying at home or abroad, NextGEN OD fulfills its mission of fostering a network that supports students from their academic years to their clinical training and beyond.
With more Canadians studying optometry in the U.S. than in Canada, this event serves as an important bridge, uniting a diverse and dispersed community.
Save Your Spot
Future Focus 2025 will take place on:
- March 26, 2025, starting at 6 PM Eastern Time for eastern schools, including UW and NECO.
- April 3, 2025, for western schools, offering tailored programming for students in those time zones.
Registration is required to attend the live events and to qualify for exclusive prizes. Capacity is limited, so early registration is encouraged. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this incredible night of inspiration, education, and connection.
Register now to secure your spot! https://vuepoint.ac-page.com/future-focus-2025
Whether you’re attending in person, tuning in at a watch party, or joining via Zoom, Future Focus 2025 is your chance to connect with the optometry community and prepare for a bright future in the profession.
Visionary Sponsors include the following organizations:
Horizon sponsors include:
Vogue Optical, Clinical & Refractive Optometry.
Sponsor positions are still available, Please contact VuePoint info@vuepoint.ca for information on securing a table at these events.
Want to see more like this article? Click here to subscribe to our FREE print magazines and e-newsletters!
