Accessibility and Sustainability

The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) strives to host welcoming, inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully in a sustainability-conscious environment. The following considerations will be in place for the 2025 ARVO Annual Meeting (May 4 - 8, Salt Lake City, Utah):

Aides or Personal Care Assistants

• If you require the assistance of an aide or personal care assistant, ARVO will arrange complimentary registration for them. Please contact arvo@arvo.org to register your aide or personal care assistant.

Dietary options

• Vegetarian selections will be offered at ARVO-hosted events/receptions where food is served.

• Local restaurant lists are available from the Salt Lake City Visitor Center on the second floor of the Salt Palace Convention Center, adjacent to the East Registration Lobby.

• Food vendors in and near the Salt Palace Convention Center offer a variety of food options and may be able to accommodate various dietary requests.

Hearing and Vision Impairment

• ARVO recognizes needs vary and will work to meet your individual needs to the best of our ability. To better serve you, please indicate your needs with your registration and an ARVO staff member will be in contact to discuss your needs and how ARVO is able to assist. 

Housing

• When you book your hotel room online, please indicate your request for an accessible room by checking the “Handicap Accessible” box.  Please note your specific needs in the “Requests” box also so we can ensure the hotel can accommodate your needs. If you have any additional questions regarding an accommodation at your hotel, please contact arvohousing@orchid.events.

Meditation Room

• A dedicated meditation/prayer space at the Convention Center - 257AB). The room is open and available at any time throughout the day.

Mobility resources

• Free motorized scooters for use at the Convention Center to assist attendees with navigating the Meeting. Scooters can be requested in advance of the Annual Meeting. Scooters may be picked up in the morning at Meeting Management (Room 150G) and must be returned prior to leaving the building, unless other arrangements are made. 

• Accessible elevators and escalators at the Convention Center and at all hotels in the ARVO block.

Mother’s Lounge

• A relaxing space reserved for nursing mothers at the Salt Palace Convention Center (Room 258). Please visit Meeting Management (Room 150G) where you may request a key — staff will direct you to where the room is located. 

Quiet Room

• A comfortable quiet space at the Salt Palace Convention Center (Room 259) where attendees can get a sensory break from the bustle of the Meeting. The room is open and available at any time throughout the day.

Restrooms

• All Convention Center restrooms are accessible and include hands-free faucets. Family and unisex restrooms are available adjacent to Room 255.

Service animals

• Certified guide/service dogs are welcome in the Convention Center.

Sustainability practices

• The 2025 Annual Meeting is being held at the Salt Palace Convention Center. SPCC is one of only a few convention centers in the nation that generates Solar Renewable Energy Credits, generated directly from the Salt Palace's 600,000 square foot solar panels which helps to offset their carbon footprint. The west-end expansion of the facility earned the US Green Building Council's Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) award certified for its sustainable facilities and practices. This includes cup/water bottle-filling stations, waterless urinals, drop irrigation and drought-tolerant plantings and a strict procurement policy favors "green" products and vendors.  
  
  
• Recycling and Reuse Program: Practices are in place to capture most of the materials left over from meetings and exhibits. Single stream recycling diverts cardboard, aluminum, paper and plastic. Signage from events finds a new home in surrounding school district classrooms. Leftover lanyards, bags and other giveaway items from events are donated to a summer camp program. Carpet, exhibit booth materials and other construction items are donated to Habitat for Humanity's Re-Store. For speciality items, they seek out other entities who are willing to repurpose the products.

• The Annual Meeting is put together on-site with the aid of our event agency, Freeman. The company prioritizes using eco-conscious/recyclable practices for items such as carpets, graphics, booths, rental furniture and AV equipment.

If you have any questions, comments or need assistance in an area not discussed above, please contact arvo@arvo.org.