About the Show
Since 1969, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) has used its Annual Scientific Congress as the flagship forum for sharing advances in eye care, updating clinical practice, and recognising leaders through College honours. The ASC anchors RANZCO’s remit for training and CPD across Australia and New Zealand, and regularly features its renowned named lectures—Sir Norman Gregg, Ida Mann and Fred Hollows—delivered by leading voices in global ophthalmology.
In 2026, the Congress moves to Auckland and the newly opened NZICC, bringing expanded capacity and connectivity that match the event’s growth trajectory. Delegate numbers are projected to be around 1,800 in November, alongside pre-meeting workshops and an enlarged exhibition floor, continuing the momentum from recent record-setting editions and the College’s hybrid delivery model.
Key Features of the Show
Plenary Sessions & Named Lectures
The scientific spine of the Congress: high-impact plenaries across cataract, glaucoma, cornea, uveitis, surgical retina and more—punctuated by the Sir Norman Gregg, Ida Mann and Fred Hollows named lectures that spotlight practice-changing science.
Concurrent Symposia & Update Streams
Parallel tracks let Fellows and registrars tailor learning across retina, pediatrics, oculoplastics, cataract/refractive and neuro-ophthalmology with case-based discussion and real-world takeaways.
Hosted Breakfast Symposia (Industry-Led Education)
Early-morning, data-rich sessions hosted by industry partners deliver pipeline evidence, device demonstrations and treatment algorithms before the main program.
Workshops, Wet Labs & Skills Development
Hands-on education remains a hallmark: wet-lab sessions, practical skills workshops and SIG/committee meetings convert evidence into technique.
Scientific Posters & e-Posters
Curated poster sessions—often with e-poster capability—bring emerging research, audits and QI projects onto the floor for rapid exchange with authors.
Industry Exhibition
A comprehensive trade floor connecting clinicians with ophthalmic devices, imaging/diagnostics, surgical systems, IOLs and consumables, digital workflow tools and clinical services.
College Ceremonies & Networking
Graduation and awards, the President’s Reception and structured networking windows compress months of professional connection into four days.
Who Exhibits
- Ophthalmic devices & surgical platforms (microscopes, phaco and vitrectomy systems, lasers)
- Imaging/diagnostics & digital tools (OCT, biometry, slit lamps, workflow/EHR)
- Pharmaceuticals/biologics for retina, glaucoma, ocular surface and inflammation
- IOLs, viscoelastics, instruments and consumables
- Day hospitals, surgical service providers, indemnity insurers and practice services
Who Attends
- RANZCO Fellows, trainees/registrars, SIMG clinicians and CPD participants from ANZ and overseas
- Orthoptists and practice managers (often with dedicated or co-located sessions)
- Ophthalmic nurses, vision scientists and researchers
- Industry leaders, product specialists and medical affairs teams
Why Should You Exhibit?
- KOL density in one hall: Meet the region’s decision-makers where guidelines, devices and regimens are shaped.
- Own the morning narrative: Host a data-driven breakfast symposium and set the clinical conversation for the day.
- Hands-on proof, not hype: Put devices into surgeons’ hands via wet labs/workshops to accelerate adoption.
- Trans-Tasman reach, NZ launchpad: Auckland 2026 offers scale and visibility for product debuts and market entry.
Key Stats from the Last Show
- Attendees: More than 2,200 total from a record 32 countries, including 1,841 in-person (1,390 delegates) and 164 online
- RANZCO official note: Over 1,500 delegates attending in person, plus virtual participation
- Exhibition context: Prior Congress (2023) featured 141 exhibition stands supported by 60 exhibitors (planning benchmark)
