2026 IEOC/an-vision Symposium
- Dec 19, 2024
- 9 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
Thank you an-vision, for agreeing to sponsor the Symposium as our name-sake sponsor!
Named one of TIME’s 2024 World’s Greatest Places, World Equestrian Center (WEC) features a premier equestrian and multidisciplinary event venue located in Ocala, Florida. The Center is committed to providing an unparalleled experience for exhibitors, spectators, vendors, sponsors and retailers.
The IEOC Symposium will be hosted at this facility, meeting space, restaurants, housing and unique on-site equine competitions and events. Saturday evening attendees may choose to attend an equine event competition as a group for our fun evening mingling event!
Update as of May 8, 2026:
WEC Saturday evening Grand Prix is now available for purchase.!
Symposium registration is available through this link, closing May 31st.
Presentation schedule, topics and speakers now published below.
Hotel, reduced rate rooming block is closing May 18th! Reserve soon.
Exhibitor reservations are being taken, only 1 spot left! One remaining sponsor opportunity.
Membership
Online registration is open through May 31st. Attendees must be a member to register, kindly renew or apply for membership before submitting registration. Walk-up slots are not available.
[Guests are welcome to attend with a Welcome Reception ticket and tickets can be purchased for the Saturday evening WEC event for guests, without membership or Symposium Registration needed.]
The Call for Papers is closed.
Planning Ahead
General Schedule 2026 IEOC/an-vision, Inc. SYMPOSIUM PROGRAM
(last updated 4.29.26)
Eleven continuing education hours are offered; this includes a mix of State of the Art speakers, and abstract and case report presentations from the podium. The Symposium offers attendance in-person only.
Download Schedule pdf:
WEC On-Site Restaurants and Open Hours
Download Restaurants pdf:
Registration
Symposium registration is open for members, closing May 31st . If you are interested in becoming a member in order to attend and/or present, please review the application and dues information located on this site. Please be aware that dues applications cannot be accepted after May 24th, and registration closes May 31st. The Symposium does not allow for walk-up attendees. Reduced dues fees are available to approved trainees, registration fees are priced at a break even rate so a reduced registration fee is not available currently.
Registration is $650 and includes four seated meals, the Welcome Reception (food and one drink), 11 hours CE, digital proceedings, access to equine specific vendors, and an option to participate in the Saturday WEC Grand Prix Reception with the group. Trainee registrants are eligible to participate to win a presentation award ranging from $1,200 - $300 for winning podium and poster presentations. (Confirmation on the award will be made prior to Symposium.)
[Guests are welcome to attend with a Welcome Reception ticket and tickets can be purchased for the Saturday evening WEC event for guests, without membership or Symposium Registration needed.]
IEOC's Saturday Group Evening Event - Grand Prix Reception and Seats at the $150,000 Coca-Cola Beverages Florida Grand Prix CSI3 Saturday Evening!
Join us at the WEC/IEOC Private Grand Prix Reception Saturday evening, pre-Grand Prix Competition, with appetizers and drinks from 6pm-7:30, then watch the Competition from designated covered seating as a group. Plan to attend with other IEOC attendees for a fun evening of equine competition. Enjoy a premium view of the Grand Arena to watch the grand prix action during the $150,000 Coca-Cola Beverages Florida Grand Prix CSI3* at World Equestrian Center - Ocala. Enjoy a reception under the white canopy with included charcuterie and crudité from 6pm to 7:30pm, along with a complimentary drink ticket and a dedicated private cash bar. The cash bar will be open through the event. Competition starts at 7:30pm and concludes by 9:30pm, depending on the number of entries.
A Grand Prix horse is an elite-level equine athlete competing at the highest tier of equestrian sports, specifically in show jumping or dressage. These horses are highly trained for maximum performance. This is sure to be an exciting event!
PLEASE REGISTER IN ADVANCE!
PRE-REGISTRATION CLOSES MONDAY, JUNE 15
(To guarantee tickets, please purchase tickets by Monday, June 15; they may be unavailable after this date. Guests are welcome. Tickets can only be purchased through the direct WEC registration form below.)
State of the Art Speaker - Friday Sponsored by Epicur Pharma*
Innovations of Ocular Drug Delivery for Horses Dr. Brian Gilger
Dr. Gilger received his veterinary degree from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. After completing an ophthalmology residency and earning a master’s degree at Auburn University, Dr. Gilger returned to The Ohio State University as an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology in 1992. In October 1995, he joined the faculty at North Carolina State University as an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and is now a Professor of Ophthalmology. He is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (DACVO) and the American Board of Toxicologists (DABT). He is a Gold Fellow (FARVO) and member of the Board of Trustees of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO).
Dr. Gilger was recognized as a distinguished alumnus of both The Ohio State University and Auburn University. In 2018, he received the American Veterinary Medical Association Clinical Research Award. In 2025, he was awarded the Alexander Quarles Holladay Medal, NC State University's highest academic honor for faculty, becoming only the third College of Veterinary Medicine faculty member to receive it. Dr. Gilger serves as Associate Editor for Veterinary Ophthalmology and The International Journal of Medicine. He is also a member of the Editorial Board for Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
Dr. Gilger’s research focuses on ocular drug delivery, immunomodulation, and innovative therapies for eye diseases, including gene and cell therapies. He has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed scientific papers. He is the editor of ten textbooks, including Ocular Pharmacology and Toxicology (2014), Standards in Ocular Toxicology and Inflammation (2018), two editions of Veterinary Ophthalmology (Gelatt), and five editions of Equine Ophthalmology (2026).
*Please note speaker sponsorship is only for direct expenses of IEOC to host the speaker. The speaker is not being paid by the sponsor and is not promoting their product.
State of the Art Speaker - Saturday
Systemic Disorders with Ocular Manifestations &
Beyond the Eye: Care and Monitoring of Hospitalized Equine Ophthalmology Patients Dr. Sally DeNotta
Sally DeNotta is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and is a member of the clinical faculty at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. Originally from the rural Oregon coast, she received her DVM from Oregon State University and spent time in private practice in Oregon and Colorado before completing an internal medicine residency and PhD at Cornell University. She joined the UF faculty in 2018, where her clinical interests include equine infectious disease and clinical neurology.
Presentation highlights:
Systemic disorders with ocular manifestations
Systemic disorders commonly treated in equine patients can affect the eye either secondarily or as a direct result of disease. This lecture will review such diseases with an emphasis on the recognition and management of ocular manifestations.
Beyond the eye: Care and monitoring of hospitalized equine ophtho patients
Hospitalized equine ophthalmology patients are at risk for secondary complications including colic, colitis, and renal injury. This lecture will review commodities commonly noted in ophtho patients and summarize the existing literature regarding their clinical management.
New to IEOC: 'How-To' Presentations at the Symposium!
We are excited to include this new practical format to help you with your clinical work. Please see below for the two sessions that will be provided at the Symposium.
How-To on Suprachoroidal InjectionsBy Program Chairperson, Dr. Meredith Voyles Are you interested in performing suprachoroidal injections for equine recurrent uveitis or other severe inflammatory diseases? This year, there will be a hands‑on “how to” session that offers an inside look at the principles and practical considerations behind performing suprachoroidal injections for managing equine recurrent uveitis or other severe inflammatory diseases. Expert instructors will review the anatomical landmarks, clinical objectives, and key elements of safe, effective injection technique—focusing on decision‑making, preparation, and technique. A unique component of this session is a guided workshop on constructing the specialized needle commonly used for suprachoroidal delivery. Participants will have the materials provided to construct the needles. This interactive portion allows attendees to gain familiarity with the instrument’s structure in a nonclinical, educational environment. By the end of the session, participants will leave with a clearer understanding of when and why this technique is used, the essential concepts behind its execution, and increased confidence discussing or teaching the approach within their own clinical or academic settings. |
How-To on Standing Corneal Grafting Surgery
By Dr. Silvia Stadler
Are you interested in incorporating standing corneal grafting surgery in your practice? Get ready for information that will energize your surgical practice! This “how‑to” workshop spotlights the approach of performing corneal grafting surgeries under standing sedation. Join experts who will break down the clinical advantages, share real‑world insights, and highlight the unique opportunities this method provides for improved patient safety, efficiency, and surgical success. If you’re looking to expand your surgical toolkit, boost your confidence with innovative strategies, and bring fresh, forward‑thinking solutions back to your clinic, this is the session you won’t want to miss. |
Sponsors & Exhibitors
The annual Symposium affords us the opportunity to re-connect with equine-related vendors. We thank the registered exhibitors listed herein for participating and we look forward to seeing what they have to offer.
We have one more booth and sponsorship available for purchase as of 5.1.26, reach out if you are interested in exhibiting.
Thank you to our confirmed exhibitors and sponsors to date
an-vison, Inc. - Namesake Sponsor Crestpoint Ophthalmics - Welcome Reception Sponsor
Epicur Pharma - State of the Art Speaker Sponsor
Exhibitors
an-vision, Inc
Aventix
Crestpoint Ophthalmics
Epicur Pharma
Jorgensen Laboratories
Med for Vets Compounding Pharmacy
Platinum Performance
Review sponsorship and exhibit opportunity summary.
The IEOC plans to hold as many functions as possible in the area where the exhibits will be hosted, including breaks and meals when possible. Please note there are size limitations for the show and booths are available on a first-come, first-served basis. (Those with ability to support sponsorships will have priority.)
Please complete this form below and email to the IEOC office as soon as possible.
General attendee information.
Attendee information:
IEOC membership is approximately 250 international veterinarians who practice equine ophthalmology, some are board certified in veterinary ophthalmology.
Typically 80-130 members attend the Symposium annually.
Approximately 65% are US based, 35% outside of the US.
Approximately 20 of these members are trainees.
Vendor Setup and Shipping Instructions.
Vendors can set up at noon on Thursday, June 18.
Attendee Reception is from 6pm-8pm Thursday, June 18.
Vendor booths MUST be set up by 5:30pm latest.
Freight Deliveries:
o There is a $50.00 handling fee per pallet
o Please use 1390 NW 80ᵗʰ Ave, Ocala, FL 34482
o Please address it to WEC and full name of recipient and event name, along with recipient’s phone
number
o Provide Event Manager / Sales Manager with tracking number
o Provide Event Manager / Sales Manager with estimated number of freight parcels and their delivery
date
Any other packages NOT coming in as freight:
o 8105 NW 21ˢᵗ St, Ocala, FL 34482
o Please address the package with WEC and full name of recipient, event name, and recipient’s phone
number
o Provide Event Manager / Sales Manager with tracking number if available
o Provide Event Manager / Sales Manager with estimated number of parcels and their delivery date
o Packages will be held at the General Store for pickup
Hotel & Accommodations Located in The Riding Academy Hotel at the WEC
Rooming block closes May 18th! The Symposium and sleeping rooms will be hosted at the World Equestrian Center (WEC), in Ocala, Florida. Our reduced rate rooms and meeting space are located at The Riding Academy Hotel. (There are a couple hotels at this facility so be sure to book at our hotel under the IEOC block.) For reduced rate rooms within our sleeping block, this WEC link. Please try to stay within the IEOC block to limit our liability for attrition
Rates range from $219++ to $239++/night depending on room type. Room types include QQ Pool View Suite, Double Queen Suite Balcony, and King Studio; based upon availability. [Note: Most attendees arrive Thursday and leave Saturday evening, or Sunday morning if they plan to attend the optional group equine event Saturday evening.] Contact the IEOC if you experience problems.
Transportation & Parking
There are four airports to choose from, with the nearest airport being the Gainesville Regional Airport. Below are the airports, their airport codes, and the miles from each airport to the World Equestrian Center.
GNV (Gainesville) = 41 miles
MCO (Orlando) = 92 miles
TPA (Tampa) = 102 miles
JAX (Jacksonville) = 115 miles
There are several ways to reach the WEC/Ocala from the four airports.
Rental car
Uber, Lyft, or Taxi
Options for private car airport transportation:
Signature Limousine
https://signaturelimousineflorida.com/service-area/limousine-service-ocala/
Pronto Limousine Services
The WEC has ample, complimentary parking for those who choose to rent a car and want availability to see the sights nearby. The WEC property map can be found here. Golf carts are also available for rent at the property, by the hour.
