• 2022 Orbital Gala Support Opportunities

    Are you looking for a creative, cost-effective way to raise your profile with Academy members? Sponsor the Academy Foundation’s 19th annual Orbital Gala.

    The Foundation’s 19th annual fundraising event is dedicated to supporting the Academy’s educational, quality of care and service programs. The gala is the premier social event at AAO 2022, attended by Academy leaders and prominent ophthalmologists from around the world. Our 2022 gala will be held on Sunday, Oct. 2 in Chicago at the prestigious Adler Planetarium. Guests will enjoy a cocktail reception and silent auction.

    We are building on prior years’ success and excitement by hosting an in-person event and an online silent auction – maximizing exposure for our corporate supporters. The Orbital Gala is the premier social event at AAO 2022 that brings our community together is high-energy and exciting, serving the purpose to raise funds for important Academy programs. It’s a must-attend for Academy leaders and ophthalmologists from around the globe.  Supporting is a cost-effective and impactful way to get noticed by our Academy members. The event will be open to all 32,000 Academy members – maximizing your exposure.

    Download the 2022 Sponsorship Flyer (PDF, 144KB)

    Event Sponsorship

    Orbital Gala sponsorship offers prominent visibility for your company. All sponsorships are considered charitable donations* that directly support the Academy’s mission to protect sight and empower lives.

    For more information or to secure a support opportunity, please contact Todd Lyckberg at 415.447.0361 or tlyckberg@epdhsh.com.

    Support Level Benefits
    Visionary 
    $50,000
    • Invitation for four company representatives to attend the 19th annual Orbital Gala
    • Special acknowledgement on the walk-in slide (shown before all sessions)
    • Special acknowledgment and thank you by an Academy leader during the event
    • Special thank you signage prominently displayed in the convention center
    • Recognition by the Secretary for Annual Meeting at the Opening Session and Closing Session
    • Invitation for one company representative to be on the Orbital Gala Planning Committee
    • Accumulation of 10 Academy priority points
    • Acknowledgment in event materials, including the website, and promotional e-mails
    • Recognition in the Academy Foundation annual report, on epdhsh.com and the AAO 2023 donor wall
    Innovator
    $25,000
    • Invitation for two company representatives to attend the 19th annual Orbital Gala
    • Special acknowledgement on the walk-in slide (shown before all sessions)
    • Special thank you signage prominently displayed in the convention center
    • Special acknowledgment and thank you by an Academy leader during the event
    • Accumulation of 5 Academy priority points
    • Acknowledgment in event materials, including the website, and promotional e-mails
    • Recognition in the Academy Foundation annual report, on epdhsh.com and the AAO 2023 donor wall
    Partner
    $10,000
    • Invitation for one company representative to attend the 19th annual Orbital Gala
    • Special acknowledgement on the walk-in slide (shown before all sessions)
    • Special thank you signage prominently displayed in the convention center
    • Special acknowledgment and thank you by an Academy leader during the event
    • Accumulation of 2 Academy priority points
    • Acknowledgment in event materials, including the website, and promotional e-mails
    • Recognition in the Academy Foundation annual report, on epdhsh.com and the AAO 2023 donor wall

     

     

    Silent Auction: In-Kind Donations

    Donate ophthalmic equipment or services and promote your company to Academy members before and during AAO 2022. Participants bid via smartphone or computer.

    To donate an item, please complete and submit the donation form (PDF, 117KB).  Please note that all items are subject to review by the auction committee. 

    If you have any questions, please contact Todd Lyckberg at 415.447.0361 or tlyckberg@epdhsh.com.

     Donation Value Benefits
    Visionary 
    $100,000+
    • Invitation for four company representatives to attend the 19th annual Orbital Gala
    • Special acknowledgement on the walk-in slide (shown before all sessions)
    • Special acknowledgment and thank you by an Academy leader during the event
    • Special thank you signage prominently displayed in the convention center
    • Recognition by the Secretary for Annual Meeting at the Opening Session and Closing Session
    • Invitation for one company representative to be on the Orbital Gala Planning Committee
    • Accumulation of 10 Academy priority points
    • Acknowledgment in event materials, including the website, and promotional e-mails
    • Recognition in the Academy Foundation annual report, on epdhsh.com and the AAO 2023 donor wall

    Innovator
    $50,000 - $99,999
    • Invitation for two company representatives to attend the 19th annual Orbital Gala
    • Special acknowledgement on the walk-in slide (shown before all sessions)
    • Special thank you signage prominently displayed in the convention center
    • Special acknowledgment and thank you by an Academy leader during the event
    • Accumulation of 5 Academy priority points
    • Acknowledgment in event materials, including the website, and promotional e-mails
    • Recognition in the Academy Foundation annual report, on epdhsh.com and the AAO 2023 donor wall

    Partner
    $20,000 - $49,999
    • Invitation for one company representative to attend the 19th annual Orbital Gala
    • Special acknowledgement on the walk-in slide (shown before all sessions)
    • Special thank you signage prominently displayed in the convention center
    • Special acknowledgment and thank you by an Academy leader during the event
    • Accumulation of 2 Academy priority points
    • Acknowledgment in event materials, including the website, and promotional e-mails
    • Recognition in the Academy Foundation annual report, on epdhsh.com and the AAO 2023 donor wall


     

    "As a long time exhibitor to the Academy, we are pleased to also be a donor to the Foundation. A gift-in-kind donation (our Video Magnifier) was an easy and efficient way to show our support. Additionally we were pleased to be recognized in the promotional materials, encouraging members to stop by our booth. We will continue to support the Orbital Gala and the Foundation! –Tim Gels, Director of Marketing, Eschenbach
     
    "We are excited, once again, to have the opportunity to support the Orbital Gala. By donating products, such as our SIGMA® 250 Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscope, we are able to educate diligent eye care professionals about our products and donate to a great cause." –Lindsay Morgan, Director of Marketing, HEINE USA Ltd.
     
    "We donated a Toric Alignment 3-piece system to last year’s silent auction. We enjoyed the opportunity to support the Foundation’s work. In addition, our donation led to a greater interest in our products. We highly recommend it!"–Alyssa Mastel Krautbauer, VP Marketing, Mastel Precision Surgical Instruments 
     

     

     

     

    *Charitable donations to the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology are tax deductible as provided by law. For tax purposes, your deduction is limited to the amount that exceeds the value of any goods or services received. It is the policy of the Foundation that a portion of the gifts and/or income there from is used to defray the costs of raising and administering the funds. The Foundation has been established as a 501(c)(3) for conducting non-profit, charitable, educational, and scientific activities.