Partnership Opportunities with OAO

Partner with OAO to co-host a full day of in-person continuing education for optometrists. This premium partnership positions your organization alongside OAO in delivering a high-value, in-person learning experience that supports clinical excellence and professional development.

• Partner may deliver up to two hours of education with a speaker of their choice

• OAO curates the remaining agenda and secures additional speakers to create a full day of relevant, member-focused education

• All proposed content, speakers, and materials are subject to OAO review, approval, and final editorial discretion

• OAO secures the venue and catering for approximately 80–100 optometrists

• OAO manages event promotion, registration, and delegate communications

• CE certificates are issued by OAO to all delegates

• OAO retains ownership of all event content and materials

• Following the event, the partner will receive a list of registered attendees (names only; no email addresses) 

Partner with OAO to deliver a one-hour, non-COPE evening webinar developed for OAO members.

• Attendance typically ranges from 80–150+ optometrists, depending on topic

• Partner provides the speaker and proposed educational content

• All webinar topics, materials, and messaging are subject to OAO review, approval, and final editorial discretion

• OAO manages promotion, registration, and attendee communications

• CE certificates are issued by OAO to participants

• OAO retains ownership of all webinar recordings and materials

• Webinar recording is hosted on OAO’s member-only site for on-demand viewing

• Following the event, the partner will receive a list of registered attendees (names only; no email addresses) 

A standalone promotional email distributed by the Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO) to its member network on behalf of your organization. With an average open rate of over 80%, these opportunities provide strong visibility and reliable reach within a highly engaged professional audience. This dedicated communication allows partners to share announcements, product updates, educational opportunities, or important industry information directly with optometrists.
Includes partner logo and promotional message. Content is provided by the partner and distributed by OAO to members. 

A short promotional placement within the OAO bi-weekly member newsletter, reaching optometrists across Ontario. With an average open rate of over 80%, these opportunities provide strong visibility and reliable reach within a highly engaged professional audience.
Includes partner logo and a brief 6–8 line announcement highlighting your update, product, or opportunity. 

Collaborate with OAO on initiatives that support innovation, research, and the advancement of optometric care in Ontario.

1. Cancellation Policy

• All cancellations must be submitted in writing to the Ontario Association of Optometrists (“OAO”).

• Cancellations received thirty (30) days or more prior to the scheduled event or partnership opportunity will be eligible for a refund of fifty percent (50%) of the total partnership fee.

• Cancellations received twenty-nine (29) days or fewer prior to the scheduled event or opportunity are non-refundable.

• Once a partnership opportunity has been scheduled, produced, or distributed—including but not limited to webinars, dedicated member emails, newsletter placements, or event sponsorships—no refunds will be issued.

• OAO reserves the right to reschedule partnership opportunities due to operational requirements, program changes, or unforeseen circumstances.

2. Exclusivity

Unless otherwise explicitly stated in writing, all partnership opportunities are non-exclusive.

OAO reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to:

• modify available partnership offerings

• introduce new partnership opportunities

• negotiate partnerships beyond those outlined in any partnership package

• accept multiple partners within similar categories

Participation in an OAO partnership does not imply category exclusivity, endorsement, or preferred status unless expressly agreed to in writing by OAO.

3. Educational Programs and Webinars

Where a partnership includes educational programming, webinars, workshops, or continuing education activities, the partner must provide the following materials to OAO in advance:

• presentation outlines

• scourse descriptions

• speaker biographies and credentials

• supporting educational materials

All materials are subject to review and approval by OAO prior to promotion or delivery.

OAO reserves the right to request revisions, decline speakers, or refuse content that does not meet the Association’s standards for professional education, scientific integrity, or relevance to the profession.

Approval of educational content does not constitute endorsement of any product, service, or organization.

4. Promotional Content and Communications

For partnerships involving dedicated member emails, newsletter placements, promotional announcements, or other communications, all content must be submitted to OAO in advance for review.

OAO reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to:

• approve, reject, or request revisions to submitted content

• edit content for clarity, formatting, or length

• decline promotional material that is misleading, overly promotional, inconsistent with OAO standards, or not relevant to OAO members

All communications distributed through OAO channels will be sent by OAO on behalf of the partner.

OAO retains final authority over format, scheduling, and placement of all communications.

5. Member Contact Information

• OAO does not sell, rent, or provide access to its member contact lists.

• All communications to members under partnership opportunities are distributed exclusively by OAO on behalf of partners.

• Partners will not receive member email addresses or personal contact information as part of any partnership activity.

6. Brand and Logo Usage

• The partner grants OAO a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the partner’s logos, trademarks, and brand assets provided to OAO for the purpose of delivering the partnership.

• Partners are responsible for supplying accurate and approved brand assets.

• If the partner changes its logos or trademarks after materials have been produced or scheduled, OAO will not be required to update previously created partnership materials.

• Partners may not use the OAO name, logo, or brand, nor represent themselves as endorsed by or affiliated with OAO, in their own marketing materials without prior written approval from OAO.

7. Intellectual Property

• All intellectual property rights, including but not limited to copyrights, design rights, and trademarks arising from materials created by OAO in connection with partnership activities, shall remain the sole and exclusive property of the Ontario Association of Optometrists.

• Participation in a partnership does not grant the partner any ownership rights or license to use OAO intellectual property except as explicitly authorized in writing.

8. Payment Terms

• Unless otherwise specified, full payment is required prior to the delivery or scheduling of partnership activities.

• OAO reserves the right to withhold the delivery of partnership benefits until payment has been received in full.

• Failure to remit payment within the agreed timeline may result in cancellation of the partnership opportunity without refund.

9. Taxes

• All partnership fees are subject to applicable taxes, including Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), unless otherwise indicated.

• Educational partnership activities may be exempt from HST where applicable under Canadian tax regulations.

• Promotional partnership opportunities—including but not limited to newsletter placements and dedicated member emails—are subject to HST.

• Partners are responsible for payment of all applicable taxes.

10. Limitation of Endorsement

• Participation in any OAO partnership, sponsorship, or promotional opportunity does not constitute endorsement, certification, or recommendation by the Ontario Association of Optometrists.

• OAO reserves the right to require removal of any language that implies endorsement without written authorization.

11. Compliance with Laws and Regulations

• Partners are responsible for ensuring that all submitted materials, communications, and presentations comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards, including those governing healthcare advertising and marketing in Canada.

• OAO reserves the right to reject or remove any content that may place the Association or its members at risk of regulatory or professional compliance concerns.

12. Reputation and Professional Standards

• OAO reserves the right to refuse, suspend, or terminate any partnership if the partner, its products, services, or communications are determined by OAO, at its sole discretion, to be inconsistent with the mission, professional standards, or reputation of the Association.

• This includes, but is not limited to, situations where content is misleading, scientifically unsupported, unethical, or potentially harmful to patients or the profession.

13. Limitation of Liability

• OAO shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from participation in partnership opportunities.

• OAO makes no guarantees regarding response rates, engagement levels, or business outcomes resulting from partnership activities.

14. General Terms

OAO reserves the right to:

• modify partnership program structures

• adjust scheduling or placement of opportunities

• update partnership offerings and pricing

• decline participation by any organization at its discretion

All partnership opportunities are subject to availability and final approval by OAO.

Participation in OAO partnership opportunities constitutes acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.