--- title: "Spotlight AAO 2026: Winter & Annual Meetings" description: Discover the key highlights of the AAO’s 2026 Winter Conference in Phoenix and Annual Session in Orlando, offering top-tier education, networking, and the latest in orthodontic technology. --- [Renew Digital Learning Hub](https://learn.renewdigital.com/blog) # [Spotlight AAO 2026: Winter & Annual Meetings](https://learn.renewdigital.com/blog/aao-orthodontics-2026) Written by [Team Renew](https://learn.renewdigital.com/blog/author/team-renew) | September 10, 2025 Winter Conference in Phoenix | Annual Session in Orlando The **American Association of Orthodontists (AAO)** has set the stage for a powerful year of education and networking in 2026. With two flagship events on the calendar — the **Winter Conference in Phoenix** and the **Annual Session in Orlando** — orthodontists, residents, and industry partners alike will have unmatched opportunities to sharpen their skills, discover new technologies, and stay ahead of clinical trends. ## AAO Winter Conference 2026 **January 23–25, 2026** **JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa – Phoenix, AZ** **Theme**: *“The Sagittal Dimension: Approaches to Non‑Surgical Class II & III Correction”* The AAO Winter Conference 2026 brings clinical depth and focused learning to the desert landscape of Phoenix. Hosted at the luxurious JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge, this three-day event will dive deep into **Class II and Class III malocclusion treatment**, offering a wide array of non-surgical strategies for sagittal correction. ### What to Expect: - **16.75 hours of live CE**: Earn a significant chunk of continuing education credits through lectures, workshops, and case-based learning sessions. - **Evidence-Based Learning**: The curriculum is tailored to help clinicians make data-driven decisions for managing complex sagittal discrepancies. - **Peer Collaboration**: Enjoy smaller group settings and engaging “Lunch & Learn” roundtables to connect with fellow orthodontists, thought leaders, and rising specialists. ### Why Attend: - A more **intimate, hands-on environment** than the Annual Session - A focus on **practical clinical applications** - An excellent kick-off to your professional development for 2026 - Great winter weather in a stunning Phoenix resort setting ## AAO Annual Session 2026 **May 1–3, 2026** **Orange County Convention Center – Orlando, FL** **Tagline**: *“The World’s Greatest Celebration of Orthodontics™”* The Annual Session remains the AAO’s premier event, drawing thousands of professionals from around the world. Held in sunny **Orlando**, this meeting promises to deliver a full suite of **cutting-edge education**, **technology showcases**, **practice management solutions**, and **family-friendly experiences**. ### Education Highlights: - **14+ hours of CE credit** - Top-tier speakers and clinically relevant breakout sessions - Content tracks for orthodontists, team members, and residents ### Exhibition Hall: - Meet with vendors from across the orthodontic and digital dentistry ecosystem — including **imaging, aligners, scanners, software**, and more - Preview emerging technologies and workflow enhancements - Great for comparing tools like **CBCT systems**, **intraoral scanners**, and **practice management platforms** ### Social + Professional Networking: - AAO Fest – evening theme-park event exclusive to attendees - Global Reception for international networking - Camp AAO – childcare and youth programming so the whole family can attend ## Key Differences Between the Two Events | Feature | Winter Conference – Phoenix | Annual Session – Orlando | | --- | --- | --- | | **Date** | Jan 23–25, 2026 | May 1–3, 2026 | | **Setting** | Resort-style, clinical focus | Convention center, large-scale | | **Theme** | Non-surgical sagittal correction | Broad CE & full industry showcase | | **CE Hours** | Up to 16.75 CE credits | 14+ CE credits | | **Audience Size** | Intimate, educational cohort | Thousands of attendees | | **Family Programming** | More limited | Full “Camp AAO” program | ## Who Should Attend? Whether you're: - An orthodontist looking to refine specific clinical skills, - A resident seeking connections and mentorship, - A team leader investing in staff education, or - A vendor showcasing solutions like CBCT or intraoral scanning… **The AAO’s 2026 events are must-attend milestones** on your professional calendar. ## Final Thoughts 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year in orthodontics. With a focused, technique-rich **Winter Conference in Phoenix** and an expansive, celebratory **Annual Session in Orlando**, the AAO is offering something for everyone. These meetings aren’t just conferences — they’re your opportunity to grow, connect, and lead the next wave of change in orthodontics. Come see all that Trusted Dental Technologies has to offer! Renew Digital and Voxel Dental are bringing an all-star lineup of digital imaging experts and technologies to both the Winter Conference and the Annual meeting. See you there! 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