GWCO Member States

Meet the 12 States that Make Up the Council

Find your own member state, or learn more about another!

The Great Western Council of Optometry (GWCO) is a non-profit association formed in 1991 by Dr. Kenji Hamada and several western state presidents who wanted a vehicle by which to provide a common voice for members within organized optometry, facilitate communication, enhance professional development, and provide financial support to affiliated state optometric associations.

Today, GWCO is comprised of twelve member states including; Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming, and Washington. A representative from each state makes up the GWCO Board of Directors. The board members volunteer countless hours throughout the year planning the annual GWCO Congress.

In order to provide financial support to GWCO member states, all after-expense revenue, raised through support of GWCO, is given back to the states each year. Since 1997, that has meant more than $1.7 million dollars in non-dues revenue to member state optometric associations!