AACR 2026
Overview
The world's largest cancer research conference -- 23,000 attendees, 600 exhibitors, 141 countries. If you make diagnostic instruments, genomics/sequencing platforms, liquid biopsy tests, or research reagents, AACR is where the global cancer research community sees your technology. The 6-day format gives more time for meaningful booth conversations than typical 3-day shows.
Key Facts
- Host organization: American Association for Cancer Research
- Primary specialty: oncology
- Scale: mega
- Geography: International (US-hosted)
- International attendance: ~45%
Best For
Buyer Stage Fit
Booth Costs
| Booth Type | $/sqft | 10×10 Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Island booth space | $48.50 | $4,850 | Min 400 sqft |
| Inline booth space | — | — | Min 100 sqft |
| Non-profit booth | $12.00 | $1,200 | Min 100 sqft |
All-In Cost Estimate (10×10 Inline)
| Space rental | $4,850 |
| Drayage | $1,200 – $2,500 |
| Electrical (20A) | $300 – $450 |
| Carpet/padding | $200 – $400 |
| Cleaning (3 days) | $150 – $250 |
| Lead retrieval (1 unit) | $400 – $900 |
| Wi-Fi | $500 – $1,500 |
| Estimated total | $9,000 – $16,000 |
Does not include travel, staffing, booth display, or marketing materials.
Audience
23,000+ attendees from 141 countries, 600 exhibitors, 730 speakers. The largest cancer research meeting in the world. Heavily research-oriented -- more basic science and translational research than clinical oncology (ASCO fills that role). Six-day meeting format is longer than most. Pharma and biotech dominate the exhibit floor. Map Your Show platform for booth management.
- Purchasing authority: ~20% of attendees
- Effective buyers: ~4,600
- Cost per effective buyer: $2.72 ($12,500 all-in ÷ 4,600 buyers)
- International attendance: ~45%
Venue & Logistics
- Venue: San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA
- Management company: AACR (in-house, Map Your Show for booth management)
- Product theater: Available
Who Else Exhibits
Approximately 600+ exhibitors typically attend AACR. Your competitors are here.
Our Take
Why Exhibit
The world's largest cancer research conference -- 23,000 attendees, 600 exhibitors, 141 countries. If you make diagnostic instruments, genomics/sequencing platforms, liquid biopsy tests, or research reagents, AACR is where the global cancer research community sees your technology. The 6-day format gives more time for meaningful booth conversations than typical 3-day shows.
Why Skip
AACR is a research conference, not a clinical buying show. Purchasing authority is low (~20%) because the audience is predominantly academic researchers and scientists, not practicing oncologists with capital budgets. If you need same-quarter device sales, ASCO or ASH is a better fit. The exhibit floor also competes with 730 speaker sessions for attendee attention.
Insider Tips
Research-audience show. Your booth staff should be PhD-level or clinical scientists who can discuss peer-reviewed data, not sales reps. The non-profit rate ($1,200 for 10x10) is an incredible deal for academic medical centers or startups with 501(c)(3) status. San Diego in April is perfect weather for client dinners.
Buzzbox Score: 9.1 / 10 (Exceptional)
9.1 out of 10. One of the strongest exhibiting opportunities in our index. Carried by exhibitor experience (10.0: society-run exhibits (in-house) and non-union venue (simpler, cheaper move-in)). The lightest dimension is audience quality (7.0, low purchasing authority (20%)). The world's largest cancer research conference -- 23,000 attendees, 600 exhibitors, 141 countries.
How we score
Six weighted factors, each scored on a 0 to 100 rubric then normalized to a 7.0 to 10.0 band. Every show on this list cleared a relevance bar to be included, so 7.0 is the floor; the number tells you how far the leaders pull ahead.
Solid (7.0): low purchasing authority (20%), 38:1 attendee ratio, and mega-scale floor (23,000 attendees).
Strong (8.1): $49/sqft, slightly above the $39 median.
Strong (8.5): booth pricing published, 3 booth options documented, and exhibitor count disclosed.
Standout (10.0): society-run exhibits (in-house), non-union venue (simpler, cheaper move-in), and exhibitor-friendly host city.
Standout (10.0): solid exhibitor rationale, honest "who should skip" guidance, and the flagship / largest show in its niche.
Standout (9.6): mega-scale and stable, 600+ exhibitors signals strong demand, and 23,000 attendees.
Key Deadlines
| Deadline | Date |
|---|---|
| Full Payment Due | September 15, 2025 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a booth cost at AACR?
An all-in 10×10 booth at AACR runs roughly $9,000–$16,000, including space rental, drayage, electrical, carpet, and basic services. Travel, staffing, and booth display are additional.
How many people attend AACR?
AACR draws approximately 23,000 attendees. 23,000+ attendees from 141 countries, 600 exhibitors, 730 speakers. The largest cancer research meeting in the world. Heavily research-oriented -- more basic science and translational research than clinical oncology (ASCO fills that role). Six-day meeting format is longer than most. Pharma and biotech dominate the exhibit floor. Map Your Show platform for booth management.
When is AACR ?
AACR is scheduled for April 17-22, 2026. Location: San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA.
Is AACR worth exhibiting at?
The world's largest cancer research conference -- 23,000 attendees, 600 exhibitors, 141 countries. If you make diagnostic instruments, genomics/sequencing platforms, liquid biopsy tests, or research reagents, AACR is where the global cancer research community sees your technology.