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 | n/a | n/a | 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 is estimated at roughly $9,000-$16,000, including space rental, drayage, electrical, carpet, and basic services. Travel, staffing, and booth display are additional. Confirm exact pricing with the show organizer.
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.