AACR vs ACS for Exhibitors
Side-by-side data and our editorial take on which conference is the right exhibit investment for your medical device.
By Buzzbox Media · Last reviewed August 3, 2026
If you exhibit medical devices, AACR and ACS are likely both on your shortlist. Both serve overlapping clinical buyers, but the audience composition, booth economics, and exhibit floor experience differ in ways that materially affect ROI. AACR draws 23,000 attendees with no booth pricing published by the organizer. ACS draws 11,000 attendees with an estimated all-in 10×10 of $8,000-$15,000, read from the published exhibitor prospectus. Below is the side-by-side data plus our editorial take on which conference fits which kind of exhibitor.
| 9.1 AACR | 9.5 ACS | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Buzzbox Score | 9.1 (Exceptional) | 9.5 (Exceptional) |
| Event Details | ||
| Dates | April 17-22, 2026 | September 26-29, 2026 |
| Location | San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA | Washington, DC (Walter E. Washington Convention Center) |
| Scale | mega | mega |
| Audience | ||
| Attendees | 23,000 | 11,000 |
| Exhibitors | 600 | n/a |
| Purchasing authority | ~20% | ~50% |
| Effective buyers | 4,600 | 5,500 |
| Costs | ||
| $/sqft | n/a | $44.5 |
| 10×10 space | n/a | $4,450 |
| All-in estimate | n/a | Est. $8,000-$15,000 |
| Cost per buyer | n/a | $2.09 |
Why exhibit at AACR
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 exhibit at ACS
The largest general surgery meeting in North America. 80% surgeon audience gives unmatched access to the people who choose instruments, energy devices, and capital equipment for ORs nationwide. High-value face time with department chairs and residency directors.
Why skip AACR
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.
Why skip ACS
If your device is specialty-specific (spine, urology, ENT), you'll be lost among 200 exhibitors targeting general surgeons. Smaller specialty meetings deliver more concentrated buyer access for niche products.
AACR publishes no booth pricing we can link to, so no cost is listed for it. See the official AACR site ↗ for exhibitor details. ACS booth figures are estimates read from its published exhibitor prospectus ↗, not quotes. Confirm current pricing with each organizer before committing a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does AACR or ACS have more decision makers?
ACS does, on our estimate: roughly 5,500 effective buyers against about 4,600 at AACR. Effective buyers multiplies total attendance by the share of attendees who hold purchasing authority, so ACS works out to about 11,000 attendees at roughly 50% authority, and AACR to about 23,000 at roughly 20%. Both inputs are estimates drawn from organizer reporting and our own exhibitor research, so read the gap as directional rather than exact.
Want to add a third conference to this comparison?
Compare these conferences in our interactive tool →Other conferences you might consider
Buzzbox Media is a medtech marketing agency with over 15 years in medtech. See our conference marketing.