AACR vs ASCO 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 ASCO 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. ASCO draws 35,000 attendees with an all-in 10×10 of $20,000-$35,000 (Buzzbox Media estimate, built 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 | 9.6 ASCO | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Buzzbox Score | 9.1 (Exceptional) | 9.6 (Exceptional) |
| Event Details | ||
| Dates | April 17-22, 2026 | May 29 - June 2, 2026 (exhibits May 30 - June 1) |
| Location | San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA | McCormick Place, Chicago, IL |
| Scale | mega | mega |
| Audience | ||
| Attendees | 23,000 | 35,000 |
| Exhibitors | 600 | n/a |
| Purchasing authority, Buzzbox Media estimate | ~20% | ~35% |
| Effective buyers, Buzzbox Media estimate | 4,600 | 12,250 |
| Costs | ||
| $/sqft | n/a | $94 |
| 10×10 space | n/a | $9,400 |
| All-in, Buzzbox Media estimate | n/a | Est. $20,000-$35,000 |
| Cost per buyer, Buzzbox Media estimate | n/a | $2.24 |
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 ASCO
The single largest oncology meeting in the world with 35,000+ attendees. If you sell radiation therapy equipment, oncology diagnostics, precision medicine platforms, or cancer imaging solutions, this is where global oncology leaders converge. Late-breaking clinical trial data drives massive foot traffic.
Why skip AACR
AACR is a research conference, not a clinical buying show. Purchasing authority is low (~20%, Buzzbox Media estimate) 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 ASCO
Overwhelmingly pharma-dominated: the biggest booths and budgets belong to Pfizer, Roche, Merck, BMS, AstraZeneca. Device companies can feel invisible without $100k+ investment. Booth space at $94/sqft (inline) is among the most expensive in medical conferences.
AACR publishes no booth pricing we can link to, so no cost is listed for it. See the official AACR site ↗ for exhibitor details. ASCO 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 ASCO have more decision makers?
ASCO does, on a Buzzbox Media estimate: roughly 12,250 effective buyers against about 4,600 at AACR. Effective buyers multiplies total attendance by the share of attendees who hold purchasing authority, so ASCO works out to about 35,000 attendees at roughly 35% 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.
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Buzzbox Media is a medical device marketing agency with over 15 years in medtech. See our conference marketing.