AAN 2026
Overview
The world's largest neurology meeting with 15,000 attendees. If you sell neuro-diagnostic equipment, EEG/EMG systems, neuroimaging software, or neurology-focused pharma, this is the single largest concentrated audience. Four days of exhibit hall access with extended Monday hours.
Key Facts
- Host organization: American Academy of Neurology
- Primary specialty: neurology
- Scale: mega
- Geography: US National
- International attendance: ~20%
Best For
Buyer Stage Fit
Booth Costs
| Booth Type | $/sqft | 10×10 Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard booth (varies by size) | — | — |
All-In Cost Estimate (10×10 Inline)
| Space rental | — |
| 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 | $15,000 – $30,000 |
Does not include travel, staffing, booth display, or marketing materials.
Audience
~55% neurologists, ~15% residents/fellows, ~10% NPs/PAs, ~10% researchers, ~10% industry. 2025 AAN had 14,886 attendees (in-person + online). 2024 had 14,063 in Denver. World's largest neurology meeting.
- Purchasing authority: ~45% of attendees
- Effective buyers: ~6,750
- Cost per effective buyer: $3.33 ($22,500 all-in ÷ 6,750 buyers)
- International attendance: ~20%
Venue & Logistics
- Venue: McCormick Place West Building, Chicago, IL
- Management company: In-house (GES is general contractor)
Who Else Exhibits
Exhibitor data coming soon for AAN.
Our Take
Why Exhibit
The world's largest neurology meeting with 15,000 attendees. If you sell neuro-diagnostic equipment, EEG/EMG systems, neuroimaging software, or neurology-focused pharma, this is the single largest concentrated audience. Four days of exhibit hall access with extended Monday hours.
Why Skip
Neurology is heavily pharma-dominated -- device companies can feel overshadowed by major pharma booths. If your product is surgical (not diagnostic/monitoring), AANS is the better fit. Also, neurologists are notoriously deliberate purchasers -- expect long sales cycles.
Insider Tips
AAN is a pharma-heavy show. Device companies that do well here bring live demonstrations and hands-on stations for EEG, EMG, and neuroimaging products. Monday extended hours (until 6 PM) are the busiest exhibit period.
Buzzbox Score: 8.6 / 10 (Excellent)
8.6 out of 10. A top-tier show worth a serious line item. Carried by data transparency (9.4: booth pricing published and exhibitor prospectus available). The lightest dimension is cost efficiency (7.3, $80/sqft, premium pricing). The world's largest neurology meeting with 15,000 attendees.
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.
Strong (8.7): 45% purchasing authority (moderate), 50:1 attendee ratio, and mega-scale floor (15,000 attendees).
Solid (7.3): $80/sqft, premium pricing and union convention center (drayage / labor adds up).
Standout (9.4): booth pricing published, exhibitor prospectus available, and 2 booth options documented.
Solid (7.8): society-run exhibits (in-house) and mega-show logistics are well-rehearsed.
Strong (8.3): honest "who should skip" guidance, the flagship / largest show in its niche, and 300+ exhibitors (deep competitive intel).
Standout (9.4): mega-scale and stable, ~300 exhibitors, and 15,000 attendees.
Key Deadlines
| Deadline | Date |
|---|---|
| Exhibitor Kit Available | Mid-January 2026 |
| General Contractor | GES |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a booth cost at AAN?
An all-in 10×10 booth at AAN runs roughly $15,000–$30,000, including space rental, drayage, electrical, carpet, and basic services. Travel, staffing, and booth display are additional.
How many people attend AAN?
AAN draws approximately 15,000 attendees. ~55% neurologists, ~15% residents/fellows, ~10% NPs/PAs, ~10% researchers, ~10% industry. 2025 AAN had 14,886 attendees (in-person + online). 2024 had 14,063 in Denver. World's largest neurology meeting.
When is AAN ?
AAN is scheduled for April 18-22, 2026. Location: McCormick Place West Building, Chicago, IL.
Is AAN worth exhibiting at?
The world's largest neurology meeting with 15,000 attendees. If you sell neuro-diagnostic equipment, EEG/EMG systems, neuroimaging software, or neurology-focused pharma, this is the single largest concentrated audience.