AAN vs AANS 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, AAN and AANS 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. AAN draws 15,000 attendees with an all-in 10×10 of $15,000-$30,000 (Buzzbox Media estimate, built from the published exhibitor prospectus). AANS draws 4,000 attendees with an all-in 10×10 of $15,000-$25,000 (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.
| 8.6 AAN | 8.5 AANS | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Buzzbox Score | 8.6 (Excellent) | 8.5 (Excellent) |
| Event Details | ||
| Dates | April 18-22, 2026 | May 1-4, 2026 |
| Location | McCormick Place West Building, Chicago, IL | Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, TX |
| Scale | mega | large |
| Audience | ||
| Attendees | 15,000 | 4,000 |
| Exhibitors | n/a | n/a |
| Purchasing authority, Buzzbox Media estimate | ~45% | ~60% |
| Effective buyers, Buzzbox Media estimate | 6,750 | 2,400 |
| Costs | ||
| $/sqft | n/a | $42 |
| 10×10 space | n/a | $4,200 |
| All-in, Buzzbox Media estimate | Est. $15,000-$30,000 | Est. $15,000-$25,000 |
| Cost per buyer, Buzzbox Media estimate | $3.33 | $8.33 |
Why exhibit at AAN
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 exhibit at AANS
The premier gathering for neurosurgeons in North America. If you sell cranial navigation, spinal instrumentation, neuro-monitoring equipment, or surgical robotics, this is where the decision-makers practice and evaluate new technology. Concentrated, high-value audience of 4,000+ neurosurgeons.
Why skip AAN
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.
Why skip AANS
Very niche audience: if your device is not neurosurgery-specific, attendance is too small to justify the cost. General surgery, cardiology, and non-neuro imaging vendors are wasted here.
AAN booth figures are estimates read from its published exhibitor prospectus ↗, not quotes. AANS 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
Is AAN or AANS better for first-time exhibitors?
Both work, but AANS is the lower-budget pilot. An all-in 10×10 at AANS is $15,000 to $25,000 (Buzzbox Media estimate), against $15,000 to $30,000 at AAN. AANS also puts you on the smaller floor, with about 4,000 attendees against roughly 15,000 at AAN, so a modest first booth is less likely to get lost. Both ranges are Buzzbox Media estimates built from public prospectuses and exhibitor kits, covering space, drayage, electrical, carpet, and basic services but not travel, staffing, or the booth build. Confirm current pricing with each organizer before you commit a budget.
Does AAN or AANS have more decision makers?
AAN does, on a Buzzbox Media estimate: roughly 6,750 effective buyers against about 2,400 at AANS. Effective buyers multiplies total attendance by the share of attendees who hold purchasing authority, so AAN works out to about 15,000 attendees at roughly 45% authority, and AANS to about 4,000 at roughly 60%. 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 medical device advertising agency with over 15 years in medtech. See our conference marketing.