AAO 2026
Overview
The largest ophthalmology meeting in the Western hemisphere. If you sell ophthalmic equipment (OCT, fundus cameras, slit lamps, IOLs, surgical instruments, lasers, diagnostics), AAO is mandatory. The concurrent AAOE program attracts practice administrators who influence purchasing. Subspecialty Day expands the audience to retina, glaucoma, cornea, and oculoplastics specialists.
Key Facts
- Host organization: American Academy of Ophthalmology
- Primary specialty: ophthalmology
- Scale: mega
- Geography: US National
- International attendance: ~25%
Best For
Buyer Stage Fit
Booth Costs
Booth pricing not yet verified for AAO. Request our research →
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 | $18,000 – $30,000 |
Does not include travel, staffing, booth display, or marketing materials.
Audience
20,000-32,000 attendees depending on year and location. Full spectrum of ophthalmology sub-specialties. AAO runs concurrently with AAOE (American Academy of Ophthalmic Executives) for practice management. Co-located Subspecialty Day adds retina, glaucoma, cornea, oculoplastics specialists.
- Purchasing authority: ~45% of attendees
- Effective buyers: ~11,250
- Cost per effective buyer: $2.13 ($24,000 all-in ÷ 11,250 buyers)
- International attendance: ~25%
Venue & Logistics
- Venue: Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA
- Management company: AAO (in-house)
- Product theater: Available
Who Else Exhibits
Approximately 450+ exhibitors typically attend AAO. Your competitors are here.
Our Take
Why Exhibit
The largest ophthalmology meeting in the Western hemisphere. If you sell ophthalmic equipment (OCT, fundus cameras, slit lamps, IOLs, surgical instruments, lasers, diagnostics), AAO is mandatory. The concurrent AAOE program attracts practice administrators who influence purchasing. Subspecialty Day expands the audience to retina, glaucoma, cornea, and oculoplastics specialists.
Why Skip
Non-ophthalmic devices have zero audience here. The show competes with ASCRS (which is more commercially oriented for anterior segment). AAO is more education-focused, so pure booth-driven sales can be slower than ASCRS.
Insider Tips
AAO and ASCRS split the ophthalmology market: AAO is broader and more educational, ASCRS is narrower and more commercially intense. If budget allows only one, cataract/refractive device companies should choose ASCRS; full-spectrum ophthalmic companies need both. New Orleans venue is well-liked by attendees, which helps booth traffic.
Buzzbox Score: 9.5 / 10 (Exceptional)
9.5 out of 10. One of the strongest exhibiting opportunities in our index. Carried by editorial value (9.8: solid exhibitor rationale and honest "who should skip" guidance). The lightest dimension is cost efficiency (7.2, $150/sqft, top-of-market pricing). The largest ophthalmology meeting in the Western hemisphere.
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), 56:1 attendee ratio, and mega-scale floor (25,000 attendees).
Solid (7.2): $150/sqft, top-of-market pricing.
Standout (9.0): booth pricing published, exhibitor prospectus available, and exhibitor count disclosed.
Standout (9.7): society-run exhibits (in-house), non-union venue (simpler, cheaper move-in), and exhibitor-friendly host city.
Standout (9.8): solid exhibitor rationale, honest "who should skip" guidance, and the flagship / largest show in its niche.
Standout (9.4): mega-scale and stable, ~450 exhibitors, and 25,000 attendees.
Key Deadlines
| Deadline | Date |
|---|---|
| Exhibit Sales Open | 2026-02 to 2026-04 (5 priority groups) |
| Expo Dates | 2026-10-10 to 2026-10-12 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a booth cost at AAO?
An all-in 10×10 booth at AAO runs roughly $18,000–$30,000, including space rental, drayage, electrical, carpet, and basic services. Travel, staffing, and booth display are additional.
How many people attend AAO?
AAO draws approximately 25,000 attendees. 20,000-32,000 attendees depending on year and location. Full spectrum of ophthalmology sub-specialties. AAO runs concurrently with AAOE (American Academy of Ophthalmic Executives) for practice management. Co-located Subspecialty Day adds retina, glaucoma, cornea, oculoplastics specialists.
When is AAO ?
AAO is scheduled for October 9-12, 2026 (Expo Oct 10-12). Location: Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA.
Is AAO worth exhibiting at?
The largest ophthalmology meeting in the Western hemisphere. If you sell ophthalmic equipment (OCT, fundus cameras, slit lamps, IOLs, surgical instruments, lasers, diagnostics), AAO is mandatory.