AAO-HNS 2026
Overview
The definitive ENT meeting with 5,000 attendees and 250 exhibitors. 80% exhibitor satisfaction rate (goal achievement). Excellent for hearing devices, sinus instruments, head-and-neck surgical tools, and navigation systems. Non-profit rate at $11/sqft is remarkably low.
Key Facts
- Host organization: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation
- Primary specialty: otolaryngology
- Scale: large
- Geography: US National
- International attendance: ~15%
Best For
Buyer Stage Fit
Booth Costs
| Booth Type | $/sqft | 10×10 Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $40.00 | $4,000 | Min 100 sqft |
| Non-profit | $11.00 | $1,100 | Min 100 sqft |
| Corner premium | — | $250 | |
| Island (20x20 or larger) | $44.00 | $4,400 | Min 400 sqft |
All-In Cost Estimate (10×10 Inline)
| Space rental | $4,000 |
| 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 | $7,500 – $13,000 |
Does not include travel, staffing, booth display, or marketing materials.
Audience
Over 5,000 surgeons, physicians, and medical professionals in otolaryngology. 80% of surveyed exhibitors report achieving business goals. ~250 companies represented annually.
- Purchasing authority: ~50% of attendees
- Effective buyers: ~2,500
- Cost per effective buyer: $4.1 ($10,250 all-in ÷ 2,500 buyers)
- International attendance: ~15%
Venue & Logistics
- Venue: Los Angeles, CA
Who Else Exhibits
Exhibitor data coming soon for AAO-HNS.
Our Take
Why Exhibit
The definitive ENT meeting with 5,000 attendees and 250 exhibitors. 80% exhibitor satisfaction rate (goal achievement). Excellent for hearing devices, sinus instruments, head-and-neck surgical tools, and navigation systems. Non-profit rate at $11/sqft is remarkably low.
Why Skip
Exclusively ENT. If your device doesn't fit otolaryngology, there's no crossover audience here. 5,000 attendees is modest compared to ACS (11K) or ASA (14K), so total lead volume will be lower.
Insider Tips
The $11/sqft non-profit rate and $40/sqft standard rate make this one of the most affordable large specialty meetings. The 80% exhibitor satisfaction stat is strong proof-of-ROI data for internal budget justification.
Buzzbox Score: 7.5 / 10 (Strong)
7.5 out of 10. A solid, dependable show for the right exhibitor. Carried by cost efficiency (8.8: $40/sqft, slightly above the $39 median and non-profit society pricing). The lightest dimension is editorial value (7.0, "who should skip" note included). The definitive ENT meeting with 5,000 attendees and 250 exhibitors.
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.
Solid (7.3): 50% purchasing authority (moderate) and large-scale event.
Strong (8.8): $40/sqft, slightly above the $39 median and non-profit society pricing.
Strong (8.6): booth pricing published, 4 booth options documented, and exhibitor count disclosed.
Solid (7.8): non-union venue (simpler, cheaper move-in) and 4 booth configurations.
Solid (7.0): "who should skip" note included, ~250 exhibitors to scout, and broad device-category relevance.
Strong (8.8): large and well-established and ~250 exhibitors.
Key Deadlines
Detailed deadlines not yet verified for AAO-HNS. Check the official site for the application window.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a booth cost at AAO-HNS?
An all-in 10×10 booth at AAO-HNS runs roughly $7,500–$13,000, including space rental, drayage, electrical, carpet, and basic services. Travel, staffing, and booth display are additional.
How many people attend AAO-HNS?
AAO-HNS draws approximately 5,000 attendees. Over 5,000 surgeons, physicians, and medical professionals in otolaryngology. 80% of surveyed exhibitors report achieving business goals. ~250 companies represented annually.
When is AAO-HNS ?
AAO-HNS is scheduled for October 17-20, 2026. Location: Los Angeles, CA.
Is AAO-HNS worth exhibiting at?
The definitive ENT meeting with 5,000 attendees and 250 exhibitors. 80% exhibitor satisfaction rate (goal achievement).