AAO vs ARVO for Exhibitors
Side-by-side data and our editorial take on which conference is the right exhibit investment for your medical device.
If you exhibit medical devices, AAO and ARVO 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. AAO draws 25,000 attendees with an estimated all-in 10×10 of $18,000-$30,000. ARVO draws 11,000 attendees at $6,000-$12,000 all-in. Below is the side-by-side data plus our editorial take on which conference fits which kind of exhibitor.
| 9.5 AAO | 9.2 ARVO | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Buzzbox Score | 9.5 (Exceptional) | 9.2 (Exceptional) |
| Event Details | ||
| Dates | October 9-12, 2026 (Expo Oct 10-12) | May 3-7, 2026 |
| Location | Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA | Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CO |
| Scale | mega | large |
| Audience | ||
| Attendees | 25,000 | 11,000 |
| Exhibitors | 450 | 200 |
| Purchasing authority | ~45% | ~25% |
| Effective buyers | 11,250 | 2,750 |
| Costs | ||
| $/sqft | n/a | n/a |
| 10×10 space | n/a | n/a |
| All-in estimate | Est. $18,000-$30,000 | Est. $6,000-$12,000 |
| Cost per buyer | $2.13 | $3.27 |
Why exhibit at AAO
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 exhibit at ARVO
The world's largest vision research gathering -- 11,000 attendees from 75 countries. Essential for ophthalmic device companies that need to build relationships with researchers and KOLs who influence clinical adoption. If you have a diagnostic device, OCT system, or gene therapy product, ARVO is where the research community first encounters your technology.
Why skip AAO
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.
Why skip ARVO
ARVO is a research conference, not a buying show. Purchasing authority is low (~25%) because the audience skews academic and trainee. If you need same-quarter sales leads from private-practice ophthalmologists, AAO (American Academy of Ophthalmology) or ASCRS is a better investment. Also, the exhibit hall closes before the scientific sessions, reducing foot traffic during peak presentation times.