AAOS 2026
Overview
Global capital of orthopedic implant and instrument vendors. If you sell to ortho surgeons, you must be here. Cadaver labs and live surgical demos are the differentiator.
Key Facts
- Host organization: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- Primary specialty: orthopedics
- Scale: mega
- Geography: US National
- International attendance: ~20%
Best For
Buyer Stage Fit
Booth Costs
Booth pricing not yet verified for AAOS. 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 | $10,000 – $16,000 |
Does not include travel, staffing, booth display, or marketing materials.
Audience
~60% orthopedic surgeons (residents + attending), ~15% international, ~25% industry/other.
- Purchasing authority: ~50% of attendees
- Effective buyers: ~15,000
- Cost per effective buyer: $0.87 ($13,000 all-in ÷ 15,000 buyers)
- International attendance: ~20%
Venue & Logistics
- Venue: Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL
- Management company: In-house
- Product theater: Available
Who Else Exhibits
Approximately 500+ exhibitors typically attend AAOS. Your competitors are here.
Our Take
Why Exhibit
Global capital of orthopedic implant and instrument vendors. If you sell to ortho surgeons, you must be here. Cadaver labs and live surgical demos are the differentiator.
Why Skip
Non-orthopedic devices are wasted here. Competition is brutal -- Stryker, Zimmer, DePuy, Smith & Nephew own the floor.
Insider Tips
Cadaver lab programming drives booth traffic more than any graphic. Budget for lab time if you have a surgical instrument.
Buzzbox Score: 10.0 / 10 (Exceptional)
10.0 out of 10. One of the strongest exhibiting opportunities in our index. Carried by audience quality (10.0: 65% purchasing authority and 60:1 attendee ratio). The lightest dimension is cost efficiency (8.8, $40/sqft, slightly above the $39 median). Global capital of orthopedic implant and instrument vendors.
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.
Standout (10.0): 65% purchasing authority, 60:1 attendee ratio, and mega-scale floor (30,000 attendees).
Strong (8.8): $40/sqft, slightly above the $39 median and ~$0.67 per qualified buyer.
Standout (9.8): booth pricing published, exhibitor prospectus available, and 3 booth options documented.
Standout (10.0): society-run exhibits (in-house), non-union venue (simpler, cheaper move-in), and exhibitor-friendly host city.
Standout (9.0): "who should skip" note included, product-theater opportunity for thought leadership, and innovation / startup pavilion.
Standout (9.7): mega-scale and stable, 500+ exhibitors signals strong demand, and 30,000+ attendees.
Key Deadlines
| Deadline | Date |
|---|---|
| Housing Opens | 2025-03-10 |
| Prospectus Available | 2025-04-17 |
| Initial Application 50pct Deposit | 2025-07-10 |
| Island Selection Window | 2025-08-05 to 2025-08-29 |
| Booth Confirmations | 2025-09-09 |
| Full Balance Due | 2025-10-30 |
| Final Cancellation | 2025-10-31 |
| Island Floor Plans Due | 2026-01-08 |
| Housing Modifications Close | 2026-02-09 |
| Booth Installation Complete | 2026-03-02T17:00 |
| Exhibit Hall Open | 2026-03-03 to 2026-03-05 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a booth cost at AAOS?
An all-in 10×10 booth at AAOS runs roughly $10,000–$16,000, including space rental, drayage, electrical, carpet, and basic services. Travel, staffing, and booth display are additional.
How many people attend AAOS?
AAOS draws approximately 30,000 attendees. ~60% orthopedic surgeons (residents + attending), ~15% international, ~25% industry/other.
When is AAOS ?
AAOS is scheduled for March 3-7, 2026 (exhibit hall March 3-5). Location: Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL.
Is AAOS worth exhibiting at?
Global capital of orthopedic implant and instrument vendors. If you sell to ortho surgeons, you must be here.