AATS 2026
Overview
The most prestigious thoracic surgery meeting in the world. If you sell surgical staplers, robotic thoracic surgery platforms, ECMO equipment, thoracic instruments, or heart valves, AATS delivers the global elite of cardiothoracic surgery. At $42.40/sqft, the pricing is reasonable for the quality of the audience. The Welcome Reception in the exhibit hall guarantees opening-night foot traffic.
Key Facts
- Host organization: American Association for Thoracic Surgery
- Primary specialty: thoracic surgery
- Scale: large
- Geography: International
- International attendance: ~30%
Best For
Buyer Stage Fit
Booth Costs
| Booth Type | $/sqft | 10×10 Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard booth | $42.40 | $4,240 | Includes 8ft back wall drape, 3ft side rails, 7x44 in ID sign |
| Corner booth | $45.00 | $4,500 | Min 100 sqft |
| Island booth | $46.25 | $4,625 | Excludes back wall drape and side rails |
All-In Cost Estimate (10×10 Inline)
| Space rental | $4,240 |
| 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 | $12,000 – $20,000 |
Does not include travel, staffing, booth display, or marketing materials.
Audience
2025 meeting drew 2,400+ professionals and 114 exhibitors. 2026 expects 3,000+ attendees. The most prestigious thoracic surgery meeting in the world. Faculty includes the global leaders in CT surgery.
- Purchasing authority: ~60% of attendees
- Effective buyers: ~1,800
- Cost per effective buyer: $8.89 ($16,000 all-in ÷ 1,800 buyers)
- International attendance: ~30%
Venue & Logistics
- Venue: McCormick Place Lakeside Center, Chicago, IL
- Management company: A. Fassano & Company (AFCo)
- Product theater: Available
Who Else Exhibits
Approximately 114+ exhibitors typically attend AATS. Your competitors are here.
Our Take
Why Exhibit
The most prestigious thoracic surgery meeting in the world. If you sell surgical staplers, robotic thoracic surgery platforms, ECMO equipment, thoracic instruments, or heart valves, AATS delivers the global elite of cardiothoracic surgery. At $42.40/sqft, the pricing is reasonable for the quality of the audience. The Welcome Reception in the exhibit hall guarantees opening-night foot traffic.
Why Skip
Narrow audience -- pure cardiothoracic surgery. Non-CT-surgery devices have no buyer here. McCormick Place union labor and drayage adds significant cost on top of booth space. The audience skews academic/research -- pure commercial companies need clinical data to be credible.
Insider Tips
AATS is managed by AFCo (same as ASTRO, HRS) -- if you exhibit at multiple AFCo shows, leverage the relationship for better booth placement and pricing. McCormick Place is expensive for drayage ($110-180/CWT) and union labor ($100-150/hr), so budget accordingly. The Saturday evening Welcome Reception in the exhibit hall is a unique feature that drives early booth traffic.
Buzzbox Score: 6.1 / 10 — Good
Key Deadlines
| Deadline | Date |
|---|---|
| Welcome Reception Exhibit | 2026-05-02 5:15PM-7:15PM |
| Exhibit Hall Open | 2026-05-03 to 2026-05-04 9:00AM-4:30PM |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a booth cost at AATS?
An all-in 10×10 booth at AATS runs roughly $12,000–$20,000, including space rental, drayage, electrical, carpet, and basic services. Travel, staffing, and booth display are additional.
How many people attend AATS?
AATS draws approximately 3,000 attendees. 2025 meeting drew 2,400+ professionals and 114 exhibitors. 2026 expects 3,000+ attendees. The most prestigious thoracic surgery meeting in the world. Faculty includes the global leaders in CT surgery.
When is AATS ?
AATS is scheduled for May 2-5, 2026. Location: McCormick Place Lakeside Center, Chicago, IL.
Is AATS worth exhibiting at?
The most prestigious thoracic surgery meeting in the world. If you sell surgical staplers, robotic thoracic surgery platforms, ECMO equipment, thoracic instruments, or heart valves, AATS delivers the global elite of cardiothoracic surgery.