ACS 2026
Overview
The largest general surgery meeting in North America. 80% surgeon audience gives unmatched access to the people who choose instruments, energy devices, and capital equipment for ORs nationwide. High-value face time with department chairs and residency directors.
Key Facts
- Host organization: American College of Surgeons
- Primary specialty: general surgery
- Scale: mega
- Geography: US National
- International attendance: ~15%
Best For
Buyer Stage Fit
Booth Costs
| Booth Type | $/sqft | 10×10 Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inline (up to 399 sq ft) | $43.50 | $4,350 | Min 100 sqft |
| Corner | $44.50 | $4,450 | Min 100 sqft |
| Island (400+ sq ft) | $41.50 | $4,150 | Min 400 sqft |
| Non-profit | $23.00 | $2,300 | Min 100 sqft |
All-In Cost Estimate (10×10 Inline)
| Space rental | $4,350 |
| 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 | $8,000 – $15,000 |
Does not include travel, staffing, booth display, or marketing materials.
Audience
~80% general surgeons. 7,000-8,000 professional MDs with the remainder being residents, fellows, nurses, and virtual attendees. 12,000 total including virtual.
- Purchasing authority: ~50% of attendees
- Effective buyers: ~5,500
- Cost per effective buyer: $2.09 ($11,500 all-in ÷ 5,500 buyers)
- International attendance: ~15%
Venue & Logistics
- Venue: Washington, DC (Walter E. Washington Convention Center)
- Management company: Tradeshow Logic
- Move-in: September 25-26, 2026 (Fri 8am-4:30pm, Sat 8am-4:30pm)
- Move-out: September 29, 2026 2pm-6pm; September 30, 2026 8am-12pm
Who Else Exhibits
Exhibitor data coming soon for ACS.
Our Take
Why Exhibit
The largest general surgery meeting in North America. 80% surgeon audience gives unmatched access to the people who choose instruments, energy devices, and capital equipment for ORs nationwide. High-value face time with department chairs and residency directors.
Why Skip
If your device is specialty-specific (spine, urology, ENT), you'll be lost among 200 exhibitors targeting general surgeons. Smaller specialty meetings deliver more concentrated buyer access for niche products.
Insider Tips
Managed by Tradeshow Logic, not in-house. Non-profit rate of $23/sqft is a significant discount if your org qualifies. Floor plan available at MapYourShow (acscc2026.mapyourshow.com).
Buzzbox Score: 9.5 / 10 (Exceptional)
9.5 out of 10. One of the strongest exhibiting opportunities in our index. Carried by data transparency (9.6: booth pricing published and exhibitor prospectus available). The lightest dimension is cost efficiency (8.1, $44/sqft, slightly above the $39 median). The largest general surgery meeting in North America.
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): 50% purchasing authority (moderate), 55:1 attendee ratio, and mega-scale floor (11,000 attendees).
Strong (8.1): $44/sqft, slightly above the $39 median.
Standout (9.6): booth pricing published, exhibitor prospectus available, and 4 booth options documented.
Standout (9.4): Tradeshow Logic-managed, non-union venue (simpler, cheaper move-in), and purpose-built convention venue.
Strong (8.3): honest "who should skip" guidance, the flagship / largest show in its niche, and ~200 exhibitors to scout.
Standout (9.4): mega-scale and stable, ~200 exhibitors, and 11,000 attendees.
Key Deadlines
Detailed deadlines not yet verified for ACS. Check the official site for the application window.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a booth cost at ACS?
An all-in 10×10 booth at ACS runs roughly $8,000–$15,000, including space rental, drayage, electrical, carpet, and basic services. Travel, staffing, and booth display are additional.
How many people attend ACS?
ACS draws approximately 11,000 attendees. ~80% general surgeons. 7,000-8,000 professional MDs with the remainder being residents, fellows, nurses, and virtual attendees. 12,000 total including virtual.
When is ACS ?
ACS is scheduled for September 26-29, 2026. Location: Washington, DC (Walter E. Washington Convention Center).
Is ACS worth exhibiting at?
The largest general surgery meeting in North America. 80% surgeon audience gives unmatched access to the people who choose instruments, energy devices, and capital equipment for ORs nationwide.