ADA 2026
Overview
The ADA name carries enormous brand recognition across all of dentistry, and the $41.50/sqft pricing is competitive for a national dental meeting. Indianapolis is a cost-effective venue city with lower hotel and logistics costs than NYC or Chicago.
Key Facts
- Host organization: American Dental Association
- Primary specialty: general dentistry
- Scale: large
- Geography: US National
- International attendance: ~10%
Best For
Buyer Stage Fit
Booth Costs
| Booth Type | $/sqft | 10×10 Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Inline | $41.50 | $4,150 | Min 100 sqft |
| Standard Corner | $41.50 | $4,150 | Min 100 sqft |
| Island | $46.50 | $4,650 | Min 400 sqft |
| Non-Profit Inline | $23.50 | $2,350 | Min 100 sqft |
| Non-Profit Corner | $23.50 | $2,350 | Min 100 sqft |
All-In Cost Estimate (10×10 Inline)
| Space rental | $4,150 |
| 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 – $14,000 |
Does not include travel, staffing, booth display, or marketing materials.
Audience
CRITICAL: SmileCon is ending after 2025 due to declining attendance and rising costs. The 2026 ADA Scientific Session is a scaled-down replacement required by ADA bylaws. SmileCon 2024 in New Orleans drew 30,000 with 500+ exhibitors — but that was the peak format. The 2026 event will be significantly smaller. ADA still evaluating format for 2027+. Attendance never recovered to pre-COVID levels. Exhibitor value proposition uncertain in transition year.
- Purchasing authority: ~50% of attendees
- Effective buyers: ~5,000
- Cost per effective buyer: $2.15 ($10,750 all-in ÷ 5,000 buyers)
- International attendance: ~10%
Venue & Logistics
- Venue: Indianapolis, IN (Indiana Convention Center)
- Management company: A. Fassano & Co
Who Else Exhibits
Exhibitor data coming soon for ADA.
Our Take
Why Exhibit
The ADA name carries enormous brand recognition across all of dentistry, and the $41.50/sqft pricing is competitive for a national dental meeting. Indianapolis is a cost-effective venue city with lower hotel and logistics costs than NYC or Chicago.
Why Skip
This is a transition year with significant uncertainty. SmileCon is being retired due to attendance declines, and the 2026 'Scientific Session' replacement has an unproven format. Expect lower foot traffic than the historical 30,000+ SmileCon numbers. Wait to see post-event attendance reports before committing to 2027.
Insider Tips
Managed by A. Fassano & Co (same as AAGL, APIC, ACC, ASCO). Non-profit rate of $23.50/sqft is significant if you qualify. SmileCon ending is a major industry shift — blog post angle: 'Is ADA SmileCon Worth Exhibiting at in 2026?'
Buzzbox Score: 5.9 / 10 — Average
Key Deadlines
| Deadline | Date |
|---|---|
| Fifty Pct Deposit Due | March 2, 2026 |
| Full Payment Due | March 3, 2026 |
| Application Deadline | May 29, 2026 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a booth cost at ADA?
An all-in 10×10 booth at ADA runs roughly $7,500–$14,000, including space rental, drayage, electrical, carpet, and basic services. Travel, staffing, and booth display are additional.
How many people attend ADA?
ADA draws approximately 10,000 attendees. CRITICAL: SmileCon is ending after 2025 due to declining attendance and rising costs. The 2026 ADA Scientific Session is a scaled-down replacement required by ADA bylaws. SmileCon 2024 in New Orleans drew 30,000 with 500+ exhibitors — but that was the peak format. The 2026 event will be significantly smaller. ADA still evaluating format for 2027+. Attendance never recovered to pre-COVID levels. Exhibitor value proposition uncertain in transition year.
When is ADA ?
ADA is scheduled for October 8-10, 2026. Location: Indianapolis, IN (Indiana Convention Center).
Is ADA worth exhibiting at?
The ADA name carries enormous brand recognition across all of dentistry, and the $41.50/sqft pricing is competitive for a national dental meeting. Indianapolis is a cost-effective venue city with lower hotel and logistics costs than NYC or Chicago..