AHA 2026
Overview
AHA is the broadest cardiology show in the US, spanning interventional, EP, stroke, heart failure, vascular, and basic science. At $48/sqft with no island or corner surcharges, it is one of the most fairly priced mega shows in cardiology. Late-breaking trials and 5,000+ presentations generate enormous foot traffic.
Key Facts
- Host organization: American Heart Association
- Primary specialty: cardiology
- Scale: mega
- Geography: US National
- International attendance: ~30%
- See all Cardiology conferences
Best For
Buyer Stage Fit
Booth Costs
| Booth Type | $/sqft | 10×10 Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard inline (on-site renewal rate) | $44.00 | $4,400 | Min 100 sqft |
| Standard inline (standard rate) | $48.00 | $4,800 | Min 100 sqft |
| Public service (subject to availability) | $30.00 | $3,000 | Min 100 sqft |
| Island (no additional island fee) | $48.00 | $4,800 | Min 400 sqft |
| Corner (no additional corner fee) | $48.00 | $4,800 | Min 100 sqft |
All-In Cost Estimate (10×10 Inline)
| Space rental | $4,800 |
| 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.
Planning the AHA booth itself? Read our guide to medical conference booth design for booth types, union labor rules, and the corner upgrade.
Audience
~15,535 physicians and cardiology professionals, ~1,716 research scientists (2025 data). 5,000+ presentations across 21 specialties. Attendees from 100+ countries. Broader than ACC: includes stroke, vascular, basic science.
- Purchasing authority: ~45% of attendees
- Effective buyers: ~7,650
- Cost per effective buyer: $2.09 ($16,000 all-in ÷ 7,650 buyers)
- International attendance: ~30%
Venue & Logistics
- Venue: McCormick Place Convention Center, Chicago, IL
- Management company: Ascend Event Media (exhibit sales), AHA (in-house)
- Product theater: Available
- Move-in: November 3-6, 2026 (large booths 20x20+ start Nov 3)
- Move-out: November 9, 2026 (after exhibit close at 3pm)
Who Else Exhibits
Approximately 200+ exhibitors typically attend AHA. Your competitors are here.
Our Take
Why Exhibit
AHA is the broadest cardiology show in the US, spanning interventional, EP, stroke, heart failure, vascular, and basic science. At $48/sqft with no island or corner surcharges, it is one of the most fairly priced mega shows in cardiology. Late-breaking trials and 5,000+ presentations generate enormous foot traffic.
Why Skip
The audience is broad, which means it is less targeted than TCT (interventional) or HRS (EP). If you sell to a very specific cardiology sub-specialty, the dilution may hurt ROI. AHA is also heavily research/academic. Pure commercial exhibitors may find the buyer density lower than ACC.
Insider Tips
McCormick Place is a union venue. Budget for drayage at $110-180/CWT and union labor at $100-150/hr. The no-island-surcharge policy is genuinely unusual and makes AHA one of the better deals for 20x20+ islands. The Health Innovation Pavilion is good for startups.
Buzzbox Score: 10.0 / 10 (Exceptional)
10.0 out of 10. One of the strongest exhibiting opportunities in our index. Carried by data transparency (10.0: booth pricing published and exhibitor prospectus available). The lightest dimension is cost efficiency (7.9, $48/sqft, slightly above the $39 median). AHA is the broadest cardiology show in the US, spanning interventional, EP, stroke, heart failure, vascular, and basic science.
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 (9.3): 45% purchasing authority (moderate), 85:1 attendee ratio, and mega-scale floor (17,000 attendees).
Solid (7.9): $48/sqft, slightly above the $39 median and union convention center (drayage / labor adds up).
Standout (10.0): booth pricing published, exhibitor prospectus available, and 5 booth options documented.
Standout (9.4): society-run exhibits (in-house), purpose-built convention venue, and 5 booth configurations.
Standout (9.4): solid exhibitor rationale, honest "who should skip" guidance, and product-theater opportunity for thought leadership.
Standout (9.4): mega-scale and stable, ~200 exhibitors, and 17,000 attendees.
Key Deadlines
| Deadline | Date |
|---|---|
| Onsite Renewal Deadline | 2026-01-16 |
| Standard Rate Begins | 2026-01-19 |
| Exhibit Dates | 2026-11-07 to 2026-11-09 |
| Exhibit Hours Sat | 9:00am-4:30pm CST |
| Exhibit Hours Sun | 9:00am-4:30pm CST |
| Exhibit Hours Mon | 9:00am-3:00pm CST |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a booth cost at AHA?
An all-in 10×10 booth at AHA is estimated at roughly $12,000-$20,000, including space rental, drayage, electrical, carpet, and basic services. Travel, staffing, and booth display are additional. Confirm exact pricing with the show organizer.
How many people attend AHA?
AHA draws approximately 17,000 attendees. ~15,535 physicians and cardiology professionals, ~1,716 research scientists (2025 data). 5,000+ presentations across 21 specialties. Attendees from 100+ countries. Broader than ACC: includes stroke, vascular, basic science.
What is the all-in booth cost at AHA Scientific Sessions?
AHA 2026 booth space runs approximately $48/sqft, with no surcharges for island or corner locations. All-in 10x10 booth costs including drayage, electrical, lead retrieval, and services are estimated at $12,000-$20,000, making AHA one of the more cost-efficient large cardiology conferences.
What cardiology specialties attend AHA Scientific Sessions?
AHA draws the broadest cardiology audience of any US conference: interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists, heart failure specialists, stroke neurologists, vascular surgeons, preventive cardiologists, and cardiovascular researchers. This breadth makes it more versatile than ACC for companies with multi-specialty cardiology product lines.