ANA/ANCC 2026
Overview
Direct access to 14,000+ nurse leaders including CNOs, nurse directors, and Magnet program directors: the people who approve capital equipment purchases, select vendors, and set nursing practice standards. 385+ exhibitors means a mature, proven commercial platform. 75% have purchasing authority.
Key Facts
- Host organization: American Nurses Credentialing Center (subsidiary of American Nurses Association)
- Primary specialty: nursing leadership
- Scale: large
- Geography: US National / International
- International attendance: ~15%
- See all Nursing conferences
Best For
Buyer Stage Fit
Booth Costs
| Booth Type | $/sqft | 10×10 Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard exhibit booth | n/a | n/a | Min 100 sqft |
All-In Cost Estimate (10×10 Inline)
| Space rental | n/a |
| 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-$16,000 |
Does not include travel, staffing, booth display, or marketing materials.
Planning the ANA/ANCC booth itself? Read our guide to medical conference booth design for booth types, union labor rules, and the corner upgrade.
Audience
14,000+ nurses and nursing executives (includes virtual attendance). 385+ exhibitors. 20+ countries represented. This is the ANCC Magnet & Pathway Conference, the main national event for ANA/ANCC. Separate from state ANA chapter conferences and the ANA Membership Assembly (smaller, governance-focused). Managed by MCI.
- Purchasing authority: ~75% of attendees
- Effective buyers: ~2,250
- Cost per effective buyer: $5.33 ($12,000 all-in ÷ 2,250 buyers)
- International attendance: ~15%
Venue & Logistics
- Venue: Chicago, IL (2026); Atlanta, GA (2025)
- Management company: MCI (wearemci.us)
Who Else Exhibits
Exhibitor data coming soon for ANA/ANCC.
Our Take
Why Exhibit
Direct access to 14,000+ nurse leaders including CNOs, nurse directors, and Magnet program directors: the people who approve capital equipment purchases, select vendors, and set nursing practice standards. 385+ exhibitors means a mature, proven commercial platform. 75% have purchasing authority.
Why Skip
Nursing leadership audience means clinical devices may need a business-case pitch rather than clinical-efficacy pitch. If your product targets bedside nurses rather than nurse administrators, specialty nursing conferences (ENA, ONS, AWHONN) are better fits.
Insider Tips
Largest nursing leadership conference with 385+ exhibitors. Managed by MCI. October 2026 in Chicago. The ANA ecosystem is confusing. This Magnet/Pathway conference is the main commercial event, not the smaller Membership Assembly or the Opportunity & Impact Summit (400 attendees, February).
Buzzbox Score: 8.1 / 10 (Excellent)
8.1 out of 10. A top-tier show worth a serious line item. Carried by audience quality (9.2: 75% purchasing authority and large-scale event). The lightest dimension is data transparency (7.5, booth pricing published). Direct access to 14,000+ nurse leaders including CNOs, nurse directors, and Magnet program directors: the people who approve capital equipment purchases, select vendors, and set nursing practice standards.
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 (9.2): 75% purchasing authority and large-scale event.
Solid (7.7): $40/sqft, slightly above the $39 median and cost per qualified buyer runs ~$5.3.
Solid (7.5): booth pricing published, exhibitor count disclosed, and attendee purchasing-authority data published.
Strong (8.0): MCI-managed and non-union venue (simpler, cheaper move-in).
Solid (7.9): honest "who should skip" guidance, 385+ exhibitors (deep competitive intel), and broad device-category relevance.
Strong (8.8): large and well-established and ~385 exhibitors.
Key Deadlines
Detailed deadlines not yet published for ANA/ANCC. Check the official site for the application window.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a booth cost at ANA/ANCC?
An all-in 10×10 booth at ANA/ANCC is estimated at roughly $8,000-$16,000, 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 ANA/ANCC?
ANA/ANCC draws approximately 3,000 attendees. 14,000+ nurses and nursing executives (includes virtual attendance). 385+ exhibitors. 20+ countries represented. This is the ANCC Magnet & Pathway Conference, the main national event for ANA/ANCC. Separate from state ANA chapter conferences and the ANA Membership Assembly (smaller, governance-focused). Managed by MCI.