AONL 2026
Overview
The premier US conference for nursing leadership -- 3,700+ CNOs, nursing directors, and VPs of patient care. These leaders influence purchasing decisions for clinical technology, staffing solutions, patient monitoring, and workflow systems. At $39/sqft, pricing is reasonable for the audience quality. The 1,600+ acute care and 700+ health system attendees are direct decision-makers.
Key Facts
- Host organization: American Organization for Nursing Leadership
- Primary specialty: nursing leadership
- Scale: mid
- Geography: US
- International attendance: ~2%
Best For
Buyer Stage Fit
Booth Costs
| Booth Type | $/sqft | 10×10 Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard inline 10x10 | n/a | $3,900 | Includes standard booth drape, ID sign, 4 hall staff badges, 1 full-conference badge, app listing, marketing toolkit, exhibit hall cleaning and security. Does NOT include furniture, carpet, electricity, internet, or storage. |
All-In Cost Estimate (10×10 Inline)
| Space rental | $3,900 |
| 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 | $7,000-$12,000 |
Does not include travel, staffing, booth display, or marketing materials.
Audience
3,700+ nursing leaders. 1,600+ from acute care. 700+ from health systems. 5% industry partners. 50+ high-impact sessions. Attendees are decision-makers who influence clinical technology, staffing, and workflow purchases at the hospital/health system level.
- Purchasing authority: ~65% of attendees
- Effective buyers: ~2,405
- Cost per effective buyer: $3.95 ($9,500 all-in ÷ 2,405 buyers)
- International attendance: ~2%
Venue & Logistics
- Venue: McCormick Place, Chicago, IL
- Management company: Trade Show Logic (exhibit sales); AONL (in-house)
Who Else Exhibits
Exhibitor data coming soon for AONL.
Our Take
Why Exhibit
The premier US conference for nursing leadership -- 3,700+ CNOs, nursing directors, and VPs of patient care. These leaders influence purchasing decisions for clinical technology, staffing solutions, patient monitoring, and workflow systems. At $39/sqft, pricing is reasonable for the audience quality. The 1,600+ acute care and 700+ health system attendees are direct decision-makers.
Why Skip
Nursing leaders influence purchases but often do not hold the final budget authority -- that sits with the C-suite or supply chain. If you sell devices used by bedside nurses (not leaders), this is the wrong show. The 2-day exhibit hall (total ~11 hours) limits booth exposure time. McCormick Place union costs add to budget.
Insider Tips
AONL overlaps dates with SHM Converge 2026 (also Nashville March 29 - April 1). Check for attendee crossover if you plan both. McCormick Place is Chicago's mega convention center -- reliable but expensive for labor and drayage. The 4 hall badges + 1 full-conference badge per booth is generous. Trade Show Logic manages exhibit sales (not AONL directly).
Buzzbox Score: 7.0 / 10 (Strong)
7.0 out of 10. A solid, dependable show for the right exhibitor. Carried by cost efficiency (8.6: $39/sqft, right at the dataset median and union convention center (drayage / labor adds up)). The lightest dimension is exhibitor experience (7.0, society-run exhibits (in-house)). The premier US conference for nursing leadership -- 3,700+ CNOs, nursing directors, and VPs of patient care.
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.
Solid (7.4): 65% purchasing authority.
Strong (8.6): $39/sqft, right at the dataset median and union convention center (drayage / labor adds up).
Solid (7.8): booth pricing published, attendee purchasing-authority data published, and all-in cost estimate available.
Solid (7.0): society-run exhibits (in-house).
Strong (8.1): solid exhibitor rationale, honest "who should skip" guidance, and the flagship / largest show in its niche.
Solid (7.4): mid-size with room to grow.
Key Deadlines
| Deadline | Date |
|---|---|
| Exhibit Hall Hours | [object Object] |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a booth cost at AONL?
An all-in 10×10 booth at AONL is estimated at roughly $7,000-$12,000, 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 AONL?
AONL draws approximately 3,700 attendees. 3,700+ nursing leaders. 1,600+ from acute care. 700+ from health systems. 5% industry partners. 50+ high-impact sessions. Attendees are decision-makers who influence clinical technology, staffing, and workflow purchases at the hospital/health system level.
When is AONL ?
AONL is scheduled for March 29 - April 1, 2026. Location: McCormick Place, Chicago, IL.
Is AONL worth exhibiting at?
The premier US conference for nursing leadership -- 3,700+ CNOs, nursing directors, and VPs of patient care. These leaders influence purchasing decisions for clinical technology, staffing solutions, patient monitoring, and workflow systems.