ARVO vs ASCRS for Exhibitors
Side-by-side data and our editorial take on which conference is the right exhibit investment for your medical device.
By Buzzbox Media · Last reviewed August 3, 2026
If you exhibit medical devices, ARVO and ASCRS are likely both on your shortlist. Both serve overlapping clinical buyers, but the audience composition, booth economics, and exhibit floor experience differ in ways that materially affect ROI. ARVO draws 11,000 attendees with an estimated all-in 10×10 of $6,000-$12,000, read from the published exhibitor prospectus. ASCRS draws 10,000 attendees with an estimated all-in 10×10 of $8,000-$14,000, read from the published exhibitor prospectus. Below is the side-by-side data plus our editorial take on which conference fits which kind of exhibitor.
| 9.2 ARVO | 9.1 ASCRS | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Buzzbox Score | 9.2 (Exceptional) | 9.1 (Exceptional) |
| Event Details | ||
| Dates | May 3-7, 2026 | April 10-13, 2026 |
| Location | Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CO | Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC |
| Scale | large | large |
| Audience | ||
| Attendees | 11,000 | 10,000 |
| Exhibitors | 200 | 200 |
| Purchasing authority | ~25% | ~50% |
| Effective buyers | 2,750 | 5,000 |
| Costs | ||
| $/sqft | n/a | n/a |
| 10×10 space | n/a | n/a |
| All-in estimate | Est. $6,000-$12,000 | Est. $8,000-$14,000 |
| Cost per buyer | $3.27 | $2.2 |
Why exhibit at ARVO
The world's largest vision research gathering: 11,000 attendees from 75 countries. Essential for ophthalmic device companies that need to build relationships with researchers and KOLs who influence clinical adoption. If you have a diagnostic device, OCT system, or gene therapy product, ARVO is where the research community first encounters your technology.
Why exhibit at ASCRS
The most commercially productive ophthalmology show in the US. ASCRS attendees come to buy. Surgeons actively evaluate IOLs, phaco equipment, femtosecond lasers, diagnostics, and surgical supplies. At $3,900 per 10x10 inline increment and $41/sqft for islands, pricing is reasonable for the quality of buyer. The co-located ASOA program brings practice administrators who hold the checkbook.
Why skip ARVO
ARVO is a research conference, not a buying show. Purchasing authority is low (~25%) because the audience skews academic and trainee. If you need same-quarter sales leads from private-practice ophthalmologists, AAO (American Academy of Ophthalmology) or ASCRS is a better investment. Also, the exhibit hall closes before the scientific sessions, reducing foot traffic during peak presentation times.
Why skip ASCRS
Narrow anterior segment focus: retina, neuro, and oculoplastics specialists attend AAO instead. If your device is not used in cataract, refractive, cornea, or glaucoma surgery, ASCRS is the wrong show.
ARVO booth figures are estimates read from its published exhibitor prospectus ↗, not quotes. ASCRS booth figures are estimates read from its published exhibitor prospectus ↗, not quotes. Confirm current pricing with each organizer before committing a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ARVO or ASCRS better for first-time exhibitors?
Both work, but ARVO is the lower-budget pilot. An all-in 10×10 at ARVO is estimated at $6,000 to $12,000, against $8,000 to $14,000 at ASCRS. The lower estimate does not cost you reach either, because ARVO is the larger of the two by attendance, at about 11,000 against roughly 10,000 at ASCRS. Both ranges are Buzzbox Media estimates built from public prospectuses and exhibitor kits, covering space, drayage, electrical, carpet, and basic services but not travel, staffing, or the booth build. Confirm current pricing with each organizer before you commit a budget.
Does ARVO or ASCRS have more decision makers?
ASCRS does, on our estimate: roughly 5,000 effective buyers against about 2,750 at ARVO. Effective buyers multiplies total attendance by the share of attendees who hold purchasing authority, so ASCRS works out to about 10,000 attendees at roughly 50% authority, and ARVO to about 11,000 at roughly 25%. Both inputs are estimates drawn from organizer reporting and our own exhibitor research, so read the gap as directional rather than exact.
Want to add a third conference to this comparison?
Compare these conferences in our interactive tool →Other conferences you might consider
Buzzbox Media is a healthcare marketing agency with over 15 years in medtech. See our conference marketing.