ASCO vs ASTRO for Exhibitors
Side-by-side data and our editorial take on which conference is the right exhibit investment for your medical device.
If you exhibit medical devices, ASCO and ASTRO 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. ASCO draws 35,000 attendees with an estimated all-in 10×10 of $20,000-$35,000. ASTRO draws 11,000 attendees at $12,000-$20,000 all-in. Below is the side-by-side data plus our editorial take on which conference fits which kind of exhibitor.
| 9.6 ASCO | 10.0 ASTRO | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Buzzbox Score | 9.6 (Exceptional) | 10.0 (Exceptional) |
| Event Details | ||
| Dates | May 29 - June 2, 2026 (exhibits May 30 - June 1) | September 26-30, 2026 (Exhibits Sept 27-29) |
| Location | McCormick Place, Chicago, IL | Thomas M. Menino Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC), Boston, MA |
| Scale | mega | mega |
| Audience | ||
| Attendees | 35,000 | 11,000 |
| Exhibitors | n/a | 170 |
| Purchasing authority | ~35% | ~45% |
| Effective buyers | 12,250 | 4,950 |
| Costs | ||
| $/sqft | $94 | $49 |
| 10×10 space | $9,400 | $4,900 |
| All-in estimate | Est. $20,000-$35,000 | Est. $12,000-$20,000 |
| Cost per buyer | $2.24 | $3.23 |
Why exhibit at ASCO
The single largest oncology meeting in the world with 35,000+ attendees. If you sell radiation therapy equipment, oncology diagnostics, precision medicine platforms, or cancer imaging solutions, this is where global oncology leaders converge. Late-breaking clinical trial data drives massive foot traffic.
Why exhibit at ASTRO
The definitive conference for radiation oncology and medical physics. If you sell linear accelerators, proton therapy systems, treatment planning software, radiation protection, or brachytherapy equipment, ASTRO is where department-level purchasing decisions begin. Medical physicists -- who heavily influence capital equipment selection -- attend in force.
Why skip ASCO
Overwhelmingly pharma-dominated -- the biggest booths and budgets belong to Pfizer, Roche, Merck, BMS, AstraZeneca. Device companies can feel invisible without $100k+ investment. Booth space at $94/sqft (inline) is among the most expensive in medical conferences.
Why skip ASTRO
Very narrow audience. Non-radiation-oncology devices have no buyer here. The $49/sqft rate plus $2,000 island surcharge makes it expensive for the audience size. Capital equipment companies (Varian, Elekta, Accuray) dominate the floor.