ASCRS 2026
Overview
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 $39/sqft for inline 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.
Key Facts
- Host organization: American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
- Primary specialty: ophthalmology
- Scale: large
- Geography: US National
- International attendance: ~20%
Best For
Buyer Stage Fit
Booth Costs
| Booth Type | $/sqft | 10×10 Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inline linear (10x10 increments) | — | $3,900 | Per 10x10 increment |
| Inline corner | — | $200 | Additional $200 per open corner |
| Island (10x30 minimum) | $41.00 | $4,100 | Min 300 sqft |
All-In Cost Estimate (10×10 Inline)
| Space rental | $4,100 |
| 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 – $14,000 |
Does not include travel, staffing, booth display, or marketing materials.
Audience
~3,573 MDs (10-year average) plus technicians, administrators, and industry. 200+ exhibitors. The most commercially-oriented ophthalmology show -- attendees come specifically to evaluate and purchase equipment. Co-located with ASOA (American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators) for practice management buyers.
- Purchasing authority: ~50% of attendees
- Effective buyers: ~5,000
- Cost per effective buyer: $2.2 ($11,000 all-in ÷ 5,000 buyers)
- International attendance: ~20%
Venue & Logistics
- Venue: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC
- Management company: ASCRS (in-house)
- Product theater: Available
Who Else Exhibits
Approximately 200+ exhibitors typically attend ASCRS. Your competitors are here.
Our Take
Why Exhibit
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 $39/sqft for inline 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
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.
Insider Tips
ASCRS is where ophthalmic device reps close deals. Booth demos with surgical microscopes and phaco machines are common and expected. Budget for a full wet-lab or dry-lab demo setup if you have a surgical device. Washington DC is a union venue -- plan for drayage and labor costs. The ASOA track is underrated for exhibitors selling practice management software and OR scheduling tools.
Buzzbox Score: 9.1 / 10 (Exceptional)
9.1 out of 10. One of the strongest exhibiting opportunities in our index. Carried by data transparency (9.4: booth pricing published and exhibitor prospectus available). The lightest dimension is audience quality (8.0, 50% purchasing authority (moderate)). The most commercially productive ophthalmology show in the US.
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.
Strong (8.0): 50% purchasing authority (moderate), 50:1 attendee ratio, and large-scale event.
Strong (8.1): $41/sqft, slightly above the $39 median.
Standout (9.4): booth pricing published, exhibitor prospectus available, and 3 booth options documented.
Standout (9.4): society-run exhibits (in-house), non-union venue (simpler, cheaper move-in), and purpose-built convention venue.
Strong (8.4): solid exhibitor rationale, honest "who should skip" guidance, and product-theater opportunity for thought leadership.
Standout (9.2): large and well-established, ~200 exhibitors, and 10,000 attendees.
Key Deadlines
| Deadline | Date |
|---|---|
| Booth Selection Calls End | 2025-09-29 |
| Auto Assignment Begins | 2025-09-30 |
| Meeting Dates | 2026-04-10 to 2026-04-13 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a booth cost at ASCRS?
An all-in 10×10 booth at ASCRS runs roughly $8,000–$14,000, including space rental, drayage, electrical, carpet, and basic services. Travel, staffing, and booth display are additional.
How many people attend ASCRS?
ASCRS draws approximately 10,000 attendees. ~3,573 MDs (10-year average) plus technicians, administrators, and industry. 200+ exhibitors. The most commercially-oriented ophthalmology show -- attendees come specifically to evaluate and purchase equipment. Co-located with ASOA (American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators) for practice management buyers.
When is ASCRS ?
ASCRS is scheduled for April 10-13, 2026. Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC.
Is ASCRS worth exhibiting at?
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.