ASTRO vs RSNA 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, ASTRO and RSNA 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. ASTRO draws 11,000 attendees with an estimated all-in 10×10 of $12,000-$20,000, read from the published exhibitor prospectus. RSNA draws 38,000 attendees with no booth pricing published by the organizer. Below is the side-by-side data plus our editorial take on which conference fits which kind of exhibitor.
| 10.0 ASTRO | 10.0 RSNA | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Buzzbox Score | 10.0 (Exceptional) | 10.0 (Exceptional) |
| Event Details | ||
| Dates | September 26-30, 2026 (Exhibits Sept 27-29) | November 29 - December 3, 2026 |
| Location | Thomas M. Menino Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC), Boston, MA | Chicago, IL (McCormick Place) |
| Scale | mega | mega |
| Audience | ||
| Attendees | 11,000 | 38,000 |
| Exhibitors | 170 | 650 |
| Purchasing authority | ~45% | ~78% |
| Effective buyers | 4,950 | 29,640 |
| Costs | ||
| $/sqft | $49 | $41.25 |
| 10×10 space | $4,900 | $4,125 |
| All-in estimate | Est. $12,000-$20,000 | n/a |
| Cost per buyer | $3.23 | n/a |
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 exhibit at RSNA
Largest radiology gathering in the world. Essential for imaging equipment, contrast media, AI/digital health in radiology, and radiation protection vendors. Decision-makers come to see and touch new tech.
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.
Why skip RSNA
Wrong audience for non-imaging device companies. Booth costs are brutal for first-timers.
ASTRO booth figures are estimates read from its published exhibitor prospectus ↗, not quotes. RSNA 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
Does ASTRO or RSNA have more decision makers?
RSNA does, on our estimate: roughly 29,640 effective buyers against about 4,950 at ASTRO. Effective buyers multiplies total attendance by the share of attendees who hold purchasing authority, so RSNA works out to about 38,000 attendees at roughly 78% authority, and ASTRO to about 11,000 at roughly 45%. 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 medical device marketing agency with over 15 years in medtech. See our conference marketing.