CHIME vs HIMSS 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, CHIME and HIMSS 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. CHIME draws 1,100 attendees with no booth pricing published by the organizer. HIMSS draws 35,000 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.
| 7.7 CHIME | 9.7 HIMSS | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Buzzbox Score | 7.7 (Strong) | 9.7 (Exceptional) |
| Event Details | ||
| Dates | November 11-14, 2026 | March 9-12, 2026 |
| Location | Gaylord Rockies Resort, Denver, CO | Las Vegas, NV (Venetian Expo + Convention Center) |
| Scale | mid | mega |
| Audience | ||
| Attendees | 1,100 | 35,000 |
| Exhibitors | n/a | 1,200 |
| Purchasing authority, Buzzbox Media estimate | ~85% | ~50% |
| Effective buyers, Buzzbox Media estimate | 935 | 17,500 |
| Costs | ||
| $/sqft | n/a | n/a |
| 10×10 space | n/a | n/a |
| All-in, Buzzbox Media estimate | n/a | n/a |
| Cost per buyer, Buzzbox Media estimate | n/a | n/a |
Why exhibit at CHIME
The highest concentration of healthcare CIOs and C-level IT leaders at any US conference. 85%+ purchasing authority (Buzzbox Media estimate) among attendees: every conversation is with a decision-maker. Intimate format (1,100 attendees) means meaningful interactions rather than badge-scanning. If you sell to health system IT leadership, CHIME is the most efficient show in the country.
Why exhibit at HIMSS
The #1 show for selling digital health, EHR-integrated products, and patient monitoring to hospital IT and admin buyers. Where enterprise deals start.
Why skip CHIME
Small attendee count (1,100) limits total lead volume. Premium pricing relative to audience size makes it expensive on a per-attendee basis. Companies need to maximize every interaction. This is not a volume play. No clinical audience whatsoever.
Why skip HIMSS
Wrong audience for clinician-first devices (surgical instruments, implants). Pure clinical audiences are thin here.
CHIME publishes no booth pricing we can link to, so no cost is listed for it. See the official CHIME site ↗ for exhibitor details. HIMSS publishes no booth pricing we can link to, so no cost is listed for it. See the official HIMSS site ↗ for exhibitor details. Confirm current pricing with each organizer before committing a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does CHIME or HIMSS have more decision makers?
HIMSS does, on a Buzzbox Media estimate: roughly 17,500 effective buyers against about 935 at CHIME. Effective buyers multiplies total attendance by the share of attendees who hold purchasing authority, so HIMSS works out to about 35,000 attendees at roughly 50% authority, and CHIME to about 1,100 at roughly 85%. 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 medtech marketing agency with over 15 years in medtech. See our conference marketing.