CNS 2026
Overview
CNS draws 4,500 neurosurgeons to a convention center venue that supports large exhibits and live demos. The younger attendee profile (more residents and early-career surgeons) makes it ideal for technology adoption and long-term brand building. Washington DC is easy to reach from most US cities.
Key Facts
- Host organization: Congress of Neurological Surgeons
- Primary specialty: neurosurgery
- Scale: large
- Geography: US
- International attendance: ~20%
Best For
Buyer Stage Fit
Booth Costs
Booth pricing not yet verified for CNS. Request our research →
All-In Cost Estimate (10×10 Inline)
| Space rental | — |
| 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 | $10,000 – $22,000 |
Does not include travel, staffing, booth display, or marketing materials.
Audience
Billed as 'Neurosurgery's Premier Event.' ~4,500 attendees including practicing neurosurgeons, residents, fellows, and allied health professionals. CNS skews younger than AANS (more residents and early-career surgeons). Strong technology showcase component.
- Purchasing authority: ~60% of attendees
- Effective buyers: ~2,700
- Cost per effective buyer: $5.93 ($16,000 all-in ÷ 2,700 buyers)
- International attendance: ~20%
Venue & Logistics
- Venue: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC
- Management company: CNS (in-house)
- Product theater: Available
Who Else Exhibits
Exhibitor data coming soon for CNS.
Our Take
Why Exhibit
CNS draws 4,500 neurosurgeons to a convention center venue that supports large exhibits and live demos. The younger attendee profile (more residents and early-career surgeons) makes it ideal for technology adoption and long-term brand building. Washington DC is easy to reach from most US cities.
Why Skip
If your product is primarily spine-focused, NASS may be a more targeted audience. CNS and AANS (the other major neurosurgery meeting) have significant attendee overlap, so exhibiting at both delivers diminishing returns. Pricing is not publicly available -- requires direct outreach to gauge value.
Insider Tips
Convention center venue in DC is a plus -- allows real booth builds. Pair CNS (younger audience, tech adoption) with AANS (established surgeons, purchasing authority) for complete neurosurgery coverage. Contact corporatedevelopment@cns.org early.
Buzzbox Score: 7.7 / 10 (Strong)
7.7 out of 10. A solid, dependable show for the right exhibitor. Carried by exhibitor experience (9.0: society-run exhibits (in-house) and non-union venue (simpler, cheaper move-in)). The lightest dimension is data transparency (7.2, booth pricing published). CNS draws 4,500 neurosurgeons to a convention center venue that supports large exhibits and live demos.
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): 60% purchasing authority and large-scale event.
Strong (8.4): $30/sqft, right at the dataset median and cost per qualified buyer runs ~$5.9.
Solid (7.2): booth pricing published, attendee purchasing-authority data published, and all-in cost estimate available.
Standout (9.0): society-run exhibits (in-house), non-union venue (simpler, cheaper move-in), and purpose-built convention venue.
Solid (7.7): honest "who should skip" guidance, product-theater opportunity for thought leadership, and broad device-category relevance.
Strong (8.2): large and well-established.
Key Deadlines
Detailed deadlines not yet verified for CNS. Check the official site for the application window.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a booth cost at CNS?
An all-in 10×10 booth at CNS runs roughly $10,000–$22,000, including space rental, drayage, electrical, carpet, and basic services. Travel, staffing, and booth display are additional.
How many people attend CNS?
CNS draws approximately 4,500 attendees. Billed as 'Neurosurgery's Premier Event.' ~4,500 attendees including practicing neurosurgeons, residents, fellows, and allied health professionals. CNS skews younger than AANS (more residents and early-career surgeons). Strong technology showcase component.
When is CNS ?
CNS is scheduled for October 31 - November 4, 2026. Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC.
Is CNS worth exhibiting at?
CNS draws 4,500 neurosurgeons to a convention center venue that supports large exhibits and live demos. The younger attendee profile (more residents and early-career surgeons) makes it ideal for technology adoption and long-term brand building.