Compare OTA vs AAOS
| 8.9 OTA | 10.0 AAOS | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Buzzbox Score | 8.9 (Excellent) | 10.0 (Exceptional) |
| Event Details | ||
| Dates | September 23-26, 2026 | March 3-7, 2026 (exhibit hall March 3-5) |
| Location | Music City Center, Nashville, TN | Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL |
| Scale | mid | mega |
| Audience | ||
| Attendees | 2,500 | 30,000 |
| Exhibitors | 100 | 500 |
| Purchasing authority | ~65% | ~50% |
| Effective buyers | 1,625 | 15,000 |
| Costs | ||
| $/sqft | — | — |
| 10×10 space | — | — |
| All-in estimate | $8,000 – $18,000 | $10,000 – $16,000 |
| Cost per buyer | $8 | $0.87 |
Why exhibit at OTA
OTA trauma surgeons are prolific device users -- they implant plates, screws, nails, and external fixation devices daily in high-volume emergency settings. The Surgical Suite format allows live demonstrations that other shows do not offer. Nashville's Music City Center is a modern, well-run venue with lower ancillary costs than coastal cities.
Why exhibit at AAOS
Global capital of orthopedic implant and instrument vendors. If you sell to ortho surgeons, you must be here. Cadaver labs and live surgical demos are the differentiator.
Why skip OTA
Only 2 days of exhibit hall limits exposure time. If your implant is elective-surgery focused (joints, spine), the trauma audience is not your buyer. The 100+ exhibitor count means the majors (Stryker, Zimmer, J&J, Smith+Nephew) dominate the floor. Pricing not publicly listed.
Why skip AAOS
Non-orthopedic devices are wasted here. Competition is brutal -- Stryker, Zimmer, DePuy, Smith & Nephew own the floor.