DDW 2026
Overview
The mega-event for GI. 13,000+ attendees from 4 major societies makes DDW the single largest gathering of digestive disease professionals globally. Named one of the fastest-growing shows in the US. McCormick Place is a world-class venue. Strong international draw at 25%.
Key Facts
- Host organization: AGA / AASLD / ASGE / SSAT (Joint sponsorship)
- Primary specialty: gastroenterology
- Scale: mega
- Geography: International
- International attendance: ~25%
Best For
Buyer Stage Fit
Booth Costs
| Booth Type | $/sqft | 10×10 Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inline | $35.00 | $3,500 | Min 100 sqft |
| Island/Corner | — | — | Min 400 sqft |
All-In Cost Estimate (10×10 Inline)
| Space rental | $3,500 |
| 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 | $7,000 – $13,000 |
Does not include travel, staffing, booth display, or marketing materials.
Audience
13,000+ digestive disease professionals. Joint meeting of 4 societies: AGA (American Gastroenterological Association), AASLD (liver), ASGE (endoscopy), SSAT (surgery). Named one of the fastest-growing shows in the US.
- Purchasing authority: ~45% of attendees
- Effective buyers: ~5,850
- Cost per effective buyer: $1.71 ($10,000 all-in ÷ 5,850 buyers)
- International attendance: ~25%
Venue & Logistics
- Venue: Chicago, IL (McCormick Place Convention Center)
Who Else Exhibits
Exhibitor data coming soon for DDW.
Our Take
Why Exhibit
The mega-event for GI. 13,000+ attendees from 4 major societies makes DDW the single largest gathering of digestive disease professionals globally. Named one of the fastest-growing shows in the US. McCormick Place is a world-class venue. Strong international draw at 25%.
Why Skip
GI-only audience. If your device is for general surgery or non-GI specialties, this is the wrong show. The 4-society structure means attendees are spread across gastro, hepatology, endoscopy, and surgery -- your target buyer may be a fraction of the 13K total.
Insider Tips
New exhibitors have a 400 sqft minimum -- no small 10x10 starters. This is a barrier for small companies but also means the floor is more premium. $35/sqft inline rate is among the lowest for a mega-show. Full payment due Oct 31 of prior year -- plan cash flow accordingly.
Buzzbox Score: 9.7 / 10 (Exceptional)
9.7 out of 10. One of the strongest exhibiting opportunities in our index. Carried by growth trajectory (10.0: mega-scale and stable and one of the fastest-growing shows in the space). The lightest dimension is exhibitor experience (8.2, purpose-built convention venue). The mega-event for GI.
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 (8.7): 45% purchasing authority (moderate), 43:1 attendee ratio, and mega-scale floor (13,000 attendees).
Strong (8.8): $35/sqft, right at the dataset median and union convention center (drayage / labor adds up).
Standout (9.8): booth pricing published, exhibitor prospectus available, and 2 booth options documented.
Strong (8.2): purpose-built convention venue, mega-show logistics are well-rehearsed, and reputation for smooth operations.
Standout (9.3): honest "who should skip" guidance, the flagship / largest show in its niche, and momentum / record-setting growth.
Standout (10.0): mega-scale and stable, one of the fastest-growing shows in the space, and growing year over year.
Key Deadlines
| Deadline | Date |
|---|---|
| Full Payment Due | 2025-10-31 |
| Cancel No Fee | Before 2025-10-31 |
| Cancel 50pct Fee | 2025-10-31 to 2026-01-09 |
| Cancel 100pct Fee | After 2026-01-09 |
| Late Applications | Full payment due within 30 days of submission |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a booth cost at DDW?
An all-in 10×10 booth at DDW runs roughly $7,000–$13,000, including space rental, drayage, electrical, carpet, and basic services. Travel, staffing, and booth display are additional.
How many people attend DDW?
DDW draws approximately 13,000 attendees. 13,000+ digestive disease professionals. Joint meeting of 4 societies: AGA (American Gastroenterological Association), AASLD (liver), ASGE (endoscopy), SSAT (surgery). Named one of the fastest-growing shows in the US.
When is DDW ?
DDW is scheduled for May 2-5, 2026 (Exhibits May 3-5). Location: Chicago, IL (McCormick Place Convention Center).
Is DDW worth exhibiting at?
The mega-event for GI. 13,000+ attendees from 4 major societies makes DDW the single largest gathering of digestive disease professionals globally.