NASS 2026
Overview
The spine industry's most-attended event with an exhibitor-to-attendee ratio that makes competition fierce but access exceptional. 340 exhibitors means the industry takes this show seriously. Spine surgeons come to evaluate implants, biologics, and navigation tech hands-on.
Key Facts
- Host organization: North American Spine Society
- Primary specialty: spine
- Scale: large
- Geography: US National
- International attendance: ~20%
Best For
Buyer Stage Fit
Booth Costs
| Booth Type | $/sqft | 10×10 Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 Inline | $41.00 | $4,100 | Min 100 sqft |
| 10x20 | $41.00 | $4,100 | Min 200 sqft |
| 20x20 Island | $46.00 | $4,600 | Min 400 sqft |
| 20x30 | $44.33 | $4,433 | Min 600 sqft |
| 20x40 | $43.50 | $4,350 | Min 800 sqft |
| 20x50 | $43.00 | $4,300 | Min 1000 sqft |
All-In Cost Estimate (10×10 Inline)
| Space rental | $4,100 |
| 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 | $8,000 – $14,000 |
Does not include travel, staffing, booth display, or marketing materials.
Audience
High-level decision-makers. NASS has 8,000+ global members; ~3,500 attend the annual meeting. Record 340 exhibitors in recent years. Heavily spine-industry oriented.
- Purchasing authority: ~60% of attendees
- Effective buyers: ~2,100
- Cost per effective buyer: $5.24 ($11,000 all-in ÷ 2,100 buyers)
- International attendance: ~20%
Venue & Logistics
- Venue: San Antonio, TX (Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center)
- Product theater: Available
Who Else Exhibits
Exhibitor data coming soon for NASS.
Our Take
Why Exhibit
The spine industry's most-attended event with an exhibitor-to-attendee ratio that makes competition fierce but access exceptional. 340 exhibitors means the industry takes this show seriously. Spine surgeons come to evaluate implants, biologics, and navigation tech hands-on.
Why Skip
Exclusively spine-focused. If your product is not directly spine-related, you'll be invisible. The exhibitor-to-attendee ratio (~1:10) is very high, meaning intense competition for surgeon attention.
Insider Tips
Highest exhibitor-to-attendee ratio in this batch. Spine industry treats NASS as a must-attend, so your competition will be there in force. Mobile Skills Labs are a differentiator -- live product demos in a lab setting, not just a booth.
Buzzbox Score: 8.9 / 10 (Excellent)
8.9 out of 10. A top-tier show worth a serious line item. Carried by exhibitor experience (9.7: non-union venue (simpler, cheaper move-in) and exhibitor-friendly host city). The lightest dimension is cost efficiency (7.7, $41/sqft, slightly above the $39 median). The spine industry's most-attended event with an exhibitor-to-attendee ratio that makes competition fierce but access exceptional.
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): 60% purchasing authority, large-scale event, and hands-on / cadaver lab draws engaged clinicians.
Solid (7.7): $41/sqft, slightly above the $39 median and cost per qualified buyer runs ~$5.2.
Strong (8.6): booth pricing published, 6 booth options documented, and exhibitor count disclosed.
Standout (9.7): non-union venue (simpler, cheaper move-in), exhibitor-friendly host city, and purpose-built convention venue.
Strong (8.0): "who should skip" note included, product-theater opportunity for thought leadership, and 340+ exhibitors (deep competitive intel).
Strong (8.8): large and well-established and ~340 exhibitors.
Key Deadlines
Detailed deadlines not yet verified for NASS. Check the official site for the application window.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a booth cost at NASS?
An all-in 10×10 booth at NASS runs roughly $8,000–$14,000, including space rental, drayage, electrical, carpet, and basic services. Travel, staffing, and booth display are additional.
How many people attend NASS?
NASS draws approximately 3,500 attendees. High-level decision-makers. NASS has 8,000+ global members; ~3,500 attend the annual meeting. Record 340 exhibitors in recent years. Heavily spine-industry oriented.
When is NASS ?
NASS is scheduled for October 14-17, 2026. Location: San Antonio, TX (Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center).
Is NASS worth exhibiting at?
The spine industry's most-attended event with an exhibitor-to-attendee ratio that makes competition fierce but access exceptional. 340 exhibitors means the industry takes this show seriously.