STS 2027
By Buzzbox Media · Last reviewed August 3, 2026
What is STS?
STS is the definitive buying show for cardiothoracic surgical devices in the US, with 5,000 attendees who are overwhelmingly practicing surgeons making OR purchasing decisions. At $4,500 per 10x10 (2027 pricing), it offers strong value for a surgical specialty show. The STS/AATS Tech-Con adds a technology-focused audience.
What are the key facts about STS?
- Host organization: The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
- Primary specialty: cardiothoracic surgery
- Scale: large
- Geography: US
- International attendance: ~15%
- See all Cardiology conferences
Which device categories fit STS?
Which buyer stages does STS fit?
What does STS charge for booth space?
Read from the STS exhibitor prospectus published by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. These are the prices that document states. View the prospectus ↗
| Booth Type | $/sqft | 10×10 Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 Inline | n/a | $4,500 | Min 100 sqft |
| 10x10 Corner | n/a | $4,750 | Min 100 sqft |
| Island | n/a | $5,000 | Min 400 sqft |
What does an all-in 10×10 inline booth cost?
| Estimated all-in total | $8,000-$18,000 |
Buzzbox Media estimate covering space rental plus standard show services. Not a quote and not the organizer's number. Does not include travel, staffing, booth display, or marketing materials. Confirm current pricing with the organizer.
Planning the STS booth itself? Read our guide to medical conference booth design for booth types, union labor rules, and the corner upgrade.
Who attends STS?
~5,000 attendees, predominantly practicing cardiothoracic surgeons and trainees. Approximately 130 exhibitors annually. STS members are surgeons who make OR purchasing decisions for surgical devices, instruments, and capital equipment. The meeting also includes the STS/AATS Tech-Con technology showcase.
- Purchasing authority: ~60% of attendees
- Effective buyers: ~3,000
- Cost per effective buyer: $4.33 ($13,000 all-in ÷ 3,000 buyers)
- International attendance: ~15%
Where is STS held?
- Venue: San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA (2027); Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA (2026)
- Management company: Shepard Exposition Services
- Product theater: Available
Who else exhibits at STS?
Approximately 130+ exhibitors typically attend STS. Your competitors are here.
Is STS worth exhibiting?
Why Exhibit
STS is the definitive buying show for cardiothoracic surgical devices in the US, with 5,000 attendees who are overwhelmingly practicing surgeons making OR purchasing decisions. At $4,500 per 10x10 (2027 pricing), it offers strong value for a surgical specialty show. The STS/AATS Tech-Con adds a technology-focused audience.
Why Skip
Narrow audience: if your device is not used in the cardiac or thoracic OR, this is not your show. January timing in rotating cities can complicate travel planning. The 130-exhibitor hall means competition for surgeon attention is intense. Registration-only attendee model limits walk-in traffic.
What should exhibitors know before STS?
Shepard Exposition Services manages: reliable operations. $4,500 per 10x10 inline is competitive for a surgical specialty show. Surgeons are hands-on buyers, so plan for live demo opportunities. STS rotates cities annually.
What is the Buzzbox Score for STS?
9.7 / 10 (Exceptional)
9.7 out of 10. One of the strongest exhibiting opportunities in our index. Carried by exhibitor experience (9.5: managed by Shepard Exposition Services and non-union venue (simpler, cheaper move-in)). The lightest dimension is growth trajectory (8.5, large and well-established). STS is the definitive buying show for cardiothoracic surgical devices in the US, with 5,000 attendees who are overwhelmingly practicing surgeons making OR purchasing decisions.
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.
Standout (9.2): 60% purchasing authority, 38:1 attendee ratio, and large-scale event.
Strong (8.9): $45/sqft, slightly above the $42.50 median.
Strong (8.9): booth pricing published, exhibitor prospectus available, and 3 booth options documented.
Standout (9.5): managed by Shepard Exposition Services, non-union venue (simpler, cheaper move-in), and exhibitor-friendly host city.
Standout (9.0): solid exhibitor rationale, honest "who should skip" guidance, and product-theater opportunity for thought leadership.
Strong (8.5): large and well-established.
When are the STS exhibitor deadlines?
Detailed deadlines not yet published for STS. Check the official site for the application window.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a booth cost at STS?
STS publishes an exhibitor prospectus, and read from it an all-in 10×10 booth works out to roughly $8,000-$18,000, covering space rental plus standard show services. Travel, staffing, and booth display are additional. This is an estimate read from a published prospectus, not a quote, so confirm current pricing with the organizer.
How many people attend STS?
STS draws approximately 5,000 attendees. ~5,000 attendees, predominantly practicing cardiothoracic surgeons and trainees. Approximately 130 exhibitors annually. STS members are surgeons who make OR purchasing decisions for surgical devices, instruments, and capital equipment. The meeting also includes the STS/AATS Tech-Con technology showcase.
When and where is STS 2027?
STS 2027 takes place January 28-31, 2027 (San Diego); January 29 - February 1, 2026 (New Orleans). The venue is San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA (2027); Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA (2026). The Society of Thoracic Surgeons hosts the meeting.
How many STS attendees have purchasing authority?
About 60% of STS attendees hold purchasing authority, which works out to roughly 3,000 effective buyers out of approximately 5,000 attendees. Effective buyers multiplies total attendance by the share of attendees who hold purchasing authority. Both inputs are estimates drawn from organizer reporting and our own exhibitor research, so read the figure as directional rather than exact.
Who exhibits at STS?
Approximately 130+ exhibitors typically attend STS. The device categories that fit this floor are surgical instruments, cardiac devices, thoracic devices, robotic surgery, perfusion equipment, surgical imaging, and OR equipment.
How does Buzzbox Media score STS?
STS carries a Buzzbox Score of 9.7 out of 10 (Exceptional). The score weighs six factors: audience quality, cost efficiency, data transparency, exhibitor experience, editorial value, and growth trajectory. Each factor is scored on a 0 to 100 rubric then normalized to a 7.0 to 10.0 band, and every conference in our index cleared a relevance bar to be listed, so 7.0 is the floor. On this record the highest is exhibitor experience at 9.5 and the lowest is growth trajectory at 8.5.