AHA 2026
Overview
AHA is the broadest cardiology show in the US -- spanning interventional, EP, stroke, heart failure, vascular, and basic science. At $48/sqft with no island or corner surcharges, it is one of the most fairly priced mega shows in cardiology. Late-breaking trials and 5,000+ presentations generate enormous foot traffic.
Key Facts
- Host organization: American Heart Association
- Primary specialty: cardiology
- Scale: mega
- Geography: US National
- International attendance: ~30%
Best For
Buyer Stage Fit
Booth Costs
| Booth Type | $/sqft | 10×10 Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard inline (on-site renewal rate) | $44.00 | $4,400 | Min 100 sqft |
| Standard inline (standard rate) | $48.00 | $4,800 | Min 100 sqft |
| Public service (subject to availability) | $30.00 | $3,000 | Min 100 sqft |
| Island (no additional island fee) | $48.00 | $4,800 | Min 400 sqft |
| Corner (no additional corner fee) | $48.00 | $4,800 | Min 100 sqft |
All-In Cost Estimate (10×10 Inline)
| Space rental | $4,800 |
| 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 | $12,000 – $20,000 |
Does not include travel, staffing, booth display, or marketing materials.
Audience
~15,535 physicians and cardiology professionals, ~1,716 research scientists (2025 data). 5,000+ presentations across 21 specialties. Attendees from 100+ countries. Broader than ACC -- includes stroke, vascular, basic science.
- Purchasing authority: ~45% of attendees
- Effective buyers: ~7,650
- Cost per effective buyer: $2.09 ($16,000 all-in ÷ 7,650 buyers)
- International attendance: ~30%
Venue & Logistics
- Venue: McCormick Place Convention Center, Chicago, IL
- Management company: Ascend Event Media (exhibit sales), AHA (in-house)
- Product theater: Available
- Move-in: November 3-6, 2026 (large booths 20x20+ start Nov 3)
- Move-out: November 9, 2026 (after exhibit close at 3pm)
Who Else Exhibits
Approximately 200+ exhibitors typically attend AHA. Your competitors are here.
Our Take
Why Exhibit
AHA is the broadest cardiology show in the US -- spanning interventional, EP, stroke, heart failure, vascular, and basic science. At $48/sqft with no island or corner surcharges, it is one of the most fairly priced mega shows in cardiology. Late-breaking trials and 5,000+ presentations generate enormous foot traffic.
Why Skip
The audience is broad, which means it is less targeted than TCT (interventional) or HRS (EP). If you sell to a very specific cardiology sub-specialty, the dilution may hurt ROI. AHA is also heavily research/academic -- pure commercial exhibitors may find the buyer density lower than ACC.
Insider Tips
McCormick Place is a union venue -- budget for drayage at $110-180/CWT and union labor at $100-150/hr. The no-island-surcharge policy is genuinely unusual and makes AHA one of the better deals for 20x20+ islands. The Health Innovation Pavilion is good for startups.
Buzzbox Score: 10.0 / 10 (Exceptional)
10.0 out of 10. One of the strongest exhibiting opportunities in our index. Carried by data transparency (10.0: booth pricing published and exhibitor prospectus available). The lightest dimension is cost efficiency (7.9, $48/sqft, slightly above the $39 median). AHA is the broadest cardiology show in the US -- spanning interventional, EP, stroke, heart failure, vascular, and basic science.
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 (9.3): 45% purchasing authority (moderate), 85:1 attendee ratio, and mega-scale floor (17,000 attendees).
Solid (7.9): $48/sqft, slightly above the $39 median and union convention center (drayage / labor adds up).
Standout (10.0): booth pricing published, exhibitor prospectus available, and 5 booth options documented.
Standout (9.4): society-run exhibits (in-house), purpose-built convention venue, and 5 booth configurations.
Standout (9.4): solid exhibitor rationale, honest "who should skip" guidance, and product-theater opportunity for thought leadership.
Standout (9.4): mega-scale and stable, ~200 exhibitors, and 17,000 attendees.
Key Deadlines
| Deadline | Date |
|---|---|
| Onsite Renewal Deadline | 2026-01-16 |
| Standard Rate Begins | 2026-01-19 |
| Exhibit Dates | 2026-11-07 to 2026-11-09 |
| Exhibit Hours Sat | 9:00am-4:30pm CST |
| Exhibit Hours Sun | 9:00am-4:30pm CST |
| Exhibit Hours Mon | 9:00am-3:00pm CST |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a booth cost at AHA?
An all-in 10×10 booth at AHA runs roughly $12,000–$20,000, including space rental, drayage, electrical, carpet, and basic services. Travel, staffing, and booth display are additional.
How many people attend AHA?
AHA draws approximately 17,000 attendees. ~15,535 physicians and cardiology professionals, ~1,716 research scientists (2025 data). 5,000+ presentations across 21 specialties. Attendees from 100+ countries. Broader than ACC -- includes stroke, vascular, basic science.
When is AHA ?
AHA is scheduled for November 6-9, 2026. Location: McCormick Place Convention Center, Chicago, IL.
Is AHA worth exhibiting at?
AHA is the broadest cardiology show in the US -- spanning interventional, EP, stroke, heart failure, vascular, and basic science. At $48/sqft with no island or corner surcharges, it is one of the most fairly priced mega shows in cardiology.