AAOS 2026 Annual Meeting | What to Expect for Exhibitors
If you’re an orthopaedic surgeon or work elsewhere in the healthcare industry, there’s no better place for you than the AAOS 2026 Annual Meeting. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is expected to host thousands of attendees including Academy Fellows, AAOS members, international guests as well as allied medical professionals and exhibitors.
This year’s in-person event will be held from March 2–6, 2026 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Each of the five days, the AAOS is planning to provide powerful orthopaedic education, innovation, and collaboration throughout the medical industry.
About AAOS
Founded in 1933, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) is the premier provider of musculoskeletal education for orthopaedic surgeons. It not only offers the Annual Meeting, which brings together some of the top professionals in the field, but it also provides continuing education throughout the country at the Orthopaedic Learning Center.
Opportunities for All
The Annual Meeting is a platform that allows orthopaedic surgeons from around the world to showcase their research and experience. These events cover hundreds of educational sessions, TechTalks, networking and hiring events to allow everyone the opportunity to elevate their knowledge of the industry, see what’s coming in the future, and connect with others.
The 2026 meeting is fully in-person, with AAOS providing an OnDemand library of recorded sessions available after the meeting. Attendees can earn up to 21.5 CME credits through the comprehensive educational program. Learn more about what’s happening at aaos.org.
What’s New for 2026
AAOS 2026 brings several networking and engagement opportunities:
- OrthoPitch: An orthopaedic technology competition showcasing innovation
- Pickleball in the Hall: Social sports tournaments for networking
- OrthoDome: Surgical video theater featuring cutting-edge techniques
- OrthoLive Career Center: On-site hiring and career resources
- AI-Driven Mobile App: Enhanced networking features connecting attendees with similar interests
The educational program includes instructional course lectures (ICLs), symposia, scientific paper sessions, panel discussions, and hands-on workshops.
Exhibitor Information for AAOS 2026
With over 600 exhibiting companies expected at AAOS 2026, the Exhibit Hall will be bustling with the latest orthopaedic technology and innovations.
Exhibit Hall Hours:
- Tuesday, March 3: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday, March 4: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday, March 5: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Official event hashtag: #AAOS2026
Planning for the Annual Meeting 2026
Trade show exhibits are a big investment; here’s what you need to make your time successful:
Advanced planning: It’s never too early to start planning. Once you confirm your attendance at the event, begin informing your team of anticipated travel dates to save money on late bookings and to reserve block rates for hotel rooms.
Campaign planning: If you’re launching a new product or making a big business announcement around the time of the show, be sure to have all your promotional materials ready to go. Print product sheets, send promotional emails and inform your audience of your presence to be sure you get the broadest reach possible.
Sales preparation: Communication is vital to successful sales. Typically, marketing, sales and executive team members attend, so make sure that everyone is aware of the plan and working toward the same goals during the show. It’s also a good idea to hold a pre-show meeting and review the accommodations, booth hours, special events, dress code and other details.
Social media marketing: Trade shows are an excellent opportunity for social media marketing. Post about the upcoming show well in advance to get anticipation going. You can also share about upcoming giveaways at the show, your travel plans, and on-site events to keep your followers up-to-date on the whole process. Be sure to include your booth number and use the official hashtag #AAOS2026 to encourage visitors.
Giveaways: Fun giveaways are a great way to bring more traffic to your booth and generate more leads. Invest some of your event budget in exciting prizes and promotional materials that will attract attendees, such as food or cash prizes, then use the opportunity to start a conversation.
Follow up: Following up with your leads is almost as important as planning for the show itself. Take notes during the event to be sure you remember everyone in all the chaos, and take the time to note any opportunities for a smoother event experience in the future.
You can also use our Trade Show Preparation Guide to position your business for success.
Get Ready with Xibit Solutions
With so many health care professionals and vendors, there’s no better place to network in the orthopaedic surgery industry than at AAOS Annual Meeting 2026. This event not only provides endless opportunities for networking and business relationships, but it also features some of the top educational sessions in the field.
If you’re planning to attend, be sure you make the most of your experience and investment with a stunning booth design that showcases your brand. At Xibit Solutions, we specialize in creating a professional booth experience from start to finish, including show displays and logistics, to ensure you make a lasting impression. No matter your budget or needs, we’ll help you make your mark on the Annual Meeting with customized planning and designs.
Contact Xibit Solutions today to learn more about our trade show booth design services and see what we can do to make the Annual Meeting a success.
