# AAOS Annual Meeting 2026 — American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting & MedTech Exhibits
- **Canonical Guide:** https://conventions.com/events/aaos-orthopaedic-surgeons-new-orleans
- **Dates:** March 2026 / Rotational New Orleans Anchor (2026-03-02 to 2026-03-06)
- **Host Facility:** Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (New Orleans, LA)
- **Host Facility Engineering Dossier:** https://conventions.com/venues/ernest-n-morial-convention-center-new-orleans
- **Organizer:** American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) (https://www.aaos.org/annual)
- **Attendance & Format:** 24,000+ Attendees | Verified Industry & B2B Trade Professionals | Medical Congress & Surgical Expo
- **Labor Jurisdiction:** Right-to-Work State
- **Hotel Compression Index:** 9.0 / 10 High Creole Fine-Dining Buyout Demand
- **Federal GSA Per-Diem Benchmark:** $179/night Lodging | $80/day M&IE
- **Official Housing Registry:** American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Official Housing Desk (aaos.org, onpeak.com, connectionshousing.com)
## Executive Summary
<strong>AAOS Annual Meeting 2026</strong> (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting & MedTech Exhibits) convenes <strong>24,000+</strong> industry buyers, engineers, and executives at <strong>Ernest N. Morial Convention Center</strong> in New Orleans, LA (March 2026 / Rotational New Orleans Anchor). Compare walkable New Orleans corridor hotels with live wholesale rates, private steakhouse buyouts, 30-day advance utility cutoffs, and local 3-bid booth & AV suppliers.
## Key Event Benchmarks
- **Confirmed Dates:** March 2026 / Rotational New Orleans Anchor
- **Audited Scale:** 24,000+ Attendees
- **Host Campus:** Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
- **Market:** New Orleans, LA
- **10x10 Booth Benchmark:** $3,800 Raw → ~$11.5k–$16.4k All-In
- **Advance Utility Cutoff:** 30 Days Pre-Show (Save 30%–35%)
## Audience Composition
- **Enterprise Buyers, Operators & Decision Makers:** 46%
- **VPs, Directors & Technical Department Heads:** 28%
- **Exhibiting Manufacturers, SaaS & Solution Partners:** 18%
- **Analysts, Media & Channel Distributors:** 8%
## Arrival, Badge Pickup & Floor Timing
- **Airport & Badge Strategy:** Book walkable or skybridge-connected New Orleans headquarters hotels 60+ days out and pick up badges the afternoon prior to opening day to bypass Day-1 morning registration lines.
- **Peak Floor Hours:** Day 1–2 Main Exhibition Hours (9:30 AM – 4:30 PM) & Evening New Orleans Corridor Client Buyout Dinners.
- **Hand-Carry & Union Policy:** Morial CC New Orleans Exhibitor Carry-In Policy (Right-to-Work State): One exhibitor badge-holder may hand-carry personal display materials or a single rolling luggage case in one trip through main public/hotel entrances without drayage charges; two-wheel dollies, pushcarts, and crated dock deliveries route through official material-handling labor.
## Walkable Corridor Hotels (New Orleans)
| Hotel | Access / Connection | Show-Week Rate | Off-Peak Rate | Block Status | Rooms |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Hilton New Orleans Riverside | 3-Min Riverwalk Connector to Hall A | ~$415/nt | ~$169/nt | Limited (<15%) | 1,622 |
| Omni Riverfront Hotel New Orleans | Directly Across Convention Center Blvd | ~$400/nt | ~$165/nt | Limited (<15%) | 202 |
| New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District | Directly Across from Halls E–G | ~$410/nt | ~$169/nt | Limited (<15%) | 332 |
| Loews New Orleans Hotel | 7-Min Walk on Poydras / Arts District | ~$430/nt | ~$179/nt | Available | 285 |
## Exhibitor Building Services vs. Open-Market Local Suppliers
| Service | Facility Policy | Show-Manual Rate | Local Market Benchmark | Savings |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Electrical Drops, Compressed Air & Overhead Rigging | Exclusive Building Service | $245 – $1,390+ per drop | Exclusive Facility Utility | Order 30d Early (Save 30%) |
| 4K Booth Monitors (55"–85"), LED Video Walls & Keynote AV | Independent Suppliers Permitted | $1,750 – $6,400 / show | $475 – $2,050 (Local New Orleans EAC AV) | Save 55% – 70% |
| Custom Booth Build, Turnkey Rentals & Booth I&D Labor | Independent Suppliers Permitted | $22,000 – $60,000 (Official Turnkey) | $11,800 – $34,000 (Local New Orleans Builders) | Save 40% – 55% (Right-to-Work) |
| 24hr Local Rush Print, Backlit SEG Graphics & Hotel Delivery | Independent Suppliers Permitted | $390+ signage + CWT dock drayage | $145 – $1,150 Delivered in New Orleans | Save 60% + $0 Drayage |
## Private Client Dining & VIP Buyout Venues
| Venue | Cuisine | Walk / Transit | Private Capacity | Typical F&B Minimum | AV Ready |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Emeril's | Refined Contemporary Creole ($$$$) | 3-min walk from Morial Halls D–F | 14–120 Guests (Wine Room & Salon) | $5,500 – $28,000+ | Yes |
| Cochon & Calcasieu Private Events | Elevated Cajun & Wood-Fired ($$$) | 3-min walk from Morial Hall E | 20–180 Guests (Dedicated Calcasieu Lofts) | $4,000 – $22,000+ | Yes |
| Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse | USDA Prime Steaks & Creole Classics ($$$$) | 6-min rideshare / 14-min walk | 18–160 Guests | $4,800 – $25,000+ | Yes |
## Verified Logistics & Procurement FAQs
### Where is AAOS Annual Meeting 2026 held and what are the dates?
AAOS Annual Meeting 2026 takes place March 2026 / Rotational New Orleans Anchor at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA, organized by American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).
*Source: AAOS Annual Meeting Official Schedule*
### How can exhibitors reduce 10x10 and 20x20 booth costs at AAOS Annual Meeting?
Submit electrical, internet, and rigging orders before the 30-day advance deadline to avoid 30%–40% floor penalties, and source 4K monitors, rush print, and turnkey rental booths from local New Orleans suppliers to bypass cross-country LTL drayage.
*Source: Conventions.com Exhibitor Cost Audit*