ASCO 2026 Booth Setup Guide | AppleDisplays
ASCO 2026 Booth Setup Guide
ASCO runs May 29 - June 02, 2026 at the McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. With approximately 42,000 attendees and 600+ exhibitors, it's the world's premier oncology conference. This guide covers what you'll spend on a booth, what kits work for the show floor, and the full week-by-week prep timeline.
Quick Facts: ASCO 2026
| Dates | May 29 - June 02, 2026 |
| Venue | McCormick Place |
| Location | Chicago, IL |
| Expected attendance | ~42,000 |
| Exhibitor count | ~600 |
| Move-in dates | May 26-28, 2026 |
| Drayage (advance warehouse) | $165/cwt (200 lb min) |
| Drayage (showsite) | $235/cwt |
| Standard booth electrical (5 amp) | $245 |
| Internet (basic wired) | $1,900 |
| Industry | Healthcare / Oncology |
| Official site | https://conferences.asco.org/am |
How Much Does a ASCO 2026 Booth Cost?
Real exhibitor cost (booth setup only, not including show fees, drayage, or labor). Custom builds quoted by traditional vendors compared to tool-free portable kits from AppleDisplays:
| Booth Size | Custom build (incumbent vendors) | Tool-free kit (AppleDisplays) | Setup time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 inline | $11,785 - $26,517 | $1,500 - $3,500 | 10 minutes |
| 10x20 inline | $22,098 - $51,562 | $3,500 - $7,500 | 15 minutes |
| 20x20 island | $66,294 - $176,785 | $19,000 - $42,000 | 30 minutes |
Drayage math for ASCO: A typical 10x10 setup ships ~150 lbs. At Chicago's advance rate of $165/cwt with a 200 lb minimum, you're looking at $330 minimum drayage just to get your booth from the dock to your space. Showsite drayage at $235/cwt adds another ~50%. Tool-free kits ship via FedEx Ground direct to advance warehouse — you pay shipping, not drayage, on most major US convention centers.
Recommended ASCO Booth Setups
Browse setups that fit ASCO attendees and venue constraints. Each links into the Booth Builder with your show pre-selected:
Week-by-Week ASCO 2026 Prep Timeline
- 12 weeks out (March 6, 2026): Lock booth size, sign show contract, kick off design + display order. Get your quote in 5 minutes if you haven't.
- 10 weeks out (March 20, 2026): Finalize graphics design and approve printer proofs. Order any custom signage.
- 8 weeks out (April 3, 2026): Confirm electrical, internet, and any AV rentals. Order any flooring or rigging.
- 6 weeks out (April 17, 2026): Ship to advance warehouse to lock the lower drayage rate (saves ~30% on most shows).
- 4 weeks out (May 1, 2026): Confirm hotel + flights for booth team. Brief staff on lead capture process.
- 2 weeks out (May 15, 2026): Print collateral, swag, and lead capture cards. Confirm freight delivery confirmation.
- 1 week out (May 22, 2026): Final staff briefing. Test your CRM lead capture integration.
- Show week (May 26 - June 02, 2026): Move-in May 26-May 28, show May 29 - June 02, 2026. With a tool-free kit, expect ~10 minutes total setup time.
What Most Exhibitors Get Wrong at ASCO
- Pharma/biotech booths dominate large footprints; medtech and digital health work well in 10x20 spaces.
- Compliance and clinical-data signage are reviewed pre-show — submit early.
- Many attendees are MDs with limited time — high-density information design wins.
Build Your ASCO 2026 Booth
Got a budget and a deadline? Use the Booth Builder. Tells you what fits ASCO, ships in 5 days, and arrives at the Chicago advance warehouse before the deadline.
Start Building →
