American College of Surgeons - ACS Clinical Congress 2026
Event Date
September 26–29, 2026
Location
Washington, DC
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe ACS Clinical Congress is the annual meeting of the American College of Surgeons (ACS), one of the largest and most respected gatherings for the global surgical community. Framed as an event for the "House of Surgery," it brings together education, networking, and the latest surgical innovation relevant to surgeons and the broader surgical team. The 2026 edition takes place September 26–29 in Washington, DC.
The program is built for a wide clinical and professional audience. Registration is open to all physicians and individuals in the healthcare field and includes entrance to the exhibits, the Opening Ceremony, the Welcome Reception, and program-included sessions. Attendees range from ACS Fellows and Associate Fellows to residents, surgical trainees, medical students, and allied health professionals from around the world.
Attendees come to learn from recognized experts, hear about new procedures and research, earn continuing education credit, and connect with peers globally. In-person attendees experience the onsite program at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, may add Didactic and Surgical Skills Courses, and gain access to livestreamed Convocation and on-demand recordings, while virtual attendees can access selected on-demand content.
Show Highlights
Clinical Congress offers a broad, multi-format education program plus signature ceremonial and networking events.
- Program-included sessions cover Named Lectures, Panel Sessions, the Scientific Forum and Quick Shots, Special Sessions, Grand Rounds, Clinical Informatics, and Video-Based Education Sessions.
- Optional add-on learning includes Didactic and Surgical Skills Courses, Meet-the-Expert sessions, and other special interest sessions and engagement events (additional fees apply).
- Special events include Convocation, the Opening Ceremony, the Annual Business Meeting, and a Career Fair.
- A Medical Student Program is designed specifically for medical students considering a career in surgery.
- Attendee services include Camp ACS and Little Medical School for children, plus visa and affiliate group support.
Registration
All attendees need an ACS ID to register; if you do not have one, you can create it during the registration process, and your ACS username becomes your email address. Registration is open to all physicians and individuals in the healthcare field, and non-members who initiate membership within 30 days after registering may be eligible for member rates.
Sample 2026 rates (In-Person, which includes Virtual access):
- Fellow/Associate Fellow (2026 dues paid): $680 early bird / $845 standard.
- Resident or Surgical Trainee and Medical Student: $0 early bird / $65 standard.
- Non-Member Guest Physician/Hospital Administrator/Commercial Representative: $1,355 early bird / $1,520 standard.
- Guest (non-medical): $50; Child 15 and under: $0.
Key dates and policies:
- Early Bird rates run through August 10; Standard rates apply August 11–September 29.
- Refund requests must be submitted in writing no later than 11:59 pm CT on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, with a $50 handling fee retained on all refunds.
- ACS is a cashless meeting—onsite and day-of payments must be made by credit or debit card.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the ACS Clinical Congress 2026?
The American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2026 takes place September 26–29 in Washington, DC. Sessions are held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
Who can attend, and do I need to be an ACS member?
Registration is open to all physicians and individuals in the healthcare field, so you do not need to be an ACS member to attend. Non-members who initiate membership within 30 days after registering may be eligible to receive member registration rates.
How do I register and how much does it cost?
You need an ACS ID to register, which you can create during the process if you don't already have one. In-person rates for 2026 range from $0 for residents, trainees, and medical students (early bird) up to $1,355 for non-member guest physicians (early bird), with the ACS Fellow rate at $680 early bird. Early Bird pricing runs through August 10, and Standard rates apply August 11–September 29.
What does my registration include?
Registration includes a name badge, access to the mobile app and virtual program planner, and entrance to the exhibits and program-included sessions such as Named Lectures, Panel Sessions, Grand Rounds, and the Scientific Forum. Didactic and Surgical Skills Courses, Meet-the-Expert sessions, and certain wellness activities require an additional fee.
How do I get to the venue and where should I stay?
The Walter E. Washington Convention Center sits atop the Mt. Vernon Square/7th Street–Convention Center Metro station on the Green and Yellow lines, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is the closest airport. Book hotels through onPeak, the only official housing provider, and take advantage of the complimentary shuttle service between designated hotels and the convention center.
From the blog
Recent guides and industry insights for exhibitors and planners.
August 6, 2026Trade Show Lead Capture: What Actually Works
Why scan counts mislead, the three questions that qualify a visitor in thirty seconds, and the 48-hour follow-up window where trade show ROI is won or lost.
Read more
July 30, 2026Drayage Explained: The Trade Show Cost Nobody Warns You About
What material handling actually pays for, why it is billed per hundredweight, the surcharges that double estimates, and six decisions that genuinely reduce it.
Read more
July 23, 2026How to Choose the Right Trade Show for Your Business
Attendance numbers are close to useless on their own. Five questions that tell you whether a show will work, and how to build a portfolio instead of a list.
Read more
July 16, 2026The 12-Month Trade Show Planning Timeline
Every deadline that matters, counted backwards from show open — including the advance-order deadline that saves 20–40% and the 48-hour window that decides your ROI.
Read more
July 9, 2026Trade Show Booth Sizes Explained: 10x10 to Island
What each booth size actually gives you, the height and setback rules that catch first-timers, and how to size a booth from your staffing rather than your budget.
Read more
July 2, 2026What Does It Actually Cost to Exhibit at a Trade Show?
A line-by-line breakdown of the nine costs of exhibiting — including drayage and staff time, the two that blow up budgets and never appear in the quote.
Read more
June 10, 2026Top Trade Shows in Las Vegas in 2026
A guide to the biggest trade shows and exhibitor opportunities in Las Vegas through 2026 — dates, industries, exhibitor counts, and what each show is best for.
Read more- September 2, 2025tradeshows.fyi
Trade Shows Demystified: Your Ultimate Guide to Exhibiting, Attending, and Everything in Between
Introduction to Trade Shows Trade shows serve as significant events in various sectors, acting as a focal point
Read on tradeshows.fyi 
November 14, 2024tradeshows.fyi10 Essential Tips for Successfully Attending Trade Shows
10 Essential Tips for Attending Trade Shows Attending trade shows offers a unique platform to showcase products, network,
Read on tradeshows.fyi- November 13, 2024tradeshows.fyi
The Ultimate Trade Show Exhibitor Checklist: Planning, Preparation, and Execution
Trade Show Exhibiting Checklist Trade shows present a unique opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their products, network with
Read on tradeshows.fyi
Advertisement