Association of periOperative Registered Nurses - AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo 2027
Event Date
April 10–13, 2027
Location
Philadelphia, PA
Expected Exhibitors
500
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo is presented by the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) and is billed as the largest surgical nursing education event in the world. The multi-day gathering brings together perioperative nurses, OR leaders, managers, and educators for education, networking, hands-on training, and celebration.
The 2027 edition takes place in Philadelphia, PA. Attendees include OR executives, managerial leaders, staff nurses, and other perioperative professionals from both inpatient and outpatient settings. The program combines dozens of education sessions, keynote general sessions, poster galleries, and a large Expo Hall showcasing the latest surgical technology and products.
The show is worth attending because it is a premier professional development and networking destination for the perioperative community. 79% of attendees influence buying decisions in their facility and 43% hold director, manager, and leadership positions, making it a high-value environment for both clinical learning and industry connections. AORN also positions Philadelphia — a city where independence was born and where new ideas take shape — as a place to reimagine what's possible in practice.
Show Highlights
- Expo Hall: A top platform to educate, network, and innovate with the best and brightest in perioperative care, reaching highly engaged attendees at the largest surgical conference in the world. Exhibitors participate in 13 exclusive Expo Hall hours, a lively Expo Hall Opening Reception, and in-booth education and engagement opportunities.
- Education sessions: Concurrent education, general sessions, keynotes, and a poster gallery covering the latest research and best practices in perioperative care.
- Leadership Summit: An all-access track offering education sessions, keynotes, meal symposia, and activities within the Leadership Summit, in addition to all main conference benefits.
- Ambulatory Hub: With 15-20% of attendees actively working in an outpatient facility, the popular Ambulatory Hub connects exhibitors and attendees on the exhibit floor.
- First-Time Attendee Lounge and networking opportunities for those new to the show. The First-Time Attendee Lounge is open on the opening Friday afternoon.
- Career resources: Career-related exhibits with educational resources, publications, and recruiters.
Attendance
AORN describes the event as the largest gathering of perioperative nurses in the world, historically drawing on the order of 10,000 attendees. Audience demographics reported by the organizer include: 79% of attendees influence buying decisions in their facility; 43% of attendees have director, manager and leadership positions; 15% of attendees work in an outpatient setting; and 23% of attendees are age 40 and under. AORN also notes that 15-20% of attendees are actively working in an outpatient facility.
Registration
Registration for the AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo is handled online, with housing and registration services provided by MCI USA. Pass types include:
- Conference Pass: Gives access to all Global Surgical Conference & Expo general sessions, concurrent education, the Expo Hall, poster gallery, and other main conference activities.
- Leadership Summit + Conference Pass: The all-access pass, adding education sessions, keynotes, meal symposia, and activities within the Leadership Summit to all Conference Pass benefits.
- Two-Day Passes: All non-member two-day passes include a 1-year AORN standard membership.
Member pricing offers significant savings, and AORN offers discounted registration rates for groups registering three or more individuals at the same time, with each individual receiving $40 off a Conference Pass or Leadership Summit + Conference Pass. Discounted rates are also available for retired and novice/new-to-profession nurse members. Check the official AORN website for current pricing tiers and early-bird deadlines.
History
The AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo is the flagship annual meeting of the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) and has grown into what the organization calls the largest surgical nursing education event in the world. The 2027 Philadelphia meeting is cited as the association's 74th Annual Conference, reflecting a decades-long history dating back to the mid-1950s. AORN marked the event's 70th anniversary in recent years. The 2026 edition was held in New Orleans, after which the show moves to Philadelphia.
Exhibitors
Exhibitor Information
Detailed exhibitor list is being compiled. Check back soon or visit the official show website for the most current information.
Last updated: September 13, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo 2027?
The 2027 event takes place April 10-13, 2027, in Philadelphia, PA, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107).
Who should attend the AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo?
The show is designed for perioperative nurses, OR executives, managerial leaders, staff nurses, and other perioperative professionals from both inpatient and outpatient facilities. It is described as the largest surgical nursing education event in the world.
What types of registration passes are available?
Options include a Conference Pass covering general sessions, concurrent education, the Expo Hall, and poster gallery; a Leadership Summit + Conference Pass all-access option; and two-day passes. Non-member two-day passes include a 1-year AORN standard membership, and groups of three or more can save $40 per registration.
What can exhibitors and attendees expect on the Expo floor?
The Expo Hall features hundreds of exhibits sharing the latest surgical technology and trends, 13 exclusive Expo Hall hours, an opening reception, in-booth education, and a dedicated Ambulatory Hub. AORN reports that 79% of attendees influence buying decisions and 43% hold director, manager, or leadership roles.
How do I get to the venue and where should I stay?
The Pennsylvania Convention Center is in Center City and is accessible by car, SEPTA Regional Rail at Jefferson Station, bus, and rideshare, with Philadelphia International Airport serving the region. More than 14,000 hotel rooms are within walking distance, and two hotels connect directly to the center, with additional AORN hotel-block rates available.
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