Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Event overview
Overview
AORN 2027 is set to unite perioperative professionals from around the globe for an enriching four-day experience filled with education, innovation, and networking. This event, hosted by the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN), aims to advance perioperative nursing practices and elevate the standards of care.
Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with experts, participate in hands-on workshops, and explore the latest advancements in the field. AORN 2027 takes place in.
TL;DR
- 1Dates and Venue: AORN 2027 takes place from April 10-13, 2027, at the Orange County Convention Center in New Orleans, USA.
- 2Scale and Focus: This event is the largest gathering of perioperative professionals, focusing on education and innovation.
- 3Organiser: Hosted by the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN), known for advancing perioperative nursing.
- 4Buyer Authority: Attendees include perioperative nurses and leaders with significant purchasing influence.
- 5Entry / Access: Registration is now open for attendees to secure their spots at this premier event.
Why visit
Attending AORN 2027 provides invaluable opportunities for networking with peers, gaining insights from industry leaders, and participating in hands-on workshops that enhance your skills. The event will feature the latest innovations and best practices in perioperative nursing, ensuring you stay at the forefront of your profession.
Why exhibit
Exhibiting at AORN 2027 allows you to connect with thousands of engaged perioperative professionals, showcase your products and services, and gain direct access to decision-makers. This is a unique opportunity to enhance your brand visibility and demonstrate your commitment to advancing perioperative care.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Who this event is for
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Perioperative nurses seeking continuing education and professional development
Healthcare administrators looking to improve surgical outcomes
Clinical educators interested in the latest guidelines and practices
Surgical device manufacturers targeting OR professionals
Healthcare policy makers focused on improving patient safety
Nursing students exploring career opportunities in perioperative nursing
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Medical device manufacturers showcasing surgical instruments
Healthcare education providers offering training programs
Pharmaceutical companies presenting surgical medications
Technology firms specializing in surgical software solutions
Consulting firms providing operational efficiency strategies
Healthcare service providers focused on patient care solutions
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Surgical instruments and devices for operating rooms
Patient safety and infection control products
Perioperative education and training resources
Surgical technology and software solutions
Healthcare management and consulting services
Pharmaceuticals for surgical procedures
Location & Facilities
Venue
Orange County Convention Center
New Orleans, USA
Facilities
Parking
Orange County Convention Center in New Orleans typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: Orange County Convention Center in New Orleans typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at Orange County Convention Center for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Entry & tickets
Who runs the show
Organisers
Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN)
How the last edition performed
Previous edition
Next edition
Not announced yet
Edition recap
AORN’s 2026 Global Surgical Conference & Expo was the most recent completed edition ahead of the 2027 meeting. AORN Journal published a 2026 Conference Highlights feature, and a video recap of AORN 2026 is also available. The 2026 event programme remains accessible through AORN’s Eventscribe site.
New this edition
- 1
—
The programme pairs lecture-style perioperative education with practical stations where nurses rehearse instrument handling, gowning and gloving, sterile field maintenance and team communication. For exhibitors this shifts attention from brochure requests to supervised product trials.
- 2
—
Education content is built around AORN Guidelines for Perioperative Practice chapters rather than broad nursing themes, so attendees arrive with specific compliance questions about asepsis, electrosurgery, positioning and instrument reprocessing. Booth conversations tend to be evidence-led as a result.
- 3
—
The exhibition floor carries its own education and product-briefing slots rather than serving only as a display space, which compresses the time between a clinical session on, for example, SSI prevention and a conversation with the suppliers of warming, skin antisepsis or smoke-evacuation equipment.
Intelligence
Market context
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
New Orleans, USA
Why it matters
Attending AORN 2027 on 2027-04-10 to 2027-04-13 in New Orleans lets buyers and specifiers benchmark suppliers, see live demonstrations, and compress months of vendor meetings into one focused trade visit — worthwhile when your category roadmap aligns with the official exhibitor profile.
Industry trends
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Sustainability in procurement
What sustainability in procurement means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Automation and labour efficiency
What automation and labour efficiency means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Regional supply-chain resilience
What regional supply-chain resilience means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Hybrid engagement models
What hybrid engagement models means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Market news
Latest updates from across the market.
Plan your trip
Travel & logistics
Local currency · USD
Arrival airports
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
Primary gateway for the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Rideshare pick-up is at the airport's designated ground-transport area; the RTA Airport bus (route 202) connects the terminal to the downtown transit hub. Allow extra time on the morning of the first conference day
Approx. 15 mi / 24 km
to venue
20-30 min via I-10 E, longer in rush hour
by car
Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport
Secondary option with a much smaller flight schedule; only worth it if fares are materially lower or the itinerary connects better. Budget for a rental car or long rideshare transfer
Approx. 80 mi / 129 km
to venue
1 hr 20 min - 1 hr 45 min via I-10 E
by car
Hotel tiers
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
The Troubadour Hotel New Orleans
4-star
New Orleans downtownBoutique-style downtown property within a short rideshare or 20-25 minute walk of Convention Center Boulevard. Capture lists free Wi-Fi, paid parking, air conditioning, pet-friendly policy, fitness center, breakfast, accessible and smoke-free property.
Holiday Inn New Orleans-Downtown Superdome by IHG
3-star
Downtown / SuperdomeMid-tier downtown option near the Superdome, useful for attendees combining the conference with a stadium or CBD meeting. Capture notes paid breakfast, free Wi-Fi, parking, outdoor pool, air conditioning, fitness center, bar and restaurant.
Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter
4-star
French QuarterPuts evening dining and the historic quarter on the doorstep at the cost of a longer commute to the convention center; the Riverfront streetcar and rideshare cover the gap. Capture lists free Wi-Fi and parking, guest rating 4.0.
HI New Orleans Hostel
hostel / budget
New OrleansLowest-cost option in the capture, suited to students and early-career perioperative nurses travelling on a tight budget. Free Wi-Fi, paid parking, air conditioning, breakfast, bar, restaurant, accessible and kid-friendly.
Convention Center Boulevard hotel cluster
3-4 star
Warehouse / Arts District, adjacent to the venueThe walkable band nearest the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center commands the highest rates during large conventions; book early and check whether a minimum-stay or deposit applies. Rates are approximate and should be confirmed against live availability.
Local transport
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
rideshare / taxi
Estimated costApprox. USD 36-55 one way
Best forMSY airport to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center district
About 15 miles via I-10 E. Airport taxi departures may be metered or flat-rate depending on operator; rideshare prices surge during convention arrival peaks. Confirm the fare in the app before requesting.
public bus (RTA Airport route)
Estimated costApprox. USD 2 one way
Best forMSY terminal to downtown New Orleans transit hub, then local bus or walk to Convention Center Boulevard
Cheapest option with a journey of roughly one hour plus a transfer. Confirm current RTA fares, schedules and the last departure of the evening before relying on it for a late arrival.
streetcar (RTA Riverfront line)
Estimated costApprox. USD 1.25-1.50 one way
Best forFrench Quarter / CBD riverfront to the convention center area
Scenic and frequent along the river; useful for French Quarter hotels. Day and multi-day passes are usually better value across a conference week. Confirm fares and service hours.
rideshare within downtown
Estimated costApprox. USD 8-14 one way
Best forCBD, Warehouse District or French Quarter hotel to the convention center
Short hops are cheap but slow in peak traffic; walking is often faster for hotels within the Warehouse District. Confirm in-app pricing.
taxi
Estimated costApprox. USD 10-16 one way
Best forFrench Quarter hotel to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Metered fare for a short cross-downtown trip; hail from hotel ranks or ask the front desk. Confirm the meter or flat rate at pickup.
taxi
Estimated costUSD 35-75 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
Best forLouis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) to Orange County Convention Center
20-30 min via I-10 E, longer in rush hour; Primary gateway for the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Rideshare pick-up is at the airport's designated ground-transport area; the RTA Airport bus (route 202) connects the terminal to the downtown transit hub. Allow extra time on th
taxi
Estimated costUSD 35-75 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
Best forBaton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR) to Orange County Convention Center
1 hr 20 min - 1 hr 45 min via I-10 E; Secondary option with a much smaller flight schedule; only worth it if fares are materially lower or the itinerary connects better. Budget for a rental car or long rideshare transfer.
Plan your trip
Visa & entry documents
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
Visa not required
ATA Carnet: check with organiser
Weather
April is one of the more comfortable months in New Orleans but it is already humid, with daytime highs typically in the mid-to-upper 20s Celsius (mid 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit) and overnight lows in the mid teens Celsius (high 50s to mid 60s Fahrenheit). Spring also brings short, heavy thunderstorms and a wetter stretch than late spring; the convention center halls and session rooms run cold, so a light layer plus a compact rain shell covers most situations. Approximate bands only, confirm the daily forecast before travel.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
US networks require either roaming on your home plan or a local prepaid SIM / eSIM; eSIM activation before departure is the simplest route for international attendees. Wi-Fi is typically free in captured hotels' rooms and public areas, while the convention center's public network is best treated as fine for messaging and email rather than for streaming vendor demos. Cellular data inside the deep exhibition halls can be patchy, so download your session list and floor plan before entering.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Cultural notes
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Business dress
Business casual is the norm on the show floor, with scrubs and clinical uniforms appearing among perioperative attendees. A jacket or smart layer is worth packing for evening receptions in the French Quarter and Warehouse District.
Tipping
Tipping is expected in New Orleans: around 18-20 percent in restaurants and bars, a dollar or two per drink at the bar, and a few dollars for hotel housekeeping or bell staff. Check whether a service charge is already on the bill in the French Quarter.
Arrival and badge pickup
Collect your badge early on the first morning. Traffic and pedestrian volume build quickly along Convention Center Boulevard before sessions begin, and the hall is long enough that a wrong entrance costs a ten-minute walk.
Getting around the quarter
The French Quarter is best on foot and the streetcar is the local shorthand for the riverfront. Avoid driving into the quarter: parking is scarce and expensive, and one-way streets around the CBD confuse first-time visitors.
Local etiquette
New Orleans is a conversational city; greetings and small talk before a business question are normal, and a slower pace at the counter is not a signal of disinterest. Street performers and sidewalk vendors in the quarter expect a small payment if you take a photograph.
Practical guides
Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Flights
Destination: MSY
Book into MSY whenever possible: it is the only airport with a genuinely short transfer to Convention Center Boulevard. Nonstop service is strongest from East Coast, Texas and Midwest hubs, so West Coast and international itineraries usually connect through Dallas, Houston, Atlanta or Charlotte. Booking 6-10 weeks out generally lands in the lower half of the fare bands; last-minute April travel overlaps spring festival season, which pushes prices up. Compare BTR and GPT only if the fare saving exceeds the cost of a rental car and the extra 75-80 miles of driving.
Visa
Foreign attendees generally require a US B-1 business visitor visa, or Visa Waiver Program authorisation where their country qualifies, to attend a professional conference or trade expo.
Processing: Varies by nationality; apply several weeks before travel.
Official US Department of State business visa pages and the USCIS B-1 page were captured; confirm document requirements and appointment waits at your nearest US embassy or consulate, and apply well ahead of travel.
OfficialTransport
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Primary gateways: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY): 20-30 min via I-10 E, longer in rush hour; Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR): 1 hr 20 min - 1 hr 45 min via I-10 E. Allow road or rail time to Orange County Convention Center; on-site parking is usually available at major exhibition venues.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Orange County Convention Center: New Orleans downtown: The Troubadour Hotel New Orleans; Downtown / Superdome: Holiday Inn New Orleans-Downtown Superdome by IHG; French Quarter: Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter.
Ride-hail: Rideshare services operate across New Orleans, including airport pickups from the designated ground-transport area and drop-offs along Convention Center Boulevard. Expect surge pricing on the morning of the first conference day and again at hall close; walking or the streetcar is often faster for short downtown hops. Confirm the pickup point inside the convention center campus, as the building has multiple entrances along its length, and verify the fare in the app before requesting.
Public transit: The Regional Transit Authority runs the buses and streetcars. From MSY, the Airport route connects the terminal to the downtown transit hub in roughly an hour, with a transfer or a 20-minute walk on to the convention center. Along the river, the Riverfront streetcar serves the Convention Center Boulevard area and links to the French Quarter and CBD, while Canal Street streetcar lines cover the Superdome side of downtown. Single rides are inexpensive (approximately USD 1.25-2, confirm current fares) and day or multi-day passes are the practical choice for a conference week.
Parking: The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center has surface and structured parking adjacent to the halls, with daily rates set by the venue and event rather than by the organiser. Expect roughly USD 15-25 per day at venue lots, higher for event-rate specials and lower at peripheral lots a few blocks away; confirm the current rate and which hall entrance each lot serves before driving in. Rideshare or hotel-adjacent parking plus a walk is often cheaper for a multi-day stay.
Weather
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: April (conference dates 10-13 April 2027)
Temperature: Approximate April bands for New Orleans: daytime highs 24-28 C (75-82 F), overnight lows 15-19 C (59-66 F). Session rooms and exhibition halls are heavily air-conditioned, so a light layer is useful indoors even when it is warm outside. Confirm the daily forecast closer to travel.
Seasonality: April sits in a wetter spring stretch, with roughly 100 mm of rain spread across the month and a realistic chance of short, intense afternoon thunderstorms rather than all-day drizzle. Humidity is noticeable and climbing through the month. Build a rain contingency into any walk between hotels and the convention center, and expect the riverfront to be breezier than the sheltered streets.
Packing: Lightweight, breathable clothing for the walk to the hall, a cardigan or jacket for cold session rooms, a compact umbrella or packable rain shell, and comfortable walking shoes for a venue that runs long along Convention Center Boulevard. Add one smart-casual outfit for evening events in the French Quarter or Warehouse District, sunscreen for outdoor lunches, and a refillable bottle since the April humidity makes hydration a practical rather than optional item.
Plan your trip
Planning
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at AORN 2027 usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
T-1
Two weeks out: confirm your AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo registration and the badge pickup route, and check whether your employer wants documented continuing-education hours from specific sessions.
T-2
Block your education sessions first, then the Expo Hall. Perioperative nurses usually plan hall time around clinical tracks, so map the exhibitors you must see against the hours the exhibition floor is open.
T-3
Shortlist exhibitors by product family before you fly: smoke evacuation, warming, instrument and tray systems, sterile processing, OR integration, PPE and surgical gowns, staff scheduling and perioperative documentation software.
T-4
Book the flight into Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY) and a downtown, Warehouse District or French Quarter hotel. The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center sits on Convention Center Boulevard, walkable from much of the central hotel stock.
T-5
If you plan to sit CNOR or another credential exam, download the current AORN Guidelines update notes so you can cross-check what you hear in sessions against published recommendations.
T-6
Bring your manager's wish list: costs per case, contract terms, trial-unit availability and service coverage are the questions exhibitors expect from perioperative buyers and clinical leaders.
T-7
Check your visa or Visa Waiver Program eligibility early if travelling from outside the US; B-1 business visitor status covers conference attendance and contract discussions, not paid work.
T-8
Reserve any hands-on skills lab or ticketed workshop place as soon as registration opens, since capacity is limited and often fills before the general programme closes.
T-9
Pack business casual for sessions plus one layer for cold meeting rooms, comfortable shoes for the length of the convention center, and a rain shell for April showers between hotels and the hall.
T-10
Load the conference app and the floor plan onto your phone, and screenshot your session barcode so you are not dependent on hall Wi-Fi at the door.
T-11
Confirm your hotel's cancellation window and whether a resort or destination fee applies, then set a per-diem for meals on Convention Center Boulevard versus the French Quarter.
T-12
Leave an evening free for the French Quarter and a riverfront walk; the venue district and the historic quarter are a short streetcar or rideshare ride apart.
Sample visitor itinerary
Route-optimised day
Day 1 · morning
Registration and hall orientation at Orange County Convention Center
Day 2 · core sessions
Supplier meetings and product demos
Day 3 · wrap-up
Final negotiations and follow-up
Networking spots
2AORN 2027 registration concourse
Orange County Convention Center
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
Orange County Convention Center
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget
Costs & budget
Build your working budget
Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
Estimated budget
Live estimate
- Hotel × 2 nights$230.00
- Per diem × 2$150.00
Estimated total$380.00
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Decision
Visit, exhibit, or skip?
Should you go?
Use this quick check to decide whether AORN 2027 fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your primary role?
Decision matrix
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your category focus aligns with the official product themes.
Best for
Buyers, researchers, and delegates evaluating the programme and networking value.
Min. budget
$400.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks before opening day for registration and travel.
Risks
Limited session times published - confirm agenda before booking.
exhibit
You have a clear lead-generation or launch goal for this market.
Best for
Suppliers and brands seeking qualified meetings with the event audience.
Min. budget
$2,500.00
Timeline
3-6 months for stand booking, freight, and marketing prep.
Risks
Booth pricing not published in captured sources - confirm with organiser.
skip
Programme, audience, or commercial goals do not match your plan.
Best for
Teams whose category or region fit is weak this edition.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
No major risks listed.
FAQs & glossary
Answers
Frequently asked
When and where is the 2027 edition held?
The event runs April 10-13, 2027 in Philadelphia, PA, per the 2027 prospectus listed in the capture. Check the organiser site for final hall and venue details.
How big is the expo hall and how many hours is it open?
Exhibitor materials in the capture advertise 13 exclusive Expo Hall hours plus an Expo Hall Opening Reception for attendees.
Who attends and how much purchasing influence do they have?
Organiser exhibitor pages in the capture state that 79% of attendees influence buying decisions in their facility and 43% hold director, manager or leadership positions.
Which attendee segments does the expo reach?
Capture figures show 15% of attendees work in an outpatient setting and 23% are age 40 and under, alongside career-related exhibits with educational resources and recruiters.
Where can I browse the 2027 exhibitor list and sessions?
The organiser's Map Your Show portal for 2027, linked from aorn.org, lists exhibitors and sessions; a third-party directory in the capture cites roughly 229 exhibiting companies.
Glossary
- Perioperative
- The full span of a surgical patient's care: preoperative preparation and assessment, intraoperative care in the operating room, and postoperative recovery through to discharge. AORN's conference audience is built around these three phases rather than a single clinical setting.
- AORN Guidelines for Perioperative Practice
- AORN's evidence-rated standards covering asepsis, sterile technique, surgical attire, patient positioning, electrosurgery, medication safety and more. Sessions at the Global Surgical Conference & Expo are routinely mapped to specific guideline chapters, which is why many attendees travel with a copy of the current edition.
- Aseptic technique / sterile field
- The practices that keep instruments, drapes and gloves free of microorganisms during a procedure. Most hands-on stations in the Expo Hall and skills labs let attendees rehearse gowning and gloving, back-table set-up and sterile field maintenance.
- RN circulator
- The registered nurse who manages the operating room during a case: documentation, counts, supplies, team communication and patient advocacy. Circulation workflows and documentation tools are a common product category on the show floor.
- Scrub role / scrub nurse
- The team member who prepares and maintains the sterile field and passes instruments to the surgeon. Conference content around instrument sets, count protocols and sterile processing is aimed at this role and at surgical technologists.
- Surgical site infection (SSI)
- An infection occurring at or near a surgical incision within a defined postoperative window. SSI prevention bundles, skin antisepsis products, warming systems and surveillance software are recurring themes in AORN education and among exhibitors.
- Surgical smoke evacuation
- Capture and filtration of the plume generated by electrosurgery, lasers and powered instruments. It is a standing AORN guideline topic and a visible equipment category in the Expo Hall, covering smoke evacuators, pencils and filters.
- Surgical time-out
- The verbal pause before incision in which the team confirms patient identity, procedure, site and side, plus implants, imaging and equipment needs. Time-out compliance and auditing tools appear in both education sessions and vendor demonstrations.
- Sterile processing department (SPD)
- The unit that decontaminates, inspects, packages and sterilises reusable instruments and trays. SPD leaders attend the Expo to compare instrument tracking systems, sterilisers, wrap and container systems, and reprocessing standards.
- CNOR
- The certification credential for perioperative registered nurses administered by the Competency & Credentialing Institute. Certification prep and continuing-education credits are a practical reason many nurses choose this meeting over general nursing conferences.
- Periop 101
- AORN's structured orientation curriculum for nurses entering the operating room. Education leaders attending the conference frequently compare Periop 101 with in-house onboarding and residency models in the nurse-education track.
- Enhanced recovery (ERAS)
- Multimodal perioperative pathways covering pre-op carbohydrate loading, opioid-sparing analgesia, normothermia and early mobilisation. ERAS programme design shows up in leadership sessions and in vendor offerings for warming, fluids and pain management.
- Normothermia / forced-air warming
- Maintenance of a patient's core temperature during surgery to reduce SSI, bleeding and cardiac events. Warming cabinets, blankets and patient-warming devices are one of the larger equipment blocks on the Expo floor.
- Expo Hall hours
- Dedicated blocks when the exhibition is open and clinical sessions pause. Because many attendees are on duty rosters back home, planning which hall blocks to cover around education sessions is the main scheduling decision of the week.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
- AORN 2027
- AORN 2027 New Orleans
- AORN 2027 New Orleans 2027
- AORN
- AORN New Orleans
- AORN New Orleans 2027
- New Orleans USA
- Healthcare Conference New Orleans 2027
- Healthcare Conference Conference New Orleans
- Surgical instruments and devices for operating rooms
Digital business cards for the show floor
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.