RSNA's Annual Meeting Defies Economic Downturn, Attracts More Attendees in 2011

December 18, 2011

If someone told show management at the Radiological Society of North America that there was an economic downturn happening worldwide, they likely would say “What recession?”

At the association’s recent 97th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, held Nov. 27-Dec. 2 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, there were so many positive statistics that the event was a resounding success as a result.

Based on audited numbers, the RSNA member attendance was 11,970, more than 4-percent higher than in 2010, and radiologist attendance was 16,272 - a record in the meeting's history.

 

In addition, total registration was 59,097 - almost 2-percent higher than in 2010. There also was an uptick in non-exhibitor attendance to 36,671 - a record number and more than 1-percent higher than in 2010.

Tom Shimala, RSNA’s director of technical exhibits, meetings department said of the numbers, “another solid attendance gathering of healthcare professionals with a nice uptick on the exhibition floor with a net square foot total of 462,650.” In 2010, there was a 452,750 net sq. ft. showfloor, he added.

There were several other positive numbers:

• Medical physicist attendance totaled 1,328 - a record and almost 17-percent higher than in 2010

• Professional registration was 27,305 - a slight increase from 2010

• International registrants numbered 9,642, a record number making up more than 35 percent of professionals

• RSNA member residents attendance was 3,624, more than 13-percent higher than in 2010

In addition, for those who couldn’t make the show physically, there was the inaugural launch of RSNA’s Virtual Meeting that attracted 3,452 registrants, many of whom attended real-time virtual events and/or participated in interactive offerings.

The showfloor also saw good numbers, with the technical exhibition consisting of 681 companies, 117 of which were first-time exhibitors at the RSNA annual meeting.

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