RSNA 2014 Attendees Celebrate a Century of Transforming Medicine

OAK BROOK, Ill. (January 21, 2015)—The Radiological Society of North America's 100th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting (RSNA 2014) spotlighted RSNA's contribution to a century of radiologic research, education and technologic innovation, and attracted a record number of professional attendees.

RSNA 2014, held in Chicago's McCormick Place from November 30 to December 5, highlighted RSNA's ongoing commitment to improving patient care through radiology education and research.

"The RSNA annual meeting remains the world's premier scientific and educational forum in radiology," said RSNA Executive Director, Mark Watson. "With RSNA 2014, we looked back on 100 years of radiologic advances and celebrated the role RSNA has played in shaping the evolution of medical imaging."

Throughout the week at McCormick Place, professional attendees could choose from 1,754 scientific presentations, 225 refresher courses, 81 multisession courses, 37 series courses, 61 informatics courses, 39 special sessions, six plenary sessions, 2,151 education exhibits, 949 scientific posters and special RSNA Centennial attractions.

"We are always looking to provide a stellar meeting experience for our attendees," Watson said. "RSNA 2014 offered nearly 5,000 scientific presentations, posters and education exhibits, a wide variety of technical exhibits, a new meeting app, and an expanded virtual meeting."

Technical exhibits at RSNA 2014 filled two buildings of Chicago's McCormick Place, with 656 exhibits in 431,300 square feet of space, including 111 first-time exhibitors.

The RSNA 2014 Virtual Meeting offered attendees on-demand access to 60 sessions from RSNA 2014, as well as Cases of the Day and digital education exhibits. The virtual meeting attracted 6,076 attendees from 101 countries.

Official registration figures for RSNA 2014 reported total attendance at 56,026, including 28,807 professional attendees, which is the highest professional attendance figure ever recorded for an RSNA annual meeting. Total attendance also included 20,880 exhibitor personnel and 6,339 other attendees. International professional attendance totaled 11,470, a 12 percent increase over 2013. Exhibitor attendance numbers were on par with previous years.

"We are very pleased with the outcomes of RSNA 2014. Professional attendance was at an all-time high, and we continue to attract a growing number of international attendees," Watson said.

The centennial celebration at RSNA 2014 included special attractions—such as Wilhelm Roentgen's Lab and an exhibition of X-ray art by Dutch radiation physicist, Arie van't Riet—and the highly popular Centennial Showcase, an interactive exhibit interweaving the story of RSNA with the development of radiologic science, education and technology. Visitors were able to explore radiology's greatest achievements and immerse themselves in RSNA's rich history. Highlights of the Centennial Showcase can be found on RSNA's Centennial website.

RSNA 2014's economic impact to the City of Chicago is estimated to exceed $130 million.

RSNA 2015, RSNA's 101st Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, will take place November 29 to December 4 in Chicago.

"In 2014, we looked back on the extraordinary history of radiology," Watson said. "In 2015, we will turn our focus forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, and the role that RSNA will play in radiology's future."

RSNA's anniversary celebration continues throughout the year, as the Society reaches its own 100-year milestone, and will culminate at the conclusion of RSNA 2015.