Last month in Chicago, the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) hosted its annual RSNA Conference and Trade Show, where attendance increased by more than 13% compared to 2023. Approximately 39,000 radiology specialists from all sub-regions imaginable specialties descended on the Windy City for five days to experience the latest medical imaging technologies, as well as opportunities for career advancement and other hands-on training and networking opportunities.
Held December 1-5, 2024 at Chicago’s 2.6 million square foot McCormick Place, the RSNA conference addressed the theme “Building Intelligent Connections,” born from “radiology’s unique relationship with AI,” as well as “the connections between radiologists and other physicians across medicine,” said John Jaworski, deputy executive director of RSNA Meeting Services & Corporate Relations.
True to its rich history, the 110th edition of the RSNA conference “featured more than 860 scientific papers, more than 1,700 scientific posters, more than 1,500 educational exhibits, more than 300 educational courses and seven plenary sessions,” Jaworski said . It all started with the first-ever welcome reception held at the convention center and included a performance by the Bill Pollack Jazz Trio.
Also new in 2024: guided tours of the exhibitions, a VIP experience of the most cutting-edge technology and equipment in the industry. Tours cost $50 per participant and are sold out. In the spirit of exclusivity, show organizers did not share what was on display during these technical exhibit tours, which took up the entirety of McCormick Place’s north and south halls (an impressive 400,000 square feet squares). Their popularity got the RSNA planning team thinking about other new VIP tours that would be introduced during the 2025 edition of the event, which is scheduled to return from November 30 to December 30. 4 in Chicago.
The “One Day Showcase” was another new exhibit element that found a home in the convention center’s North Hall, where more than 700 local startups and service organizations were showcased in an exhibition hall-style setup . And true to its name, the companies featured changed each day of the event.
The so-called “recruiter’s row” has found its way back to RSNA 2024 and has seen particularly high interest this year “due to the radiology workforce shortage,” Jaworski said. Here, guests also had the opportunity to update their headshots before returning to the show to check out 41 new businesses in the New Exhibitor Pavilion or receive a 10-minute spa treatment at a booth offering back massages and feet, aromatherapy. , free device charging and relaxing music for tired participants.
The most notable product launch at RSNA 2024, according to Jaworski: “New computed tomography (CT) devices with AI capabilities.” Many more innovations involving machine learning took place at the AI Showcase, (which) was the first venue for attendees to connect with more than 100 companies offering radiology AI software and products at a higher level, to see the possibilities of AI in the field. RSNA AI Theater, and to network with AI industry leaders and colleagues,” Jaworski said.
However, not all touchpoints were related to medicine and AI. In the spirit of the conference’s focus on giving back to the radiology community, a moment was provided for attendees to give back to the Chicago community, where the RSNA has been housed since 1985, with only three exceptions, in 1979, 1980 and 1984. (when the event took place in Atlanta, Dallas and Washington, DC, respectively). “Participants put together winter kits to donate to a Chicago nonprofit (that helps) unhoused or low-income children,” Jaworski said.
To cap off a lot of hard work – and many stops around North America’s largest convention center – the event offered a ticketed celebration at nightlife hotspot TAO Chicago, featuring music from a DJ from world class,” Jaworski added.
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