General registration is on the rise at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, with guests and international attendees driving the increase, according to association officials.

"We continue to see a registration increase from guests as well as from members of the international community," said Joseph A. Taylor, director of public information and media relations for the RSNA.

Attendees totaled 61,565, about a 3% increase over 2004 when 59,895 attended the event. Compared to last year, professional registration increased only 1% to 26,696. The tally, though, represents a 5% increase over 2003, and a 9% jump over 2002.

Although RSNA attendance figures will not be audited for several weeks, foreign registration numbers did appear to be up, according to Heather Babiar, manager of RSNA media relations. The RSNA has projected a 4% total increase in international attendance for 2005.

At 6,106, guest registration increased 6% compared to 2004 figures. RSNA officials expected the percentage increase to remain unchanged throughout the meeting based on projected attendance.

Exhibitors also stepped-up their RSNA presence, with attendance totaling 28,763, up 4% compared to 2004. Total square feet of exhibit space increased 8% above 2004 totals. The meeting hosted 722 companies, nearly 20% of which appeared at the annual meeting for the first time.