The total attendance tally for the 2006 RSNA meeting falls short of prior years despite a slight increase in local and international professionals. A drop-off in exhibitor attendance accounts for the decrease.

"We saw slightly more professionals and slightly fewer exhibitors. But we don't know what the final result will be until the final auditing occurs," said Joseph A. Taylor, director of public information and media relations for the RSNA.

As of Thursday, the number of attendees at the meeting totaled 61,289, compared with the same day in 2005 when 61,554 people turned up at McCormick Place. Compared with last year, professional registration increased 2% to 26,696. That tally demonstrates a slim but steady 3% increase compared with 2004 figures.

At 28,044, exhibitor registration was down 2% this year, compared with 28,763 company representatives who registered for the event in 2005. The figure represents a 1% and 1.5% increase compared to 2004 and 2003, when 27,722 and 27,620 vendors, respectively, registered for the meeting. The number, however, still falls short compared with the 29,323 that showed up in 2002.

Guest registration increased 6% to 6112 compared with 2004 figures, but shows a 0% increase compared with the same date in 2005.