Every year many companies use the RSNA meeting to launch ad campaigns, unveil new products, announce mergers or acquisitions, and preview products in development. The RSNA leadership also makes major announcements at its annual meeting. A typical day is full of such events.

Things got off to a disturbing start this week when the North building of McCormick Place was closed for several hours. Apparently, overnight, the ongoing explosion of PACS suppliers and manufacturers in that building reached critical mass, blowing off a portion of the roof. The building was quickly repaired. New exhibit booths, logos, and names were created for the new companies and the meeting proceeded with changes barely noticeable to most attendees.

The leaders of GE Medical Systems held a press conference. Recently, Picker Corporation was acquired by GE Europe, a company that is entirely separate from the U.S.-based GE and GE Medical Systems. Picker's name was changed to Marconi, and this year's meeting features a large exhibit of Marconi equipment. Not to be outdone, the domestic GE firm announced today it will change the name of GE Medical Systems to Richard Nixon. Next year's meeting will feature a seven-story Richard Nixon booth with no windows or doors, similar to the Marconi display this year, which has the advantage of allowing you to walk past the exhibit without having to see a single product.

The Association of Ultrasound Equipment Manufacturers announced a bold new initiative by its 25 member companies. Beginning in 2000, it will require that would-be buyers of ultrasound equipment must be able to spell the word "ultrasound." Association President Tom Newnose said, "We feel the time has come for us to share some of the responsibility for how our equipment is used. Gone are the days when the only requirement to start an ultrasound practice is a checkbook."

The RSNA surprised more than a few people with its announcement reversing its 1998 decision to keep the RSNA meeting in Chicago instead of relocating it to Florida. In a special news conference held without Mayor Richard M. Daley, RSNA leaders unveiled a proposal to move the meeting to South Beach in Miami. "It was so much fun having the city officials and tourist industry leaders of both Chicago and Orlando sucking up to us that we decided to do it again. We are aware that there is no way on earth the meeting can move to SoBe, but we'll all enjoy a bunch of free trips to a really fun and dynamic area of Miami."

Equally surprising was the arrival of a contingent from the American College of Cardiology. The group held an impromptu session to announce a shift in ACC policy. The successful foray by cardiologists into peripheral vascular work and MRI has empowered this group to embark on even bolder measures. "It is now the consensus of the ACC that the traditional definition of cardiology is too limited. Henceforth, we will be promoting our broad interventional and diagnostic acumen in any organ system dependent on a blood supply. We control the patient flow and beginning today, all flow leads to us. This is not a question of money. It is a matter of who knows the patient best, and who gets hold of their wallet first."