RSNA attendance picks up

General attendance at the annual meeting of the RSNA seems finally to be replicating registration levels prior to the events of Sept. 11, 2001, according to society figures.

Although available data suggest that guest attendance dropped nearly 2% compared with 2003, reflecting increasing restrictions and costs associated with traveling to the U.S., professional attendance rose enough to make up the total attendance.

Total professional registration at meeting's closing, which includes foreign physicians, was 26,168, up 4% compared with 2003 and 8% over 2002. The number also represents a 7% increase from 2000's 24,412.

At the end of the advance registration period, 2004 total attendance was 52,648, a 3% increase over 2003 and a 4% increase compared with 2002. By meeting's closing, total attendance was 59,598, up 2% and 1% compared with 2003 and 2002, respectively.

Guest registration at 5749 dropped 2% below numbers from last year's meeting. The total number of exhibitors stalled compared with 2003 and fell 5% compared with 2002. Although down compared with 2000 and 2002, exhibitor presence shows signs of a slight and gradual recovery compared with 2003 figures.