The Radiological Society of North America is surveying its members on whether to permanently change the date of its scientific assembly and annual meeting. In late May, the RSNA sent out a survey to a 10% sample of members, attending non-members, and exhibitors to solicit feedback on the potential date change, said Steve Drew, assistant executive director for scientific assembly and informatics at the Oak Brook, IL-based society.
"The impetus behind the survey is that the board of directors has always gotten feedback from a fair number of the RSNA members -- both those that attend and don't attend the scientific assembly -- that the time of the year is kind of tough, especially following the Thanksgiving holiday," Drew told AuntMinnie.com.
The random sample also included broad geographical representation, to include opinions from around the world, Drew said.
As part of an occasional review of options available for the meeting, the RSNA had checked with McCormick Place and the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau about the availability of alternate dates that would include same level of incentives offered for its current time slot, Drew said.
The 12-question survey asked respondents to rank preference for four potential dates:
- The current schedule, in the last week in November.
- The middle of November, ending just before the beginning of the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, but with 10% higher registration and hotel fees.
- The second week in December.
- The last week in July.
The survey also solicited feedback on the opening and closing day formats, as well as specific obstacles to attending a meeting in July. Another question, specifically for those who never or don't regularly attend the meeting, asked respondents to check off applicable reasons why. Potential responses included the size and cost of attendance, the timing of the meeting, and location (Chicago).
Once an appropriate number of responses have been received, a report based on the survey results will then be submitted to the RSNA board of directors, Drew said.
"There's no critical urgency here, but we're hoping to at least have a preliminary report of the results to the (board) by either their September or December meeting," he said.
The RSNA is booked through 2005 for its traditional post-Thanksgiving schedule at McCormick Place. If a decision were made to change the date, it's unlikely that a switch could be implemented before 2007, given the current schedule at McCormick Place, Drew said.
While the primary purpose of the survey is to look at new dates, the society's relationship with Chicago could also be reviewed depending on the results, Drew said. In addition to its contract through the 2005 meeting, the RSNA has non-binding letters of intent in place through 2012.
By Erik L. Ridley
AuntMinnie.com staff writer
June 11, 2003
To participate in AuntMinnie's own informal survey on whether the RSNA show should be moved to a new date, go to http://03-1056.survey.auntminnie.com.
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