The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) reported that preliminary numbers from its 2011 meeting in Chicago indicate that overall attendance climbed 2% compared with the 2010 edition, continuing a growth trend that began last year after two years of decline.
The RSNA reported preliminary attendance of 58,232, up 2% compared with preliminary attendance of 57,261 at the 2010 conference. The figures include both professional/guest registration and exhibitor registration.
Most of the growth was driven by a larger number of exhibitor attendees. The RSNA reported exhibitor attendance of 22,509 at last week's meeting, up 5% compared with 21,499 exhibitor attendees at the 2010 show. Professional/guest attendance was essentially flat, with 35,723 attendees in 2011 compared with 35,762 in 2010.
The RSNA also reported attendance figures for its virtual meeting: The society said that 3,290 people registered for the event.
RSNA attendance grew about 2% last year as well, compared with declines of 4% at the 2009 show and 5% at the 2008 conference, when the global recession and credit crunch led to a sharp decline in medical imaging capital equipment sales.
