Thank you for your interest in the RSNA 95th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 29 – December 4, 2009, at the McCormick Place Convention Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA. Here you will find all the necessary information to assist you in maximizing your experience.
About RSNA
Registration, Housing and Travel Services
Transportation
McCormick Place Convention Center
Education
Chicago
About RSNA
What is RSNA?
Founded in 1915, the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) is a professional membership society committed to excellence in patient care through radiologic education and research. More than 42,000 medical imaging professionals are members of RSNA, including radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists, nuclear medicine physicians and radiologic scientists. RSNA hosts an annual radiology meeting, publishes two highly respected peer-reviewed journals, offers opportunities to earn CME credit, and provides research and education grants to young investigators.
What are the benefits of RSNA membership and how do I become a member?
The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) comprises 42,000 radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and allied scientists. Membership in RSNA offers many rewards, including free subscriptions to the peer-reviewed journals Radiology and RadioGraphics. In addition, the admission fee to the RSNA annual meeting is waived for members who register in by November 6. The deadline is September 1 for receipt of membership application in order to attend the RSNA annual meeting as a member - Apply today.
Who attends the RSNA annual meeting?
Registrants of the RSNA annual meeting represent many specialties and disciplines within radiology and the entire healthcare arena. Last year, the scientific program and technical exhibition drew over 59,000 healthcare professionals and industry personnel from more than 100 countries.
Where is RSNA 2009?
RSNA 2009 takes place at the McCormick Place Convention Center on South Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Meeting events take place in all four buildings of the convention center - North, South, Lakeside and West.
McCormick Place Convention Center
2301 S. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60616 USA
Web site: www.mccormickplace.com/
Registration, Housing and Travel Services
How do I register?
There are four ways to register for RSNA 2009:
- Advance Registration - FASTEST WAY TO REGISTER!
- Telephone
(Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CT)
1-800-650-7018
1-847-996-5876
- Fax
1-800-521-6017
1-847-996-5401
- Mail
Experient/RSNA 2009
568 Atrium Drive
Vernon Hills, IL 60061 USA
How much does it cost?
Anyone wanting to attend RSNA must qualify, register and pay the applicable fees in order to obtain a badge. Registration fees vary depending on the attendee’s role in radiology. Registration dates, deadlines, categories and fees can be found on the registration page of this Web site.
Can I bring a guest with me?
Guest registration is designed to accommodate a spouse or family member who may wish to accompany a paid full conference professional attendee to the meeting. Guests have access to any of the open areas of the meeting. A guest may not earn any CME credits. If your spouse or family member is a medical professional who wishes to attend courses and/or earn credits he/she will have to register separately and pay the appropriate registration fee. For the safety of all parties children under the age of 16 are not permitted at the RSNA Annual Meeting.
How do I make a hotel reservation?
RSNA 2009 housing is now closed.
For any changes, cancellations or new reservations, please contact the hotels directly beginning November 17. Click here to access hotel information.
If you are in need of a new reservation, you may contact ARES Housing System for city hotel availability at non-conference rates. To make reservations on-line, click here or call the Reservation Center at 1-877-300-6147 (toll free) or 1-858-300-9467 (international).
Reservation Center Hours: (all times are Pacific)
Monday-Friday, 6:00am to 11:00pm
Saturday, 7:00am to 10:00pm
Sunday, 8:00am to 9:00pm
How do I make airline travel arrangements?
RSNA has secured a special discount agreement with United Airlines and the Star Alliance network that is not available to the general public. In addition, RSNA has an official international travel provider, ESA Voyages, that provides full service travel packages for individuals traveling from outside North America. E-mail esa@esavoyages.fr for more information.
How do I register for courses?
Full conference registration fees include access to most educational sessions. Admission tickets are required for these sessions and can be obtained starting June 30 when course enrollment opens. Attendees are encouraged to enroll early to secure the courses of their choice. To enroll for courses once you are onsite, go to the Refresher Course Desk in the Grand Concourse, Level 3, or in the Lakeside Center, Level 3. If a particular course you would like to attend is sold out, we encourage that you check back frequently as inventory changes or visit the classroom the day and time of the event. If capacity allows, you will be able to enter once those ticketed are seated.
Transportation
How do I get to my hotel?
Various transportation options are available to and from O'Hare and Midway airports. Visit the Transportation section of the annual meeting Web site for full details.
How do I get from the hotel to McCormick Place?
RSNA provides complimentary shuttle bus transportation between hotels in the RSNA block and the McCormick Place Convention Center. The shuttle bus schedule will be posted here in June. Annual meeting attendees may also ride the Metra Electric line for free using the Metra ticket included in their registration wallet. Trains run from downtown Chicago stations (Millennium Station and Van Buren Street) to the McCormick Place Convention Center Station in just 7 minutes. Stations are located within walking distance to many hotels. Visit the Transportation section of the annual meeting Web site for full details.
How do I get around Chicago?
Chicago offers a variety of public transportation and taxi services. Visit the Transportation section of the annual meeting Web site for full details.
McCormick Place Convention Center
What do I do when I arrive at McCormick Place?
I registered before the November 6 deadline (October 23 for International registrants):
- Registration badges and materials were mailed to you in advance - bring this documentation to the Program Distribution area to pick up a meeting bag, program and lanyard. If you registered by this date, but did not receive your badge, proceed to either Help Center – Lakeside Center or Grand Concourse—to have the materials reprinted.
I registered after the November 6 deadline:
- Registration badges and materials must be picked up onsite in the Lakeside Center Ballroom Registration Area.
I registered for the technical exhibits only one-day registration:
- Registration badges are not mailed in advance - proceed to either Help Center on the day of exhibit attendance to obtain a badge.
I have not registered yet:
- Proceed to onsite professional registration in the Lakeside Center Ballroom with verification in the form of a membership card, RT license, student ID or letter of verification. You must complete the onsite registration form, provide verification and pay the applicable fees in order to obtain your badge and meeting materials.
Where can I eat while at McCormick Place?
A variety of dining options are offered during RSNA 2009 throughout all buildings of the convention center.
- Restaurants, Starbucks, On the Go Stations, Cafes, Delis McDonald’s, Connie’s Pizza and much more – a full RSNA dining guide will be available in October as part of the online and printed Pocket Guide.
- Bistro RSNA is an innovative approach to convention hospitality, developed specifically to meet the food service needs of busy exhibitor and attendees during the convention. Located in all three Technical Exhibit Halls and the Lakeside Learning Center. Bistro RSNA offers an expansive menu of fresh salads, delicious soups, international selections and hearty regional fare, and beverages for an inclusive price. Tickets will be available for purchase starting June 30.
Where can I get help at McCormick Place?
Visit one of the RSNA Help Centers located in the Grand Concourse (Level 3) or Lakeside Center Ballroom (Level 3), or one of the Information Kiosks located throughout McCormick Place. Attendees can also find additional information online at RSNA2009.RSNA.org or at computers at any of the Internet Zones located throughout McCormick Place.
What do I do in case of an emergency at McCormick Place?
For all emergencies - fire, police and medical - dial 1-312-791-6060 or 6060 from any house phone at McCormick Place. Please do not call 911. Inform McCormick Place security of: the nature of the emergency, your name, phone number from which you are calling, and exact location.
Where is the lost and found at McCormick Place?
Lost articles may be picked up at the RSNA Security Office located in the North Building, Level 3, Hall B. After the meeting, all unclaimed articles will be returned to the RSNA Headquarters office. Please call 1-630-571-2670 or email reginfo@rsna.org.
How do I locate my meeting room?
The first letter in the meeting room – E, W, N or S – stand for the East Building (now called Lakeside Center), West Building, North Building or South Building. The first numeral of the meeting room – 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 – stand for the level number. The last two digits specify the exact room. Some meeting rooms have divider walls, which create smaller spaces. These will have an a, b, c or d following the room number. Example: N126b would be room 26b on level 1 of the North Building.
How do I locate an exhibit hall?
Hall A is located in the South Building on Level 3. Hall B is located in the North Building on Level 3. Hall D is located in the Lakeside Center on Level 3 and Hall E is in the Lakeside Center on Level 2. Technical exhibits are in Halls A, B and D. Education exhibits and scientific posters are located in Hall E, otherwise known as the Lakeside Learning Center.
Education
What is the best reference for finding quick information about the annual meeting?
RSNA 2009 attendees receive a Pocket Guide that contains a wealth of information about the annual meeting and the McCormick Place Convention Center. Inside the Pocket Guide, you will find general information and floor plans as well as room assignments for scientific sessions, refresher courses and plenary sessions. The Pocket Guide also provides important transportation information, including RSNA shuttle bus service, the Metra train schedule, airport shuttle service, taxi service and parking at McCormick Place.
During the annual meeting, attendees can pick up the Meeting Guide, which features floor maps of McCormick Place, various program and transportation schedules and a comprehensive listing of the technical exhibitors. Also available during the meeting is the Daily Bulletin newspaper, featuring overnight news from the meeting and a New Products & Services section to alert attendees to some of the newest radiologic technology and services being demonstrated by technical exhibitors.
How do I locate a specific session, course or exhibit in the RSNA Meeting Program?
The printed RSNA Meeting Program lists all sessions by type. An index at the back of the program allows you to lookup presentations by author name. The online program, available in October, allows full-text searching of the entire program.
Are continuing education credits available at RSNA 2009?
RSNA is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. RSNA designates this educational activity for a maximum of 90.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits.™ Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
The Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs (CAMPEP) has approved the direct transfer of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ to MPCEC on a credit-for-credit basis for medical physicists. RSNA is an ARRT®-approved Recognized Continuing Education Evaluation Mechanism Plus (RCEEM+) and will provide Category A+ continuing education credits for technologists and radiologist assistants.
How do I obtain continuing education credits at RSNA 2009?
Continuing Medical Education (CME) Documentation: See each course/session type below for instructions on how to claim CME credit:
- Education Exhibits and Scientific Posters (only AMA PRA Category 1 Credit is offered) – at the conclusion of the discussion during the lunch period with the presenters of education exhibits and/or scientific posters in the Lakeside Learning Center, leave an attendance voucher with the author.
- Refresher Courses and Multisession Courses – critique forms are available at each course. To record CME credit, attendees must complete the form and deposit it in one of the credit voucher boxes located at the back of each meeting room. If the course utilized audience-response technology for critique, deposit an attendance voucher to document your attendance.
- Other Education Sessions – to record CME credit, deposit an attendance voucher in the credit voucher box at the back of the room at the conclusion of the session.
Continuing Education (CE) Documentation: In order to record and obtain Category A+ continuing education credits all technologists and radiologist assistants must follow ARRT guidelines. Failure to do so will result in no credits being awarded.
- Attendance will be verified with a check-in and check-out process for all courses and events, therefore, all registrants looking to obtain Category A+ credit must be present for the duration of the course or event.
- ARRT Attendance Documentation Cards will be available at the door for all courses and events that are approved for Category A+ credit.
- Attendee must obtain an ARRT Attendance Documentation Card at the beginning of the session, complete the card and drop it in the voucher box at the end of the session.
- An attendee arriving late or departing early will not obtain credit.
- Any attendee that forgoes submitting the ARRT Attendance Documentation Card at the close of the session will not obtain credit.
- Vouchers will not be distributed for credit as they have been replaced by the ARRT Attendance Documentation Card.
- Evaluation forms and/or audience response technology is encouraged to evaluate the session.
At the close of RSNA 2009 all registrant credits will be tabulated and processed by RSNA. A record of hours of attendance, listing AMA PRA Category 1 Credits or ARRT Category A+ credits earned, will be distributed by January 1, 2010.
Chicago
How do I find out about attractions and tours and events in Chicago?
RSNA has teamed up with In the Loop–Chicago and Bloomingdale's to offer exciting ways for annual meeting attendees to experience Chicago during their stay for RSNA 2009. Enjoy the sounds of music, view architectural wonders, explore unique neighborhoods, learn a new cooking technique and more. Five days of action-packed tours are offered.
Visit the Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau website for more information on Chicago.
What services are available to assist international attendees?
A trip to the United States may require an additional degree of planning. Visit RSNA's International Visitors Page to review essential information.
What will the weather be like in Chicago during RSNA 2009?M
Temperatures in Chicago at this time range from 32-48 degrees Fahrenheit in November and 19-34 degrees Fahrenheit in December. Complimentary coat check and luggage check services are provided in various locations throughout McComrick Place.
What are the smoking regulations in Chicago and at McCormick Place?
The Smoke-free Illinois Act prohibits smoking in virtually all public places and workplaces, including offices, theaters, museums, libraries, educational institutions, schools, commercial establishments, enclosed shopping centers and retail stores, restaurants, bars, private clubs and gaming facilities. Smoking may be permitted in some hotels that have set aside a percentage of smoking rooms. Due to various Chicago hotel smoking policies, a request for a smoking room is not guaranteed and you must contact the hotel directly to confirm. Smoking is not permitted inside the McCormick Place Convention Center. The only smoking areas are located outside the buildings. If you wish to smoke, please follow the signs directing you to the designated areas.
|
