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John R. Fischer, Senior Reporter | October 08, 2021
Canon Medical has decided to attend RSNA virtually and not in-person this year due to the pandemic
Canon Medical will only attend RSNA digitally this year. The company plans to do the same for all other meetings in 2021, including the upcoming ASTRO annual meeting later this month.
The decision to go all-virtual stems from recent surges in COVID-19 and Delta variant cases throughout the country and world, said Toshio Takiguchi, president and CEO of Canon Medical Systems, in a statement. “We have included an assessment of the current rapid spread of the Covid-19 Delta variant, its effect on hospitalization rates and the associated incidence of breakthrough cases, in formulating our business decisions. We have also been listening to our customers from around the world and their many and varied concerns around this ongoing situation.”
RSNA announced in May that it would be
returning to McCormick Place in Chicago for the November 2021 meeting after opting to go completely virtual last year during the peak of the pandemic. The decision cost the organization $30 million in cancellation losses, which it tried but failed to recoup after a judge
rejected its request in June on the grounds that the association’s policy agreement precluded coverage for communicable disease, including COVID-19.
All in-person attendees at this year’s show are
required to show proof of vaccination and wear masks at all times indoors. Social distancing policies will also be in effect, as recommended by the CDC and state and local guidelines. The association enacted these protocols following an incident at the annual meeting for AHRA: The Association for Medical Imaging management, where one attendee tested positive for COVID-19. The organization quickly notified all attendees.
The event is the organization’s 107th scientific meeting and will take place between Nov. 28 and Dec. 2. It will
include science presentations and posters, education courses and exhibits, a live Technical Exhibition and a Virtual Exhibition.
"Over 500 companies have committed to exhibit at RSNA 2021 in Chicago," said John Jaworski, RSNA director of Meetings & Exhibition Services. "These companies are excited about returning to Chicago to safely meet face to face with their customers and provide a positive experience for RSNA attendees."
