Best hotels for RSNA 2020 with business centres and printing services

For radiology professionals travelling from Australia, accommodation was an important part of planning for the RSNA 2020 Annual Meeting in Chicago. The event was scheduled for 29 November to 4 December 2020, bringing together specialists, exhibitors, researchers and clinical teams around the Radiological Society of North America’s scientific programme.

A suitable hotel needed to offer more than a comfortable bed. Reliable Wi-Fi, a staffed business centre, document printing, meeting space and easy access to the convention district could make a major difference when delegates were preparing presentations, reviewing papers or coordinating a group itinerary.

The strongest options were generally found among Chicago’s established 3-star, 4-star and 5-star conference hotels. Properties near the Loop, River North and the Magnificent Mile were especially practical for visitors who wanted transport links, restaurants and business services close at hand.

Australian travellers would also have needed to plan around the time difference, international flights and local working habits. Chicago is several hours behind Australian eastern cities, while American hotels commonly charge for printing, deliveries and certain business-centre services separately from the room rate.

Choosing the right location

Hotels near the Chicago River and the central business district offered a useful balance between conference access and everyday convenience. The Loop connected visitors with the ‘L’ train network, taxis and walkable dining, while River North provided a broad choice of restaurants suitable for informal team meetings.

A short journey can still become inconvenient during a busy event week, particularly when delegates are carrying poster materials, laptops or presentation equipment. For that reason, proximity to the meeting venue and dependable taxi access often mattered more than a small difference in nightly price.

Business facilities that matter

A proper business centre should include reception support, computers, secure internet access, photocopying and several printing options. Delegates should check whether the hotel can print colour pages, large-format posters, boarding passes and presentation handouts, as these services are not equally available at every property.

Meeting rooms can also be valuable for private discussions between radiologists, suppliers and research teams. Ask about opening hours, equipment hire, guest access and whether printing can be arranged before arrival, rather than assuming that a lobby printer will meet professional requirements.

Chicago hotels suited to conference teams

Large conference properties such as Hyatt Regency Chicago, Swissôtel Chicago, Hilton Chicago, Sheraton Grand Chicago and Marriott Marquis Chicago were natural choices for groups seeking substantial meeting infrastructure. Their size generally made it easier to request adjoining rooms, coordinated reservations and event-related support.

The best fit depended on the group’s priorities. A central Loop hotel could suit delegates who valued transport and office access, while a River North or Magnificent Mile property might appeal to teams wanting restaurants, shopping and evening networking nearby. Hotel facilities and service arrangements should always be verified directly for the relevant dates.

Printing and document handling

Printing requirements are easy to underestimate. A team may need consent forms, meeting agendas, speaker notes, receipts, scientific abstracts or replacement travel documents. Before booking, confirm the cost per page, available paper sizes, colour capability and whether files can be emailed to the concierge or business centre.

Australian visitors should also remember that power sockets in the United States use a different configuration from those in Australia. Packing a suitable adaptor, a compact surge protector and cloud backups can prevent avoidable problems when preparing files or charging several devices.

For a historical event such as RSNA 2020, booking conditions were particularly important because arrangements could change quickly. Reviewing the published booking deadlines helped groups understand deposit dates, cancellation rules and the practical limits of changing room allocations.

Rates, room blocks and deadlines

Group registration and hotel room blocks could provide better coordination than having each delegate book separately. A block allowed organisers to monitor arrivals, request twin or king rooms, and keep colleagues in the same property when schedules were tightly packed.

The cheapest visible rate was not always the best value. Compare taxes, resort-style charges, breakfast, internet access, early check-in, luggage storage and cancellation terms. Chicago accommodation pricing can shift sharply around major conventions, so a flexible rate may be worthwhile for international travellers managing flight uncertainty.

Practical booking recommendations

A clear booking process reduced last-minute pressure for radiology departments, exhibitors and professional associations. One organiser should keep a central record of names, arrival times, room types, loyalty numbers and special requirements, while each traveller retains a copy of the hotel confirmation.

It was also sensible to separate essential business needs from optional comforts. A dependable printer, quiet workspace and flexible cancellation policy may be more useful to a travelling team than a premium view or extensive leisure facilities.

• Confirm business-centre hours, printing charges and colour or poster capabilities.
• Request a written room-block agreement showing taxes, deposits and cancellation terms.
• Choose a location with simple access to the venue, taxis and public transport.
• Keep presentation files in cloud storage and carry an adaptor for US power outlets.
• Check whether early arrival, luggage storage and late check-out can be arranged.

Making the stay work for Australian delegates

Australian visitors often use “brekkie” informally for breakfast, but hotel breakfast packages in Chicago may be priced separately and can be expensive for a whole team. Nearby cafés may offer better value, while a hotel with a small kitchenette or included morning meal could simplify early starts.

Transport planning also deserves attention. The ‘L’ is useful for many central journeys, but a taxi or rideshare may be preferable when carrying equipment or travelling before dawn. Allow extra time for airport transfers, winter weather and security procedures, especially for international flights departing from O’Hare.

Evening downtime can be modest but worthwhile after a full scientific programme. Some delegates may choose a walk along the Chicago Riverwalk or a casual meal, while others may explore online entertainment; a venue’s bonus casino game was one example of the lighter content associated with the event website.

Selecting accommodation through a coordinated RSNA booking service gave teams a clearer way to compare hotel categories, room blocks and business facilities. For future conference travel, review the available properties early, secure the right room arrangement and confirm every printing and workspace detail before departure.