The RSNA 2020 Attendee Bag: What’s Included and What to Bring
The RSNA 2020 Annual Meeting was scheduled for 29 November through 4 December 2020, with radiology professionals gathering for scientific sessions, education, networking, and industry presentations. Because the meeting moved to a virtual format during the COVID-19 pandemic, the traditional conference tote bag required a different interpretation.
For an in-person event, an attendee bag usually carries a badge, programme guide, venue map, sponsor information, notebooks, and practical items. In 2020, many of those essentials were delivered through the online meeting platform, registration emails, downloadable documents, and digital exhibitor areas rather than handed out at McCormick Place in Chicago.
That distinction matters when preparing for the meeting. Instead of expecting a physical package, attendees needed reliable technology, organized login details, and a comfortable home or office setup. The official registration information remained the best source for confirming access instructions and any items distributed before the assembly.
What the attendee bag meant in 2020
The phrase “attendee bag” traditionally refers to the collection of materials received at registration. It may include a name badge, lanyard, pocket programme, venue map, event schedule, sponsor literature, and a few branded gifts. These materials help participants navigate a busy scientific congress and keep important information close at hand.
For RSNA 2020, the practical equivalent was a digital conference kit. Attendees could expect meeting credentials, platform instructions, session information, exhibitor access details, and communications about programme changes. Any physical merchandise or printed materials would have depended on the organizer’s distribution arrangements, so it should not be assumed that every registrant received the same package.
Likely digital essentials
The most important item was the login information associated with the registered attendee account. This provided access to the scientific programme, live or on-demand education, virtual exhibits, speaker content, and other meeting features. Registration confirmation emails should have been retained and stored somewhere easy to find.
A digital programme replaced much of the printed material normally found in a conference tote. It was useful to save session times in a calendar, download available documents, and note presentation titles or faculty names in advance. Attendees also benefited from checking whether continuing education information, evaluations, or certificates were accessed through a separate portal.
What to bring to a virtual meeting
A laptop or desktop computer was the most practical choice for viewing presentations and navigating between sessions. A second screen could make it easier to follow a lecture while keeping the programme or notes visible. Headphones were valuable in shared homes and offices, while a microphone and webcam supported professional participation in interactive events.
A stable internet connection was equally important. Participants should have updated their browser, installed required software, connected chargers, and tested audio before the first session. A notebook, water bottle, comfortable chair, and a quiet workspace replaced many of the small conveniences normally packed into an exhibition bag.
| Traditional conference item | Virtual equivalent or preparation |
|---|---|
| Name badge and lanyard | Registration account and profile details |
| Printed programme | Online schedule, calendar reminders, and saved session links |
| Venue map | Platform navigation guide and bookmarked exhibit pages |
| Printed abstracts | Downloadable presentations, session pages, or digital resources |
| Contact cards | Updated professional profile and approved networking details |
| Tote bag supplies | Headphones, charger, notebook, and refreshments |
Documents worth keeping nearby
The registration confirmation was one of the most useful documents to preserve. It could contain the attendee ID, access instructions, customer-service details, and links to the official meeting environment. Keeping a local copy reduced the risk of being locked out when an email was difficult to locate.
A personal schedule was also worth preparing. RSNA’s programme covered many subspecialties, and virtual attendance made it easy to open too many sessions at once. Marking priority lectures, case-based education, scientific presentations, and professional development events helped create a manageable plan.
Teams and delegations had additional administrative needs. People coordinating accommodation or attendance for colleagues could review the group registration process to keep participant information organized. Even when the event was online, clear records helped departments track registrations, schedules, and internal responsibilities.
Preparing for scientific sessions
The digital setting changed how participants collected information. Instead of placing printed handouts into a tote, attendees could save presentation files, copy useful references into a research folder, and record questions beside each session title. A consistent file-naming system made these materials easier to retrieve after the meeting.
It was also sensible to check session availability and time zones. Some content might be live while other sessions could be viewed on demand. Calendar entries should identify the session title, start time, access link, and any follow-up task, such as completing an evaluation or downloading a certificate.
Packing for professional networking
A virtual congress still required professional preparation. A current biography, institutional affiliation, headshot, and concise description of research interests could support profile-based networking. Attendees who planned to contact exhibitors or faculty should keep relevant questions and areas of interest ready.
Professional etiquette mattered as much online as it did in the convention center. Use a clear display name, check microphone settings, and avoid sharing confidential patient information during discussions. A quiet background and reliable lighting also helped during any live interaction.
A practical preparation checklist
The most useful “bag” was a small collection of digital and physical essentials assembled before the first day:
- Save registration emails, access credentials, and technical instructions in one folder.
- Add priority sessions to a calendar, including the correct time zone.
- Test the computer, browser, headphones, webcam, microphone, and internet connection.
- Keep a charger, notebook, water, and any required professional documents nearby.
- Create a secure folder for presentations, certificates, notes, and exhibitor contacts.
The RSNA 2020 experience was different from a conventional Chicago meeting, but careful preparation preserved much of its educational value. Reviewing registration details, organizing the online programme, and setting up a dependable workspace allowed attendees to focus on radiology education rather than last-minute technical problems.
Before accessing the meeting materials, gather your credentials and equipment, review the official programme, and prepare your personal digital conference kit for a productive RSNA experience.