From Conference to Community

The RSNA annual meeting is the world’s largest radiology conference, and it has been held consecutively in Chicago for almost 40 years. The large scale of the event, held at McCormick Place, means that RSNA is constantly improving its efforts to hold a sustainable meeting. RSNA is also cognizant of the impact the meeting has on the local community.

“RSNA has instituted new pilot initiatives geared towards reducing its environmental impact and increasing its work with local organizations,” said Marissa Ritter, director, RSNA Meetings & Convention Services. “These initiatives are focused on combating food waste and donating or recycling materials left behind after the meeting.”

RSNA has partnered with McCormick Place, a local non-profit called Fight2Feed, and its general service contractor Freeman, to establish a recycling program for exhibitors to donate booth materials. Anything from furniture, decorations, and unopened food can  be donated. In addition to booth materials, an e-waste and battery recycling program was also instituted. Exhibitors were encouraged to recycle phones, laptops, printers and batteries.

“The recycling and donation program for exhibitors in partnership with McCormick Place, Freeman, and Fight2Feed demonstrates our commitment to an environmentally conscious annual meeting,” said Jim Donovan, director, RSNA Corporate Relations and Exhibition Services. “These items saved from the landfill will benefit the local community in countless ways and we look forward to expanding these efforts moving forward.” 

Fight2Feed Collects And Shares Excess With Those In Need

Fight2Feed, a 100% volunteer-run, managed, and operated non-profit, has been working out of the Lakeside Building kitchen at McCormick Place since 2021, creating meals out of food that would otherwise go to waste. These meals are then packaged and distributed throughout the Chicagoland area to food-insecure communities. Founded in 2014 by a group of hospitality professionals, Fight2Feed originally started by cooking meals in borrowed kitchens throughout the city.

For the past few years, the donated kitchen space at McCormick Place has enabled the Fight2Feed team to create well-balanced meals and pantry bags  for those in need.

“Our mission is to reduce food waste and serve our community warm, nutritious meals with dignity,” said Fight2Feed Founder and CEO, Jiwon McCartney. “Everything we do is driven by purpose and compassion because no one should go hungry in our country.”

Ingredients are donated from a variety of groups, including local restaurants, chefs, food distributors, and food service contractors. The unused food from throughout McCormick Place also finds its way into the Fight2Feed kitchen. A network of volunteer chefs help craft healthy menus out of the donated resources. An additional group of volunteers with a passion for food lend their expertise as well, sorting and prepping food for the chefs, and organizing distribution. On any given week, Fight2Feed donates 25,000 to 100,000 pounds of food. In some weeks, this number is much higher. 

Fight2Feed doesn’t just stop at food. They also donate other important items, such as clothes, furniture, and even phone chargers. Following RSNA 2024, all unused meeting bags were donated and will be used to hold the food containers that go to people who need them most.

“RSNA is pleased to increase its annual meeting sustainability efforts through its partnership with McCormick Place and Fight2Feed,” said John Jaworski, assistant executive director, RSNA Meeting Services & Corporate Relations. “With this partnership, RSNA can assist Chicagoland area  residents in need through food donations and materials left behind in the Technical Exhibit Halls.”  

Banners “Renew-ed As Bags

Another crucial part of the annual meeting is signage, especially in the form of large banners throughout McCormick Place.After RSNA 2024, the banners were sent to a non-profit called Renew.   

Based out of Glen Ellyn, IL, Renew was founded in 2009 to provide refugee women in the Chicagoland area with free sewing lessons and English language classes. Some graduates of the sewing program are hired to work in the studio, where they create artisanal bags and accessories. Others go on to either find other means of employment, further their education or even start a business of their own. 

“RSNA is working with Renew to turn RSNA 2024 banners into over 300 tote bags that will be repurposed for the RSNA 2025 meeting,” said Sherry Gendel, assistant director, Corporate & Exhibition Services. “A total of nine banners, over 105,000 square inches of vinyl, were saved from the landfill.”

Some of these bags will hold first-time exhibitor welcome gifts, and others will be sold in the RSNA shop. “As the RSNA annual meeting constantly evolves and innovates, so too will its sustainability and community impact initiatives,” Jaworski said.  “Every year, we strive to find new ways to reduce our environmental impact while increasing community outreach.”   

For More Information

Learn more about RSNA’s sustainability efforts.

Learn more about Fight2Feed.

Learn more about Renew.