Ontario government reportedly pulling out of RSNA 2025

The Ontario government is reportedly pulling out of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 2025 annual meeting, drawing concern from some in Canada’s most populous province. 

Niles Geminiuc, a Toronto-area healthcare consultant, revealed the news in a LinkedIn post published Thursday. He called the decision “deeply disappointing,” believing that it will harm Canadian startups. 

RSNA confirmed that the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade is not exhibiting at its annual meeting after doing so last year. However, it emphasized that other Ontario-based companies are slated to showcase their offerings at the world’s largest medical imaging conference. Exhibitors have until Oct. 31 to secure space, with the show slated to take place Nov. 30 to Dec. 4 in Chicago’s McCormick Place convention center. 

The Government of Ontario did not respond to Radiology Business requests for comment on Thursday and Friday. 

“It has come to my attention that the Government of Ontario will no longer support Canadian companies attending the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Conference—including assistance with booth space. This decision is deeply concerning,” Geminiuc wrote on LinkedIn July 24. “RSNA is the world’s most important medical imaging event and has been held annually in Chicago for over 100 years.* For Canadian companies, especially startups and scale-ups, it’s a critical opportunity to showcase innovation, build partnerships, and grow globally. At a time when Ontario is facing a diagnostic imaging crisis, withdrawing support for our local companies sends the wrong message.”

RSNA declined to comment further and would not say how many years the province had been exhibiting at its annual meeting. In an interview, Geminiuc—who advises Canadian companies on entering the U.S. market—said he heard about Ontario’s decision from his clients. In the past, the province’s Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade has set up a large booth, showcasing around 10 to 15 local innovators in imaging. He believes the decision was motivated by tensions between the U.S. and Canada. 

President Donald Trump recently said he does not believe the two countries will reach a trade deal ahead of an Aug. 1 deadline. POTUS sent a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on July 10, threatening to hit the country with 35% tariffs beginning Friday, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported.  

“I think it’s really shortsighted, what they did,” Geminiuc said about the Ontario government’s decision to miss RSNA 2025. “It’s not proactive, it’s reactive, and the smaller companies will be the ones getting hurt here.” 

His original post had received several responses also questioning the decision. Respondents urged Canadian companies to focus on the European Society of Radiology’s annual meeting and other medical imaging conferences outside of North America.

“From my understanding, Canadian healthcare tech companies can still register for RSNA, exhibit, network and present on their own,” responded Michael Brady, an executive with Infinitt North America focused on strategic alliances and business development. “They just won’t receive financial or logistical assistance from the Ontario provincial government. Let's hope they are still willing to make the investment and attend without assistance.”

“This is indeed very concerning,” added Benjamin Hebb, national director of diagnostic imaging solutions at Microsoft. “I don't understand the motivation behind this, other than to try and score some political points for [Premier of Ontario Doug] Ford. Seems very shortsighted for sure. RSNA is the most important event for medical imaging technology, and we cannot afford to have Ontario and Canadian companies miss the opportunity to showcase their innovations with the rest of the world.”

“I agree Niles. A big mistake by the Ford government. Where else can start-ups get great exposure?” added Terry Moore, an Ontario-based healthcare consultant.

*Editor's note: RSNA has been held in Chicago almost every year in Chicago since 1915, with a few exceptions. The meeting did not occur in-person in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it  was held elsewhere in 1979 (Atlanta), 1980 (Dallas), and D.C. (1984).