Allez les bleus! Rugby final proves popular at JFR

2011 10 24 14 30 33 536 French Rugby Ball 70

JFR attendees took a break from the congress on Sunday to enjoy the thrilling climax of the Rugby World Cup final in the Siemens Healthcare booth. All images courtesy of Dr. Robert Lavayssière.JFR attendees took a break from the congress on Sunday to enjoy the thrilling climax of the Rugby World Cup final in the Siemens Healthcare booth. All images courtesy of Dr. Robert Lavayssière.
JFR attendees took a break from the congress on Sunday to enjoy the thrilling climax of the Rugby World Cup final in the Siemens Healthcare booth. All images courtesy of Dr. Robert Lavayssière.
It seems the imaging industry has discovered the secret to dramatically boost booth traffic at a conference: Show a live sporting event. The 2011 Rugby World Cup final between the All Blacks of New Zealand and France proved to be the star attraction on Sunday in the exhibition hall at the annual congress of the French Radiology Society, les Journées Françaises de Radiologie (JFR).

Blue-sky thinking was the order of the day at JFR, as the autumn sunshine arrived in Paris. Registration was still expected to be more than 18,000.Blue-sky thinking was the order of the day at JFR, as the autumn sunshine arrived in Paris. Registration was still expected to be more than 18,000.
Blue-sky thinking was the order of the day at JFR, as the autumn sunshine arrived in Paris. Registration was still expected to be more than 18,000.

Siemens Healthcare and EOS Imaging were among the exhibitors who showed the action from Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, and large crowds of delegates gathered in the technical exhibition to watch the finale to the tournament. They were eager to cheer on the valiant away team, who were huge underdogs for the match.

"There was nearly nobody on the streets or at the JFR during the match, which was shown on TV monitors at some booths," commented one JFR delegate, who although not a sports fan, found himself absorbed by the contest.

EOS Imaging showed the World Cup final in its JFR booth.EOS Imaging showed the World Cup final in its JFR booth.
EOS Imaging showed the World Cup final in its JFR booth.

The All Blacks led 5-0 at halftime and looked likely to be easy winners when they extended their lead to 8-0 with a penalty kick. France then fought back with a try by captain Thierry Dusautoir, and the team pressed incredibly hard during the final 30 minutes. But France eventually lost 8-7.

The fine weekend weather proved to be another distraction during the congress, but the organizers remained confident that total attendance would beat last year's figure of 18,000.






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