The 75th NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo, June 25-28 in New Orleans, is approaching – but there’s still time to register. As we get ready for convention, NATA Now is looking back at convention history as well as what to know about NATA 2024.
Each year, the NATA Research & Education Foundation offers convention attendees a slate of activities that allow them to learn more about hot topics in sports medicine, celebrate future professionals and support the advancement of the athletic training profession.
“I'm most looking forward to the energy of connecting with everyone in person at this year’s convention,” NATA Foundation Director Kathryn LaLonde said. “It's a fantastic opportunity to network, meet new people and immerse in the excitement that always sets the stage for our exciting programming in the coming year.”
Here are five NATA Foundation events taking place during NATA 2024 that you won’t want to miss.
1. Have Fun Giving Back During Pickleball and Pints
This year, the NATA Foundation is kicking off its convention activities with its annual fundraising event. Conventiongoers can have fun competing with friends while also supporting the NATA Foundation and its mission by attending Pickleball and Pints, presented by the PFATS Foundation, from 7 to 10 p.m. June 25 at The Exchange Pickleball+Bar.
“Enjoy delicious food, an open bar with beer and wine, open play pickleball, cornhole, organized tournaments and other fun games,” LaLonde said. “It's the perfect relaxed environment for networking or just hanging out with friends, all while kicking off a great convention week. Best of all, every dollar raised goes directly to advancing the athletic training profession through research and education.”
The deadline to purchase tickets for the event is June 10. You can purchase your tickets when you register for NATA 2024 or add them to your existing registration. Learn more about the event on the NATA Foundation website.
2. Celebrate the Next Generation at the Pinky Newell Scholarship and Student Leadership Reception
Join the NATA Foundation from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. June 27 for the Pinky Newell Scholarship and Student Leadership Reception, a networking event recognizing the NATA Foundation’s scholarship recipients, NATA Foundation’s Deloss Brubaker Awardees for Student Writing and NATA Bobby Gunn Student Leadership Award recipients.
“At the Pinky Newell Scholarship and Student Leadership Reception, you'll feel the excitement of celebrating our student award winners,” LaLonde said.
Space is limited and registration is required. You can sign up to attend the reception when you register for NATA 2024 or add registration to your existing registration record.
3. Attend the NATA Foundation Grant Writing Workshop
During the NATA Foundation Grant Writing Workshop from 10 a.m. to noon June 26, a group of nationally recognized mentors who have obtained success with external funding agencies will offer their insights to maximize the chance of research funding for athletic training investigators. This workshop will provide the expertise and support to improve funding successes for grant proposals submitted to the NATA Foundation, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Defense and other agencies funding athletic training research.
The target audience for this workshop includes junior and mid-level athletic training researchers who could benefit from expert mentorship in grant development. Past attendees, post-doctoral fellows and doctoral candidates who are transitioning to faculty positions are also encouraged to attend.
Advanced registration is required. Event and registration details can be found on the NATA Foundation website.
4. Learn More During the NATA Foundation Distinguished Scholars Presentation
The Distinguished Scholars Presentation, from 12:45 to 2:45 p.m. June 27, provides athletic trainers the opportunity to learn about cutting-edge research from other health care professionals. It also allows members from these groups to benefit from athletic training speakers who represent the profession by giving presentations at their annual meetings.
This session has two components. The first consists of presentations by exchange lecturers who represent the American College of Sports Medicine, American Medical Society of Sports Medicine and American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine.
The second portion of the session includes the recognition of the NATA Foundation’s 2024 research award recipients and Free Communications awards.
5. See the Latest Research With the Free Communications Program
The NATA Foundation’s Free Communications Program is often the first chance an AT gets to present their research and clinical case studies during the NATA convention. To date, more than 8,000 oral and poster presentations have been provided through the program. Abstracts selected by the Free Communications Committee are published in a supplement to the Journal of Athletic Training and are presented at the NATA convention via oral or poster presentation.
“The Free Communications Program, Distinguished Scholars Sessions and Grant Writing Workshop provide invaluable education on cutting-edge research and essential support in grant writing,” LaLonde said.
Check out the NATA 2024 Convention Directory to see when the Free Communications Program oral, rapid fire and poster presentations are taking place.
