Member Statement: NATA 2025

June 20, 2024 by Beth Sitzler
Member statement

To focus on NATA’s primary goal of advocating for the athletic training profession, NATA avoids divisive political issues while recognizing and respecting the diverse perspectives within our membership.

We embrace the complexities surrounding the athletic training profession, navigating the intricate interplay of politics, advocacy, and legislative challenges at both state and national levels. We’ve heard ongoing member concerns related to controversial legislation in Florida, and some called for the relocation of our 2025 annual meeting. While NATA is not in a position to move the location of NATA 2025, we are committed to upholding the values, mission, and commitments of NATA and our members while in Orlando. We have and will continue to implement measures to make sure that members and attendees feel welcome at NATA 2025 and at all NATA events.

NATA is dedicated to supporting all athletic trainers and patients. We want to support those hesitant to travel to Florida as well as those residing in Florida. In Orlando, NATA will organize events and opportunities to showcase the role of the athletic trainer and our commitment to compassionate health care for all, regardless of race, religion, age, sex, ethnic or national origin, disability, health status, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. For athletic trainers who do not feel comfortable traveling to the convention in Orlando, we will continue to provide on-demand learning opportunities and access to select educational programming available to NATA convention attendees. More information on Orlando will be available soon.

We appreciate our members' dedication and passion, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every athletic trainer feels welcomed, supported, and empowered. Thank you for your ongoing support, whether through membership, donation, attendance, volunteering, or spreading the word. If you have any ideas you would like to share, please connect with us via this form. We hope to see you at the 75th NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo in New Orleans!