NATA 2023Convention News
Keynote
The world saw athletic training in action firsthand when Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest during the Jan. 2 NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals. During the 74th NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo Keynote presentation, moderated by ESPN sideline reporter Lisa Salters, Buffalo Bills head athletic trainer Nate Breske, DPT, ATC, and associate head athletic trainer Denny Kellington, ATC, shared insight into the incident as well as celebrated the athletic training profession and the resiliency of athletic trainers. Learn more about this inspirational discussion on the NATA Now blog.
Leadership
Attendees met with thought leaders in the profession and heard from leadership at the EDAC Town Hall, LGBTQ+ Town Hall, NATAPAC Breakfast, Face Time, SSATC Town Hall and the AT EducATionalist Town Hall.
CelebrATe
Major accomplishments and achievements in the profession were recognized at the NATA 2023 Welcome Reception, NATA Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, NATA 2023 General Session and the NATA Quiz Bowl.
Network
ATs also met and mingled with their fellow colleagues during the NATA Early Professionals’ Committee & Career Advancement Committee Social and the NATA Student Social.
Interactives
During the on-site NATA 2023, attendees got to engage further with interactive opportunities including the Hot Products Display, which showcased the latest in athletic training products; Connect, which presented NATA’s initiatives and goals; “The NATA-Cast” Live Taping, in which panelists from the NATA AT Compensation Task Force discussed what it’s been like to be an integral part of the podcast’s launch and some of the surprising finds; and Rounding Third, a new opportunity to expand NATA’s advocacy efforts.
Students
The annual Athletic Training Student Seminar, presented by the NATA Student Leadership Committee, provided athletic training students with the education, knowledge and resources to advance their career within athletic training. The 2023 ATSS theme was “Beyond Your Credential: What Comes Next?” At NATA 2023, ATSS prepared athletic training students in their transition from student to clinician. Programming helped to educate students on becoming well-rounded professionals with an understanding of each athletic training domain, while participating in professional engagement. Sponsored by Florida International University, Jones & Bartlett Learning, Konin Consulting, LLC, MK Leadership and SLACK Inc., the event also gave students the chance to meet professionals from all over the country in different settings.
For more highlights and recaps: read the NATA 2023 Convention News below.