Oh those SWATA nights

As you have hopefully seen by now the registration for both the SWATA Annual Meeting and also the Arlington Sheraton is open now. Hopefully you've already registered for the meeting, but if you haven't because you are still trying to decide if it is worth the time and money let me give you a brief rundown of not only the educational sessions, but the evening schedule too.

Wednesday July 21 we will host the SWATA Golf Tournament again at the Chester Ditto golf course in Arlington. Lunch will be served around 11:30 am and the tournament will start around 1 pm. After the golf tournament come on over the the convention center. Last year we had an early bird packet pickup and cocktail reception and it was a huge success. Because of all of the positive feedback we had we will once again have the early packet pick up for those of us that have pre registered. It will be Wednesday evening July 21 from 5 - 7 pm in the exhibit hall. After the reception we will have our committee meetings. They will run from 7 - 9 pm that evening.

The educational sessions begin bright and early on Thursday July 22 at 8 am. Program chair Tina Bonci has put together a really outstanding program this year. Athletic trainers will be able to get 19 CEU for the two and a half day meeting. Thursday evening will be SWATA night at the Ballpark. The Texas Rangers are in town and every attendee will be given a ticket in the SWATA block. If you would like to purchase extra tickets for your family we will give you the opportunity to do that as well.

This year we have moved the Honors & Awards banquet from its traditional Friday evening time slot to a luncheon on Friday starting at 11:30 am. Please come out and honor all of the SWATA award winners and new Hall of Fame inductees. After the luncheon we will have our keynote address. This year it will be given by Dr. David Perrin who is currently the provost at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Dr. Perrin is a NATA Hall of Famer and former editor of the Journal of Athletic Training. Friday evening we have left open for alumni gatherings. If you are scheduling an alumni gathering there are plenty of great venues for it in and around Arlington, but you probably need to act now before all the good ones are taken.

Finally on Saturday we will have the NATA Forum and SWATA business meeting. It will end at 1 pm so you can leave Arlington and head back to your home and not incur another night in the hotel if you so choose.

As you can see not only will the days of SWATA be filled with great educational sessions, but every night you will have the opportunity to fellowship with old and new friends in this great profession.