SWATA 2010

Well, we are one week away from the 56th Annual SWATA Annual Meeting and Clinical Symposium. We will be in Arlington once again, and judging from our pre-registration numbers, it may turn out to be one of our biggest meetings ever. What are those numbers? We had 810 people pre-register, including an amazing 111 students. We had 400 people say they were going to join us for our Honors and Awards Luncheon on Friday and it looks like we will have close to 675 rowdy athletic trainers as the 1st place Texas Rangers take on the Halos on Thursday evening. I am excited about the registration numbers, but I am even more excited about the opportunities for learning and socializing in Arlington next week.

Some highlights:

• Wednesday night will once again allow our members to attend a reception and have their first opportunity to see our exhibits. Those who have pre-registered will have the opportunity to pick up their packets and everyone will have an opportunity to kick off the weekend with a fun evening.

• Programming begins first thing Thursday morning and program chair Tina Bonci and her committee have put together a terrific program. Take a look at the program at http://www.swata.org/images/2010%20SWATA%20Ed%20Program.pdf and come prepared to learn something new.

• One of the sessions on Thursday afternoon is our annual Town Hall Meeting. This is a session where you will be able to get to know your Executive Board and ask any question that you may have about our organization. If you have a question that you would like answered but don’t want to ask it in public, please feel free to email those to me and we will make sure it gets covered: david.traylor@kellerisd.net.

• Thursday evening, the Young Professionals Committee is hosting a tailgate party for all members in the Convention Center parking lot. Stop by with your family on your way to the ballpark and grab some hot dogs and some cold drinks.

• Don’t forget to make plans to attend our Honors and Awards Luncheon on Friday afternoon – this is the first time we have held the banquet in the middle of the day, so it is a perfect opportunity to stop by if you never have before. Come help us honor all of our deserving award winners as well as this year Hall of Fame class of Melinda Terry and Frank Walters.

• The Honors and Awards Luncheon will be followed by this year’s Keynote Address from NATA Hall of Famer Dr. David Perrin.

• Friday evening has been left open for any alumni events that are being hosted. Enjoy the evening with your friends and re-connect with your old friends.

• Finally, Saturday will wrap up with the NATA Forum and Business meeting, adjourning around 12:30 pm allowing you to head back home or spend the rest of the afternoon with your family enjoying some of Arlington’s attractions.

As the summer winds down, many folks have a tradition of attending the SWATA Symposium. Backed by a terrific program and multiple opportunities to have some fun along the way, we hope that you make Arlington your destination of choice next week. Have a terrific weekend, travel safe and we look forward to seeing you next week!

DT
SWATA Vice President