Before I begin, I wanted to touch on a great article in the NATA News Blog (http://www.nata.org/nata-news-blog/how-do-we-choose-our-convention-city) from February 2015 regarding the city location for the annual convention. As a previous member of SWATA (District 6) and GLATA (District 4), I have seen how difficult it is for members in the regional organizations to attend the annual meetings due to location. For example, Texas is big…very big. It has become almost routine that every year athletic trainers will not make the 10 hour drive from south Texas to Dallas for the convention and a result miss out on the opportunity for continuing education and networking. The same issue occurs nationwide with the annual convention. I thought the article touched on much needed insight for the members to understand why we continue to return to places like St. Louis or New Orleans. When it gets down to it, NATA can bid the convention out to 20 cities that meet our needs: East (Atlanta, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Orlando, Washington DC, Boston) Midwest (Indianapolis, St Louis, Nashville, Chicago), West (San Francisco, San Diego, Anaheim, Las Vegas, Denver) and South (Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio). This list of cities encompasses a variety of locations including the nation’s capital, 7 of the 10 largest cities in the United States and rich cultural history. And after attending the last two NATA as young professional (Las Vegas 2013 and Indianapolis 2014), I have high expectations for the venue and city. Can you imagine the outcry from the NATA members if we returned to Dearborn, MI (site of 1977 NATA convention)? Nothing against Dearborn…it is simply the experience of the annual convention has changed to become one not focused directly on the exposium and the learning. The annual convention has become a once a year vacation for athletic trainers to spend a week with their family; a time to reconnect with previous coworkers, teachers and classmates; to network and find a job.
In the convention city blog, the writer makes a note that the NATA is seeking a cost effective (under $200 hotel rooms) with a solid entertainment package. The article actually states “it is paramount” which made me wonder why so many people are up in arms about the Las Vegas 2013 convention and lack of attendance at the learning events. If our national organization is promoting entertainment and networking as part of the lure to attend the annual meeting, it should almost be expected that this would occur in the city that never sleeps.
As I said, I am a young professional and I have quickly learned how important networking is in this profession. Much like any of other professional conference, we pay large amounts of money to register, travel and attend these meetings. The issue is that the culture of networking has become synonymous with alcohol. Dry events rarely take place at NATA. I am not saying the convention should be alcohol free and athletic trainers should not have great time reconnecting with mentors and colleagues. I am a supporter of alcohol at alumni party and connecting over drinks. I am simply stating the culture of drinking at these annual meetings has skewed what the actual purpose is while also creating a barrier for inclusion. Just at a logistic standpoint, a hangover basically wipes a day out of your annual meeting agenda that you paid money for. The mature decision making skills are thrown out the window after a few drinks and your reputation is quickly molded based on the impression of the profession’s top decision makers watch you drink.
Zachary Winkelmann MS, LAT, ATC
In the convention city blog, the writer makes a note that the NATA is seeking a cost effective (under $200 hotel rooms) with a solid entertainment package. The article actually states “it is paramount” which made me wonder why so many people are up in arms about the Las Vegas 2013 convention and lack of attendance at the learning events. If our national organization is promoting entertainment and networking as part of the lure to attend the annual meeting, it should almost be expected that this would occur in the city that never sleeps.
As I said, I am a young professional and I have quickly learned how important networking is in this profession. Much like any of other professional conference, we pay large amounts of money to register, travel and attend these meetings. The issue is that the culture of networking has become synonymous with alcohol. Dry events rarely take place at NATA. I am not saying the convention should be alcohol free and athletic trainers should not have great time reconnecting with mentors and colleagues. I am a supporter of alcohol at alumni party and connecting over drinks. I am simply stating the culture of drinking at these annual meetings has skewed what the actual purpose is while also creating a barrier for inclusion. Just at a logistic standpoint, a hangover basically wipes a day out of your annual meeting agenda that you paid money for. The mature decision making skills are thrown out the window after a few drinks and your reputation is quickly molded based on the impression of the profession’s top decision makers watch you drink.
Zachary Winkelmann MS, LAT, ATC
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