70th Annual SWATA Symposium & Billy Pickard Expo

07/16/2024 (8:00 AM)

09/30/2024 (11:59 PM)

(GMT-05:00) Central Time (US and Canada)

Hot Springs Convention Center

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SWATA FAQ's 2024

July 17-19 Embassy Suites Hotel & Spa Hot Springs

400 Convention Blvd., Hot Springs Arkansas, 71901
(A few Rooms Left July 17-19 as of 5/23/24)

Book the Embassy Suites Now

Additional Housing Option!
The Hotel Hot Springs
305 Malvern Avenue Hot Springs, AR 71901
Book The Hotel Hot Springs & Spa Now
Make sure to adjust to the dates you want to stay
Deadline to Book at the SWATA rate is June 24

Meeting Space & Billy Pickard Expo Hall At Bank of the Ozarks Arena & Convention Center

134 Convention Center Blvd., Hot Springs, Arkansas 71901

Where is SWATA located this year?

SWATA is located at the Hot Springs Convention Center, in Hot Springs Arkansas at 134 Convention Blvd, Hot Springs, Arkansas 71901.

Directly across from the Convention Center you can book discounted rooms at one of two Hotel Locations. The SWATA housing block is NOT sold out July 17-19 - please edit your arrival and departure dates to suit your travel dates.

The Embassy Suites by Hilton Hot Springs Hotel & Spa at 400 Convention Blvd, Hot Springs, Arkansas 71901. A few rooms remain July 17-19.
Book a Room at the Embassy Suites Hotel & Spa Contact Embassy Suites by Hilton Hot Springs Hotel & Spa with reservation questions. (501) 624-9200

Update!
An addtional hotel option is now available! The Hotel Hot Springs at 305 Malvern Avenue, Hot Springs, AR 71901 offers a SWATA discounted rate for July 17-19. Reservations accepted through June 24th. You may contact the hotel drectly for specific questions 501-623-6600.
Book a room at the Hotel Hot Springs Now

SWATA 2024 Details:

Reminder - to register as a SWATA Member, you must be a member of the NATA. If not, please register as a non member or renew your NATA membership today!

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InEvent Mobile SWATA App

A unique SWATA App will be used for all schedules, maps, attendee communications and information related to SWATA 2024. Please stay tuned for an email inviting you to download the InEvent App before our event.

Professional Schedule Overview

The Annual Symposium includes many of our District Six professionals and nationally recognized experts from a variety of locations. All domains will be covered at different levels including essential and advanced. Please continue below for information on pre-conference events and highlights of regular scheduled conference programming!

Tuesday July 16

2024 Arkansas Athletic Trainers Association Educational Symposium-6 Live Cat A CEU’s

$60 additional fee applies for this opportunity to attend educational sessions supported by the AATA!

Wednesday July 17

Keynote, 4 lectures, 1 panel, 1 breakout, 2 clinical labs running from 9:00am-4:00pm

NATA, SWATA, TSATA, AATA Forums.

2024 Welcome Reception 7:00 PM (keep scrolling for more info)

Thursday July 18

Six lectures, 4 clinical labs, 1 panel, 3 seminars running from 7:00am-3:00pm

Pre-registration required for lab and seminar.

Honors & Awards Ceremony 4:00 PM

Friday July 19

Five lectures, 2 clinical labs, 1 seminar running from 8:00am-1:00pm.

Thirty minute beginner yoga flow Friday morning; please bring your own mat!

Pre-registration required for lab and seminar.

August 1-September 30

Asynchronous virtual sessions worth 10 Cat A CEUs.

Please choose sessions that will enhance your current knowledge and practice or allow you to expand your current skill set. Having multiple sessions and speakers also allows for more direct contact with our amazing group of speakers.

SWATA Early Registration Ends July 1st. Prices increase for each category July 2-18.

Where do I pick up my badge if I pre-registered?

Report to the pre-registration booth inside the Exhibit Hall in the Convention Center with a photo ID and you will be able to pick up your badge. Badge pick up times are as follows: Wednesday 8:00 AM-3:00 PM, Thursday 8:00 AM-11:00 AM.

I still need to pay, where do I go?

Please pay by CC by clicking the links in your registration confirmation or mail checks as soon as possible to the address below.
Registration Mailing Address:
SWATA
1079 W. Round Grove Rd. STE 300-237
Lewisville, Texas 75067

Need a SWATA W9 Form for your employer? Click Here

Where do I go if I need to pay in Hot Springs?

Please see one of the Registration staff and they will be happy to take care of you and get a receipt emailed to you. Look for specific signage regarding onsite payment.

What do I do if my registration check has not arrived through the mail before I arrive to pick up my packet at SWATA this week?

Please make every effort to have all checks received before July 1. Keep in mind our staff must travel to Hot Springs as well, so we will not be able to access PO boxes after July 10. Payment must be made via credit card or check once onsite to gain access to the education sessions if a check was mailed and not received before July 10.

SWATA Refund Policy-Click Here

What night will alumni events be held?

Traditionally Friday night is Alumni night during SWATA. We are suggesting Thursday night July 18th as a good time for these gatherings due to the Awards Ceremony beginning early at 4:00 PM Thursday and invited receptions to follow. Please check with your individual alumni groups for additional details.

When does the Billy Pickard Expo Hall open?

The Billy Pickard Expo will kick off with a grand opening on Wednesday morning at 8:00 and remain open till 4:00 PM. The Expo hours on Thursday are 8:00 – 11:30 AM. Please visit these awesome vendors as they tirelessly support SWATA and athletic trainers everywhere!

When is the Honors and Awards Ceremony?

One of the highlights every year at SWATA is the ability to recognize and honor deserving members in the Honors and Awards Ceremony including Hall of Fame Inductees. This year’s celebration will be held in the Convention Center on Thursday July 18 at 4 PM. Please make sure to join us as we celebrate these individuals’ accomplishments as they receive their much-deserved recognition.

Where can I park for SWATA?

Self-parking will be available at the Hotel and adjacent to the Convention Center. If you are staying at one of the SWATA Hotels, you will be able to park in their parking lots throughout the length of your stay.

Registration Volunteers Needed!

If you can assist our dedicated volunteer staff with registration and other tasks please reach out to Catherine Windsor cwindsor312@gmail.com to inquire about where current needs are as the event draws closer.

What does "Company ID" on the invoice mean?
This commonly refers to the Company Tax ID of your employer. You're welcome to enter the tax ID, all zeroes, or any random numbers. It cannot be left empty but does not have an impact on registration or how your invoice is processed by SWATA.

2024 SWATA Welcome Reception

Title Sponsor: Alert Services

www.AlertServices.com

What to do in Hot Springs

THINGS TO DO

Bath House Row – self-guided tours, some will book massages
Magic Springs and Crystal Falls – amusement and water parks
Mid-America Museum – interactive science museum (great for kids!)
Pirate’s Cove Miniature Golf
T-Rex Fun Spot (indoor laser tag, blacklight mini-golf, and go-carts
Big Axe Battleground – axe throwing
Billiard’s Pool Hall
Gangster Museum
Hot Springs Overlook Tower
Lake Catherine State Park Waterfall Trail (hiking)
Cedar Glades Skate Park and Bike Trails
Escape Hot Springs (escape room)
A Narrow Escape (escape room)
Shopping
Crystal Ridge Distillery – tours and tastings
Golf courses in Hot Springs Village

PLACES TO EAT

Downtown – near the convention center

Brick House Grill
Ohio Club – Burgers, Pub Food, Live music some nights
Rolando’s Nuevo Latino Restaurante
The Pancake Shop – Breakfast
420eats – Food Trucks and Live music
Fat Jack’s Oyster Bar and Grill
Ouachita Bar and Grill
The Copper Penny Bar and Grill – Pub Food
Picante’s
Steinhaus Keller - $$ - German food, Casual or Business casual
Café 1217 – Soup, Sandwich, Salad, Entrees, etc.
Taco Mama’s
The Porterhouse Steak and Seafood- $$$, Dress nicely, Need a Reservation
501 Prime - $$ - $$$, Business Casual, Need a Reservation
The Vault - $$$, Dress nicely, Need a Reservation

Other places around town

Fisherman’s Wharf (Overlooking Lake Hamilton) $ - $$$, Casual
Back Porch Grill - $$ - $$$, Steak and Seafood, Business casual
McClard’s BBQ (small dive BBQ place – but famous for their Tamale Spread)
Rocky’s Corner – Pizza/bar across from Oaklawn
Jose’s Mexican Grill
Bleu Monkey Grill - a Chili’s-type place but more variety
Colorado Grill – Mexican
Bubba Brews On Lake Hamilton – Sandwiches, Pub food

Vendor Registration

Agenda

Preventing Sudden Death in Exertional Conditions in Sport

207-209 - Lecture Hall

Start

12:30 PM

End

2:30 PM

Speakers

Rod Walters

Risk Management & Legal Duties in Education Based Athletic Programs

207-209 - Lecture Hall

Start

2:30 PM

End

3:30 PM

Speakers

Doug Kilgore

Mental Health in the Athletic Training Room

207-209 - Lecture Hall

Start

3:30 PM

End

4:30 PM

Speakers

Rod Walters

Emergency Cases - Lessons Learned

207-209 - Lecture Hall

Start

4:45 PM

End

5:45 PM

Speakers

Rod Walters

Management of Cervical Spine Injuries

207-209 - Lecture Hall

Start

5:45 PM

End

6:45 PM

Speakers

Daryl Conway

Interprofessional Emergency Care

207-209 - Lecture Hall

Start

9:00 AM

End

9:50 AM

Speakers

Daryl Conway

Creating LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Policies in Athletic Training Practice

Creating an inclusive environment for LGBTQIA+ patients begins with establishing and enforcing policies in the athletic training facility to eliminate discrimination and harassment. This session will focus on the development and revision of LGBTQIA+ inclusive policies across all athletic training practice settings.

207-209 - Lecture Hall

Start

10:00 AM

End

10:50 AM

Speakers

Liz Parke

Meredith Decker

How to Travel as an AT Internationally and Have it Paid For!

Athletic training has continued to expand its global recognition outside the borders of the United States. Today, numerous opportunities exist that enable an athletic trainer with International interests to take part in a combined professional and cultural experience. The major goal of this presentation is to share real experiences with audience participants how one can engage in International athletic training activities that range from teaching to clinical care to mentoring to collaborative research. Regardless of one’s specific interest for travel, valuable tips will be provided to assure a cultural experience is integrated. Perhaps of most importance, numerous methods for funding will be shared to potentially minimize or even fully fund the expenses associated with the travel. Examples will also be shared as to how one can actually get paid for the experience.

203-204 - Seminar

Start

10:00 AM

End

10:50 AM

Speakers

Jeff Konin

Concussion 2024 - An Update on the Evidence

On average, 31 concussion-related articles are published in the profession literature. This presentation will provide an update on the latest concussion-related research .

207-209 - Lecture Hall

Start

12:00 PM

End

2:00 PM

Speakers

Morgan Benefield

Scott Bruce

Practical Applications in LGBTQIA+ Patient Care

Athletic training students often lack education about LGBTQIA+ health conditions and how to provide inclusive patient care. This may affect patient well-being and lead to endorsing stereotypes or negative attitudes towards LGBTQIA+ people. This presentation will provide scenarios to identify strategies for quality patient-centered care and advocacy for LGBTQIA+ patients.

102-103 - Students

Start

12:00 PM

End

12:50 PM

Speakers

Emily Clark

Liz Parke

Meredith Decker

The REAL Value of an AT - Knowing How to Establish Your Fees

203-204 - Seminar

Start

12:00 PM

End

2:00 PM

Speakers

Jeff Konin

Keynote: Life or Death

207-209 - Lecture Hall

Start

3:00 PM

End

4:00 PM

Speakers

Charles Wooley

Trina Taylor

SWATA Business

207-209 - Lecture Hall

Start

4:00 PM

End

5:00 PM

AATA

207-209 - Lecture Hall

Start

5:00 PM

End

6:00 PM

TSATA

207-209 - Lecture Hall

Start

5:00 PM

End

6:00 PM

Diagnostic Ultrasound Workshop

104-105 - Clinical Labs

Start

8:00 AM

End

10:00 AM

Speakers

Eric Bobel

Robert French

Alexander Jacobsen

S. Andrew Cage

Gender Equity - Strategies & Tools to Level the Playing Field

Female ATs are represented in all practice settings and throughout healthcare, but glaring equity gaps exist in the workplace. Inequities in salary, leadership positions and promotion for women ATs are well documented. As an example, the salary gap between men and women ATs INCREASED from 2018 to 2021 (NATA 2021 Salary Survey). This session will address recognition of the problem, analysis of underlying mechanisms and proactive measures to overcome them. It will bring awareness to the issues surrounding inequity in the workplace and will provide strategies for all ATs to work together to address them. Resources will be presented to help ATs address equity issues in the job interview process, current employment, and post-employment. Leadership training will be emphasized to empower women with the skills needed to address and achieve workplace equity. Gender inequity is a societal issue and pervasive throughout healthcare. Related literature on this topic specific to women in healthcare will be presented, as well as documentation demonstrating how gender equity enhances patient care. Equity initiatives and policies of other professional societies and associations will be shared to encourage collaboration on the state, regional and national levels.

207-209 - Lecture Hall

Start

8:00 AM

End

8:50 AM

Speakers

Kathy Dieringer

Balancing Act: Navigating the Work-Life Ratio for Success and Well-Being

Navigating the relationship between professional success and personal fulfillment. This presentation delves into actionable strategies, practical tips, and the managerial lens, providing a process to navigate the delicate equilibrium between professional commitments and personal fulfilment.

207-209 - Lecture Hall

Start

9:00 AM

End

9:50 AM

Speakers

Jace Duke

EDAC

203-204 - Seminar

Start

10:30 AM

End

12:00 PM

Sports Nutrition Game Plan: Implementing Fueling Strategies at the High School and DII/DIII Level

Elevate your athletes' performance with the session, "Sports Nutrition Game Plan: Implementing Fueling Strategies." Tailored for high school and Division II/III athletic trainers and sports professionals, this session provides a comprehensive guide to effectively implement sports nutrition programming at your school. Learn how to implement a sports nutrition program via working with booster clubs, garnering athlete buy-in, and new approaches to funding fueling programs. The session will also cover how to navigate nutrition with parents, coaches, and administrators, as well as strategies to communicate and debunk hot topic nutrition myths with athletes.

207-209 - Lecture Hall

Start

10:30 AM

End

11:20 AM

Speakers

Amy Goodson

Practical Use of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy, Low Level Laser Therapy, or Cupping, IASTM, and Positional Release for the Treatment of Tendinopathies

Tendinopathies include both tendinitis and tendinosis and are associated with overuse

that leads to inadequate tendon regeneration and repair which causes microtears and

degeneration. Conservative management with rest and exercise therapies along with

heat or ice have been the traditional way to treat tendinopathies. However, a variety of

therapeutic modalities including extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), low level

laser therapy (LLLT), or manual therapies (cupping, IASTM, and positional release) have

been demonstrated to be very effective in the treatment of this pathology. The purpose

of this presentation is to present scientific evidence for the clinical use of ESWT, LLLT,

and manual therapies for tendinopathies and give attendees the opportunity to apply

treatments using these techniques. Potential protocols will be provided for rotator cuff

tendinitis, lateral/medial epicondylitis, patellar tendinitis, IT band tendinitis, and Achilles

tendinitis.

104-105 - Clinical Labs

Start

10:50 AM

End

11:50 AM

Speakers

Cindy Trowbridge

Applying the ICF Model to Clinical Practice and Scholarship

This program will feature a panel on incorporating the ICF Framework into clinical practice and scholarship. Panel members will be clinicians, educators and preceptors working for/with CAATE accredited programs. Participants will be given information about the best methods for implementing the ICF Framework to enhance their clinical practice.

207-209 - Lecture Hall

Start

11:30 AM

End

12:20 PM

Speakers

Brandon Warner

Meredith Decker

S. Andrew Cage

Young Professional to Established Professional

102-103 - Students

Start

11:30 AM

End

12:20 PM

Speakers

Joseph Eberhardt

Anatomical considerations for Rehabilitation: Making Connections in the Lower Body

104-105 - Clinical Labs

Start

12:00 PM

End

1:20 PM

Speakers

Alanna Dennison

Megan Smart

Leadership and Mentorship Strategies for the Modern Era

Many athletic trainers are placed in a mentorship or leadership position by the very nature of their employment position; however, often we are not always trained to be effective in our strategies to influence others around us. Leadership and mentorship are soft skills that are categorized as tacit knowledge meaning these skills are reliant upon a clinician’s lived experiences, clinician values, and clinical practice opportunities rather than something that can be easily trained for each individual in a traditional educational setting (explicit knowledge).

207-209 - Lecture Hall

Start

12:30 PM

End

1:20 PM

Speakers

Mikaela Boham

Teaming is a Verb?

203-204 - Seminar

Start

12:30 PM

End

1:20 PM

Speakers

Heather Hudson

Laura Kunkel

Layci Harrison

Unlocking Potential: A Guide to Interviewing Success

102-103 - Students

Start

12:30 PM

End

1:20 PM

Speakers

Jace Duke

Branding/Promotion Workshop

203-204 - Seminar

Start

1:30 PM

End

3:30 PM

Speakers

Jeremy Jackson

Rod Williams

Fascial Anatomy & Myofascial Release Techniques

We spend so much of our time relying on machines and man made products to help aid in our rehabilitation that we sometimes forget how important and how powerful of a tool our hands can be. Manual therapies helps us to re-employ our hands as our favorite clinical tool in helping the rehabilitation process. There are times for machines like e-stim and ultrasound, but our first tool in our tool box should be our hands. The choice to utilize various types of manual therapies should be up to the discretion of the clinician, their skill sets, their certifications, and their means of practicing clinically. It also needs to be justified given the status of the tissue and the surrounding structures. Manual therapy is defined as the use of hands-on techniques to evaluate, treat, and improve the status of neuromusculoskeletal conditions. With this definition, we are able to see a wide variety of techniques and procedures. This presentation looks to explore these various techniques as well as provide a hands on demonstration and visuals aimed to represent how much pressure is needed to impact the various tissue levels, focusing specifically at different types of fascia and fascial lines.

104-105 - Clinical Labs

Start

1:30 PM

End

2:30 PM

Speakers

Patrick St Louis

SARMs, Anabolics & Peptides: Knowledge, Attitudes and Beliefs.

207-209 - Lecture Hall

Start

1:30 PM

End

2:30 PM

Speakers

Brian Newman

Disordered Eating - Students

102-103 - Students

Start

2:30 PM

End

3:30 PM

Speakers

Kim Lowry

Honors & Awards

207-209 - Lecture Hall

Start

4:00 PM

End

6:00 PM

Yoga - Activity

104-105 - Clinical Labs

Start

7:00 AM

End

7:30 AM

Speakers

Jennifer Tirillo

Diagnostic Ultrasound Workshop (2)

104-105 - Clinical Labs

Start

8:00 AM

End

10:00 AM

Speakers

Eric Bobel

Robert French

Alexander Jacobsen

S. Andrew Cage

Mitigating Secondary Loss - A Roundtable Discussion

Athletic trainers understand the importance of mental health care for their patients, but in general athletic trainers are not very good at addressing mental health needs for themselves. This presentation will discuss one important aspect of mental health, secondary loss, and will address ways to mitigate it.

102-103 - Students

Start

8:00 AM

End

8:50 AM

Speakers

Chad Helberg

Mike Waters

Bubba Wilson

Lorna Strong

Looking for Clarity in Patients with Altered Mental Status

Altered mental status (AMS) is a common sign with multiple potential causes. This presentation will discuss AMS & describe common non-traumatic conditions related to AMS ATs may encounter in practice. Appropriate emergency management for these conditions will be discussed.

102-103 - Students

Start

9:00 AM

End

9:50 AM

Speakers

David Stuckey

WBGT vs. Heat Index: Environmental Monitoring Best Practices

Summer 2023 was one of the hottest on record in the world. As temperatures continue to rise and athletic schedules expand in summer months, ATs are tasked with monitoring environmental conditions to keep everyone safe during exercise in the heat. Lack of policy and oppressive weather can contribute to exertional heat illnesses (EHIs) and it is imperative that the AT use best practices in environmental monitoring to reduce the likelihood of EHIs. Wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) accounts for 4 different factors contributing to heat stress- radiation (from the sun and playing surface), relative humidity, ambient temperature, and wind. Heat index is frequently reported on weather stations to communicate potentially dangerous conditions; however, heat index is measured in the shade and does not account for wind; conditions that are highly unlikely in an athletic setting. Using guidelines endorsed by the NATA and backed by evidence, WBGT readings can be incorporated into an athletic setting to modify work-to-rest ratios in high heat stress environments. Modification of activity and equipment based on WBGT readings allows for productive practices to take place while heat index readings may force cancel cancelation. In other words, heat index may be more restrictive than WBGT. The purpose of this presentation is to educate the AT on best practices in environmental monitoring and to provide strategies to educate stakeholders on the use of WBGT to mitigate EHIs.

102-103 - Students

Start

10:00 AM

End

10:50 AM

Speakers

Brendon McDermott

Erica Filep

Anatomical considerations for Rehabilitation: Making Connections in the Upper Body

104-105 - Clinical Labs

Start

10:30 AM

End

11:50 AM

Speakers

Alanna Dennison

Megan Smart

Radiology for the AT: How to read and interpret your athlete’s images

This session is an interactive lecture about plain radiographs and MRIs. What to look for and how to read your athlete’s images. I know you have been given that disc and asked to look at it. Let’s learn how to give a simple and effective opinion of the injury and make the AT as important a part of initial management of said injury as orthopedist knows you really are in today’s world. We will learn simple techniques and have multiple chances to interact with examples of images. I have successfully taught this to my ATs at Henderson State University. It works!

102-103 - Students

Start

11:00 AM

End

11:50 AM

Speakers

Rob Redding

Trey Mitchell

Disordered Eating and Athletes: An Athletic Trainer’s Guide

The internal and external pressures experienced by athletes place them at risk for disordered eating patterns. Medical professionals, such as athletic trainers, need to be educated on the signs of disordered eating. Early recognition and intervention are critical to help prevent declines in health, sports performance and progression to a clinical eating disorder.

102-103 - Students

Start

12:00 PM

End

1:00 PM

Speakers

Kim Lowry

Integrating Yoga As A Tool For Active Recovery

Tracing back thousands of years, yoga has become a staple in western countries for exercise and stress management. There is value in highlighting that recent studies suggest that practitioners continue their yoga practice for reasons beyond the physical benefits, including mindfulness and personal embodiment. Athletic trainers are on the forefront in terms of healthcare advocacy for athletes and along with traditional sports medicine concepts, AT’s can look to incorporate holistic techniques such as intentional breathing and movement sequencing for rehabilitation and recovery. Research suggests that athletes who practice yoga make healthier food choices, experience less pain during training, and adopt mindful decision-making processes. Athletic trainers are skilled in anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics, therefore AT’s possess the knowledge required to implement an intentional movement practice with their patient population.

104-105 - Clinical Labs

Start

12:00 PM

End

1:00 PM

Speakers

Jennifer Tirillo