At Cramer Products, we always look forward to the annual NATA meeting and have a wonderful time seeing lots of familiar faces and meeting new people. Last year, we were pleased to sponsor the student lounge at the meeting for the second time, and will do so again this year. In addition, this year we will also sponsor the young professional's lounge. With these sponsorships, we are creating exciting new traditions that we believe will endure for years to come!   

The NATA's Student Committee was formed just a few years ago, and is chaired by Jessica Daniels, ATC, a student at Northern Kentucky University.  "Our committee has been involved with planning for the national conference," she says, "and the lounge is something we think all students will enjoy. It's a place to go throughout the convention to network and meet students from other colleges and universities. There will be comfortable couches and wifi in the lounge!"

According to Ed Christman, Cramer¿s vice president of marketing, "We think students will enjoy having Internet access! And on Wednesday evening from 4:15- 6 p.m., we hope students will stop by for refreshments. Also, student athletic trainers are encouraged to help decorate the lounge with items from their schools such as pennants, posters, and t-shirts."

"Cramer is making the lounge happen, and it wouldn't take place without them," Jessica says. "Cramer held camps for students in the past, and now they¿re sponsoring the student lounge. They have always played a huge role in what athletic trainers do."

Kim Detwiler, MS, ATC, CSCS, assistant professor at the University of Laverne, chairs the NATA's Young Professionals Committee, whose members are ages 21 to 35. She says, "Last year, the lounge was a place to stop by and hang out. This year, we're adding value with a premier event on Thursday night from 5-7 p.m.,  'Remembering Our Roots and Forging Our Future.'  No registration is required and we encourage all young professionals to attend!"

The NATA board of directors; members of the NATA Hall of Fame; athletic trainers who have received an NATA award within the last year; and other prominent athletic trainers have been invited to the event. The committee will discuss its support of HR1137, a bill recognizing athletic trainers as qualified to provide physical medicine and rehabilitation services, and eligible for Medicare reimbursement. Also, the winner of the first Young Professional's Committee National Distinction Award will be announced. "Our goal for this event is to create an environment where young professionals will learn and be encouraged and inspired," she says.

 "We're extremely pleased to partner with the NATA to sponsor these lounges," Ed says. "Cramer has been around a long time, and we love the strong, personal relationships that have developed over the years with athletic trainers across the country. It is so important to us to also build those connections with the new generation of athletic trainers. We look forward to talking with many of you in Philadelphia!"