The mission of the PHATS/SPHEM Annual Conference is to provide educational and problem solving opportunities for athletic trainers and equipment managers at every level of professional hockey. This is done through our educational symposiums, business meetings, and exhibit hall with our many valued vendors and recognition programs for our members.
Take a look at some highlights from 2022…
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Thank you to Dave Courtney, Senior Content Producer, Florida Panthers for capturing our events all week! To view all the conference photos, visit our SmugMug page.
PHATS/SPHEM Annual Meeting Dates:
2024: Orlando, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin: June 25-29
2025: Orlando, Orlando Marriott World Center: June 17-22
2026: Marco Island, JW Marriott Marco Island: June 17-21
2027: Phoenix, JW Marriott Desert Ridge: June 15-20
NATA Conference’s Future Meeting Dates:
2023: Indianapolis, IN: June 21 – 24
2024: New Orleans, LA: June 25 – 28
2025: Orlando, FL: June 24 – 27
At least 15 hours of seminars and workshops are offered to members during the Annual Meetings, with topics and speakers representing the entire spectrum of hockey. The symposium is designed specifically for the needs of hockey professionals and provides a unique opportunity for members to collaborate and build understanding across both professions and leagues. Our symposium’s learning objectives will follow the rules and regulations set forth by the BOC for each program in order to obtain continuing education units. The Board of Certification, Inc., the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association, the Athletic Equipment Managers Association and the National Strength and Conditioning Association, all certifying organizations for both professions, recognizes the PHATS/SPHEM Educational Symposium.
The PHATS/SPHEM Annual Meetings offer the most timely and useful educational resources available to professional hockey athletic trainers and equipment managers. Additionally, it provides a unique forum for members to explore the issues that are unique to their work environment. Members meet in general sessions, to share common concerns that exist across all leagues, as well as in league-specific settings, where pertinent issues can be addressed. Because PHATS/SPHEM offers the only such problem solving opportunity, the NHL and most professional hockey leagues, NCAA teams and the Canadian Hockey League send representatives to participate in these important league-level meetings.
Another important component of the PHATS/SPHEM Annual Meeting is the Exhibit Hall. Manufacturers have been invited to show their wares since the early days of the Athletic Trainers Association. Even as the number of exhibitors has increased, the friendly atmosphere has remained, making PHATS/SPHEM a favorite of both equipment manufacturers and sports medicine suppliers alike. But, PHATS/SPHEM is not all handshakes and greetings. It remains one of the few working exhibits where members come equipped with purchase orders and serious interest in new technologies and services. Because it is attended by more ice hockey athletic trainers and equipment managers than any other exhibition, PHATS/SPHEM offers exhibitors an exclusive venue for testing and showing new hockey related products.
A final objective of the PHATS/SPHEM Annual Meetings is to increase awareness of members’ dedication and professionalism. During the annual Hall of Fame Dinner, one member of PHATS or SPHEM is honored for his contribution and service by being inducted into the PHATS/SPHEM Wall of Honor, located in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ontario. Our Hall of Fame Dinner keynote speakers have included Bill Ranford, Stu Grimson, Pete Weber, David Poile, Larry Carri?re, Ralph Strangis, Paul Coffey, Emile Francis, Harry Neale, Terry Crisp, Jiggs McDonald, Denis Potvin, Bob Miller, Larry Robinson & Brian Skrudland. In addition to the Hall of Fame presentation, several members are recognized for their years of service during the Annual Recognition Program Ceremony.
The Professional Hockey Athletic Trainers Society & The Society of Professional Hockey Equipment Managers (PHATS/SPHEM) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, military status, sexual orientation or age. PHATS/SPHEM is committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in all aspects of its continuing education actives. Participants who have special needs are encouraged to contact program organizers so that all reasonable efforts to accommodate these needs can be made.
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