Advancing Athlete Safety, Operations Excellence, and the Equipment Manager Profession
(February 24, 2026) — After years of collaboration, Renegade Brands and the Athletic Equipment Managers Association (AEMA) have formalized a 2026 partnership focused on strengthening support for athletic equipment managers through expanded education, visibility, and year-round resources that help equipment rooms operate more efficiently and sustainably.
Equipment managers are central to the day-to-day readiness and long-term safety of athletes, managing protective equipment standards, maintaining team-issued gear, and building consistent systems for inventory, laundry, and operations that keep programs running smoothly. This partnership will amplify that work by delivering practical tools, programming, and shared best practices designed specifically for the realities of the equipment room.
Through enhanced event presence, collaborative educational content, and career-development engagement, Renegade and AEMA will work together to:
- Highlight the impact of equipment managers across all sports and levels
- Share operational best practices that improve workflows, efficiency, and consistency in equipment rooms
- Promote sustainable, high-performance laundry and equipment care solutions that support athlete readiness and program standards
- Expand year-round learning and networking opportunities that strengthen the profession
As part of the agreement, Renegade will serve as an AEMA Silver Sponsor, increasing its presence at AEMA’s flagship annual Convention and supporting convention programming and engagement opportunities. The 2026 AEMA Convention will take place June 14–17, 2026, at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center.
“Equipment managers are the backbone of safe, prepared, and high-performing teams,” said Ann Kitt-Carpenetti, Executive Director of AEMA. “Partnering with Renegade strengthens our ability to deliver resources and year-round education that improve equipment room operations, reinforce professional standards, and elevate the visibility of the critical work our members do every day.”
“We’re honored to serve as AEMA’s first Silver Sponsor of the year,” said Renegade Brands. “We owe a debt of gratitude to the equipment managers who have trusted us since our inception and whose dedication inspires our innovation. We hold the members of this organization in the highest regard and remain committed to providing the exceptional service and high-quality, sustainable sports laundry solutions that have defined our mission for the past 13 years.”
About Athletic Equipment Managers Association (AEMA)
The AEMA is the premier national professional membership and certification organization for athletic equipment managers in the U.S. Founded in 1974, the AEMA is dedicated to advancing the role of equipment managers through education, certification, and safety standards. With over 1600 members, the AEMA focuses on improving sports equipment safety, providing professional development, and hosting an annual convention for networking, educational workshops, and vendor exhibitions. For more information, visit www.equipmentmanagers.org and follow @aema_74 on Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.