The Empire State Society of Association Executives

The Empire State Society of Association Executives Advances the association profession through a community of knowledge, sharing, education and advocacy

Should your association start a foundation? Could a different tax-exempt structure open new doors for fundraising, advoc...
10/08/2026

Should your association start a foundation? Could a different tax-exempt structure open new doors for fundraising, advocacy or political activity? And what are the legal and financial implications of making that move?

These are big decisions, and understanding your options is only part of the equation.

At ESSAE's Harvest Highlight 2026, Joshua L. Oppenheimer, Shareholder at Greenberg Traurig, LLP, and Kevin Testo, CPA, Partner at The Bonadio Group, will tackle these questions in:

🍂 Tax Status, Advocacy & Political Activity: 501(c) Options, Opportunities & Obligations for NYS Associations

You'll want to be in this room if you're considering establishing a foundation, exploring new advocacy opportunities, navigating the differences between 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(6) organizations, or trying to understand the obligations that come with managing multiple related entities.

Bringing both legal and accounting perspectives to the conversation, Josh and Kevin will explore what associations can and cannot do, where opportunities exist, and why a decision that makes sense from a tax perspective might raise an entirely different set of legal or governance questions.

Moderated by Michael Burridge, NYS Director of Government Relations for ACEC New York and Chair of ESSAE's Government Affairs Committee, this interactive session is designed to help association leaders ask better questions, recognize potential risks and make more informed decisions.

Whether you're actively considering a structural change or simply want a better understanding of the options available to your association, this is a conversation worth being part of.

đź“… Thursday, October 29, 2026
đź“Ť The Sagamore Resort | Bolton Landing, NY

Explore the full program and register: https://essae.org/harvest26

You communicate all day long—but are people actually hearing what you mean?If you lead a team, work with a board, commun...
10/07/2026

You communicate all day long—but are people actually hearing what you mean?

If you lead a team, work with a board, communicate with members, represent your organization or need to influence people without simply telling them what to do, you’ll want to be in this room.

At Harvest Highlight 2026, Lisa Giruzzi will challenge some of what we think we know about communication in What You Haven’t Been Taught About Communication: The Language of Leadership.

This session goes beyond simply choosing the “right words.” Lisa will explore how listening, meaning and the systems around us shape communication—and how leaders can use that understanding to create stronger relationships, greater engagement and real shifts in understanding.

You’ll leave with practical approaches you can use to communicate with more clarity, confidence and impact—whether you’re talking with your board, staff, members or key stakeholders.

🍂 Harvest Highlight 2026
đź“… October 29
đź“Ť The Sagamore Resort

Because leadership isn’t just about what you say. It’s about what happens because of the conversation.

View more information about this session and others with our online program: https://homebase.map-dynamics.com/harvest2026/dashboard

Register Here: https://essae.org/harvest-highlight

10/07/2026

What could AI help your association do better? Join Jerry Crisci at ESSAE’s Harvest Highlight to explore what association leaders need to know about AI in 2026—then put those insights into practice in a hands-on AI Playground. Experiment with prompting strategies, generate ideas, improve communication, and explore new ways to tackle everyday workplace challenges.

Watch Jerry’s preview, then join us October 29 at The Sagamore Resort! www.essae.org

Do you work with legislators or state agencies? Oversee advocacy or government relations? Or just want to make sure your...
10/07/2026

Do you work with legislators or state agencies? Oversee advocacy or government relations? Or just want to make sure your organization is staying on the right side of New York’s lobbying and ethics requirements?

You’ll want to be in this room.

At Harvest Highlight 2026, Carol Quinn of the New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government will help association professionals better understand the rules and responsibilities that come with advocacy and government relations in New York State.

Whether compliance falls directly under your role or you’re a CEO or senior leader who needs to understand how these requirements affect your organization, this session is an opportunity to hear directly from the Commission, get greater clarity and stay informed as rules and requirements evolve.

🍂 Harvest Highlight 2026
đź“… October 29
đź“Ť The Sagamore Resort

If your association has a voice in public policy, understanding the rules behind that work matters. Add this one to your Harvest Highlight agenda!

View this session and everything else ahead at Harvest Highlight with the online program: https://homebase.map-dynamics.com/harvest2026/dashboard

Register Here: https://essae.org/harvest-highlight

Work in communications, membership or leadership? Or maybe you’re simply wondering why no one is answering your surveys?...
10/06/2026

Work in communications, membership or leadership? Or maybe you’re simply wondering why no one is answering your surveys? 👀

You’ll want to be in this room.

At Harvest Highlight 2026, Amanda Wing takes survey strategy beyond the send button with Survey Success Part 2: Beyond the Send Button: Marketing Your Surveys for Better Results.

Because creating a great survey is only half the battle. This session is all about what comes next: getting it in front of the right people, communicating why their participation matters and motivating members and stakeholders to actually respond.

You’ll walk away with practical strategies for promoting surveys, strengthening your messaging and increasing participation so the feedback you collect can become meaningful, actionable data.

And if you attended Dr. Alissandra Stoyan’s session on survey design at our June Annual Conference, consider this your next step! Part 2 builds on that foundation by shifting the focus from designing the survey to getting the responses you need.

🍂 Harvest Highlight 2026
đź“… October 29
đź“Ť The Sagamore Resort

If better survey participation is on your wish list, don’t miss this one.

Check out this session and more with the Harvest Highlight Online Program provided by Map D : https://homebase.map-dynamics.com/harvest2026/dashboard

Register Here: https://essae.org/harvest-highlight

Planning to attend Executive Exchange Forum? Keep the momentum going at Harvest Highlight the next day!Harvest Highlight...
10/06/2026

Planning to attend Executive Exchange Forum? Keep the momentum going at Harvest Highlight the next day!

Harvest Highlight gives association leaders even more opportunities to dig into the issues shaping their organizations from navigating foundations, PACs and advocacy rules to putting AI to work, strengthening strategic ex*****on and communicating effectively in a crowded media environment.

If your work touches senior leadership, government relations, advocacy, communications or marketing, there’s a session waiting for you.

Make the most of your time at The Sagamore with overnight rooms available at a special $209 rate when booked by October 12.

🍂 Executive Exchange Forum | October 28
🍂 Harvest Highlight | October 29
đź“Ť The Sagamore Resort

Two days. Relevant conversations. Practical takeaways you can bring back to your organization

View the online programs: https://homebase.map-dynamics.com/harvest2026/dashboard & https://homebase.map-dynamics.com/eef2026

Register and Book your Overnight Room (Events require separate registrations): https://essae.org/harvest-highlight & https://essae.org/2026-association-executive-exchange-forum

DONT MISS Early Bird PricingAssociation leadership doesn’t always leave much time to step away from the day-to-day and f...
10/02/2026

DONT MISS Early Bird Pricing

Association leadership doesn’t always leave much time to step away from the day-to-day and focus on what’s ahead.

Executive Exchange Forum is designed to create that space.

Join ESSAE on Wednesday, October 28 at The Sagamore Resort for a focused afternoon bringing together C-suite association executives and ESSAE Board members for strategic thinking, candid conversation and meaningful peer exchange.

Led by Eric Curtis, CEO & Managing Partner of Curtis Strategy, EEF will explore the challenges and decisions shaping associations today — and give you the opportunity to hear how other leaders are approaching them.

Your EEF experience also includes a working lunch and MPI Upstate New York’s Wednesday evening activities at The Sagamore.

đź“… Wednesday, October 28
đź“Ť The Sagamore Resort | Bolton Landing, NY
⏰ 11:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

At a critical time for associations, four hours dedicated to your leadership, your organization and its future can make a difference.

Executive Exchange Forum Online Program: https://homebase.map-dynamics.com/eef2026/dashboard
Register for Executive Exchange Forum: https://essae.org/2026-association-executive-exchange-forum

A big THANK YOU to the incredible sponsors supporting ESSAE’s 2026 Harvest Highlight! 🍂Your partnership helps bring New ...
10/01/2026

A big THANK YOU to the incredible sponsors supporting ESSAE’s 2026 Harvest Highlight! 🍂

Your partnership helps bring New York’s association community together for a day of learning, fresh ideas, meaningful conversations and connections at The Sagamore Resort.

We are so grateful to have organizations that believe in the work of association professionals and continue to invest in the ESSAE community. We couldn’t create experiences like Harvest Highlight without your support!

Interested in joining this amazing group of partners? There are still opportunities to get your organization involved in Harvest Highlight: https://essae.org/2026-harvest-partner-packages

New York State Broadcasters Association, The Sagamore Resort, ON Services, Visit 1000 Islands, Visit Rochester, Cheshire Audio Visual, Saratoga Springs City Center, Todd Bailey Photo Video & Marketing, MemberClicks by Momentive Software, Map Dynamics

Address

300 Great Oaks Boulevard, Suite 300
Albany, NY
12203

Telephone

+15184631755

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Empire State Society of Association Executives posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category