30th ESSAE Annual Conference & Exposition 2009

ALBANY, NY (06/09/2009)(readMedia)-- The Empire State Society of Association Executives, Inc. (ESSAE) will hold its 30th Annual Conference and Exposition, Playing to Win, on Thursday, June 25, 2009 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

The event consists of two concurrent general sessions, a reception, Association Leadership Academy (ALA) graduation ceremony, luncheon keynoted by national speaker Paul Martin, a three-hour trade show and after-party. The location for the event is the Saratoga Hilton Hotel and Saratoga Springs City Center. The after-party will be held outside the Expo floor in the Saratoga Hilton's gallery and Saratoga Springs City Center's loggia. The morning general sessions will cover the topics of associations in the current economy and social media. Each session will run from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A cocktail reception follows the sessions at 12:30 p.m. The graduation ceremony will begin at 1 p.m., immediately followed by the luncheon and keynote. The exposition will open at 3 p.m. and close at 6 p.m. The after-party will begin at 6 p.m.

Attendance to the trade show and after-party is open and free of charge to qualified association and meeting professionals. The after-party is open to only trade show attendees and exhibitors. The cost to attend a general session is $50. The cost to attend the luncheon is $35. Individuals can register online at www.essae.org.

The graduation ceremony of the Association Leadership Academy marks the conclusion of the fourth year of the program. The academy is designed to educate association leaders who represent the many trade and professional organizations in New York State on skills unique to association management. It is composed of eight courses taught by leading members of the association and academic communities. Each course provides the opportunity for discussion on real-world issues, best practices and innovative solutions. The program runs from September through May and includes such course topics as: "Communications, Marketing, and Social Networking," "The Formation and Management of a Professional Trade Association, the Law and Ethical Responsibility," and "Strategic Planning, Benchmarking and Membership Analysis."

This year's distinguished Academy graduates follow:

Bryan E. Boeskin, Director of Resource Development/Grant Management, NYS Health Facilities Association, Albany, NY

Kate Chauvin, Trade Show Manager, NYS School Boards Association, Latham, NYKathleen Ciccone, Vice President of Quality & Research, Healthcare Association of NYS, Rensselaer, NY

Lawrence Cummings, Executive Director, Central New York School Boards Association, Syracuse, NY

Jamison M. Deapo, Member Advocate & AVP of Member Programs, Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of NY, Inc., Syracuse, NY

Donna Denley, Director of Finance, NYS Academy of Family Physicians, Loudonville, NY

Deborah Elliot, Deputy Executive Officer, NYS Nurses Association, Latham, NY

Johanna Geiger, Deputy Director, NY Library Association, Guilderland, NY

Mary Anne Jacon, Vice President of Operations, NYS Broadcasters Association, Albany, NY

Dennnis Kennedy, Director of Communications, Commission On Independent Colleges and Universities, Albany, NY

Kathy Lawler, Director of Education, Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of NY, Inc., Syracuse, NY

Kristina Maldonado, Assistant Office Manager, Pharmacists Society of the State of NY, Albany, NY

Arlene McKeon, Executive Secretary to General Counsel, NYS School Boards Association, Latham, NY

Anna O'Hara, Staff Accountant, NYS School Boards Association, Latham, NY

Deb Orsini, Asst. Treasurer/Office Manager, NYS Council of School Superintendents, Albany, NY

Jeffrey Sacks, Director of Publications & Marketing, Northeastern Retail Lumber Association, Rensselaer, NY

Laura Stange, Assistant Managing Director, Eastern Contractors Association, Albany, NY

Kathleen E. Thompson, Director of Programs & Meetings, NY Physical Therapy Association, Albany, NY

Mary M. Thompson, CMP Executive Officer, Home Builders & Remodelers Association of CNY, Syracuse, NY

Bevin Tracy, CMP, Director of Service Operations, NYS Nurses Association, Latham, NY

Barbara Trimarchi, CE, Administrator, Pharmacists Society of the State of NY, Albany, NY

Kim Voelker, Director, Young Insurance Professionals, PIA of NY, NH, CT, & NJ, Glenmont, NY

Aaron David Ward, Senior Association Manager, NYS Veterinary Medical Society, Albany, NY

ESSAE is a 580-member association based in Albany, N.Y. that represents executives employed by trade, business and professional associations. ESSAE provides a method for the exchange of ideas among the professional staff of associations and encourages high professional standards in the management of associations.

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