ESSAE's 31st Annual Conference & Exposition 2010

SARATOGA SPRINGS N.Y (05/07/2010)(readMedia)-- The Empire State Society of Association Executives, Inc. (ESSAE) will hold its 31st Annual Conference and Exposition, Making the Right Connections, on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 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 Mark Zinder, 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 smart use of social media and successful hybrid events with remote attendees. 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 $40. 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:

Barry Brogan, executive director, North Country Behavioral Healthcare Network|

Teresa Casey, executive vice president, Mackin & Company

Darci D'Ercole-McGinn, leadership development, NYS School Boards Association

Elizabeth Dribusch, general counsel, NY Farm Bureau

Rebecca Flach, director of public affairs, Retail Council of NYS

Graham Goffin, administrator, PEF membership benefits program, NYS Public Employees Federation

Jessica Goldstein, policy analyst, NYS School Boards Association

Jennifer Hill, communications assistant, Association Development Group

Laura Mann, governmental relations representative, NYS School Boards Association

Brooke Manrique, marketing manager, NYS School Boards Association

Christopher Pellnat, director of editorial operations, Healthcare Association of NYS

Molly Poleto, director of member engagement, Healthcare Association of NYS

Tanja Sirago, executive director/secretary, NYS Magistrates Association

Katy Stevenson, director of medical education, American College of OB/GYN District II/NY

Beth Wales, marketing executive, PEF membership benefits program, NYS Public Employees Federation

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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