Guide. Empower. Lead.

Your Community. Your Professional Growth. More Possibilities.

Whether you lead or work for an association, provide services that help associations succeed, or connect people with destinations and venues, you belong in ESSAE.

The Empire State Society of Association Executives brings association professionals and industry partners together to share expertise, build relationships and strengthen one another's success. Join a statewide community where your experience matters - and where you can keep learning, contributing and growing.

Who We Are | Member Benefits | Options & Dues | How to Join | Questions?

 

The association for associations

A Community Built Around Your Success

For almost 50 years, ESSAE has supported the association profession through education, leadership development, knowledge sharing and advocacy. As a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit association, we also promote the many ways associations benefit society every day.

Association Professionals

Find colleagues who understand the demands of association work from strategy and governance to membership, meetings, marketing and operations. Whether you are an experienced executive or building your career, ESSAE offers connections and learning you can put to work.

Explore association professional benefits »

Suppliers & Industry Partners

Build relationships, understand association needs and share the expertise that helps this community thrive. Hotels, venues, caterers, technology companies, financial and professional service providers, and other businesses are essential members of ESSAE.

Explore supplier and industry partner benefits »

 

Put your membership to work

Connections, Learning & Opportunities That Matter

Connect with People Who Understand Your Work

Build relationships through peer networking, our membership directory and online community forum. Exchange ideas, find resources, develop partnerships and become a trusted connection.

Keep Learning & Growing

Receive member pricing on professional development, including Association Leadership Academy, the Meetings, Membership & Marketing Institute (TripleM), Harvest Highlight and Annual Conference. Explore the Qualified Association Specialist (QAS) program and e-learning catalog for convenient learning.*

Explore education programs »

Contribute, Lead & Gain Recognition

Share your expertise through committee service, speaking and writing opportunities. Explore leadership roles, participate in the Annual Awards Program and help shape your professional community.

Explore the Annual Awards Program »

Stay Informed & Supported

Access member communications, the Knowledge Hub, Career Center and member-to-member benefits. Eligible members can apply for Rita Lashway Scholarships to support professional development.*

Visit the Career Center »
Learn about scholarships »

Build Visibility & Relationships

Help fellow members discover your expertise through your directory profile and participation. Additional sponsorship, advertising and Key Supporter opportunities offer ways to increase your organization's visibility.

Explore Key Supporter opportunities

Strengthen the Association Community

Support ESSAE's work to raise awareness of associations' contributions at the New York State Capitol. Bring your perspective to a community that values the expertise of association professionals and industry partners alike.

*Additional fees and eligibility requirements apply to select programs and opportunities.


 

Choose your fit

Membership Options & Annual Dues

ESSAE membership runs January - December 31. The rates below are for the 2027 calendar year, effective January 1, 2027.

New for 2027: More Choice for Your Team

Beginning January 1, 2027, ESSAE will offer a hybrid membership model, combining our longstanding individual membership option with a new, optional organizational membership. Continue as an individual member or choose organizational membership to involve more of your team.

Organizational membership begins at three named employees. Your tier is based on the number of employees you name for ESSAE memberships not your organization's total workforce or budget. Each named employee has member access, and named participants can change as staffing and responsibilities change.

2027 Individual Membership

Annual dues per person
Membership Category2027 Dues
Association Professional - first member
Includes association staff and CVB/DMO professionals.
$285
Association Professional - each additional member from the same organization $185
Supplier / Industry Partner - first member $420
Supplier / Industry Partner - each additional member from the same organization $215
Affiliate $165
Retired $65
Student $35

Affiliate: Individuals with a special interest in association management who are not covered by Association Professional or Supplier membership, including those who spend less than 50% of their working time on association activities. Retired: Individuals who have reached retirement age and, if employed as a business professional, work fewer than an average of 20 hours per week over the year. Student: Students interested in association management, meetings or event planning who are not currently working full-time with associations.

2027 Optional Organizational Membership

Give more employees access to colleagues, learning and opportunities to contribute. Teams with three or more named participants may choose an organizational tier or continue purchasing individual memberships.

Annual dues per organization
Named EmployeesAssociation / CVB / DMOSupplier / Industry Partner
3 - 5 $650 $1,279
6 - 9 $1,000 $2,140
10 - 15 $1,300 $3,432

For example, an association enrolling five employees would pay $650 through organizational membership, compared with $1,025 for five individual memberships at 2027 rates - a $375 difference.

Supplier and industry partner organizations should contact ESSAE to compare individual memberships, organizational tiers and applicable Key Supporter opportunities. We can help you identify the best fit for your participation and visibility goals.

Interested in organizational membership or access for more than 15 employees? Let's talk about your team.

How to Join ESSAE

  1. Choose your membership option. Review the categories above, or ask ESSAE to help you compare options for your team.
  2. Complete the online application. Provide your contact and organization information so we can connect you with the right membership.
  3. Arrange payment and start connecting. Follow the invoice and payment instructions provided by ESSAE (including Bill.com), then explore programs and member resources.

Questions about joining partway through the year? Contact ESSAE to confirm the applicable dues and membership period. For security, please do not email credit card information; use the payment instructions provided with your invoice.

Let's Find Your Place in ESSAE

We welcome the opportunity to learn about your work and help you make the most of membership. Whether you are joining on your own or exploring access for your team, we are here to help.

Already an ESSAE Member?

Visit our renewal page for 2027 renewal information, or use the account guide to find invoices, registrations and member resources.

Renewal information »
Member login and account guide »