Thursday, October 29, 2026 | The Sagamore Resort

Harvest Highlight Sessions & Speakers

Explore a curated day of education for association executives, staff leaders, volunteer leaders and industry partners. Sessions address the work associations are doing now—from leadership, governance and advocacy to communications, member research, organizational strategy and artificial intelligence.

REGISTER FOR HARVEST VIEW THE LIVE PROGRAM MEET THE PRESENTERS

Please note: The live online program is the source of truth for the latest session times, room assignments, speaker profiles and program updates.

Breakfast Keynote

8:15–9:15 a.m.

Small Habits. Stronger Teams: Eight Leadership Microhabits for Building Resilient, High-Performing Cultures

Presented by Ally Meyers, Positive Psychology Coach & Educator

Modern work is faster, more digital and increasingly supported by technology and AI. In the process, many everyday moments in which trust and connection once developed naturally have disappeared. Leaders can no longer leave those moments to chance.

In this practical, research-backed keynote, workplace well-being strategist Ally Meyers will share eight leadership microhabits that help leaders intentionally build connection into everyday interactions. Grounded in neuroscience, positive psychology and organizational research, these habits are designed to strengthen employee well-being while supporting resilient, engaged and high-performing workplace cultures.

Participants will leave with:

• A clearer understanding of why modern work requires a more intentional approach to leadership;
• Eight research-backed microhabits that fit naturally into everyday leadership; and
• Practical tools and conversation prompts for meetings, one-on-ones and everyday interactions.

Breakout Round 1

9:30–10:30 a.m.

Inside the Capitol Press Corps: How Associations Can Break Through the Noise

Moderated by Leanne Politi, Director of Public Affairs, The Martin Group. Featuring Dan Clark, author of Capitol Confidential, Times Union; Katelyn Cordero, health care reporter, POLITICO, and president of the New York State Legislative Correspondents Association; Austin C. Jefferson, Albany Bureau Chief, Streetsblog; and Raga Justin, Albany correspondent, Bloomberg Government

What makes an association issue worth covering—and what causes a pitch to be overlooked? In this candid reporter roundtable, journalists covering New York State government will take association leaders inside the decision-making process of the Capitol press corps.

The panel will explore what reporters need from associations; how to translate complex policy positions into timely, compelling stories; and how member experiences, original data and subject-matter expertise can strengthen a pitch. The discussion will also address common missteps, the realities of today’s fast-moving news cycle and the value of building trusted relationships before an organization urgently needs coverage.

Participants will be better prepared to:

• Recognize the qualities that make an issue, policy position, dataset or member story newsworthy;
• Frame and time media pitches around legislative developments and reporters’ needs;
• Position their association and members as credible, accessible expert sources; and
• Use earned media more strategically to reach policymakers, stakeholders and the public.

Governance for Grown-Ups: How to Create a Best-of Board Culture that Allows You and Your Volunteer Leader Relationships to Thrive

Pre-recorded Video

Presented by Michael J. Mendrick

The relationship between an association’s chief staff executive and board is crucial to organizational success and the executive’s own effectiveness. This session will examine common signs and root causes of board relationship dysfunction, ways to address challenges diplomatically, strategies for building a healthier culture and the Policy Governance model as one option for clarifying roles and responsibilities.

Participants will gain:

• Tools to assess the current board/executive relationship;
• Strategies for navigating difficult intra-board and board/executive dynamics;
• Practical approaches to building trust, role clarity and a stronger board culture; and
• An introduction to Policy Governance and considerations for presenting it to volunteer leadership.

Beyond the Resolutions: Turning Strategic Intent into Actionable Impact

Presented by Samantha Beeler, Partner-Elect at Curtis Strategy and President of The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates

Ambitious strategic priorities can stall without organizational alignment and adaptive execution. In this high-energy, interactive session, Samantha Beeler will provide association leaders with a practical blueprint for bridging the gap between strategic intent and measurable impact.

Participants will learn to:

• Identify structural and communication gaps between board vision, executive leadership and operational execution;
• Apply adaptive leadership frameworks to mobilize teams through complex change; and
• Translate strategic priorities into meaningful performance indicators and stakeholder-value measures.

Breakout Round 2

10:45–11:45 a.m.

New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government

Presented by Carol Quinn, Director of Lobbying, and Megan Mutolo, Deputy Director of Lobbying, NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government

Understanding and complying with lobbying laws and regulations is important. The Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (COELIG) is here to assist you. Topics include:

• Registration and lobbying reports—when they are required;
• Source of Funding disclosure—what it is and who it applies to;
• Common compliance issues relating to grassroots lobbying, coalitions and lobby days;
• “I am just a board member”—what makes someone a lobbyist; and
• What’s new in lobbying regulations, including registration filing fees and ethics training compliance.

Survey Success Part 2: Marketing Strategies for Increasing Survey Responses

Presented by Amanda Wing, Deputy Executive Director / COO, ASBO New York

Designing a strong survey is only half the challenge. Getting members and stakeholders to respond is what turns a well-designed survey into meaningful, actionable data.

This session will examine effective survey invitations, the value proposition for participating, communication channels, reminder timing and frequency, incentives, barriers to completion and survey fatigue. Participants will also consider how showing members that their feedback is heard and used can build trust and strengthen future participation.

Participants will learn to:

• Develop an outreach strategy that increases survey awareness, participation and completion;
• Apply best practices for invitations, reminders, timing, channels and incentives;
• Reduce common barriers and survey fatigue; and
• Communicate how member feedback is used to encourage future participation.

AI in 2026: What Association Leaders Need to Know

Presented by Jerry Crisci

Gain the insights and strategies needed to navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Participants will examine current trends, technologies, opportunities and challenges shaping an AI-powered world—and consider what they mean for associations and the leaders responsible for guiding them.

Breakout Round 3

Sharpen Your Skills with an AI Playground

1:30–3:00 p.m.

Presented by Jerry Crisci

In this hands-on session, participants will build practical skills for using AI effectively in their associations. Working in teams in an AI playground, attendees will experiment with prompting strategies and practice using AI to enhance productivity, strengthen communications, generate ideas and address real-world workplace challenges.

Before the Board Says Yes: Foundations, PACs & the Rules That Matter

1:45–2:45 p.m.

Presented by Kevin Testo, CPA, Partner, The Bonadio Group, and Joshua L. Oppenheimer, Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, LLP

Moderated by Michael Burridge, NYS Director of Government Relations, ACEC New York, and Chair of ESSAE’s Government Affairs Committee

A CPA and a political law attorney connect the dots between fundraising, tax status and advocacy.

“Let’s start a foundation.” “Let’s support this candidate.” “Can’t we use those funds for advocacy?” A promising board idea can raise questions that cross accounting, tax and political law, and one adviser’s answer may be only the beginning.

Join Kevin Testo, CPA, Partner at The Bonadio Group, and Joshua L. Oppenheimer, Shareholder at Greenberg Traurig, LLP, for a practical conversation about what association leaders need to understand before moving forward. Kevin brings more than 20 years of public accounting experience and expertise in tax-exempt organizations. Josh advises associations and nonprofits on lobbying, campaign finance, elections and government ethics, including the creation and administration of political committees.

Starting with whether a 501(c)(6) association should establish a related 501(c)(3) foundation, they’ll explore fundraising opportunities alongside the costs, obligations and limitations of different structures. The discussion will distinguish lobbying from campaign activity and address questions about charitable affiliates, 501(c)(4)s, PACs and shared resources.

This session will help executives, staff and volunteer leaders recognize risks, ask better questions and coordinate their CPA’s and attorney’s advice.

What You Haven’t Been Taught About Communication: The Language of Leadership

1:45–2:45 p.m.

Presented by Lisa Giruzzi, Transformative Coach, Author and Speaker

Communication is about more than saying the right words in the right way. It is shaped by how leaders see, listen and add meaning. This energizing workshop will examine how leaders create engagement—or resistance—without always realizing it, and how a different understanding can change the trajectory of a conversation, relationship or initiative.

Participants will explore:

• A common misunderstanding about communication, leadership and performance;
• How listening can create greater engagement, ownership and possibility; and
• How systems shape behavior and results—and what that means for leadership.

Bring Your Team and Cover More Ground

With concurrent sessions spanning leadership, governance, strategy, communications, advocacy, research and AI, one person cannot be in every room. Bring a staff colleague or volunteer leader, divide the breakout sessions and return to your organization with more ideas, more tools and shared context for putting them to work.

Curated Education. Meaningful Connections. No Air Travel Required.

Join New York’s Association Community at The Sagamore

Spend the day learning from expert speakers, exchanging ideas with peers and gathering practical strategies you can put to work.

REGISTER FOR HARVEST VIEW THE LIVE PROGRAM