ESSAE Holiday Celebration & Silent AuctionWednesday, December 17, 2025 | 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM | M&T Bank Center Share the Joy of the SeasonJoin your ESSAE friends, clients, and colleagues for our annual Holiday Celebration — a night of warmth, laughter, and camaraderie! Enjoy the festive atmosphere, rekindle connections, and create new memories in a stunning winter wonderland setting. Because great events deserve great sponsors (and open bars!), we extend a special thank-you to Discover Schenectady for their generous partnership and sponsorship of the open bar.
Event Highlights
Silent Auction for a CauseBid virtually or in person on incredible experiences — from getaways to local adventures! Proceeds benefit the Rita Lashway Scholarship and the Regional Food Bank Backpack Program. Silent Auction donations are requested and open for submission! Bidding opens at noon via Bidding Owl and continues live at the event, with a leaderboard displaying top bids throughout the evening. AttireCozy Luxe • Faux Fur • Sparkle • High-Altitude Vibe Important Details
If you wish to register someone else, please log in with their credentials or contact the ESSAE team. Registration Instructions:Member Rate Access Registering a Guest Payment Information Not Yet a Member? Thank You to Our Early Holiday Celebration SponsorsDiscover Schenectady • OnServices • Visit Rochester • Visit 1000 Islands • Albany Capital Center • Total Events • The Sagamore Hotel Accommodations – The Landing HotelGroup Code: ESSAE1225 To make reservations, please follow the steps below: a. Visit www.TheLandingHotelNY.com b. Select “Book Online Now.” c. Enter the assigned Group Code and click Search. d. Select Group. e. Choose your Check-In and Check-Out dates. f. Select Show Rooms. g. Choose your room type and complete your reservation. If you experience any issues, please contact the call center team at (518) 579-8845 for assistance. Contact: 
Holiday Celebration Attire SpotlightCozy Luxe • Faux Fur • Sparkle • High-Altitude Vibe!
Event Experience Highlights:
Open Bar & Elevated Seasonal Menu
Winter Wonderland Ambiance
Lively Networking & Reunions
Ice Rink Views & Festive Vibes
Holiday Accessory Contest!Bring your best holiday flair — prizes awarded for:
Best Holiday Accessory – Women’s Category
Best Holiday Accessory – Men's Category (Hats, scarves, ties, jewelry, socks — go bold and festive!)  We are thrilled to kick off this year’s ESSAE Holiday Silent Auction!The auction will take place live at our Holiday Celebration on Wednesday, December 17th at the M&T Bank Center (event registration coming soon) and virtually via our BiddingOwl website. This year a portion of the silent auction proceeds will benefit the Rita Lashway Scholarship and The Regional Food Bank Backpack Program.
We invite you to once again join us by donating to the auction. In preparation for this year’s event, please review the information below outlining the donation process and auction rules. About the Silent Auction ESSAE will be managing its silent auction through the same online bidding site – BiddingOwl. (ESSAE’s custom event link coming soon!). Through this easy-to-use and secure interface, participants will be able to bid on items donated by our generous partners! Prize donations will be displayed digitally, both via our online BiddingOwl platform and on a large screen at the Holiday Celebration. But first things first, we need your donations! How to Donate What can you donate? It's about the experience! Experiential items create memories and journeys for attendees. Memorable and unique auction items might include weekend getaways and airline tickets, spa days, brewery tours, area attractions, museum and city tours, hot air balloon rides, theme park tickets, golf or ski outings, concert tickets and backstage passes, complimentary dining experiences, sporting events, and so much more! This is your chance to be creative! The holiday auction affords you the perfect opportunity to showcase your brand, services, venue, and destination! We hope you will consider taking part in this special holiday experience that helps us support our association professionals. What we need from you When submitting your donation, please be sure to include the following information:
Important reminder: All guests attending the Holiday Celebration, including those who might not be active bidders, will see your submitted donation image during the event on a large screen. When designing your image, this is a perfect opportunity to make it a mini billboard / advertisement for your organization! As a refresher, this is the “carousel of items” we displayed at last year’s event. Important Details Donation Deadline: Please complete this form to submit your prize donation by Thursday, November 20 to ensure your item is included in the auction. Event Date: Auction bidding will begin virtually on December 17 at 12:00 PM and end at 7:15 PM the same day. Silent Auction Rules: Please note donor-specific items in red.
Please complete this form by Thursday, November 20, 2025, to have your item(s) included in the silent auction. On behalf of ESSAE’s Board and membership, we are truly grateful for your continued support and trust in our organization. We look forward to making this year’s auction a fantastic success together! |
