ESSAE Holiday Celebration & Silent Auction

Wednesday, December 17, 2025 | 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM | M&T Bank Center, Schenectady, NY
Members: $90 | Non-Members: $135
Attendee Registration Closes: Friday, December 12 

Share the Joy of the Season

Join 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.

Register here

Event Highlights

  • Open Bar & Elevated Seasonal Reception Menu

  • Winter Wonderland Ambiance

  • Lively Networking & Reunions

  • Festive Ice Rink Views

  • Holiday Accessory Contest – Prizes for the most dazzling women’s and men’s accessories (hats, scarves, ties, jewelry, socks — the bolder, the better!)

Silent Auction for a Cause

Bid 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. 

Bidding opens at noon via Bidding Owl and continues live at the event, with a leaderboard displaying top bids throughout the evening.

How to Bid   

We will once again be using BiddingOwl for this year's Silent Auction. This easy-to-use and secure interface allows you to bid on Silent Auction items donated by our generous partners! Holiday Celebration participants will be able to see screen displays of and bid digitally on the auction items on display at this year's event. All bidding will be done via your Smartphone! After the auction concludes, winning bidders will be notified, and prize donors will mail prizes to you once payment has been received. Bidding will also be open to anyone who is not in attendance!  


Here's what you need to know to get started!  

Bidding Starts: December 17 at 12:00 PM 

Bidding Ends: December 17 at 7:15 PM  

If you have participated in Online Auctions through BiddingOwl before, you don't need to do anything except bid on items! If you have not participated before you will need to register as a bidder. The system will prompt you to either login or register before you can place a bid.  

For more information on how register as a bidder, please click here.  

PRO TIP: To receive text message notifications, enter your telephone number under Account Details. You will receive text messages when you've been outbid. 

Silent Auction Rules

  • Starting at 12:00 PM on December 17, browse items online and start bidding! The REAL action happens tonight at the Holiday Celebration. Compete with your fellow attendees and see who’s outbidding who on our leader board!
  • Items will be displayed digitally at the Holiday Celebration. All items will be visible online and on a large screen at The M&T Bank Center. Like previous year, there will not be a physical table displaying items.  
  • Please bid based on the minimum increments as posted for each item.
  • Bidding will end at 7:15 PM on December 17. 
  • Winners will be notified during the Holiday Celebration and via email through the BiddingOwl site.
  • Items will be shipped directly to you from the donor upon payment in full.  Do NOT expect your item by December 25th.  
  • To help offset processing fees and maximize impact, there will be a 1% service charge added to any items purchased.
  • Items not paid for by Wednesday, December 22 will be awarded to the next highest bidder.

 Please contact us with any questions.  Thank you for your support!  

  

Attire

Cozy Luxe • Faux Fur • Sparkle • High-Altitude Vibe

Important Details

  • Please register online — payment is due at checkout (no invoices).

  • Log in to your MemberClicks profile to receive the member rate.

  • Guests and spouses are welcome! Complimentary parking and self-serve coat check are provided.

If you wish to register someone else, please log in with their credentials or contact the ESSAE team.

If you are the Key Contact for your organization, select Register Linked Profile or Register Guest. Guests who are not linked to your organization’s profile will be charged the non-member rate.

Registration Instructions:

Member Rate Access
To receive the member rate, please log in to your membership profile before registering.
If you need help accessing your profile, contact ESSAE here or [email protected]. 

Registering a Guest
If you’re the Key Contact for your organization, you can register others by selecting Register Linked Profile or Register Guest. Guests not linked to your organization will be charged the non-member rate.

Payment Information
All attendees must register online and submit payment at checkout. Please note there is no “pay later” or invoice option for this event.

Not Yet a Member?
Join ESSAE today to access the member rate and year-round benefits:
https://www.essae.org/membership

Thank You to Our 2025 Holiday Celebration Sponsors & Partners

 

Hotel Accommodations: The Landing Hotel (Rivers Casino) 

Group 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:
Amanda Dembroski | Sales Manager
Rivers Casino & Resort // The Landing Hotel
1 Rush Street | Schenectady, NY 12305
Office: (518) 579-8590 | Cell: (518) 560-0888
Email: [email protected]

Hotel Accommodations: Courtyard By Marriott - Schenectady At Mohawk Harbor

Angela Kimball
Director of Sales & Marketing
COURTYARD  BY MARRIOTT-SCHENECTADY AT MOHAWK HARBOR
240 Harborside Dr. Schenectady, NY 12305Hotel: 518.579-6620
Direct:518.579.6622
Email: [email protected] 
Marriott.com/schcy

 

Holiday Celebration Attire Spotlight

Cozy 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. 

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. 

Click Here to Learn More!