2025 Association Advocacy Day in Albany - Rescheduled!


Interested in joining the Government Affairs Committee (GAC)?  Please submit visit our committee volunteer page here. 

2025 Advocacy Day Themes

We are not lobbying for specific legislation. As we’ll discuss during our pre-meeting, we typically focus on showcasing the economic and educational impact of associations—as job creators (directly and indirectly through meetings & conferences/hospitality & tourism across the state), professional educators, and workforce development partners.  Also, ESSAE and Metro NYSAE members are trusted resources for the industries and professions they represent, and we want legislators to think of us when discussing small business policies/incentives, career training, and economic growth.

We’ll cover & discuss all of this in more detail during our April 28 pre-meeting.

Thank You

A huge thank you to Mike Burridge, our GAC Chair, for consistently producing informative updates that benefit our entire ESSAE membership. And thank you to Megan Osika and Ashley Ranslow for your continued leadership and support of this committee and ESSAE board service. 

All ESSAE Committee members, including GAC, are listed here.  Please contact Liz King, our part-time team member, at [email protected] if you have any edits to your contact info or questions about committee rosters.   We are always looking for new committee members/volunteers, and you &/or a colleague can sign up for volunteer service here.   

Preliminary Resources:

Questions? Contact Government Affairs Committee Chair, Michael Burridge at [email protected].

ESSAE Government Affairs Committee 

Chair: Michael Burridge, NYS Director of Government Relations, American Council of Engineering Companies of New York (ACEC New York)
Vice-Chair: OPEN

Brian Buff, Vice President of Association Management Operations, Capitol Hill Management Services, Inc.
Caroline Bobick, Deputy Director of Governmental and External Relations, NYS School Boards Association
Jessica Cogswell, Professional Development Coordinator, NY School Nutrition Association
Kevin Dugan, Government Affairs Director, NYS Restaurant Association, Inc.
Margaret Vandervort, Senior VP of Operations, The Vandervort Group, LLC
Randy L. McCullough, CAE, Deputy Executive Director, NYS Funeral Directors Association
William Van Slyke, Senior Advisor, Capital Health Consulting

Board Liaisons: Ashley Ranslow, NY Assistant State Director, NFIB and Megan Osika, Vice President, Park Strategies,


Annual Association Advocacy Days:

Whether you are a veteran or a first-timer, ESSAE will prepare you for the day. Should you have a connection with a particular Legislator, let us know that too, as it will help us further our message.

  • We will hold an orientation session to discuss our plans and key talking points.
  • Attendees will receive a “Know-Before-You-Go” packet with key materials and information

There is no registration cost to join the event. Come dressed for success - and ready to talk about what you do each day - and the power of associations in New York State!

Is there a legislative agenda? Will we be lobbying?

The goal for the day is to educate Legislators on the real impact of associations on the state. Participants will have access to a "New York Associations by the Numbers” document.  This will be our lead in piece, and then we ask attendees to talk about their particular association and tout achievements in order to reinforce the overall message.

The ESSAE Government Affairs Committee is monitoring legislative activity and if any bills are identified that could impact the work of associations, we would include this information and position in our efforts.