By Joel A. Dolci, CAE
It's hard to imagine that a year has already passed since our last year-in-review. It seems like yesterday that we were on the brink of 2017. And, as 2018 approaches, I'd like to take a few moments to reflect on the activities and milestones of the past year.
With an emphasis on continuous learning and networking, NYSAE hosted nearly 30 different events, each one meticulously planned to provide top value to our members and guests.
Among them, the highly popular Shared Interest Groups, a.k.a. SIGs, including; Executive Women in NonProfits, Next Generation, and Technology, were sprinkled throughout the year. Whether held in-person or online, the SIGs attracted a diverse group of members and non-members through industry-relevant topics such as "Diving Into the Future," "Executive Presence," "Get Your Google Apps On," and more.
NYSAE also continued its commitment to C-Level enrichment via the CEO Connect program. CEO Connect is designed exclusively for CEOs, Executive Directors and other C-Level professionals in the Association and Non-profit sectors. The cutting-edge topics included "How the New Administration Could Impact Associations," "Critical Issues: Opportunities, Challenges, Innovations," and "A Conversation with Dr. Max."
One of the primary member benefits continues to be opportunities for professional development. In 2017, NYSAE hosted four Professional Development Workshops. These workshops present career guidance tips and knowledge exchange to members and guests. Ranging from the use of social platforms to gain visibility, to using today's most popular job boards to find employment, these sessions provide implicit, practical job hunting skills to those who attend.
Alongside those activities, NYSAE continued to provide in-depth educational and networking summits. This year, we focused on Project Management in January and Data Security in May. Both events covered significant and modern best practices and information about key topics in those critical operational areas. Related, NYSAE also introduced the Morning Seminar Series with an engaging session on "Best Practices in Using Twitter."
The Synergy Awards luncheon in April celebrated the best of the year's association leadership, showcasing the talent that NYSAE counts among its members.
Last, but certainly not least, NYSAE continued its resounding success with the 9th Annual MeetNY, the Best Hosted-Buyer Event in the Northeast that brings together hospitality and CVB suppliers from across the region with meeting planners, CEOs, and other association executives. The event, held in March at the New York Marriott Marquis, provided attendees with two, well-attended educational sessions, a networking reception, and tickets to "A Bronx Tale" on Broadway.
In 2018, NYSAE will continue to provide exciting educational and networking opportunities through the SIGs, CEO Connect, Summit Programs and Morning Seminar Series. Moreover, we are moving many of the presentations to Webinar format to help accommodate the busy schedules and learning preferences of our members.
As we seek to increase our footprint in the Northeast association marketplace, NYSAE is working on some new, cutting-edge events. More details on these new events will be released in coming months, so stay tuned!
In closing, and on behalf of the NYSAE board of directors and staff, I would like to personally thank all of the attendees who participated in our myriad of events, all of the members who continue to join and support the organization, and all of the volunteers who designed, built, and guided 2017's activities.
See you in the New Year!
Joel A. Dolci, CAE, President & CEO of NYSAE.