TripleM Institute, Annual Awards Luncheon & Annual Membership Meeting

Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Rivers Casino Resort | Schenectady, NY
8:00 AM - 2:45 PM
- Registration opens at 7:45 AM
- Annual Membership Meeting (following Awards Luncheon)
- Committee/business meetings follow on/after 2:45 PM (registration not required)

What Is TripleM?

TripleM is ESSAE’s annual convergence point for association professionals who are responsible for moving organizations forward — strategically, sustainably, and with intention.

Grounded in ESSAE’s three core pillars — Meetings, Membership, and Marketing — TripleM delivers a focused, one-day learning experience that combines practical education, peer exchange, and community connection.

What Makes TripleM 2026 Different

For 2026, TripleM is intentionally designed with several aligned themes that reflect the realities association professionals are navigating today. These themes are woven throughout the program to add depth and relevance — not complexity.

Empathy, Wellbeing & Invisible Challenges at Work

The 2026 TripleM program intentionally recognizes that effective leadership is both strategic and human. Empathy, emotional intelligence, and attention to wellbeing are not soft skills—they are essential leadership competencies, particularly for professionals navigating increasingly complex organizational environments.

Aligned with Women’s History Month and Endometriosis Awareness Month, this lens provides a broader framework for understanding invisible challenges in the workplace and how leaders can respond with awareness, clarity, and care. These considerations inform conversations about inclusive leadership, team management, communication, and organizational culture—while remaining firmly grounded in professional practice and operational realities.

This programmatic lens reinforces CAE-aligned competencies including Leadership, Organizational Development, and Professionalism, highlighting how high EQ and inclusive leadership behaviors strengthen teams, relationships, and organizations alike.

Who Should Attend TripleM 2026

TripleM is designed for professionals who:

• Lead or influence organizational direction
• Manage people, programs, and priorities
• Are navigating change, growth, or transition
• Value peer insight alongside expert perspective
• Want education that respects both professional and human realities
• Seek meaningful connections through intentional networking and shared learning experiences within New York’s association community

Whether you are a seasoned executive, senior staff member, or a rising professional preparing for greater leadership, TripleM offers learning that is role-aware, people-centered, and immediately useful.

The TripleM Experience

• Curated education aligned with real association challenges
• A balance of strategy, operations, and leadership discussion
• Opportunities for reflection, dialogue, and connection
• Recognition of excellence at the ESSAE Annual Awards Luncheon
• Participation in the ESSAE Annual Membership Meeting, reinforcing transparency and shared governance

The result is a day that feels intentional, relevant, and connected.

Registration Options & Pricing:

Full-Day Program
(Keynote, Three Breakout Rounds, Education Sessions & Awards Luncheon)

Early Bird (Register on or before Sunday, February 15)

• Members: $149 | Non-Members: $235

Standard Registration (February 16 – Wednesday, March 11)

• Members: $169 | Non-Members: $255

Week-Of / Walk-Up (On or after Thursday, March 12)

• Members: $180 | Non-Members: $275

Lunch & One Afternoon Session
(Designed to support and celebrate awardees)

• Members: $90 | Non-Members: $130

Awards Luncheon Tables (No Education Included)
Table of 8 – Member Purchase: $525
Table of 8 – Non-Member Purchase: $885
Optional Afternoon Session Add-On: $45

ESSAE memberships run on a calendar year (January 1–December 31).
Memberships invoices were issued in 2025 for 2026.  Memberships that were not renewed were placed in grace status in January and are now considered lapsed as of February. Lapsed members are unable to log in to their membership profile to access invoices or receive member discounts. Information on renewing your membership—including how to receive technical support—can be found here.

Register Today! 

TripleM is where ideas turn into action, relationships deepen, and the association profession moves forward. Join your peers and partners on Wednesday, March 18 for a day of learning, leadership, and celebration.

Schedule At-A-Glance (Subject to Change) 
Be in the KNOW while on the GO (download the mobile event app)!