2026 NYSCAA Annual Conference, Resilient by Nature: The Power of Community Action — September 15 through 18, Niagara Falls Convention Center

Registration Now Open

2026 NYSCAA
Annual Conference

Resilient by Nature:
The Power of Community Action

Dates

September 15–18, 2026

Conference Venue

Niagara Falls Convention Center

Join Community Action colleagues from across New York State in Niagara Falls for professional development, peer learning, and statewide collaboration.

Register Now Book Hotel Room

Conference Status

Open

Registration is open

Confirmed

Sept. 15–18, 2026
Sept. 15: early registration only
Niagara Falls Convention Center

Hotel Deadline

Room block cutoff:
August 24, 2026

Coming Soon

Sessions, speakers, and full schedule

ELI Note

Confirmed ELI participants do not need a separate conference registration—but must book their own hotel room.

1Register

2Book Hotel Separately

3Watch for Schedule Updates

Conference Overview

A statewide gathering for Community Action

The NYSCAA Annual Conference brings together Community Action Agency staff, leaders, partners, and supporters from across New York State for professional development, networking, shared learning, and statewide collaboration. This year’s theme—Resilient by Nature: The Power of Community Action—honors the strength, adaptability, and enduring impact of the Community Action Network.

What to Expect

Learning

Professional development sessions designed for Community Action staff at every level.

Connection

Network with colleagues from CAAs across all regions of New York State.

Ideas

Explore strategies, tools, and perspectives to bring back to your agency.

Niagara Falls

Gather in a memorable, accessible location steps from one of the world’s great natural wonders.

Who Should Attend

Agency Leadership

Executive Directors, senior leaders, board members, and managers leading Community Action work across New York State.

Program and Operations Staff

Program directors, direct service staff, fiscal staff, administrative staff, and operations teams delivering the Community Action mission every day.

Partners, Sponsors, and Presenters

Organizational partners, presenters, sponsors, exhibitors, and stakeholders connected to Community Action across New York.

Program Planning Update

Sessions and the full conference schedule are being finalized

The 2026 NYSCAA Annual Conference is listed as September 15–18, 2026. Please note that Tuesday, September 15 is planned as early registration/check-in only. Attendees do not need to arrive on Tuesday unless they would like to check in early or have travel plans that make Tuesday arrival easier.

The core conference program, including general sessions and workshops, is expected to take place on Wednesday, September 16 and Thursday, September 17, with Friday morning programming on September 18. Session topics, speakers, room assignments, and the final daily agenda will be shared here and through NYSCAA communications as planning continues.

Registration

Register for the Conference

Registration Rates

Early Bird Rate

Through June 30, 2026

$350

Register by June 30 to lock in this rate. Save $100 over the regular rate.

Regular Rate

Beginning July 1, 2026

$450

Standard conference registration rate for registrations received July 1 or later.

Important Hotel Reminder

Conference registration does not reserve your hotel room

Completing conference registration does not reserve a hotel room. Hotel rooms must be booked separately through the NYSCAA room block at the Sheraton Niagara Falls.

The conference is listed as September 15–18, 2026, but Tuesday, September 15 is planned as early registration/check-in only. The core conference program is expected to run Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday morning. Please book hotel nights based on your travel needs.

Book Hotel Room Separately

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation requests must be submitted in writing by Monday, August 31, 2026. Approved cancellations will be refunded less a $50 administrative fee. No refunds will be issued for cancellation requests received after August 31, 2026, or for no-shows. Substitutions may be permitted when requested in writing.

Register for the Conference
Emerging Leaders Institute

Note for confirmed ELI participants

Confirmed 2026 Emerging Leaders Institute participants who have already completed the first ELI session do not need to complete a separate Annual Conference registration for themselves. NYSCAA will register confirmed ELI participants for the conference based on the official ELI registration list. The second ELI session will be held during the 2026 NYSCAA Annual Conference and is expected to be scheduled on Wednesday, September 16 or Thursday, September 17. Final timing will be shared once the conference schedule is confirmed.

Hotel Room Still Required

ELI participants are responsible for booking their own hotel room if planning to stay overnight. ELI registration does not reserve a hotel room.

Book Hotel Room

Additional Attendees

Any additional agency staff, guests, or colleagues attending the conference beyond the confirmed ELI participant must complete a separate conference registration through the official registration form.

Schedule Coming Soon

Conference Schedule Planning Notes

The full agenda, session descriptions, speakers, and room assignments are still being finalized. The outline below is provided to help attendees plan travel and hotel dates while the detailed schedule is in development.

Tuesday, Sept. 15

Early Registration

Early check-in/registration only. Attendees do not need to arrive Tuesday unless they want to check in early or prefer Tuesday travel.

Wednesday, Sept. 16

Core Conference

Main conference programming and sessions are expected to begin Wednesday. Details will be posted once finalized.

Thursday, Sept. 17

Core Conference

Main conference programming and sessions continue Thursday. The ELI session will be scheduled for Wednesday or Thursday.

Friday, Sept. 18

Friday Morning

Friday is expected to include morning programming. Attendees should plan travel accordingly once the final schedule is released.

Staff and attendee timing

NYSCAA staff will be onsite for the full conference week for setup, coordination, and event support. Attendees do not need to follow the staff schedule. Please use the planning notes above when deciding when to arrive and how many hotel nights to book.

Travel Planning

Venue, Hotel, and Parking

The conference sessions take place at the Niagara Falls Convention Center. The NYSCAA hotel room block is at the Sheraton Niagara Falls, which is a separate building located across the street from the convention center. You must book your hotel room and conference registration separately.

Hotel Room Block Cutoff: August 24, 2026

The NYSCAA hotel room block at the Sheraton Niagara Falls closes August 24, 2026, or when the block fills—whichever comes first. Book early.

Conference Venue

Niagara Falls Convention Center
101 Old Falls Street
Niagara Falls, NY 14303

Convention Center Information

Hotel Room Block

Sheraton Niagara Falls
300 3rd Street
Niagara Falls, NY 14303
Check-in: 4:00 PM  ·  Check-out: 11:00 AM

Book via Passkey

Parking

Overnight hotel guests: Parking is included in the Sheraton’s Destination Amenity Fee.

Day attendees: Plan to pay on exit. The fee is controlled by the City of Niagara Falls. Nearby options include the Sheraton lot, Third Street lot, and Rainbow Ramp.

Directions and Parking

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is included in the Sheraton’s Destination Amenity Fee for overnight hotel guests. Public Wi-Fi may also be available in conference areas, though speeds can vary based on usage and event needs.

Hotel Dining and Amenities

On-site options at the Sheraton include Steelbound Brewery, Rainforest Café, and Starbucks.

Pool: 7:00 AM–11:00 PM Arcade: 9:00 AM–9:00 PM

Explore Niagara Falls

Find local dining, attractions, transit options, and more through the Niagara Falls USA visitor site.

NiagaraFallsUSA.com

Additional Opportunities

Presenters, Sponsors, and Exhibitors

Presenters

Presenter Information

Presenter details, room assignments, AV requirements, and session logistics will be coordinated as the schedule is finalized. Confirmed presenters should watch for communications from NYSCAA with next steps.

Sponsors and Exhibitors

Sponsor and Exhibitor Opportunities

The NYSCAA Annual Conference connects sponsors and exhibitors with Community Action leaders, staff, and partners from across New York State.

View Sponsor Packages

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Venue

Where is the conference being held?

Conference sessions take place at the Niagara Falls Convention Center, 101 Old Falls Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14303. The NYSCAA hotel room block is at the Sheraton Niagara Falls, 300 3rd Street—a separate building across the street from the convention center.

Registration

What are the registration rates?

Early Bird: $350 per person through June 30, 2026.
Regular: $450 per person beginning July 1, 2026.

Each attendee must complete their own registration. Completing registration does not reserve a hotel room.

Hotel

When is the hotel room block cutoff?

The NYSCAA hotel room block at the Sheraton Niagara Falls closes on August 24, 2026, or when the block fills—whichever comes first. Booking well ahead of the deadline is strongly recommended.

ELI

I am a confirmed ELI participant. Do I need to register for the conference?

If you are a confirmed 2026 ELI participant who has completed the first ELI session, you do not need to submit a separate Annual Conference registration for yourself. NYSCAA will register confirmed ELI participants using the official ELI list. The second ELI session is expected to be scheduled on Wednesday or Thursday. You are still responsible for booking your own hotel room if you plan to stay overnight.

Parking

What are the parking options for day attendees?

Day attendees should plan to pay when exiting the parking lot. Nearby paid options include the Sheraton Niagara Falls lot, the Third Street lot, and Rainbow Ramp. Overnight hotel guests have parking included through the hotel’s Destination Amenity Fee.

Cancellations

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancellation requests must be submitted in writing by August 31, 2026. Approved cancellations are refunded less a $50 administrative fee. No refunds are issued for requests received after August 31 or for no-shows. Substitutions may be permitted in writing.

Schedule

When will the session schedule be posted?

The detailed session schedule will be added to this page as conference planning continues. Tuesday, September 15 is early registration/check-in only. The core conference program is expected Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday morning.

Travel Planning

Do I need to arrive on Tuesday, September 15?

No. Tuesday, September 15 is planned as early registration/check-in only. Attendees do not need to arrive Tuesday unless they would like to check in early or their travel plans make Tuesday arrival easier.

Schedule

When is the core conference?

The core conference program is expected to take place Wednesday, September 16 and Thursday, September 17, with Friday morning programming on September 18. The full session schedule will be posted once finalized.

Hotel

What hotel nights should I book?

Please book hotel nights based on your own travel needs. Attendees who only plan to attend the core conference should know that Tuesday is early registration/check-in only, while the main program is expected Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday morning. The hotel room block closes August 24, 2026, or when the block fills.

ELI

When will the ELI session take place?

The ELI session connected to the conference is expected to be scheduled on Wednesday or Thursday. Confirmed ELI participants will receive additional details once the final schedule is confirmed.

Help

Who should I contact with questions?

For registration questions or general conference inquiries, please contact Alexis Rivera at [email protected].

Need to take action? Start here.

Register Now Book Hotel Room Email a Question

2026 NYSCAA Annual Conference

Ready to join us in Niagara Falls?

Register by June 30 to save $100 with Early Bird pricing. Book your hotel room through the NYSCAA block before August 24 or before the block fills.

Register Now Book Hotel Room Directions and Parking

Last updated: May 2026  ·  Tuesday, September 15 is planned as early registration/check-in only. Core conference programming is expected Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday morning. Sessions, speakers, room assignments, and the full schedule will be added as planning continues.