Registration Now Open

2026 NYSCAA
Annual Conference

Resilient by Nature:
The Power of Community Action

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

1Register

2Book Hotel Separately

3Explore Live Agenda

Conference Focus Areas

Practical learning across the work of Community Action

The live agenda includes sessions connected to finance, human resources, Head Start, management and leadership, housing and weatherization, technology and AI, fundraising, preparedness, trauma-informed practice, and statewide partner conversations.

At a Glance

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 Areas

Finance, human resources, Head Start, management and leadership, housing and weatherization, technology and AI, fundraising, preparedness, and specialized topics.

Live Updates

Whova is the source of truth for the current agenda and will reflect updates as final details are confirmed.

Travel Planning

Most attendees should plan around Wednesday morning through Friday morning programming, unless arriving early Tuesday by choice.

Ready for the next step?

Registration, hotel, and sponsor links

Use these quick links as you continue through the page. Conference registration and hotel reservations must be completed separately.

ELI 1.0

Conference registration is included

The ELI 1.0 participation cost includes registration for the 2026 NYSCAA Annual Conference. Confirmed ELI 1.0 participants do not need to complete a separate conference registration for themselves.

ELI 2.0

Conference registration is required

There is no charge for ELI 2.0 participation; however, ELI 2.0 participants are expected to attend the conference and must register and pay for the conference through the NYSCAA website.

Hotel Room Still Required

ELI registration does not reserve a hotel room. ELI 1.0 and ELI 2.0 participants are responsible for booking their own hotel room if planning to stay overnight.

Friday Morning ELI Programming

Friday morning includes breakfast, the ELI 1.0 Graduation from 9:00–10:00 AM, the ELI 2.0 Project Presentation from 10:00–10:30 AM, and conference closing remarks from 10:30–11:00 AM.

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.

Loading the conference agenda...

Nomination Deadline

Friday, August 7, 2026

The 2026 Community Action Awards nomination period has closed.

Nominations closed Friday, August 7, 2026. Award information and category details remain available on the Community Action Awards page.

Community Action Personal Achievement Award

This award recognizes a current or former Community Action participant or customer whose personal journey shows perseverance, growth, achievement, and commitment to helping themselves and others.

Note: This award is not intended for staff persons. The awardee will be reimbursed up to $300 for expenses related to attending the conference to accept their award, compliments of NYSCAA.

Community Action Impact Award

This award recognizes an individual, agency, or department whose leadership, collaboration, innovation, or broader Network contributions have created meaningful and lasting change.

Eligibility note: Individual nominees must be employed for a minimum of three years by a Community Action Agency.

Connect with Community Action leaders from across New York

Sponsor and exhibitor opportunities provide visibility with agency leaders, program staff, fiscal and administrative professionals, and partners from across New York State.

2026 Package Levels

Packages include visibility, conference access, and exhibitor benefits based on selected level.

Explore the complete sponsor and exhibitor roster currently listed in NYSCAA's conference materials. Select an organization to visit its official website.

Conference Sponsors

Exhibit Hall

2026 Conference Exhibitor Roster

Sponsors participating in the exhibit hall also appear below so attendees can browse the complete roster in one place.

Additional sponsor and exhibitor opportunities remain available

Additional sponsor and exhibitor opportunities remain available for organizations that want to connect with New York's Community Action network. Listings will continue to be updated as new sponsors and exhibitors are confirmed.

Presenter Information

The workshop proposal period closed June 30, 2026. Confirmed presenters will receive final room, audiovisual, and session logistics directly from NYSCAA.

Sponsor and Exhibitor Planning

Exhibitor set-up is expected Tuesday, September 15, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. The $700 exhibitor tier includes a 6-foot skirted table, two conference registrations, and dedicated vendor hours.

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.

What are the registration rates?

Early Bird: $350 per person through August 1, 2026 — now closed.
Regular: $450 per person beginning August 2, 2026.

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

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.

Is the conference schedule final?

The Whova agenda is the current source of truth. Times, rooms, presenters, and session details will be updated there if conference arrangements change.

Do I need to arrive on Tuesday, September 15?

No. Tuesday, September 15 is the arrival and early registration day with early registration, the NYSCAA Board of Directors meeting, and the optional Cocktails and Connections Meet-Up at Steelbound Brewery. Main attendee-facing programming begins Wednesday morning.

Will there be programming on Friday?

Yes. Friday morning includes breakfast, the ELI 1.0 Graduation, the ELI 2.0 Project Presentation, and conference closing remarks. Programming concludes at 11:00 AM.

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

ELI 1.0 participants do not need to register separately for the conference because conference registration is included in the ELI 1.0 participation cost. ELI 2.0 participants do need to register and pay for the conference through the NYSCAA website. All ELI participants are responsible for booking their own hotel room if planning to stay overnight.

What are the parking options for day attendees?

Day attendees should plan to use paid parking. Nearby options include the Sheraton Niagara Falls lot, the Third Street lot, and Rainbow Ramp. Overnight hotel guests should confirm the Sheraton's current parking charge and any group-specific inclusion when booking or checking in.

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.

How do we become a sponsor or exhibitor?

Complete the 2026 Annual Conference Sponsor and Exhibitor Registration form to reserve a package, provide organization and billing details, and share representative information. Sponsor levels are Platinum $5,000, Gold $3,000, Silver $2,000, and Exhibitor $700. Current confirmed sponsors and exhibitors are listed above.

What hotel nights should I book?

Please book hotel nights based on your own travel needs. Most attendee-facing programming begins Wednesday morning and continues through Friday morning. Tuesday is primarily early registration/check-in and optional arrival.

Who should I contact with questions?

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