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

3Review Preliminary Schedule

Conference Focus Areas

Practical learning across the work of Community Action

The preliminary 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.

Preliminary

The agenda is meant to support planning now, but the final schedule may change as 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.

Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Pre-Conference Arrival and Connections

Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Opening Day, Keynote, and Concurrent Sessions

Evening: Dinner on your own.

Thursday, September 17, 2026

Keynote, Awards, Sessions, and Reception

Evening: Dinner on your own following the reception.

Friday, September 18, 2026

ELI Graduation and Conference Closing

Nomination Deadline

Friday, August 7, 2026

Two 2026 award categories are open for nominations.

Review the award details before submitting so the nomination is entered in the best-fit category. The awards page includes category guidance, nomination expectations, and links to both nomination forms.

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.

Quick Travel Notes

Plan hotel nights based on your travel needs

Tuesday is primarily early registration and optional arrival. Main attendee-facing programming begins Wednesday morning and continues through Friday morning.

Reminder: conference registration and hotel reservations must be completed separately.

Conference Venue

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

Hotel Room Block

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

Parking

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

Day attendees: Plan to pay on exit. Nearby options include the Sheraton lot, Third Street lot, and Rainbow Ramp.

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.

Explore Niagara Falls

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

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.

Six organizations are currently registered. Listings will continue to be updated as additional sponsors and exhibitors are added.

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

Workshop proposals are accepted through Tuesday, June 30, 2026. Presenter details, room assignments, AV requirements, and session logistics will be coordinated as the schedule is finalized.

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 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.

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?

No. The schedule posted on this page is preliminary and subject to change. Session topics, presenters, room assignments, and final timing will continue to be updated as planning continues.

Do I need to arrive on Tuesday, September 15?

No. Tuesday, September 15 is the pre-conference arrival 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 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.

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].