First Conference Held in Downstate Region

New York City was the destination for the SUNYCUAD educational conference from June 11 to 13. Held at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), the conference offered informational track and plenary sessions and networking time with colleagues. Extras included fine dining and access to the city’s cultural offerings for the nearly 230 people who attended the conference.

This year, in order to help attendees better select programming appropriate to them, each session was identified in the program booklet with a simple icon to indicate the level and focus of the seminar. They included “Nuts and Bolts” (practical takeaways); “Strategic Vision” (high-level views and topics); “New to the Field;” “Small Shop” (small operations and small budget concerns); and “Off Site,” which was just that, off-site field trips to points of interest, such as the James A. Farley Post Office as part of a track session.

Track sessions covered a variety of topics, including using affinity groups to grow and strengthen alumni programs, how to “make the ask,” or preparing campus leadership to ask for the major gifts, and engaging the social networking generation. Other areas included public and media relations, government and community relations, Web development, and publications.

We hope you enjoy this pictorial look back at a conference that will always be remembered. To see more photos, visit www.sunycuad.org/gallery.