2026 Annual Meeting Agenda

2026 Annual Meeting Agenda

September 23, 2026 - September 25, 2026

The Sagamore Resort

Registration Here

Click Here to View the 2026 Annual Meeting Page

Wednesday, September 23  
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Board Investment Committee Meeting **
1:00 – 2:30 p.m. Joint Audit & Finance / Executive Committee Meeting **
1:00 – 5:30 p.m.

Registration Open
Conference Center
12:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Chamber Meeting
Chamber Executives Only
Expanded Agenda with multiple speakers / NO ZOOM
3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting **
5:30 – 6:00 p.m. New Member & Anniversary Member Reception
Private Reception
6:00 – 8:30 p.m.

President’s Reception

Remarks:

  • Honorable Thomas DiNapoli, Comptroller
    State of New York

**Board of Directors Only

 

Thursday, September 24  
6:30 - 7:30 a.m. 5k Run
7:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Registration Open
7:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Exhibits Open
Networking Lounge & Prize Display
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. Breakfast 
8:30 - 8:45 a.m.

Welcome Remarks
Master of Ceremonies

  • Stephanie Crockett, President and Chief Executive Officer [BIO]
    Mower

Anniversary Awards Presentation

 

Presented by:

  • Heather C. Mulligan, President & CEO
    The Business Council of New York State, Inc.
8:45 - 9:45 a.m.

New York’s Innovation Advantage: Building the Nation’s Quantum and Semiconductor Ecosystem (Part 1)

Moderator:

  • Jessica Schumer, NYS Public Policy Lead
    Amazon

Panelists:

  • John E. Kolb, Vice President and Head of the Future of Computing Institute (FOCI)
    Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
  • Paul Parazolli, Quantum Public Sector Lead
    IBM
9:45 - 10:45 a.m.

New York’s Innovation Advantage: Building the Nation’s Quantum and Semiconductor Ecosystem (Part 2)

Moderator:

  • Honorable Landon C. Dais, Assembly District 77
    New York State Assembly

Panelists:

  • Ashley Castle, Director, Government and Community Affairs
    GLOBALFOUNDRIES US INC
  • Joe Nehme, Senior Manager, External Affairs [BIO]
    Micron Technology
10:45 - 11:00 a.m.

Refreshment Break
Visit the Exhibits
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Federal Elections and Political Update

  • Ashlee Rich Stephenson  
    Senior Political Strategist, U.S. Chamber of Commerce [BIO]
    President, AxAdvocacy
12:30 - 5:00 p.m. Recreational Activities | Free Time
12:30 - 5:00 p.m.

Golf (18 Holes)
Currently sold out. If you're interested in playing please contact Maribeth Riley
Additional Fee of $160
Box Lunch Included
2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Sightseeing Cruise
Scenic tour of Lake George aboard The Morgan
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Paint, Craft & Sip Activity
Sip on drinks and create your own artwork with instructor guidance
2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Pickleball
6:00 - 6:45 p.m. Reception
7:00 - 9:30 p.m.

Dinner

 

Welcome & Pledge of Allegiance

Heather C. Mulligan, President & CEO
The Business Council of New York State, Inc.

Keynote & Wine Presentation

Joseph Carr, Founder
Josh Cellars

 

Award Presentation

Coolest Thing Made in New York                                               

 

The Minority and Women’s Business Award
Sponsored by National Grid                                                        

  • Presented by: Ryan P. Delgado, Director, Government Relations – New York State
    National Grid

 Winner to be announced

                                   

 2026 Fr. Peter Young Award for Community Service

  • Accepted by: Maureen O’Brien
    President & CEO, New York State Industries for the Disabled (NYSID)

 

The Chuck Steiner Memorial Chamber of the Year

Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce

  • Accepted by: Kari Puleo, Executive Director

 

2026 Member of the Year

JPMorganChase

  • Accepted by: Brian Page, Managing Director

 

Corning Award for Excellence

Presented by:

  • Joanne Fernandez, Director, U.S. Government Affairs
    Corning Incorporated
  • Heather C. Mulligan, President & CEO
    The Business Council of New York State, Inc.

 

 Accepted by:

  • Governor George E. Pataki, 53rd Governor
    State of New York
9:30 - 11:00 p.m. Hospitality

 

Friday, September 25  
7:00 a.m. - Noon  Registration
7:30 a.m. - Noon Exhibits Open
Networking Lounge & Prize Display
7:30 - 8:30 a.m.  Breakfast Buffet 
8:25 a.m.

Program Begins
Master of Ceremonies

  • Jeff Vukelic, President / Chief Executive Officer
    Try-It Beverage
8:30 - 9:00 a.m.

President's Report

  • Heather C. Mulligan, President and CEO [BIO]
    The Business Council of New York State, Inc.

Annual Meeting of The Business Council Membership

Election of Directors
9:09 - 9:45 a.m. Programming
9:45 - 10:00 a.m.

Refreshment Break
Visit the Exhibits
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Powering New York's Future: An All-of-the-Above Energy Strategy for Reliability, Affordability, and Growth

Moderator:

  • Yvonne Hennessey, Partner [BIO]
    Barclay Damon, LLP

Panelists:

  • Gavin Donohue, President & CEO
    IPPNY
  • Bryan Grimaldi, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, New York
    National Grid
  • Nicholas Stalnecker, Government Affairs, US Northeast [BIO]
    The Williams Companies
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Programming
12:00 p.m.  Conclusion / Wrap Up / Grand Prize Drawing 

*Agenda Subject to Change