Welcome to the Synergy Awards!
Celebrating Excellence and Innovation
Date: Thursday, October 30, 8:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Location: ICSC Headquarters | 1251 Avenue of the Americas, FL 45, New York, NY 10020
Metro NYSAE’s Annual Synergy Awards honors the brightest minds and the most impactful contributions within our association community of Metro New York. This prestigious event recognizes individuals and organizations who have demonstrated outstanding achievements and innovative practices, setting new standards of excellence in our industry.
2025 Synergy Awards Speaker
Chris Vasami
He’s back! At last year’s Synergy Awards, attendees were moved by keynote speaker Chris Vasami—motivational speaker, former college and professional baseball player, cancer survivor, and coach—who shared his powerful journey of resilience. Through his story, Chris showed how to confront obstacles, take action, persevere, and ultimately win. This year, Chris returns with the same spirited honesty and unique perspective—and we’ve set aside more time on the agenda so he can go even deeper. Attendees will leave encouraged, empowered, and inspired.
2025 Award Honorees
Chief Executive of the Year
Nancy Urbanowicz, CAE
Former Executive Director, Academy of Management
DEI Champion
Carine Desroches, HMCC, MMP
Meeting & Events Director, National Kidney Foundation
Meetings Professional of the Year
Kathleen McKay
Vice President, Events, IAB
Rising Star
Lina Kang
Meeting Planner, Cardiovascular Research Foundation
Association Partner of the Year
Rhonda Payne, CAE
Founder & CEO, Flock Theory
Lifetime Achievement
Claire Rosenzweig, CAE
President & CEO, Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan New York, Hudson Valley and Long Island
Excellence in Membership
Amy Chapman
Director of Operations, New Jersey Psychological Association
Excellence in Educational Programming
Brienne Willcock
Director of Education and Standards, Illuminating Engineering Society
2025 Award Presenters:
- Chief Executive of the Year: Eric Schmidt, GlueUp
- Meetings Professional of the Year: Melissa Hayden, Visit Fort Worth
- Lifetime Achievement: Rita Lopez, Discover Puerto Rico
- Association Partner of the Year: Mark Lowry, Higher Logic
- Rising Star: David Donovan, New York State Broadcasters Association
- Excellence in Educational Programming: Jason Sojka, Louisville Tourism
- Excellence in Membership: Craig Coleman, Interactive Advertising Bureau
- DEI Champion: Lili DeVita, Financial Executives International
Thank You To Our Host & Sponsors
2024 Synergy Awards
On Tuesday, October 29, 2024, Metro NYSAE held its Synergy Awards breakfast and ceremony in the spectacular event space of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). Attendees had the opportunity to network with and celebrate key individuals and organizations for their contributions and impact to the industries they serve.
Breakfast, sponsored by D2L and OnPeak, was held in a relaxed and casual atmosphere at ICSC. Once the crowd moved to the theatre, Chair Colleen Harper, CAE, welcomed the crowd. Awards co-chair Annette Homan, COO, RIMS, introduced Christopher Vasami of Vasami Method as the opening speaker. He shared his journey and experiences as a former college and professional baseball player, his cancer battle, and his years of coaching to help people work through their obstacles, take action, persevere, and win. With his spirited honesty and unique perspective, attendees felt encouraged, empowered and inspired.
Event photography was generously contributed by di vision creative group.
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