2026 · Best in Government Affairs · New York

The Awards Ceremony

Best in Government Affairs · New York

Wednesday, September 16, 2026 · 5:30 to 8:30 PM Lark Hall · 351 Hudson Avenue · Albany, NY

The 2026 Best in Government Affairs New York awards ceremony is Wednesday, September 16, 2026, from 5:30 to 8:30 PM at Lark Hall in Albany. It is free to attend, bites and beverages are included, and 47 honorees across 7 categories are recognized on stage.

Great work in government affairs usually happens behind the scenes. Not this time.

Register to Attend See the Evening

Free to attend Bites and beverages included 47 honorees · 7 categories

Presented with Capitol Confidential Pro, a partnership between Hearst’s Times Union and USLege.
Capitol Confidential Pro, powered by USLege

Registration

Register

Please register by Wednesday, September 9

Awards Ceremony Registration About two minutes

Honorees bringing a guest: your guest registers separately and selects Winner Guest.

Please choose a ticket type.

Please enter your name.

Please enter a valid email address.

In case we need to reach you the day of the event.

Please enter a phone number.

Please enter your organization.

Please enter your title.

Please choose a role.

Please confirm you understand.

Please confirm you understand.

Free to attend. Bites and beverages included.

You’re registered.

Thank you. We’ll email you a confirmation with final details the week of the event.

Plans change? Reply to that email so we can release your seat to someone else.

Jess McDonald · USLege

Honorees are welcome to bring one guest. Guests register themselves using the form above and select Winner Guest as their ticket type.

This event will be photographed and recorded. Images and video may be used by USLege, Capitol Confidential, and Hearst’s Times Union in coverage and promotion of the program. You can opt out at any time. Questions or accessibility needs? Email jess@uslege.ai.

The Night

One evening, the best of the Albany policy world in one room.

Get ready for a night of fun and celebration. This is the in-person close to the 2026 Best in Government Affairs New York program. Winners were nominated by their peers, reviewed by an advisory board that knows Albany, and now will be recognized on stage and receive their award in person.

This program is 100% peer led with no cost to participate or be recognized.

Thank you to the sponsors Capitol Confidential, Times Union, and USLege for supporting the New York program.

Run of Show

How the evening unfolds.

  • 5:30 to 6:30 PM Welcome receptionBites, beverages, and live music
  • 6:30 to 7:00 PM Awards ceremony47 honorees across 7 categories
  • 7:00 to 8:30 PM Dessert and networkingDessert, beverages, and live music
Optional

Make the night count for someone else.

Optional, and entirely up to you. We are asking each guest to give $10 to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, which distributes food to nearly 1,000 charitable agencies and serves more than 355,000 people each month across 23 counties of northeastern New York.

For every dollar donated, the Food Bank distributes $10 worth of food, the equivalent of four meals.

Capitol Confidential Pro is matching every dollar. Whatever the room gives that night, they give again, so a $10 gift turns into 80 meals.

Give $10 to the Regional Food Bank

$10Your gift → 40Meals

Then Capitol Confidential Pro matches it.Every dollar given is matched dollar for dollar, so your $10 becomes 80 meals.

USLege does not collect or handle any donations. You give directly to the Food Bank.

Getting There

Lark Hall

The Essentials
351 Hudson Avenue
Albany, NY 12210
Map and directions
  • Wednesday, September 16, 2026
  • 5:30 to 8:30 PM
  • Doors open at 5:30
Complimentary Valet

Pull up and walk right in.

Valet is complimentary for all guests. Pull up to the Hudson Avenue entrance, hand over your keys, and head inside.

Self Parking

Prefer to park yourself?

A street team will be out front to point you in the right direction. Nearby options include:

  • Trinity Church lot on Lark Street
  • Albany County lot at 208 Washington Avenue
  • On-street parking around Washington Park
The Honorees

47

Honorees · 7 Categories

Full honoree profiles coming soon

Learn more about the awards

Partners

Presented with

  • Times Union
  • Capitol Confidential
  • USLege
Advisory Board

Reviewed by four who know Albany.

Questions

Frequently asked.

Does it cost anything to attend?
No. The ceremony is free for honorees, nominees, and their guests, and bites and beverages are included. The only ask is an optional $10 donation to the Regional Food Bank.
Can I bring a guest?
Most likely yes. Honorees are each awarded the option to bring one guest. Your guest registers themselves using the registration form and selects Winner Guest as their ticket type. Other registrants are welcome to share the form with peers from the Albany policy community. We do have a capacity, so please register early.
What should I wear?
Business casual is the standard for the evening. There will be professional photography and video throughout, and our honorees will be photographed on stage and featured in the recognition campaign afterward. If you would like to dress up a bit more, you are very welcome to.
I am a nominee but I did not win. Am I really invited?
Yes, and we mean it. Advancing to advisory board review in a peer-nominated program is its own recognition. Come celebrate, eat, drink, and enjoy the room.
Will there be photography and video?
Yes, throughout the evening. Honorees will be photographed on stage and featured in the recognition campaign with Capitol Confidential and Hearst’s Times Union. Registration includes a consent checkbox covering photography and follow-up communications. You can opt out of either at any time.
Where do I park?
Complimentary valet is available at the Hudson Avenue entrance. If you would rather park yourself, nearby options include the Trinity Church lot on Lark Street, the Albany County lot at 208 Washington Avenue, and on-street parking around Washington Park. A street team will be out front to help.
Is the venue accessible?
Yes. If you have accessibility needs, email jess@uslege.ai and we will make arrangements with the venue directly.
I have a dietary restriction.
Note it on your registration and we will pass it along to the caterer.
Who are the sponsors?
Capitol Confidential, the Times Union, and USLege.
What is the deadline to register?
Wednesday, September 9. Seats are limited and we expect to reach capacity, so please register early.
My plans changed. How do I cancel?
Email jess@uslege.ai. Releasing your seat lets someone else take your place.
Who do I contact with other questions?
Jess McDonald, jess@uslege.ai
September 16, 2026 · Albany

We would love to see you there.

Wednesday, September 16 · 5:30 to 8:30 PM · Lark Hall, 351 Hudson Avenue, Albany.

Register to Attend

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Register to Attend