Registration Is Open

The 2026 New York Cooperative Summit will take place on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Armory Studios NY in Schenectady. Doors, registration, and informal networking begin at 11:00 am; the main program runs from 12:00 noon–8:30 pm. An optional Field Day will take place Sunday, October 18, from 9:00 am–1:30 pm.

The Summit is a statewide gathering for cooperative members, leaders, organizers, community institutions, funders, technical assistance providers, and allies working to strengthen New York’s cooperative ecosystem.

2026 theme: “Cultivating a statewide movement for economic democracy”. This year’s gathering will focus on practical workshops, shared strategy, connection, and movement-building across the cooperative economy.

At a Glance

• Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
• Doors, registration & networking: 11:00 am
• Main program: 12:00 noon–8:30 pm
• Location: Armory Studios NY, Schenectady, NY
• Optional Sunday Field Day: October 18, 9:00 am–1:30 pm; separate registration
• Registration: Open now, with sliding-scale tickets from $0–$100
• Saturday meals: Lunch and snacks plus dinner are included
• Accessibility: Childcare and English/Spanish interpretation are being arranged; registration collects childcare, language, dietary, and other access needs
• Format: Workshops, shared strategy, connection, and statewide cooperative movement-building

Location

The Summit will be held in downtown Schenectady at Armory Studios NY.

Armory Studios NY
125 Washington Ave.
Schenectady, NY 12305

Hotel Room Block Availability: Rooms are held at the following locations through a deadline date of September 16th for reservations. Individuals must call and pay directly at the numbers/links provided here:

• Courtyard by Marriott-Schenectady at Mohawk Harbor 240 Harborside Drive Schenectady, NY 12305 | Call 518-579-6620 or visit Courtyard Booking Link
  • 20 Rooms Available Friday October 16th at $199; 25 Rooms Available Saturday October 17th at $199.
• Hyatt House Schenectady at 121 Harborside Drive Schenectady, NY, 12305 | Call 312-750-1234 or visit Hyatt Booking Link.
  • 1 King Bed Den with Sofa: 10 Rooms Available Friday October 16th at $239, 10 Rooms Available Saturday October 17th at $239.
  • 2 Queen Beds Den with Sofa: 5 Rooms Available Friday October 16th at $239, 5 Rooms Available Saturday October 17th at $239.
• Homewood Suites by Hilton Schenectady, 2 A Freemans Bridge Road, Schenectady, New York 12302 | Call 518-579-6727 or visit Homewood Booking Link.
  • I King studio suite: 20 Rooms Available Friday October 16th at $229; 20 Rooms Available Saturday October 17th at $229.
• Hampton by Hilton, 450 State St, Schenectady, NY | Call 518-377-4500
  • Standard King: 20 Rooms Available Friday October 16th at $249; 20 Rooms Available Saturday October 17th at $249.

PROGRAM ADS: $100 program ads are available through September 30. See the Sponsorship & Program Ads page for the current format, purchase information, and submission details.

• $100 – Print Program at Event for an estimated 150 attendees.
• $100 – Digital ads page on Summit website.

PARKING and TRANSPORTATION: Approximately 500 free parking spaces are available at the Armory as shown in this Armory parking map image. For bus, train, and bicycle options, visit downtownschenectady.org/visit/transportation/

About the Summit

The New York Cooperative Summit brings together people and organizations working to build a stronger cooperative economy across the state.

The Summit is a place to connect across sectors, share practical tools, learn from one another, and build relationships that can carry the work forward beyond a single event.

This includes worker cooperatives, food cooperatives, credit unions, housing cooperatives, community land and real estate projects, cooperative developers, technical assistance providers, funders, organizers, researchers, educators, and allied institutions.

The point is not just to gather. The point is to strengthen the relationships, infrastructure, and shared strategy needed to grow democratic ownership and community-rooted economic power across New York.

Who Should Attend

The Summit is for people who are building, supporting, studying, funding, or organizing around cooperative and democratic economic models.

• Cooperative members, workers, boards, and managers
• Worker cooperatives, food cooperatives, housing cooperatives, credit unions, and community-owned enterprises
• Cooperative developers and technical assistance providers
• Community organizers and economic justice groups
• Funders, lenders, foundations, and public-sector partners
• Attorneys, accountants, bookkeepers, educators, and professional allies
• Students, researchers, and people new to the cooperative movement
• Anyone interested in building a more democratic, community-rooted economy

Program Preview

Program and presenter details are still being finalized and will be announced when the organizing team is ready to publish them.

The Saturday Summit is expected to include:

• Registration and networking
• Welcome and keynote session
• Workshop sessions
• Full-group reflection and strategy
• Dinner and social time
• Space for connection across regions, sectors, and cooperative models

The program is still being developed, and details may shift as the organizing committees finalize speakers, sessions, and logistics.

Call for Presenters

WORKSHOP SUBMISSIONS ARE CLOSED. The organizing team received more than 25 proposals. Program and presenter announcements will be published separately when finalized for public release.

Workshop proposals may focus on practical skills, shared challenges, organizing lessons, governance, financing, member engagement, cooperative development, cross-sector collaboration, or broader movement-building. We’re especially interested in proposals connected to one or more of these themes:

• Trainings and skill development for co-op members
• Cross-sectoral relationship-building and collaboration
• Statewide relationship-building, collaboration, and movement-building

Workshops will be about one hour long, and can take the form of participatory sessions, presentations with Q&A, panel discussions, or other formats.

Each accepted workshop will be allocated up to $500 in travel and housing stipends, shared among presenters.

Submission deadline: July 15, 2026. Submissions are now closed.

Questions about a submitted workshop? Contact newyorkcooperative@gmail.com.

Optional Sunday Field Day

An optional Sunday Field Day is being planned for Sunday, October 18, 2026.

This will likely include a local cooperative tour or site visit in the Schenectady / Capital Region area.

• Time: 9:00 am – 1:30 pm
• Registration: Separate from the main Saturday Summit
• Details: Local cooperative visits and additional information are included on the registration page

The Sunday Field Day is optional and separate from the main Saturday Summit.

Registration

Tickets are available on a sliding scale from $0–$100 so people and organizations can choose the level that fits their resources.

Saturday registration includes lunch and snacks plus dinner. Childcare and English/Spanish interpretation are being arranged; the registration form asks attendees to share childcare, language, dietary, and other accessibility needs. Sunday Field Day registration is separate.

Accessibility, Childcare, and Language Access

The organizing team is working to make the Summit accessible and welcoming.

The organizing team is finalizing childcare and English/Spanish interpretation arrangements. Attendees can share childcare, language, dietary, and other access needs during registration. Final service details will be posted as soon as they are confirmed.

Spanish-language materials are currently under review and will be added when finalized.

For access questions or needs, contact newyorkcooperative@gmail.com.

Sponsorship and Exhibitor Opportunities

Sponsorship and program ad opportunities are available now.

Sponsors help make the Summit accessible, practical, and sustainable. Sponsorship support helps cover event costs such as venue, interpretation, childcare, food, speaker and organizer support, printing, and outreach.

Sponsors will be recognized on our website and printed program, receive free registrations, and receive other benefits depending on sponsorship level.

Program ads are also available for $100 each, digital and/or print, with a purchase deadline of September 30.

Organizations interested in sponsoring, exhibiting, advertising, or supporting the Summit can visit the Sponsorship & Program Ads page. You can also see the organizations already supporting the 2026 Summit or contact newyorkcooperative@gmail.com.

Help Organize the Summit

The Summit is built by people across New York’s cooperative ecosystem.

The organizing team is still welcoming people who want to help with:

• Finance and sponsorship
• Logistics and event operations
• Content and workshop planning
• Marketing and outreach
• Translation and accessibility support
• Day-of volunteering

People interested in helping organize or volunteer can contact newyorkcooperative@gmail.com.

Stay Updated

Registration is open now. Program, speaker, and additional travel details will be added as they are finalized.

Register now: Saturday, October 17, 2026, with an optional Sunday Field Day on October 18.

• Location: Armory Studios NY, Schenectady
• Main Summit: 12:00 pm – 8:30 pm
• Optional Sunday Field Day: October 18
• Contact: newyorkcooperative@gmail.com

FAQ

Is registration open yet?

Yes. Registration is open now through SimpleTix, with sliding-scale tickets from $0–$100.

Where is the Summit?

The 2026 New York Cooperative Summit will be held at Armory Studios NY, 125 Washington Ave., Schenectady, NY 12305.

When is the Summit?

The main Summit is Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 8:30 pm. The optional Sunday Field Day is Sunday, October 18, from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm and requires separate registration.

Can I propose a workshop?

No. Workshop submissions closed on July 15, 2026. Program and presenter details will be announced separately when they are ready for public release.

Will there be childcare?

Childcare is being arranged for Saturday. Please share childcare needs during registration; the organizing team will post final service details once they are confirmed.

Will Spanish interpretation be available?

English/Spanish interpretation is being arranged for Saturday. Please share language-access needs during registration; final interpretation details will be posted once confirmed.

Is the Sunday Field Day required?

No. The Sunday Field Day is optional.

Can my organization sponsor or exhibit?

Yes. Sponsorship and program ad opportunities are available now. Contact newyorkcooperative@gmail.com for more information.

Español

El registro ya está abierto para la Cumbre Cooperativa de Nueva York de 2026. La cumbre principal será el sábado 17 de octubre en Armory Studios NY, en Schenectady. El registro y el encuentro informal comienzan a las 11:00 am; el programa principal será de 12:00 pm a 8:30 pm. Las entradas están disponibles en una escala variable de $0–$100 e incluyen almuerzo, refrigerios y cena. El equipo está finalizando los arreglos de cuidado infantil e interpretación inglés/español; por favor indique sus necesidades de cuidado infantil, idioma, alimentación y accesibilidad al registrarse. El Día de Campo opcional será el domingo 18 de octubre, de 9:00 am a 1:30 pm, y requiere un registro separado. Regístrate aquí.

Para preguntas, comuníquese con newyorkcooperative@gmail.com.