New Ideas Annual Conference
Social Events
At New Ideas, we offer a variety of social events for growing and connecting.
And join us for one of the many city excursions! No excursion for you? You can also continue your education with our Deep Dive session offered at the same time or choose to relax and choose no excursion. Build the conference schedule that is right for you!
Sunday, September 13
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Annual Partner Reception - INVITATION ONLY
Join TSAE staff and leadership as we celebrate our annual partners for 2026.TSAE Annual Partners are supporters whose overall sponsorship commitment in 2026 has earned them special recognition. We'll celebrate with some delicious bites and drinks alongside the TSAE Board of Directors. Learn more about our Annual Partners.
12:00 PM Silent Auction
Get ready to bid big! TSAE’s Third Annual Silent Auction is coming to New Ideas this year! Previously held as part of the Celebration Luncheon, this beloved tradition is coming to the island, bringing even more energy, fun, and friendly competition to the New Ideas experience.
With the ease of a virtual format, attendees can browse unique items, place bids, and keep an eye on the action right from their phone or device throughout the event. Whether you’re hoping to win something fabulous, support TSAE, or just enjoy the thrill of the bid, the Virtual Silent Auction is a can’t-miss part of this year’s conference.
Join the excitement, get in on the bidding, and help us make this our best Silent Auction yet!
12:45 - 1:45 PM Newbie Orientation
Kick off your New Ideas Annual Conference experience with this welcoming session designed just for first-time attendees. You’ll get a quick, insider overview of what to expect, how to navigate the event, and tips to maximize your time and connections. You’ll also meet your Newbie Ambassador, a seasoned attendee who will serve as your go-to resource throughout the conference. Build an early connection, ask questions, and gain the confidence to dive in, knowing you have support every step of the way.
7:00 - 9:00 PM Opening Night Celebration - Hosted by Visit Galveston
Step into vintage Galveston at the Opening Reception, hosted at The Artisan Venue on Galveston Island, a beautifully restored 1908 building once served as the Island City Woodworking mill and was brought back to life by Michael and Ashley Cordray of Restoring Galveston, offering a setting rich with history.
The evening blends nostalgia with celebration through live entertainment, a curated “Taste of Galveston.” Guests will move through interactive culinary stations featuring Gulf Coast classics, sliders and elevated comfort foods, Italian coastal cuisine, fresh seafood, and boardwalk-inspired desserts—keeping the experience dynamic, social, and distinctly Galveston from start to finish.
Layered details inspired by the island’s seaside past, create an atmosphere that feels both familiar and unexpectedly memorable—with a few surprises still to be discovered.
9:01 PM After Party
The after party is back - Join us at EXACTLY 9:01 PM! This event serves as a fundraising event to support TSAE initiatives throughout the year. The party is where you want to be immediatley following the Opening Night Celebration. Enjoy music, dessert snacks, and of course all the networking you can handle all while supporting a great cause - TSAE. Guest tickets are available at time of registration or on-site.
Monday, September 14
7:30 - 8:30 AM Certified Association Executive (CAE) Breakfast - INVITATION ONLY
Fellow CAES! You are invited to a special breakfast celebrating YOU and our NEW CAEs that have earned the prestigious designation this past year. We'll provide program updates so you can stay on-top of your renewal process, celebrate our newest CAEs in our TSAE family, AND offer an additional educational session just for you! The breakfast is open to all who currently hold the CAE professional designation.
12:00 - 1:30 PM Awards Luncheon
Join us as we honor some of the most impressive members of our TSAE family. We'll honoe our Rising Lone Stars, Texas Association Impact Award. Association Professional of the Year, and Affiliate of the Year. Plus, special in 2026, we have two individuals who will be awarded Distinguished Life Membership within TSAE. This event pulls on ALL the heart strings so don't miss all of these inpisiring stories.
3:45 - 6:00 PM Excursions - Hosted by Visit Galveston
Take some time to explore Galveston Isalnd with these sight-seeing opportunites ALL INCLUDED with your registration. Pick ONE when you register! Don't leave it too long as some excrusions go fast.
Tree Sculpture Tour & Bishop’s Palace via Trolley Car
Enjoy touring the East End Historical District and Galveston Island’s now famous tree sculptures carved from century old trees damaged by Hurricane Ike in 2008. The architecture reflects a variety of styles and periods. Early residents represented an economic and social cross-section of the community, also expressed in the dwellings which range from small, simple cottages to large, elaborate houses. There will be opportunities forphotographs.
Moody Gardens Rainforest & Aquarium Pyramids with Animal Encounter
Offering two experiences with behind-the-scenes extras, Moody Gardens will expose you to the exotic. First, get an expert guided tour to view close to the over 1,000 species of plants and animals collected at the Rainforest Pyramid Then dive deep into four exhibits showcasing the complex beauty of the oceans and seas by exploring behind the scenes of a working aquarium.
Historic Harbor Tour & Dolphin Watch
Gain a seaside perspective on Galveston Bay and its historic port by knowledgeable guides who will direct this tour of a wide variety of birds and marine life inhabiting the bay. Playful dolphins almost always make an appearance!
Ship to Shore Exhibit & Elissa Tour
The Ship to Shore experience creates a series of sequential experiential spaces alternating hands-on and innovative interactive learning with immersive experiences, all based on authentic and documented personal stories of immigrants landing in Galveston. The experience also utilizes a digital membership card that personalizes the experience to the visitor, giving an authentic and new story each time they visit. At the Galveston Historic Seaport, history isn’t just preserved - it sails. The harbor’s crown jewel is the 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA, a rare square-rigged iron baroque rescued from a Greek scrapyard and meticulously restored by the Galveston Historical Foundation in the late 1970s. By 1982, she was sailing once again, this time as a floating museum and living piece of maritime history.
The San Luis, Spa and Conference Center Mixology
Shake things up with a lively mixology class at The San Luis Resort, Spa and Conference Center, where expert bartenders turn cocktail-making into a fun, hands-on experience. You'll learn to craft classic and creative drinks, pick up insider tips, and enjoy plenty of tasting along the way. Cheers!
The Bryan Museum
Experience the epic story of Texas and the American West! Meet the cowboys, legends, and heroes who lived the story of the West with a one-of-a-kind collection of art and artifacts, hats and maps, firearms and saddles. We promise you history is a high adventure. The Bryan Museum, located in the historic Galveston Orphans Home, houses one of the world's largest collections of Texas and the American West with a special emphasis on the Spanish influences in the region. In addition to its permanent galleries, the Museum also includes rotating special exhibits, a library, and an archive.
Galveston’s Broadway Cemeteries Tour
Tour with author Kathleen Maca, a freelance writer and photographer with a love for Texas history, travel, historic architecture, genealogy and old cemeteries. Established in 1839, the grouping of cemeteries on the central boulevard of Galveston has grown to include seven separate cemeteries within their gates. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, it is the resting place of famous and infamous citizens from Galveston's colorful past, including veterans from every war between 1812 and the present, heroes, scoundrels, philanthropists, murderers, pioneers of the Republic of Texas, groundbreaking scientists, and working-class citizens from around the world. Due to several grade raisings, there are up to three layers of burials within the cemetery, with some markers being lost forever. The stories of former residents are here for you to enjoy.
Seawall Urban Park Beach Clean Up
Have you ever wondered how Galveston’s beaches get so clean? Our Coastal Zone Management team is hard at work picking up marine debris and beautifying Galveston beaches before most of us wake up. Wouldn’t you like a beyond the sand tour to see what their job is like? Join us for a beach cleanup and see what’s the most unique item you find.
Grand Galvez Ghost Tour
The Grand Galvez Ghost Tour guides you through the historic halls and rooms of this stunning hotel. Tours are packed with local history, folklore, and spine-tingling tales, especially about the famed "Ghost Bride", said to haunt room 501 and the west turret. You’ll hear stories backed by photos and first-hand accounts, making it a dynamic, entertaining, and educational experience. While on your tour you will also enjoy lite bites and refreshments.
Nia Cultural Center Tour & Shopping on The Strand
Discover the heart and soul of Galveston through culture, history, and coastal charm. This curated excursion begins at the NIA Cultural Center, where guests will explore powerful exhibits celebrating African American heritage, art, and community impact on the island. Through storytelling and immersive displays, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for Galveston’s rich and diverse cultural legacy. Afterward, enjoy a leisurely stroll through The Strand Historic District, Galveston’s premier shopping destination. Lined with beautifully preserved 19th-century architecture, The Strand offers a mix of unique boutiques, local artisan shops, galleries, and inviting cafés. Whether you’re searching for coastal-inspired gifts, one-of-a-kind treasures, or simply soaking in the vibrant atmosphere, this experience blends culture and leisure for a memorable afternoon.
6:00 - 7:00 PM Newbie Meet-Up - Open to First-time Attendees & Ambassador Volunteers ONLY
Sand between your toes, stories from the day, and a drink in your hand. The Newbie Meet-Up is your chance to decompress with fellow first-timers and ambassadors who had your back all week. Complimentary drinks and light bites included. Good vibes mandatory.
8:30 - 10:30 PM Dessert Party - Hosted by The San Luis Resort, Spa and Conference Center
You've had some time to explore the island experience delicious dining but NOW let's put the cherry on top! Enjoy delicious desserts as well as our final hurrah before our last day. Giving us all one more chance to let our hair down and enjoy the company of all of our TSAE family. Let's dance, let's chat, let's solve our problems before heading home on Tuesday. Guest tickets are available at time of registration or on-site.