Mar 17, 2025
Bid for a Cause: Support the NYSTIA Scholarship Auction!
The 2025 NYS Tourism Conference attendees are in for a treat! For the first time, the NYSTIA Scholarship Auction will feature a live auctioneer—Carrie Hessney-Doran, a second-generation auctioneer from the Finger Lakes! Join us at the 2025 NYS Tourism Conference, April 23–25, at the Hotel Canandaigua as we raise funds to support future tourism professionals. Since 2019, NYSTIA has awarded $2,000 scholarships annually, and with your help, we can expand this program and invest in the next generation of industry leaders.
We are seeking donations from New York tourism destinations, attractions, hotels, restaurants, and entertainment providers—including getaway packages, travel vouchers, and locally curated gift baskets. Your contributions will be auctioned live, with all proceeds benefiting the Destinations of New York State Travel, Tourism, Hospitality & Culinary College Scholarship Fund. Submit your donation today or contact us at auction@nystia.org with any questions. Thank you for your support!
About Carrie:
Carrie Hessney-Doran is a second-generation auctioneer based in Geneva, in the heart of New York's Finger Lakes region. Working alongside her father, Joe, at Hessney Auction Company, Carrie specializes in firearms, coins, and jewelry, with a strong passion for fundraising auctions.
A graduate of the Missouri Auction School and the Certified Auctioneers Institute at Indiana University, Carrie holds several prestigious national auctioneer designations, including Certified Estate Specialist, Auction Technology Specialist, and Benefit Auction Specialist. Over the past few years, working with non-profits has become a significant focus of her career, further fueling her dedication to raising funds for worthy causes through the art of auctioneering.
Carrie is an accomplished leader in the auction industry. She has served as a past board member of the New York State Auctioneers Association (NYSAA) in various roles and was named the 2016 NYS Bid Calling Champion. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the auction community, she was awarded the NYS Auctioneer of the Year title in 2023. Additionally, she was named the 2024 International Auctioneer Reserve Champion.
Carrie’s dedication, expertise, and enthusiasm make her a sought-after professional in the world of fundraising auctions, where she continues to make a significant impact in helping organizations achieve their fundraising goals.