Is bbcon Worth the Investment? Hear from our Blackbaud Community All-Stars!

bbcon 2025 is coming up October 6-8th in Philadelphia!

Are you still wondering whether you’ll get the ROI from attending bbcon? Or are you an introvert who isn’t sure you’ll benefit? We definitely think that bbcon is a worthwhile investment for all customers, but we know that hearing confirmation from your peers is important. That’s why we’re highlighting what a few of our Blackbaud Community All-Stars had to say about attending the conference in a recent post in the bbcon community:

Dan Snyder, Director of Advancement Services, Bennington College:
"I first attended in 2017 and feel that there is a correlation between attending that conference and a huge growth in my career. Making those in-person connections and then calling on other users when I faced a challenge gave me the confidence I needed to take on new things at work and believe in myself. As a natural introvert, I would also say that I have become a bbcon extrovert. 😊"
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Dariel Dixon, Database Administrator, Chautauqua Institution:
"bbcon excels at allowing you to meet and talk with people who have similar experiences as you. The presentations are well done without question, but the engagement is the best part for me. Getting to talk to people and get in-depth solutions to problems is the best time...You don't have to worry too much about being introverted as that description applies to A LOT of people there. I'll say this. The individuals I've met at bbcon were instrumental to me for a variety of reasons. Some were able to give me encouragement through troubling times, some were able to give different perspectives on an issue that allowed me to come up with innovative solutions, and some were helpful in my career path. bbcon is good for the training, but the networking is excellent."
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Hallie Guiseppe, Director of Advancement Operations, Alvernia Education Institution:
"I do think it can be a very worthwhile experience...Speakers like @Dan Snyder, @Austen Brown @Alex Wong, @Shelby Lewis, @Elizabeth Johnson, @Victoria Wong, @Carlene Johnson, and many others share real, hands-on strategies for using the tools you already have. These sessions are practical, relatable, and often include takeaways you can implement right away.

Many of us in this community are introverts too, and we’ve found low-pressure ways to connect that work for us. Try introducing yourself to a presenter after a session if something they shared resonated with you or follow up with a LinkedIn message or email afterward. You’d be surprised how many long-lasting professional relationships begin with a simple, 'I loved your session and would love to learn more.'

bbcon itself can feel overwhelming, but the real magic happens after the conference—when you’ve built a network of peers you can call on when you run into a challenge, need fresh ideas, or just want to sanity-check something. I’ve found that these relationships have been as valuable as the sessions themselves. They're not just connections, they become your go-to people, your cheerleaders, and your best resources. So yes, even as an introvert…bbcon is absolutely worth it."
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Austen Brown, Consultant, Prenger Solutions Group:
"Check out this blog I wrote about previous bbcon experiences and why I will always attend the conference...like Hallie, the connections I've made bbcon have informed my career, a peer group I can rely on for support and a safe space to explore ideas.

Other takeaways include access to Blackbaud staff, being able to engage directly with presenters and product experts, early access to where products are heading and meeting Blackbaud partners. I am an introvert, as Dariel mentioned it's very common in our world. Conferences can be a lot and social burnout is real. (All-Star) Amy Barker wrote a blog last year on tips/tricks to make a conference the best it can be, recommend reading as well."
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Christine Robertson, Consultant, NPact:
"Every bbcon that I've attended has been different (I started attending in 2014 and have managed to attend every year since either in person or virtually). Much of what I find useful happens in the conversations that pop up at lunch tables or in chats after particularly interesting sessions. Now that I'm an exhibitor, I don't make it to nearly as many sessions as I used to, but I love getting to pick the brains of people developing third-party tools, hearing real use case scenarios from those in the trenches, and learning about new marketplace apps, etc."

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Do our All-Stars have you convinced? You can register here on the bbcon website, and if you need some additional help getting approval internally, check out our justification letter template…you might even want to add some of these quotes when making the case!

And for community members who have attended in the past, leave your thoughts on why bbcon is worth the investment here or in the comments below to encourage your fellow customers to join in the fun!