What is your favorite BBCON memory?

Brent Troth

Mine was when I worked for Planned Parenthood and a group of people from a religious school sat with me a breakfast, but got up and left when they found out which organization I was with. Then at lunch on that same day a group of nuns from a Catholic school came to sit with me and I said, “Hold on just a second, before you sit down you should know that I'm with Planned Parenthood.” And the oldest nun in the group said, “Oh honey, we're nuns. We know why people need family planning!” and we had a great lunch together.

Heather MacKenzie

That's an awesome memory, @Brent Troth! I don't have anything like that. LOL

I've only been to one BBCon in person (so far!) so I only have a small bank of memories to draw on, but I think my favorite moment was just being all together for the breakfast time and the excited hum in the room as everyone was talking about the day ahead.

Marie Stark

I think my favorite memory was in Orlando when I was chosen to be a Community blogger.

Brent Troth

I got to do that once as well and it was really great to do. Hmmm, I think I need to think about more Community Blogging……

Brent Troth

Heather, I agree that is one of the best parts of in person BBCON - the energy is amazing.

Marie Stark

Yes, I love the excitement of the opening session.

Karen Stuhlfeier

My colleague and I have presented sessions at 2 BBCONs and after the first time in D.C. we were so relieved that it was over and that it went well. We spent the rest of the afternoon in the bar in the atrium of the Gaylord drinking wine.

Cheryl Haimann

Learning stuff, meeting folks, and being inspired was cool, but honestly? Sitting in the airport in Austin, and watching the conference app blow up with people reporting that their Awesome Sauce was confiscated by the TSA. There were even pictures - a barrel full of sauce, an agent's hand holding a bottle. And everyone's funny commentary had me laughing until I got on the plane

Remember, kids - If there's liquid swag, you should check your bag.

Elaine Tucker

Way back when… the conference was still in Charleston, one of the after parties was outside, and a very very cold front moved in and @Melissa Graves, @Sage Evans, Peter Gulka all pitched in to help me stay warm with extra mittens and jackets. Oh - and also the time we all played card games (FLUX) in the lobby of the hotel with Drew and Mathew and the gang. It's so hard to pick just one - I've made some lasting friendships from those early BBCONS. Appreciate ya'll!

Chris Geady

My favourite memory is quite of sad, but is important.

During bbcon in Baltimore, a Canadian legend passed away: Gord Downey (google him, he's the lead singer of the band The Tragically Hip, but was also an advocate of indigenous issues). It was a sad day for sure, but at the end of the day many Canadian attendees assembled at a pub and did a proper toast to the man! The emotions in the room could be felt by everyone.

Chris Geady

Another memory I have of bbcon is in Austin where I lead the “Revenge of the Nerds - Raiser's Edge style" session with Michelle Jenkins (a former Blackbaudian at the time). We had a lot of fun dressing up as nerds and sharing tips & tricks for Raiser's Edge.

We had about 250 tired, boisterous DBAs in a ballroom on the last morning of the conference taking over the bbcon app with such things as the Robert Hernandez love triangle with his event solicitor (note: it all ended well because Robert got back with Wendy).

Lots of fun and a great memory for sure!

Chris Geady

Oh one more memory. Back in the day (2005-2008) there was a bbcon Canada. In 2006 the conference was in Vancouver and the ENTIRE group of attendees (there was about 200 of us) went on a harbour cruise. The sunset over the pacific ocean was a full and magical backdrop to the cruise while going around Stanley Park! Wow!

Marie Stark

I miss those kinds of sessions!

Amy Dana

@Brent Troth, ick. That happened to a friend of mine with PP as well. NOT what bbcon is about. Glad you met some folks who understood the importance of what you do!

Brent Troth

I was in that session! And it was great!

Brent Troth

In Baltimore, I was able to memorialize one of my favorite high school teachers who often used an Edgar Allen Poe poem in his initial American Literature course which I took. He passed that year and I left a penny on Poe's headstone there in his memory.

Austen Brown

I have to agree with @Marie Stark that being a Community Blogger at the bbcon in Orlando was pretty awesome! My favorite memories are from the conferences that are in-person; virtual is great but doesn't quite have the same spark!