In Person Convincing

Whitney Shelton

Has anybody successfully convinced their boss (or even their boss's boss like in my situation) that attending BBCON in person is worthwhile? I have seen the checklist or document that BB created and it is amazing, but looking for examples of how others have gone down this path successfully.

Austen Brown

@Whitney Shelton - Here's a blog I wrote in 2018 after experiencing bbcon for the first time in-person.

Whitney Shelton

@Austen Brown Thank you!

Elizabeth Johnson

@Whitney Shelton - @Austen Brown's words couldn't be truer.

I've attended three in-person bbcons, and they always leave me recharged. Without quality professional development, I experience burnout much faster. After nearly 20 years in the same position at the same organization, I’ve found bbcon to be the perfect fit for me. Recently, due to staffing issues, I couldn’t prioritize professional development, which took a toll. However, now that my organization is investing in my growth again, my job satisfaction is skyrocketing. I can’t wait to attend bbcon this year and dive into all the new things I'll learn and even share with others!

Whitney Shelton

@Elizabeth Johnson Do you mind if I use your quote in my proposal? Your are spot freaking on in my opinion

Elizabeth Johnson

@Whitney Shelton absolutely. I'm happy to help and stand by that statement. Also if you haven't listened to this podcast with @Sunshine Reinken Watson and @Carlene Johnson they address the importance (and set the standard for it not being optional). This link works for me on my iPhone Podcasts.

Jennifer Kluh

@Whitney Shelton
In our office we were hoping that at least two of us were going to attend in person. Our office are the only ones that use Blackbaud products and it is going to take some convincing to get us there in person next year.

Keith Wilson

@Elizabeth Johnson:

@Whitney Shelton - @Austen Brown's words couldn't be truer.

I've attended three in-person bbcons, and they always leave me recharged. Without quality professional development, I experience burnout much faster. After nearly 20 years in the same position at the same organization, I’ve found bbcon to be the perfect fit for me. Recently, due to staffing issues, I couldn’t prioritize professional development, which took a toll. However, now that my organization is investing in my growth again, my job satisfaction is skyrocketing. I can’t wait to attend bbcon this year and dive into all the new things I'll learn and even share with others!

@Elizabeth Johnson this is off topic, but I would be interested in hearing what “professional development” looks like for someone who has spent 20 years in the same role at the same Org! That's an amazing achievement, first of all, but I imagine finding areas to improve and grow could become a challenge? I'm in a new role and have a LOT to learn, but I am also now in a leadership role that has some responsibility for guiding the professional development of my team. Feel free to drop me a direct message, or perhaps we can connect in Seattle. Thanks!

Elizabeth Johnson

@Keith Wilson For the last three years I've been trying to carve out time to learn Power Automate really ever since the session that @Dan Snyder attended and how excited he was. I am finally in a place where I can prioritize it and am very excited about the flows I have built.

I also teach the systems to a lot of people and I find BBU a great way to improve on my teaching abilities.

Not to mention working in a database that changes literally every week.

I love all things spreadsheets and am always looking for ways to do things better and more efficiently.

bbcon also allows me to get some professional development that is a little outside my realm - Marketing, being a better manager, and I usually attend some security sessions that are a little over my head.

I'd be happy to chat with you more and can be very easy to find at bbcon. I have a way of bumping into people there over and over!

Keith Wilson

@Whitney Shelton Getting back on topic, connections like this is what makes in person BBCon worth it! ??? Thank you @Elizabeth Johnson!