Never been to Philly before. What is the one thing I must do while attending bbcon2025?

Angela Finley Hunter

Austen Brown

Hey Angela - I encourage you to attend PSG's Insider's Guide to bbcon 2025 - we'll be covering lots of helpful info including how to get to/from the Philly airport to your hotel, session recommendations, tips to maximize your conference, restaurant recommends, etc.

Crystal Bruce

Are you into spooky stuff? Eastern State Penitentiary is a MUST! I also recommend a Miller's Pretzel from Reading Market.

Angela Finley Hunter

https://community.blackbaud.com/discussion/comment/307084#Comment_307084

Great! Thanks so much Austen!!!!!

Bill Connors

Unless you're coming in early or staying late, or you just need to step away from the conference, I wouldn't create expectations about "seeing Philly" - the conference is morning, noon and night and I find it completely filling and exhausting — trying to sightsee as well is too much, at least for me. But if you do have any time at all, I HIGHLY recommend the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall! The National Constitution Center museum is also excellent and right there: https://constitutioncenter.org/museum

Angela Finley Hunter

https://community.blackbaud.com/discussion/comment/307114#Comment_307114

Thanks Bill!

Amy Dana

I 100% agree with what Bill said. I try to come in a day early and leave a day late so I'm not as rushed but I'm STILL completely exhausted and not up for sightseeing. But the good news is we're downtown so if you do have a bit of free time you'll have a ton of great local food options.

Angela Finley Hunter

https://community.blackbaud.com/discussion/comment/307134#Comment_307134

Thanks Amy! I plan on scheduling time to explore.

Amy Dana

https://community.blackbaud.com/discussion/comment/307138#Comment_307138

Are you on the Slack channel? You might find some other folks up for exploring as well.

Angela Finley Hunter

https://community.blackbaud.com/discussion/comment/307141#Comment_307141

No, I am not on Slack channel. It will be fine.

Angela Finley Hunter

https://community.blackbaud.com/discussion/comment/307151#Comment_307151

No spooky stuff - 😂 but will try Miller's Pretzel. Thanks Crystal!

Joan Perry

Not far from where things are happening - Reading Terminal Market - oh all the food! Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Museum of the American Revolution and Constitution Center are nearby. Close but a little farther are the Franklin Institute, Museum of Art (& Rocky Statue), the Barnes Foundation and Rodin Museum. If you are there before/after there are also The Avenue of the Arts - Kimmel Center, Walnut Wilma Theater, Suzanne Roberts Theatre, Annenberg Center. You can check out some higher ed locations: University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University.
Try a cheese steak, a soft pretzel and Italian water ice.

Spring Velazquez

You'll be able to see Chinatown from the convention center. Just a few blocks away and so much fun. Go for some hand drawn noodles and get yourself a Philly-themed lucky cat. If you're not afraid to walk you can grab an Uber and head to the Ben Franklin Parkway to see the Free Library-Philly's largest. Then since you worked up an appetite keep going up the BFP to Whole Foods where you can visit a variety of food stands including Dizengoff (a hummus spot with the best tahini milkshakes) which is owned by Michael Solmonov of Zahav (best Israeli food but rezzies are pretty far in advance)

Kim Berry

I echo @Austen Brown's suggestion to attend PSG's Insider's Guide to bbcon 2025. One other suggestion I have (if you have time) is to visit the Barnes Foundation - one man's personal art collection now available to the public. It's an amazing art museum and admission is free on the first Sunday of the month which happens to be October 5 (save $30). Slightly out of Center City on Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Angel Lawrence

@Austen Brown Do you know in any social media chat groups exist yet?

Angel Lawrence

I always love to meet a new buddy and just roam around :)

Christine Newman

https://community.blackbaud.com/discussion/comment/307306#Comment_307306

There is lots of chatter amongst Blackbaud employees about Reading Terminal Market. I think it's going to be a popular spot outside of conference hours!

Joan Perry

@Angela Finley Hunter @Christine Newman did you get to go to Philly? What did you try-food, visits, tourist stuff?

Christine Newman

@Joan Perry My time was largely spent working at the conference and helping to capture some great customer stories, but I did have some wonderful dinners and the last day was able to pop into Reading Terminal Market to grab a roast pork sandwich which was very tasty!