bbcon 2021: Call for Content!

Catherine Burns · January 2021

I loved virtual BBCon 2020 and enjoyed being part of the opening sessions each day even thought they were at 4am here in NZ. But it was quite hard to deal with the schedule which was not in our time zone. Some of it was in Australian time which actually made it more confusing. Could a time zone converter please be built into the schedule so we can each see it in our own time? Also it would be good to have more region specific sessions and networking if possible.

Tim Newborn · January 2021

Hi Megan Morris‍ more to come but I can confirm the K-12 UC will be July 13-15 and will be virtual again!

Joy Prevost · January 2021

A session on shortcuts and hidden tools; a train the trainer session (training volunteers who don't need to know everything).

Stephanie Boyce · January 2021

Some more sessions on Blackbaud CRM and Blackbaud Internet Solutions please!!!!

Patti Hommes · January 2021

Christine Cooke bCREPro:

In general the navigation for the virtual experience could use some tweaking. It was not my first time using BBCon virtually but 2020 was on a whole other scale and somewhat clunky. I found myself going in circles trying to figure the session days and times. The area with the vendors was clunky enough to be unappealing and I had been looking forward to that. Lastly, for the longtime peers that participate in Champions or even just the Community on a regular basis - I never found "our spot" though I saw at some random point that there was a spot? And there was mention of earning points for visiting different areas and attending different things but I could never find where it told what things, how many points, what I as the visitor earned in points and what could be done with the points.

I think everyone wants as many tips and tricks as they can get. And best practices and tips based on the type of org you are in. thanks for asking!

I agree about the clunkiness. I don’t know if anyone here went to the virtual NIO Summit in 2020 but I thought that was very easy to navigate. Just FYI.

Austen Brown · January 2021

I agree with what others have said, the site was quite 'clunky'-illogical in places. For instance, I didn't figure out there were vendor round tables and demos until the last day; all because I never clicked on the calendar/agenda portion of the site.

Additionally, the networking side could use some improvement. I can understand why it was set up so the other party has to approve you in order to initiate a conversation, but more than half of the people I tried to connect with never responded. So, either they did not know how the networking site worked or did not want to try it. Also, in the end the networking site was cut-off and all conversations lost; there should be a way to download conversations and be able to approve connections to have your contact information. In all, I found this portion of the site to be really frustrating. Networking is one of the primary reasons that I enjoy BBCON - meeting other professionals like me that work at different types Orgs and in different BB products.

On a more positive note... I really enjoy sessions that follow best practices, how to clean up data, standardize, and show how to use it to make data driven decisions. I work for a non-profit that doesn't fit to any of the broad categories that have super-sessions - branching out those categories to have one for camps would be beneficial.

Sue Lockett · January 2021

It would be helpful to hear more real user experiences illustrating the tips and new functionally presented by BB staff.

Sometimes it was tough to distinguish if the session topic centred around a feature we already had access to or if it was an add-on feature/sales pitch.

I also found it challenging to view the real-time Canadian schedule and navigate the networking.

Overall more live sessions would make it feel like the true conference experience, even if thier tone was more casual than the pre-recorded content.

Karen Diener · January 2021

I did find it hard to participate and not do work. That really is my own issue to solve and not yours, but it did make me think about why I never do that during an in-person BBCON. In person, if there is a block of time when I don't have a session, I roam the exhibit hall. That's just hard to do virtually. I guess I don't have a really specific ask here, but am commenting more on my experience.

I felt like the sessions were a bit too short and most presentations seemed rushed. Personally, I don't need the inspirational speakers and chats with celebrities. I know some people will agree with me and others will not - I'm just sharing my own thoughts. I generally attend those sessions when we are in person, but felt more anxious to get to some content this past year.

All of that being said, I am very glad you are still holding it and glad that the decision has been made and announced. I don't feel that the content was all that useful for me last year, so I'll think about what would be and come back to make some suggestions.

Karen

Mark Guncheon · January 2021

As many have written, I hope this year's features a better way to connect with other attendees.

How about a contest in which attendees are invited to submit their best RE tip, their best NXT tip, their best FE tip, their best FE NXT tip, etc.? Compile them on a virtual bulletin board of some sort which displays not only the text of their tip but allows for screenshots showing their tip as well. Have attendees vote for the top three in each category. Finally, allow attendees to download all the tips in a convenient, usable format they can quickly study/apply when they return to work.

Marie Stark · January 2021

I enjoyed the keynote presentations and the inspirational speakers.. I agree with Karen that some of the presentations were too rushed. It seemed like the speaker was trying to fit an hour's worth of content into half an hour which wasn't really helpful.

Karen Hartt · January 2021

I like this suggestion!!

For me the best part about BBCon is networking. The round table discussions where you can problem solve with your peers. I always come away from the conference with a new tip to make my work more efficient or an ah ha moment. I also look forward to any tips and trick sessions related to RE and FE.

Amy Dana · January 2021

Definitely more user presentations. Now that there is much more lead time for the virtual event I'd like to see the majority of the presenters be users instead of BB employees. I understand last year was a last-minute pivot but I always prefer the sessions with current users.

I will say I really liked the vendors who did games like JackBox or other one-off sessions. I'd love it if some of the verticals or interest groups could host break-outs like that since we can't hang out IRL.

Karen Tuecke · January 2021

As the sessions relate to content, I would like to see more on estate and will planning; Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD's) and Gifts of Stock. We have seen an increase in all these areas, especially QCD's. In addition, we are an eTapestry user and would like to see more in-depth trainings or education on query and reporting features. Lastly, the import and export of constituent information. We are looking to go digital with our deposits, including digital check deposits, and would like to create a bridge between Excel and eTapestry. If you have questions on any of this, please call. I would be happy to explain and talk about the depth we are evolving to.

In relation to speakers, Marc Pitman, how 2021 is different from 2020; Cathy Katowski, financial leadership; and any other speaker that can discuss their successes and uses of eTapestry (we are what I call power users, but want to continually improve).

Tina Pappas · January 2021

Breakout sessions for K8 schools would be awesome!

Sharon Sandberg · January 2021

So many have said all that I would. I liked the option of vendors/exhibits, but, then I got inundated with calls and requests from them with no "prize" or gift for checking the boxes as they said. Not that I care about gifts, but, it was NOT a gift to be bothered by these folks who didn't want to take no for an answer. IF you're going to have vendors, they need to produce what they say they will or not make any promises of things they're not going to do. AND they should be transparent that they will be making contact, etc.

Kimberly Pierce · January 2021

I enjoy sessions about following best practices, cleaning up data, standardization, and using research data to prepare proposals. I'm not interested in inspirational speakers, celebrities, and games. I'm setting aside valuable time for these sessions.

Grace Rose Khalsa · January 2021

I would really really like to see sessions on Luminate Online, especially as relates to upcoming product improvements and updates, and tips and tricks type sessions, that don't ALSO mix in and focus heavily on TeamRaiser. My org, a bit like some of the others I've seen referenced in answers so far, doesn't fit neatly into most of the buckets BB uses. Although a Jewish Federation, we're not a "faith community"; although a fund-raising and grant-making entity, we're not a "foundation"; we also do not do advocacy - and we do not do TeamRaiser events, and there's a zero percent chance we ever will. So, please don't make me spend my time hearing about all the great things it does and BB is doing for it, when what I really need is more on other LO modules (calendar events, donations, email, reporting) - and whether features such as more robust automation and responsive forms and email will ever actually be built in, rather than "kit" add-ons.

Thanks!

Leslie Gehring · January 2021

bbcon 2020 was my first bbcon, and I found the schedule challenging to navigate. As others have mentioned, it was clunky. In 2021, I'd like to see more sessions from users showing how they use Blackbaud products (specifically Altru). I'd also like to see the sessions posted earlier, with a comment/chat thread for each session available before and after the conference. I've seen this before for other conferences, and I think it works really well--you can start to discuss the topics and network with people interested in the same areas before the conference, and make plans to "meet" during the conference. I'd also love to see some sort of open space sessions that are developed by users during the conference--the agenda can be set at the beginning of the conference, and then the suggesting user can host that session during a specific block of time, and anyone who wants to attend can join. I find it's a great way to meet others working on the same issues you are. Looking forward to bbcon 2021!

Grace Rose Khalsa · January 2021

Leslie Gehring:

bbcon 2020 was my first bbcon, and I found the schedule challenging to navigate. As others have mentioned, it was clunky. In 2021, I'd like to see more sessions from users showing how they use Blackbaud products (specifically Altru). I'd also like to see the sessions posted earlier, with a comment/chat thread for each session available before and after the conference. I've seen this before for other conferences, and I think it works really well--you can start to discuss the topics and network with people interested in the same areas before the conference, and make plans to "meet" during the conference. I'd also love to see some sort of open space sessions that are developed by users during the conference--the agenda can be set at the beginning of the conference, and then the suggesting user can host that session during a specific block of time, and anyone who wants to attend can join. I find it's a great way to meet others working on the same issues you are. Looking forward to bbcon 2021!

These are great session ideas, Leslie (comment/chat thread, "open" sessions). Thanks for chiming in!

Kelly Bussanich · January 2021

I want to see more sessions on Etap!!! Especially using the new Drag N Drop templates and tracking email communications.

Donna Hren · January 2021

I always enjoy and find something new at the tips and tricks sessions. I would also like to see additional peer to peer sessions and some hands on Research Point information. I also agree with others that a round table type sessions would be great. I would like to see training on some of the new features that come out. Last year was my second BBCON and I would say given my choice in person was better but that said the cost involved would not have let me attend this past year had it not been virtual. Given the change that you had to make to make BBCON 2020 happen I think it was fabulous! I look forward to this years.

Chris Geady · January 2021

With 51 replies we likely have a pretty comprehensive list, and also a well-qualified list of potential session presenters.

I would like to see more Blackbaud CRM content myself. I would even offer up that someone at my organization could present some content, perhaps something on email permissions and/or our training program.

Joan Barborak · January 2021

Agree with most of the other comments. The big standout for me was the session layout, definitely needs tweaking. Can not get enough of the tips and shortcuts.

J Kiku Langford McDonald · January 2021

I'll also make a case for more Altru-specific content. Would be great if there was a real track for Altru users. I don't want surface level content at bbcon... I want more in-depth looks at how others are leveraging the system and a chance to brainstorm with other Altru database managers. For instance, is anyone actually using the new attribute form extensions? Could someone actually show us that crazy list of possible forms and talk through how to understand what all of them are and provide more examples of how you might use the form extension feature? What about a session about managing group sales and all the different features in that module and how to make the most of them? Or a session about the Volunteer module. How are different organizations making the most of all the features there? A session about how different organizations set up their acknowledgement letter hierarchy? Membership program setup and sharing best practices around cards, renewals, etc? How to set up your programs and program categories to make reporting easier? I could go on and on but we hardly ever get any robust content anymore.

Love some of the other suggestions on this thread about open sessions and networking. I would love for there to be a "hallway" that is not necessarily moderated but just a place where users of similar products can congregate and have a chance to get to know one another. Definitely some informal networking space that is NOT a sales pitch by a sponsor. Sorry, but most of us don't have big budgets to buy new software and solutions right now... we are just trying to make the most of the products we already have!

Mary Schultz · January 2021

I'd love to see more panels by end-users. Some of the sessions I attended at bbcon 2020 from BB staff were very helpful, but many of them ended up feeling like sales pitches. I feel like the overall percentage of sessions I attended in 2020 that felt that way was much higher than when I attended in person in 2019.

Patti Chandler · January 2021

We need both roadmap and technical review sessions for integration of communications and finance. We are trying to determine which communication tools are appropriate for our foundation. We also need to know when the financial tools necessary for a smooth migration from FIMS to Financial Edge will be available. Happy to discuss further if anyone cares for more details. Thanks for asking.

Christina Beargie · January 2021

I'd like more in-depth user sessions for specific solutions and add-ons, like others have mentioned. There were very few sessions that were specific to my platform, and one of them that I was excited about didn't really meet my expectations. It was the o-data session for Altru. I was hoping for good user tips and tricks for leveraging o-data and examples of how others were using it, but it was mostly a "hey did you know o-data is a thing" introductory session, which felt more like a pitch for those who weren't already using it. Which could be great for those folks, but labeling "introductory" versus "intermediate" or "advanced" could be helpful for planning what we attend so we're using our time wisely.

Ryan Hyde · January 2021

Well, you all know I'm game for pretty much anything

Tim Newborn · January 2021

Thanks, ‍Ryan Hyde‍! Did any of the topics mention in these comments resonate with you for a potential session idea? Or, do you have a specific topic or idea for a session that you would enjoy presenting?

Ryan Hyde · January 2021

Sorry, I was trying to reply to a thread I was mentioned in earlier about bringing back the "What Is a Database Manager, Anyway?" panel again. I'd be game to participate in that presentation, or to do something more analytics oriented. I've pitched a "practical analytics" type session the pas two or three years and haven't gotten any traction. I feel like this is the kind of thing a lot of database managers would find exceedingly useful, and I'd be thrilled to do a presentation on it personally.

bbcon 2021: Call for Content!

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