Let’s talk goals: What are you focusing on at bbcon 2025?

I’m curious what people are hoping to learn at bbcon 2025.

The first time I attended, my goal was to build a case to stay with RE and move to RE NXT rather than switching to Veracross.

I don’t recall my goals for the in-between years…

Last year was all about getting comfortable with Google and the Power Platform — which I did by spending the year before preparing to present on it. One of my favorite ways to learn!

This year, I think my goals are a little different: I’ll mostly be presenting, nerding out on all things Blackbaud with friends, and hoping to catch as many sessions as possible. I always like a mix of tracks.

I already know that for next year, I plan to submit only one session idea and focus on building something awesome to share in the Innovation Booth.

How about you? Do you have one big learning goal for bbcon 2025, or are you planning to explore a little of everything?

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Answers

  • Austen Brown
    Austen Brown Community All-Star
    Ninth Anniversary Kudos 5 PowerUp Challenge: Product Update Briefing Feedback Task 3 bbcon 2025 Attendee Badge

    I love conversing with peers, so lots of conversations, brainstorms, and thinking through ideas. Of course, going to as many sessions as possible - while also prioritizing breaks.

  • I love the idea of #bbconpotpourri, but so far, it appears I will be following certain presenters around and trying to catch all their sessions.

  • Amy Dana
    Amy Dana Community All-Star
    Tenth Anniversary Kudos 5 Raiser's Edge NXT Fall 2025 Product Update Briefing Badge Name Dropper

    SWAG

  • Keith Wilson
    Keith Wilson Community All-Star
    Seventh Anniversary Kudos 5 Name Dropper Participant

    While the last few years have been about increasing my knowledge and skill in RE-NXT, our org is now onboarding BBGM, so my BHAG for BBCon 2026 is to take in as much info as I can on Blackbaud Grantmaking! And for the first time, I am bringing one of my team members to his first BBCon, so please keep an eye out for @Zach Brown at the Super-Users sessions! 🎉

  • Elizabeth Johnson
    Elizabeth Johnson Community All-Star
    Tenth Anniversary Kudos 5 First Reply All-Star Challenge: End of Year Fundraising Toolkit

    @Zach Brown Looking forward to meeting you at your first bbcon! You are in for a treat!

  • I would say this year, I want to connect with a lot of people in the hopes of continuing to build that community of go to people. Secondly, I would say to learn/speak to people to see what they are working on mainly because it often sparks ideas. Looking forward to connecting.

  • I will be presenting for the first time this year (!) Which will be a lot of fun. I am planning to wring as much out of the time and experience as possible- learning from sessions and conversation, catching up with friends and peers and making new connections. Also, hopefully eating a delicious cheesesteak :)

  • Nicole Holt
    Nicole Holt Community All-Star
    Tenth Anniversary Kudos 5 Name Dropper Participant

    I'm excited to see all of your faces IRL! I'll be presenting an intro session for Power Platform on Monday with @Jessica White and @Tristan McKee, and then I'm going to learn as much as I can in two days! My role recently changed so I have new things to study up on…

  • My goal is to put myself out there more, and I'm doing that by presenting a session for the very first time! I've only been in my current role at my university for nine months—10 months tomorrow, 10/2. My team's needs are so different from my previous org's, so I'm looking for nuggets of inspiration and knowledge that I can take back to make work a little bit easier for me and my team.

  • Elaine Buescher
    edited October 2

    I am really looking forward to networking with so many RE NXT users! I'm going to ask a lot of questions and take lots of notes. Topics of specific interest at this point in my RE life are Online Giving forms and events. And not sure when it will fit in the schedule, but I really want a picture with the Rocky statue!

  • I need to get up to speed on NXT. I will attending classes on Sunday and hope to sit in on several sessions regarding web-view.

  • A chance to get together and talk with peers is my favorite part of bbcon. Presenting last year was an even better opportunity for learning, but I'm not presenting this year, so I'm planning to focus on every tip, trick, and new idea that passes by me.

  • Elizabeth Johnson
    Elizabeth Johnson Community All-Star
    Tenth Anniversary Kudos 5 First Reply All-Star Challenge: End of Year Fundraising Toolkit

    I'm loving all these answers! Just a few more days and we will be there!!!

  • As my role in my organization grows, my focus at BBCON is shifting. This year, my focus is on networking and connecting my staff with other orgs that are working on the same challenges that we are. I'm also going to be spending a good chunk of time in the braindate lounge!

  • I am looking forward to staying on the front edge of what Blackbaud will roll out for RE NXT and in the areas of AI and innovation. In addition, I want to gather some tools for my team back in Texas in the areas of prospecting, fundraising and stewardship.

  • Looking forward to learning MORE about incorporating Agentic AI into my daily worklife.

  • This is my second bbcon but my first as a full database administrator, so I'm excited to hone my path even more this time and find like-minded folks!

  • Elizabeth Johnson
    Elizabeth Johnson Community All-Star
    Tenth Anniversary Kudos 5 First Reply All-Star Challenge: End of Year Fundraising Toolkit

    Congratulations @Robin Kuehn on your promotion. I hope to meet you this week. It is such important and often unseen work we do. I love how bbcon makes it easier to be better at our jobs. Wish I had started coming so much earlier in my career.

  • Elizabeth Johnson
    Elizabeth Johnson Community All-Star
    Tenth Anniversary Kudos 5 First Reply All-Star Challenge: End of Year Fundraising Toolkit

    So excited that not only did I get to meet Robin but spend a lot of quality time together!