Was it worthwhile?

Chris Fedor
Chris Fedor
Eighth Anniversary Kudos 4 bbcon 2025 Attendee Badge bbcon Bingo 2025
in bbcon Discussions

I'm trying to put a plug in to my boss about going to BBCON next year. It's expensive and hard for her to justify. Her frame of reference is virtual in 2020 which is not the best example of what BBCON is. I attended one several years ago and learned a lot and thought it was very worthwhile. For those who attended in person this year, do you think it was worth the expense to your org and what positive things can you share about attending or what you learned so I can add that to my argument.

Comments

  • Dana Smith
    Dana Smith
    Third Anniversary Kudos 2 Name Dropper Participant

    @Chris Fedor
    My organization and I are new (1 yr) to RE and bbcon, so there were so many valuable tips and tricks I picked up that might not have been new info for more experienced users. That being said, here are my pros of attending:

    • Making great, new contacts within the community whose brains you can pick to:
      • Find more efficient ways to do processes you’re already doing in RE/NXT
      • Find solutions to problems you may be encountering in RE/NXT
      • Get an idea of how other nonprofits handle non-RE processes/issues that you may have – lots of convos had that didn’t have to do with RE
    • Being exposed to the various third-party party apps/companies and learning about how they might be able improve your utilization of the BB products and being able to ask your questions directly to a live person. Yes, some of them may cost your org money to use, but the ROI over time will surpass the cost if it is a good app for you.
    • One of the things I found very important (and will continue to find impt until NXT has all the functionality of DB view) is that since NXT is continuously evolving, bbcon will be a great source of what’s next for NXT. While the changes are announced on the blog and via other avenues, you get more in-depth information about the updates at bbcon and can ask and get answers to questions in real-time and in person. I learned several things that had been updated that I wasn’t aware of, despite trying to be diligent about staying on top of the latest updates.


    Does your organization have a professional development stipend? I was able to use the one mine offers to pay for the University Day, but it could also be used to pay for at least part of the registration cost for bbcon itself.

    Good luck!

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

    @Chris Fedor - Linking a blog I wrote after the 2018 bbcon, back when I was a BB customer:

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

    @Chris Fedor I feel it's 100% worth it - IF you go in with an agenda. I find a lot of the sessions with only BB staff can end up being sales-y so I tend to avoid them. I focus on the tips and tricks sessions and I always try to make room for Bill Connors' session.

    The most valuable part for me is the networking. Even though you can reach out on the Community and ask questions, it helps to put names to faces and get contact info for folks you can go to with a specific question. For instance - I know Austen is an automating pro so I know I can reach out to her or search for her posts in the Community if I get stuck.

    One of the “best kept” secrets about bbcon is the fact that there are BB staff on-site. Sometimes it feels intimidating but you can absolutely ask them about a question or concern you're having with your product. They may not be able to fix it immediately but they can put the wheels in motion to get you to someone who can help. It's a LOT easier than waiting for support and having to tell them you've tried their 15 Knowledgebase solutions they suggest.

  • Amy Barker
    Amy Barker Community All-Star
    Kudos 5 Third Anniversary August 2025 Monthly Challenge Badge Name Dropper

    @Chris Fedor
    For me, it is a big YES. I self-funded going to BBCon for years, as this year is the first year I have had an org help out with airfare and hotel costs.

    I don't tend to attend a lot of the more salesy presentations, but focus on user-led ones, and anything by Bill Connors. I always learn something new, and I've been working in RE for 23 years now.

    Also important is the one-on-one time with peers. It is a rare thing for me to be in a room or at a table with people who know and understand what I do on a daily basis as a database admin. Having other people who understand what I am doing and the types of issues I bump into is so helpful. Being able to brainstorm and bring questions to a table and get some solid ideas of what others are doing is wonderful.

    And finally, the vendor exhibit hall. Yes, the swag collecting is fun, but the best part is being able to focus on new trends, features, and functions of software we use. And being able to talk to new vendors about what they offer, and really get undivided attention to specific questions is worth its weight in gold.

    Having Blackbaud employees there to meet with is worth it to. I had a really good experience meeting with a Senior Solutions Consultant and sitting down to discuss our eventual move to NXT, what is holding us back, my orgs worries, and so on. Sometimes Customer Success managers are there as well, and it's so helpful to put a face with the name!

    Having a good agenda is key, but being able to be flexible helps!

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