The decision for audio system for bbcon 2025 is open by March 14, and we encourage all clients to apply. This is a chance to showcase your experience and expertise, develop professionally, and get a free ticket to bbcon! 

We lately held a webinar for Blackbaud Champions that includes a longtime bbcon observe chief and three skilled bbcon audio system to share their suggestions for a robust utility, and we’ve put collectively a abstract of that dialog to assist all potential audio system. 

Feeling a bit nervous or not sure about whether or not you’ve the experience to talk at bbcon? Take inspiration from frequent bbcon speaker Austen Brown, senior automation architect at Prenger Options Group: “It’s pure to really feel a little bit of imposter syndrome when contemplating submitting a speaker utility. Bear in mind, you’re a champion in your individual proper, and there may be at all times one thing you’re actually good at that another person may study from. Don’t let insecurities maintain you again. We’re all champions in our personal proper, and sharing what we all know helps everybody degree up.”    

Figuring out Your Subject 

Deal with Your Ardour and Expertise 

Concepts for a convention session ought to originate out of your real passions, areas of curiosity, or what you excel at in your day by day work. Begin by reflecting on what you mannequin nicely for others at your group, what product capabilities you’ve educated or coached folks to make use of, or what job you stay up for probably the most.  

Austen Brown recommends, “Take a second to replicate on your self and your position. What you might be actually keen about or what’s one thing that you just’re actually good at doing. Whether or not it’s database cleanup, automation, or some other space, your distinctive perspective can present priceless insights to others.” 

And don’t fear if it’s a subject you’ve seen at earlier bbcons. As Carlene Johnson, who has spoken at a number of bbcons whereas in her earlier position at a non-public highschool and now because the founder and principal advisor at Subsequent Stage Companies, factors out “Simply because anyone did a session on suggestions and tips final 12 months, there will probably be new folks at bbcon who didn’t get to attend that session. What’s tried and true might be extraordinarily priceless for folk who’ve by no means attended bbcon.” Along with reaching new audiences, you’ll additionally carry your individual distinctive perspective and expertise to a subject. 

Don’t Undervalue the Fundamentals 

Even when it’s one thing routine, it may be a gamechanger for others. The convention attracts a mixture of skillsets from freshmen who’re model new to utilizing their options to specialists who carry 25 years or extra of expertise. Amy Dana, improvement providers and knowledge supervisor at Bat Conservation Worldwide, provided an vital reminder: “You by no means know what folks don’t know. So, you’ll be able to’t assume that simply because one thing or all people in your group is aware of one thing that everyone on the planet is aware of how to do this factor.” 

We welcome submissions that cowl something from the fundamentals that can assist somebody onboard and implement shortly and have an incredible first expertise with their options to extra superior subjects that lean into automations and customizations. Take into consideration one thing you want you knew when beginning out, or about one thing that could be second nature to you now however could have taken you some time to determine. 

How are YOU, as your group’s subject material knowledgeable, holding your colleagues up to date on what they should know? No matter that’s, it tells an incredible story of how you might be influencing change and adoption at your group and different folks need to hear the way you do that.  

Fill within the Subject Gaps You Need to See at bbcon 

Take into consideration what you want you had seen at earlier bbcon conferences or what you might be hoping to study in 2025. If there’s a subject or session you felt was lacking, contemplate filling that hole—it’s seemingly that others would additionally like to see a session on that matter. And who higher than you to rise to the problem? Your session might be the one which addresses these unmet wants and offers contemporary, related tackle the topic.  

Take into account Collaborating with Different Passionate Customers  

For those who’re nervous about presenting alone, contemplate teaming up together with your colleagues or join with different clients in Blackbaud Community—you’ll be able to seek for others who’ve already posted about that matter or put out a name for co-presenters throughout the bbcon discussion forum or the related product discussion forum.  

Patti Hommes, improvement supervisor at Jack and Jill Middle, shared that one of many advantages of presenting with others is that it “helps the session really feel like a “huge dialog, which helps you’re feeling extra comfy within the second since you are speaking to your friends who share your curiosity, and so they genuinely need you to achieve the second.” And Amy Dana identified that when you’ve a number of presenters, that implies that it might probably take the burden off as you don’t have to organize to talk for the whole lot of the session time as a result of that point is as a substitute unfold throughout the audio system. 
 
Tip: In case you have an incredible concept and haven’t recognized a co-presenter but, we encourage you to point that. Nikki Baldwin, senior product advertising and marketing supervisor at Blackbaud and longtime bbcon observe lead, shared a key tip: when you’re not capable of finding peer or a colleague to co-present with and assist you carry the session alongside, Blackbaud may help pair you up with somebody, whether or not it’s somebody from Blackbaud or one other buyer. 

Crafting Your Software 

When writing your utility, there are some key factors you need to be capable of articulate even when you don’t have your complete particulars of the session readied earlier than the March 12 submission deadline. Nikki Baldwin shared the important thing parts that assist session proposals stand out throughout her evaluation:  

• Make clear your viewers and their experience degree: While you apply you may be requested to designate whether or not your session is suited to newbie, intermediate or expert-level product customers. Do bear in mind, nevertheless, that a variety of group varieties and ability ranges attend bbcon, so craft your proposal with broad enchantment in thoughts. 

• Describe the subject’s relevance and affect: Clarify why your matter is vital and the way it can profit different organizations. Your proposal is sure to face out when you can clearly talk the significance of the subject. Think about using the next arch to develop an affect assertion:  
  • Why is that this an issue that wants fixing?
  • Why is it vital to unravel this downside?
  • How did you remedy the issue?

• Define your studying aims: Remember to clearly state what you need your viewers to study and what you suppose they need to be capable of accomplish after attending your session. These 3-5 aims needs to be simple and clear. Take into account the next inquiries to develop your aims: 
  • What would you like others to have the ability to do again at their organizations because of attending your bbcon session?
  • What do attendees must know to bridge the hole the place they’re in the present day and the place they need to be after they return to their organizations after bbcon?

• Think about using AI instruments: For those who need assistance filling out the shell of an concept or sharpening up an outline or assertion, AI writing instruments equivalent to Microsoft Copilot or ChatGPT might be nice aids for creativity and brainstorming and may present assist for many who really feel like they need to use assist with writing. 

Tip: In case you have issues about demoing an answer or displaying an instance dashboard that features delicate organizational knowledge, you’ll be able to depart a be aware in your speaker utility stating that you just choose to have a Blackbaud worker stroll the viewers by the answer with pattern knowledge. 

Extra Causes to Apply to Converse at bbcon 

Submitting a bbcon speaker application is a incredible alternative to share your data, join with others, and improve your skilled development. The bbcon expertise is made higher when clients—your friends— are put entrance and middle that can assist you perceive and discover ways to make the most of your options to the fullest capabilities and ship extra mission-impact. 
 
And don’t overlook in regards to the free bbcon ticket! As Nikki Baldwin identified, “Attending bbcon with out paying for the registration payment, whereas nonetheless representing your group is a aware and financially accountable method to attend the convention. You’re contemplating your group’s backside line.” 
 
Your voice issues, and your insights could make a big affect on the Blackbaud neighborhood. We stay up for seeing your utility and listening to your distinctive perspective at bbcon! Within the phrases of Patti Hommes, “Simply take a deep breath. Then go for it! We like to see folks succeed!”