A Quick Guide to bbcon 2020 for Nonprofit Organizations

Are you ready for bbcon? Consider this 3-day experience a tremendous gift to yourself and your organization to access and connect with the leading minds in nonprofit technology around the world. Our quick guide will help you hit the ground running so you can unlock the tools, expertise and inspiration to achieve your greatest impact.

Picking your session as a “nonprofit”

It’s important to understand how the content is organized so you can easily find the best sessions geared to your job role. While the term “nonprofit” could apply most attendees, at Blackbaud we use the term to categorize a type of organization who typically represents cause & cure, advocacy, animal welfare and human services organizations. In other words, these organizations are NOT higher education, K-12, arts & cultural, faith, foundations, companies or healthcare organizations.

The “nonprofit” organization type is one of the most diverse groups represented. There will be thousands of nonprofit professionals from all departments – executives, development, marketing, communications, programs and accounting. Since there are SO MANY amazing sessions geared for “nonprofits,” we recommend you prioritize your favorite sessions before attending, just like a live conference.

Identify your top sessions

What do you want to get out of bbcon?  The answer to this question will help you pick your sessions. Do you want to hear about technology? Do you want to hear from peers? Deciding what’s valuable to your work versus what’s just merely interesting will help you narrow down your choices.

To help with your selections, we’ve curated our top 10 sessions for nonprofit fundraising and communications professionals.

Pre-Conference Opening – Monday, October 5

Get started planning your bbcon! You will have access to a schedule builder the day before the official opening to earmark your favorite sessions. We’ve made it easier for you to navigate the best choices from the 100+ sessions with AI selected sessions based on how you answered your registration questions.

Mark your own calendar. If you are like us, you live and die by your calendar. Once you’ve determined your top sessions, create a calendar event/reminder on your personal calendar so you don’t miss anything!

Day 1 – Tuesday, October 6

It’s time to kick off your bbcon experience with a high-energy conversation with actress, director, producer, bestselling author, and humanitarian Amy Poehler on the virtual mainstage! Amy underscores the values of individualism and kindness, having founded her own nonprofit, Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls, serving as an ambassador for the Worldwide Orphans Foundation and playing an active role in women’s issues.

Following the opening keynote, don’t miss the Nonprofit Super Session: Resilient Nonprofits Navigating 2021 Together! Learn how World Wildlife Fund, M+R Strategic Services and One80Place have reimagined the engagement of their supporters, while innovating to meet their fundraising goals. This insightful panel, moderated by the Nonprofit Solutions Marketing Director, Kelley Jarrett, is also the perfect session to understand how your nonprofit peers are approaching 2021.

After the Super Session, visit our Virtual Marketplace and network with peers and speakers before everyone jumps into their selected afternoon breakout sessions.

To finish off Day 1, you’ll hear from Dara Torres, a mother, author, entrepreneur, and five-time Olympic veteran. Our CEO, Mike Gianoni, product leadership and customers will also speak about “Tech for Transformation” at a closing fireside chat.

Day 2 – Wednesday, October 7

Day 2 will not only include your selected breakout sessions, but it will begin and end with words from inspirational speakers like Marc Brackett, Ph.D., author of Permission to Feel, Dr. Cornel West, professor, philosopher, author, and activist, Justin Dillon, award-winning entrepreneur, author, and founder/CEO of FRDM, and Alice L. Ferris, fundraising leadership expert and founder of GoalBusters.

Embrace virtual networking! We know…this is new for everyone. But, give it a shot! Throughout the conference there will be plenty of opportunities for you to network with peers, sponsors and with Blackbaud staff. Remember, you can also schedule one-on-one time using the networking feature in the virtual platform.

Day 3 – Thursday, October 8

Day 3 starts a bit later and kicks off at 11:15 am ET. Most of your day will be spent in the awesome breakout sessions. At 2 pm ET join us for the closing main-stage keynote as we all conclude the first-ever virtual bbcon.

Watch this video to learn more and register at bbconference.com.

This year may look different, but you can expect the same level of excellence we have provided in the past. I hope you are as excited as we are for bbcon 2020 Virtual. See you there!