Maximizing Your bbcon Expertise: Ideas from an Attendee

As a very long time bbcon attendee, I’ve been to extra bbcons than I can keep in mind. It’s certainly one of my favourite conferences to go to, and I like to fulfill my fellow database nerds. Whether or not it’s your first time attending otherwise you’re a “bbcon professional” like me, I’ve put collectively my prime ten suggestions that can assist you get probably the most out of this 12 months’s convention so you’ve gotten an equally nice expertise.

1. Put on snug sneakers. I can’t stress this sufficient. It seems like a bizarre one to begin off with, however I’ve seen multiple individual’s day lower quick on account of blisters and ache. Final 12 months I walked a median of 8 miles a day, simply within the convention middle. Go away the costume sneakers and heels at house, or simply bust them out for the occasions.
2. Go over the agenda beforehand. Plan out your days and all the time have a plan B. And be open to pivoting shortly. I like to take a look at all of the totally different periods beforehand, plan my day trip, and have an excellent concept of what my day goes to seem like. However I depart lots of room for adjustments in case I hear lots of buzz a couple of explicit session and determine to test it out on the final minute. In case you are going with a pal, cut up up and every go to separate periods, then examine notes.
3. Ask questions! Don’t be shy. I promise, presenters love to get questions. It means persons are listening and engaged. There’s nothing worse than pouring hours of time into creating what you suppose is a good session and getting zero suggestions or questions. And sometimes, in case you have a query the presenter can’t reply, one other attendee might need a solution. Take lots of notes too so you may keep in mind what stood out to you or what concepts the periods spurred about how one can apply the learnings in your personal group.
4. Be curious. Attend a session about one thing fully new to you. Sit at a desk with full strangers at lunch. Take part within the challenges that the Blackbaud Neighborhood and Blackbaud Champions people arrange. Break exterior of your consolation and information zone, that is the place for it.
5. Carry snacks, hydrate, and don’t be shy about letting your meals preferences be recognized beforehand. Blackbaud does an excellent job of amassing your meals preferences while you register. The venues usually do a tremendous job of fulfilling these requests. When you’ve got an excellent attention-grabbing weight loss program, your meals could also be off to the facet. Be sure to eat correctly and drink a ton of water. You’ll be strolling so much and your mind will likely be burning energy too. At the least that’s what I inform myself as I skip the fitness center! Did you neglect your water bottle at house? I guess you could find one within the vendor displays!
6. Talking of vendor displays, do test it out. Go and speak to your favourite distributors in addition to ones you’ve by no means used. Attend demos and work together. It’s an effective way to actually get to check out merchandise, study new merchandise, and have lots of enjoyable. It’s additionally a pleasant technique to meet, in actual life, your contacts at totally different firms and make that non-public connection. Carry a backpack for the swag!
7. Take breaks when you’ll want to. It’s straightforward to get caught up within the whirlwind of exercise. It’s OK to take a break, return to your lodge room and take a nap, or curl up in a nook with a cup of tea and a e-book for a bit. I’m an introvert and the queen of social burnout, so I truly schedule break time in. Even in the event you’re a complete extrovert, taking time to recharge your batteries helps.
8. It’s OK to do issues exterior of the convention! Chances are high the convention is just not in your house metropolis. Be sure to take a while to test issues out exterior of the convention middle. I prefer to go a number of days early and take a number of PTO days to actually expertise new locations. There are few issues worse than getting back from a visit and having individuals ask, “How was Seattle?” and solely with the ability to say, “Nicely, their convention middle is sweet.”
9. Get contact information from everybody. I get contact data for a ton of individuals—from presenters, to distributors, to different attendees. I preserve just a little observe in my pocket book about our dialog at bbcon so I can comply with up. I’ve made some nice connections that means and it’s good to have somebody to show to with questions. I truly don’t have enterprise playing cards, however I do print some as much as convey with me. They’re helpful for getting into vendor drawings too!
10. Apply to be a presenter subsequent 12 months! Don’t be shy! It’s an effective way to apply your public talking abilities and share what with others. I usually prioritize going to shows by customers, and I do know many others do as nicely; I like to listen to from individuals who actively use the product. Use your time at bbcon to get inspiration for what you can talk about subsequent 12 months.