Maximizing Your bbcon Experience: Tips from a Seasoned Attendee

As a long time bbcon attendee, I have been to more bbcons than I can remember. It's one of my favorite conferences to go to, and I love to meet my fellow database nerds. Whether it's your first time attending or you're a "bbcon pro" like me, I've put together my top ten tips to help you get the most out of this year's conference so you have an equally great experience.

1. Wear comfortable shoes. I cannot stress this enough. It sounds like a weird one to start off with, but I have seen more than one person's day cut short due to blisters and pain. Last year I walked an average of 8 miles a day, just in the conference center. Leave the dress shoes and heels at home, or just bust them out for the events.
2. Go over the agenda beforehand. Plan out your days and always have a plan B. And be open to pivoting quickly. I love to look at all the different sessions beforehand, plan my day out, and have a great idea of what my day is going to look like. But I leave a lot of room for changes in case I hear a lot of buzz about a particular session and decide to check it out at the last minute. If you are going with a friend, split up and each go to separate sessions, then compare notes.
3. Ask questions! Don't be shy. I promise, presenterslove to get questions. It means people are listening and engaged. There's nothing worse than pouring hours of time into creating what you think is a great session and getting zero feedback or questions. And often, if you have a question the presenter can't answer, another attendee might have an answer. Take a lot of notes too so you can remember what stood out to you or what ideas the sessions spurred about how you can apply the learnings in your own organization.
4. Be curious. Attend a session about something completely new to you. Sit at a table with complete strangers at lunch. Participate in the challenges that the Blackbaud Community and Blackbaud Champions folks set up. Break outside of your comfort and knowledge zone, this is the place for it.
5. Bring snacks, hydrate, and don't be shy about letting your food preferences be known beforehand. Blackbaud does a great job of collecting your food preferences when you register. The venues often do an amazing job of fulfilling those requests. If you have a super interesting diet, your food may be off to the side. Make sure you eat properly and drink a ton of water. You'll be walking a lot and your brain will be burning calories too. At least that's what I tell myself as I skip the gym! Did you forget your water bottle at home? I bet you can find one in the vendor exhibits!
6. Speaking of vendor exhibits, do check it out. Go and talk to your favorite vendors as well as ones you've never used. Attend demos and interact. It is a great way to really get to try out products, learn about new products, and have a lot of fun. It's also a nice way to meet, in real life, your contacts at different companies and make that personal connection. Bring a backpack for the swag!
7. Take breaks when you need to. It's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of activity. It's OK to take a break, go back to your hotel room and take a nap, or curl up in a corner with a cup of tea and a book for a bit. I am an introvert and the queen of social burnout, so I actually schedule break time in. Even if you're a total extrovert, taking time to recharge your batteries helps.
8. It's OK to do things outside of the conference! Chances are the conference is not in your home city. Make sure to take a little time to check things out outside of the conference center. I like to go a few days early and take a few PTO days to really experience new places. There are few things worse than coming back from a trip and having people ask, "How was Seattle?" and only being able to say, "Well, their conference center is nice."
9. Get contact info from everyone. I get contact information for a ton of people-from presenters, to vendors, to other attendees. I keep a little note in my notebook about our conversation at bbcon so I can follow up. I've made some great connections that way and it is nice to have someone to turn to with questions. I actually don't have business cards, but I do print some up to bring with me. They're handy for entering vendor drawings too!
10. Apply to be a presenter next year! Don't be shy! It's a great way to practice your public speaking skills and share what you know with others. I often prioritize going to presentations by users, and I know many others do as well; I love to hear from people who actively use the product. Use your time at bbcon to get inspiration for what you could speak about next year.

I hope you have found these tips helpful and that you're feeling energized to learn and connect. See you in Seattle!