Blackbaud Newsroom

Blackbaud to Host Largest Nonprofit Conference in Austin, TX

Award-winning actress and humanitarian Ashley Judd, Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist Nicholas Kristof
and leading nonprofit experts to join 16th annual bbcon 2015

 Charleston, S.C. (September 21, 2015) – Blackbaud, Inc. (NASDAQ: BLKB), the leading provider of software and services for the global philanthropic community, today announced that its 16th annual conference for nonprofits, bbcon 2015, will take place in Austin, Texas, October 26–28 at the Austin Convention Center.

Each year bbcon convenes thousands of nonprofit change-makers to share the latest insights, trends and innovation—from fundraising and marketing strategies, to best practices for accounting and stewardship, to technology advancements, and more. This year, the conference will feature more than 200 expert-led sessions and will be joined by some of the world’s most noteworthy voices in the humanitarian movement.

One highlight of bbcon 2015 will be the focus on helping nonprofits advance their brands through excellence in storytelling. Nicholas Kristof, a two-time Pulitzer-Prize-winning reporter, New York Times Columnist, best-selling author and human rights advocate, will give the opening keynote.

Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated actress, author and global advocate for girls and women, Ashley Judd, will also take the main stage at bbcon as closing keynote speaker to share inspiring stories from her international humanitarian work.

Nonprofits will also have the opportunity to network with their peers and participate in educational sessions led by thought leaders and expert practitioners. Examples include:

  • Blackbaud technology sessions hosted by the company’s executives and senior technologists, to include roadmaps, customer highlights and special announcements
  • Big Idea sessions that bring together executives, technology gurus and nonprofit professionals to catalyze new ideas
  • 10 minute ‘Ignite’ vignettes, power-packed with informative content by Austin-based leaders including Suzi Sosa, co-founder of Verb, Mike Nellis, chief executive officer of the Austin Community Foundation, and Robin Thurston, senior vice president of Under Armour
  • A storytelling panel featuring Sean Sheridan, world-acclaimed humanitarian photojournalist; Marc Pitman, chief fundraising coach at com; and Vanessa Chase, Consultant for The Storytelling Non-Profit
  • An array of breakout sessions packed with real-world learnings attendees can put to use in their roles today

“You will learn more than you think, meet amazing people, and come back with some amazing ideas,” said bbcon attendee, Ali Burke of Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation.

In addition, Blackbaud will also recognize leading organizations with its Nonprofit Impact Awards. The winner from each category will receive a donation to their organization and free registration to bbcon 2015 where they will be honored by Blackbaud and their peers.

bbcon will be co-located with MESC, an annual conference led by Blackbaud’s MicroEdge business, which provides leading solutions for other major players in the global philanthropic movement including corporations, foundations, other charitable giving organizations.

“We are so excited to welcome the global nonprofit community to a major Blackbaud hub, Austin, TX for what promises to be our best annual conference yet,” said Blackbaud CEO, Mike Gianoni. “Our commitment to the nonprofit community has never been stronger, and I think people are going to see and feel that when they experience bbcon 2015.”

For more information or to register, visit www.bbconference.com. Follow the conference news on Twitter at www.twitter.com/bbcon or like Blackbaud on Facebook at www.facebook.com/blackbaud.

About Blackbaud

Serving the nonprofit, charitable giving and education communities for more than 30 years, Blackbaud (NASDAQ:BLKB) combines technology solutions and expertise to help organizations achieve their missions. Blackbaud works in over 60 countries to support more than 30,000 customers, including nonprofits, K12 private and higher education institutions, healthcare organizations, foundations and other charitable giving entities, and corporations. The company offers a full spectrum of cloud and on-premise solutions, and related services for organizations of all sizes, including nonprofit fundraising and relationship management, eMarketing, advocacy, accounting, payments and analytics, as well as grant management, corporate social responsibility, education and other solutions. Using Blackbaud technology, these organizations raise, invest, manage and award more than $100 billion each year. Recognized as a top company, Blackbaud is headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina and has operations in the United States, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, Ireland and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.blackbaud.com.

Media Contact
Nicole McGougan
Public Relations
843-654-3307
nicole.mcgougan@blackbaud.com

Forward-looking Statements
Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations, and assumptions contained in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Although Blackbaud attempts to be accurate in making these forward-looking statements, it is possible that future circumstances might differ from the assumptions on which such statements are based. In addition, other important factors that could cause results to differ materially include the following: general economic risks; uncertainty regarding increased business and renewals from existing customers; continued success in sales growth; management of integration of acquired companies and other risks associated with acquisitions; risks associated with successful implementation of multiple integrated software products; the ability to attract and retain key personnel; risks related to our dividend policy and share repurchase program, including potential limitations on our ability to grow and the possibility that we might discontinue payment of dividends; risks relating to restrictions imposed by the credit facility; risks associated with management of growth; lengthy sales and implementation cycles, particularly in larger organization; technological changes that make our products and services less competitive; and the other risk factors set forth from time to time in the SEC filings for Blackbaud, copies of which are available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or upon request from Blackbaud’s investor relations department. All Blackbaud product names appearing herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Blackbaud, Inc.