Why You Should Share Your Voice at Blackbaud’s 2026 K–12 User Conference
July 15–17, 2026 | Boston Marriott Copley Place
Are you ready to inspire, connect, and lead? The Blackbaud K–12 User Conference is returning in 2026—and we’re looking for passionate educators, administrators, finance pros, technologists, and thought leaders to take the stage.
Whether you’ve solved a challenge, sparked innovation, or built something extraordinary in your school community, your story deserves the spotlight.
Unsure whether you have the expertise to lead a session? Take inspiration from frequent bbcon speaker Austen Brown:
It’s natural to feel a bit of imposter syndrome when considering submitting a speaker application. Remember, you are a champion in your own right, and there is always something you’re really good at that someone else could learn. Don’t let insecurities hold you back. We are all champions, and sharing what we know helps everyone level up.
Austen Brown
Senior Automation Architect, Prenger Solutions Group
Choosing Your Topic
What are you passionate about? Are you the go-to person at your school for a particular topic? Don’t underestimate your expertise! Something that seems routine for you may be beneficial to others. Think about something you wish you knew when you were just getting started.
We’re looking for fresh ideas and success stories across a variety of session content areas, including Blackbaud product use cases. During the submission process, you’ll be asked to align your proposal with one of the following themes:
- Academics/LMS
- Enrollment & Retention Strategies
- Business Office
- Fundraising & Advancement
- Innovation
- IT/Technology
- Leadership
- Marketing, Communications, & Content Management
- Student Information System
- Tuition & Billing
Whether you’re showcasing how your school uses Blackbaud K–12 software to streamline operations, sharing a breakthrough in student engagement, or delving into advanced automation, cybersecurity, and AI—we want to hear about it.
Partnering with Peers
Some of the most memorable sessions come from collaborative storytelling. Consider partnering with a colleague to co-present. They could be from your school or another one across the continent. Joint sessions offer diverse perspectives, richer dialogue, and a chance to showcase cross-school innovation.
TIP: If you’re not able to find a session partner and would feel more comfortable with a co-presenter, we can help pair you with someone, whether it be a Blackbaud expert or a peer from another school. Just put that in your submission.
Note: No more than two speakers per school or organization will be accepted.
Crafting Your Submission
Your proposal should include:
- A compelling session title and abstract
- Three to five learning objectives for attendees
- Preferred format (breakout session, panel, hands-on workshop, etc.)
- Skill level of attendees for which the session is designed
We’re looking for sessions that are relevant, actionable, and free of sales pitches from people with authentic school experience. Interactive formats and real-world examples are highly encouraged.
Why Speak at Blackbaud’s K–12 User Conference?
This transformative, multi-day experience is designed to inspire innovation, empower strategic leadership, and foster meaningful connections across the K–12 community. Whether you’re in admissions, academics, IT, advancement, finance, or school leadership, you’ll gain actionable insights, hands-on training, and a front-row seat to the latest in educational technology.
Accepted speakers will receive:
- Complimentary full conference pass
- Professional exposure on the conference website and in select promotional materials
- Networking opportunities with fellow speakers, sponsors, and Blackbaud leaders
- Early access to speaker support resources and planning tools
- Speaker graphics for social sharing and advocacy campaigns
Key Dates
- Call for Speakers Opens: October 23, 2025
- Submission Deadline: January 14, 2026
- Speaker Notifications: April 2026
Ready to Submit?
This is your opportunity to share knowledge, enhance your professional growth, and connect with your peers. Your voice matters!
