K–12 UC or bbcon? Your Guide to Choosing the Right Blackbaud Conference
If you work in a private or independent K–12 school, you already know that the right professional development can spark fresh ideas, unlock new efficiencies, and help your team level up. Blackbaud offers two major annual events packed with learning and inspiration—but they serve different purposes and, depending on your role, one might be the perfect fit… or you may decide both are worth the trip.
Below is your clear guide to understanding the Blackbaud K–12 User Conference and bbcon so you can decide where to invest your time—or make the case to attend both.
What Is the Blackbaud K–12 User Conference?
The Blackbaud K–12 User Conference (K–12 UC) is designed specifically for private and independent school professionals across roles—admissions, academics, advancement, business office, IT, communications, and more.
The UC is where “innovation, strategy, and community converge.” It emphasizes actionable learning, hands-on product exploration, and peer-to-peer problem solving.
Why You’ll Love It
- Immediate, school-specific takeaways. Sessions are tailored to schools, including deep dives into admissions workflows, SIS/LMS data management, cross-departmental operations, and real challenges unique to K–12.
- Deep networking with other schools. Attendees consistently highlight how valuable it is to connect with peers facing the same issues—from enrollment and scheduling complexities to tuition management to strategic planning and capital campaigns.
- A community vibe. The “UnConference” day fosters organic conversations and problem solving—perfect for getting answers to questions not covered in formal sessions.
- Designed for education power users. The UC is ideal for those focused on school strategy or working closely with business/development offices using Blackbaud’s K–12 portfolio.
Who Should Prioritize K–12 UC
- Academic leaders and SIS/LMS users
- Admissions and enrollment teams
- Business office staff focused on tuition, billing, and financial aid
- Development teams looking for school-specific strategies
- Database managers and institutional researchers
- IT leaders concerned with cross-campus operations
- Anyone wanting content 100% tailored to K–12 schools
What Is bbcon?
bbcon is Blackbaud’s global tech conference—bigger in scope, broader in topics, and geared toward fundraising, finance, and enterprise strategy across nonprofit and education sectors. While not exclusively K–12, bbcon offers rich value for independent school teams.
Why You’ll Love It
- Deep product training for Raiser’s Edge NXT and Financial Edge NXT power users
- Cross-industry big-picture thinking, from philanthropy to innovation to data strategy
- Networking with a wide range of professionals—not just K–12—expanding your thinking and community
- K–12-specific sessions still exist, especially around fundraising, financial operations, and leadership trends.
Who Should Prioritize bbcon
- Advancement & development teams
- Fundraising and donor relations
- Daily Raiser’s Edge NXT or Financial Edge NXT users
- Tech leaders exploring emerging trends like AI and data governance
- Anyone who wants to learn from peers in higher ed, healthcare, and other nonprofits
If You Can Attend Only One…
Here’s the simplest way to decide:
- Choose K–12 UC if your work centers on school-specific strategy or you collaborate daily with academic, admissions, business, or communications teams and want tailored solutions for K–12 operations.
- Choose bbcon if you’re a Raiser’s Edge NXT or Financial Edge NXT power user seeking advanced product skills or those who want insight into other nonprofit subsectors with similar pain points.
Why Many Schools Attend Both
Schools often send representatives to both conferences to help their teams develop a wider skillset and network. For example:
- K–12 fundraisers can learn tips and tricks from their peers at the K–12 User Conference and from higher ed advancement leaders at bbcon.
- School business officers may want to talk to others at the UC who manage tuition and financial aid and do a deeper dive into Financial Edge NXT at bbcon.
- IT professionals may want to attend UC to delve into the latest Blackbaud AI tools within our Total School Solution and hear from thought leaders at bbcon on where the future of AI is headed globally.
The Bottom Line
If your role relies heavily on Blackbaud’s K–12 education portfolio, tuition and billing, or financial aid, the K–12 User Conference is the most targeted, hands-on experience. If your work is solely advancement or finance—or you’re a leader who wants to understand what’s happening across the broader nonprofit landscape—bbcon will broaden your vision and sharpen your expertise.
And if you can attend both? You’ll gain a powerful 360° view of what’s possible for your school.
Register now for Blackbaud K–12 User Conference (July 15–17 in Boston, MA)! Early Bird Pricing ends March 10, 2026!
Save the date for bbcon—September 29–October 1 in Columbus, OH
