FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Will BBBSA host a National Conference in 2021?
The National Conference will take place virtually in 2021. Similar to the live National Conference, the Virtual National Conference will offer valuable daily workshops, keynotes, networking opportunities, and a celebration honoring this year’s award winners.
Will a virtual conference offer the same components as in person?
It is our goal to offer the same engaging and valuable experience that you're accustommed to at the in person BBBSA National Conference. Here are some things you can expect at our Virtual National Conference:
- We've designed the agenda with a virtual audience in mind. This means shorter but impactful sessions that feature insightful panels and dynamic speakers and keynotes.
- Chat and engage with other attendees while watching the session. Live Q&A will be available for attendees to ask their questions in real-time.
- A virtual exhibit hall will feature our exhibitors and sponsors. Browse exhibitor virtual booths, send a message to an exhibitor, or jump into their virtual meeting room to meet face-to-face.
- Connect with other Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies and National Office staff to share ideas and learn from one another through daily networking events.
When is the Virtual National Conference?
The Virtual National Conference will take place on June 28th – July 1st, 2021. Pre-conference opportunities will begin the week of June 21st.
When will the schedule for the Virtual National Conference be released?
The schedule will be released on April 15, 2021.
How much does it cost to attend?
Full Access Registration for BBBS agency staff and board members is $75. This fee will increase to $150 starting on June 21, 2021.
Standard Full Access Registration for external attendees (non BBBS staff, board, or partners) is $150.
When will registration open for the Virtual National Conference?
Registration will open on April 15, 2021.
Who should attend?
The Virtual National Conference is open to Big Brothers Big Sisters agency leaders, program staff, fund development and marketing staff, BBBS Board Members, volunteers, and BBBS partners.
Will there be an opportunity to meet with other attendees?
Yes. There will be daily networking opportunities and the ability to schedule one-on-one meetings with other attendees. A virtual meeting room will be automatically provided with easy and quick access to join the meeting when it's time.
Do I have to be at my desktop to join the virtual event?
No, you're able to join from any type of device including your phone or tablet.
If I am unable to attend a live session, will it be available on demand?
Yes. Sessions will be recorded and available on-demand in the Bigger Together Attendee Hub for conference registrants after the session has ended. Just click on All Sessions in the top menu, select a session, and hit Replay to watch. Session recordings will also be available on The Learning Exchange 6 - 8 weeks after the conference concludes.
Will closed captioning be available?
Yes, closed captioning will be available for all General Sessions. To turn on closed captioning for these sessions, join the session within the Bigger Together Attendee Hub. Hover over the video screen where the session is being streamed. Controls will appear at the bottom right of the screen. You should see a Closed Captioning option. Click that button and select "CC1." This will activate closed captioning for the session.
Can I make changes to my session schedule after I've registered?
Yes. You can modify your registration by logging back into the registration website using your confirmation number. Please make sure to save your confirmation email when you first register. This email has your confirmation number and also a link to modify your registration.
Can I share my virtual conference login information with other staff members?
We encourage each attendee to set up their own account and register individually. Each registration is designed to pull data and be personalized to provide high value, user-specific content. Data includes personalization, surveys, polling, certifications earned, and networking patterns to help drive post conference analysis for future conferences.
Can I register and pay for more than one person at once?
The 2021 BBBSA Virtual National Conference registration system allows multiple attendees to be registered under one transaction. If you would like to register multiple staff from your agency at once, you will need to assign a group leader to register your staff. The group leader will need to follow these steps to register the group:
1. Begin by registering yourself.
2. On the Registration Summary page before payment, click the Add Another Registrant button at the bottom of the page.
3. Complete the information for the next registrant to be added to the group.
4. If you would like the next registrant to select their own sessions, skip the Sessions selection page for that registrant.
5. Repeat this process until every registrant has been added to the group.
6. Complete payment.
7. Once submitted, everyone in the group should receive their own confirmation email and will be able to log into the system themselves with their own confirmation number to select their own sessions.
Will Annual Awards winners still be recognized in 2021?
Yes, Annual Awards winners will be recognized in a virtual celebration during the Virtual National Conference.
Will there always be a virtual component of the BBBSA National Conference?
It's very possible that we continue to offer some of our content in a virtual format. While we can't wait to get back to in person and seeing our attendees face-to-face, we understand that a virtual component allows more attendees to take part in the conference. Stay tuned for more information about a potential hybrid event for next year's conference.
Who can I contact for other registration questions?
Marisa Gaggi at Marisa.Gaggi@bbbsa.org