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Blackbaud’s bbcon 2024 Brings Thousands of Social Impact Professionals Together for Innovation, Inspiration, Learning and Celebration

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From exciting product announcements to moving mainstage messages and insightful breakout sessions, attendees are energized and equipped with knowledge to take back to their teams

CHARLESTON, S.C., Sept. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB), the leading provider of software for powering social impact, gathered thousands of social impact professionals this week in person and virtually for bbcon 2024, its annual technology conference that took place in Seattle, Washington.

“As we conclude another bbcon, we’re reflecting on the meaningful impact that our customers have around the world,” said Catherine LaCour, chief marketing officer, Blackbaud. “There is no other community like the one that convened here this week. We’re in awe of the transformation our customers are driving in the world, using technology to power their missions. It’s our honor to be a partner and to provide our insights and resources to help them achieve even more.”

In the opening keynote, Blackbaud announced a wide range of innovation shaping the future of social impact technology, including a host of AI-powered solutions, enhanced functionality of its core fundraising product, integrated payments experiences to help organizations raise and save more, greater connection between financial workflows, and more flexibility to help customers extend their Blackbaud software.

The conference also provided insights and inspiration to enable those at the forefront of world-changing organizations to return to their teams energized and equipped to fuel impact. Emmy award-winning actress and nonprofit founder Sheryl Lee Ralph gave a powerful keynote to attendees on the importance of staying true to oneself and connecting deeply with purpose. Dr. Alex George, author, podcast host and government mental health ambassador in the U.K., spoke about the importance of mental fitness to be your best self and do your best work.

With more than 150 breakout sessions, attendees learned proven tactics, best practices and helpful strategies for fundraising, financial management, grantmaking, corporate impact, higher education advancement, K-12 education management and more. Attendees also connected directly with each other to network, brainstorm and provide advice and support through Braindate, a web-based platform that helps participants connect on site and form valuable connections based on topics important to them.

Attendee Amy Barker, a database administrator at nonprofit Pine Street Inn, shared, “The face-to-face conversations at bbcon are so valuable and helpful––from connecting with Blackbaud staff and product developers to discuss our organization’s needs, to getting to connect with other users who I may never otherwise get a chance to meet. It’s all about making connections, sharing ideas and getting inspiration!”

As this year’s give back opportunity for attendees, the American Red Cross provided hands-only CPR training, teaching hundreds of people on how to deliver lifesaving care. In support of this important work, Blackbaud made a donation to the American Red Cross to further enable their disaster preparedness and response efforts.

Celebrating Achievements
From customers to partners to new startups fueling innovation in the space, Blackbaud celebrated the achievements of its community throughout the event.

Blackbaud Impact Awards Winners
Through the Blackbaud Impact Awards, the company honored six customers achieving incredible results with Blackbaud software. Award winners were announced on the mainstage and recognized by Blackbaud CEO Mike Gianoni and Blackbaud Chief Customer Officer Todd Lant. The 2024 Blackbaud Impact Awards Winners included Adventist Health, Turtle Creek Association, Jackson, Combat Stress, University of Manitoba, and Katie M. Lewis from the Burger King Foundation. Learn more about each of these organizations and their achievements here.

Social Good Startup Showcase Winners
Once again, Blackbaud introduced bbcon attendees to tech startups from the Blackbaud Social Good Startup Program. Founders in this year’s cohort pitched their solutions to Blackbaud leaders and customers sharing how their technology can solve unique challenges for the social impact industry. This year’s pitch competition judges’ choice winners were Chariot and OpenGrants. The attendees’ choice winner was Chat2Impact. Learn more about these startups and the others in this year’s program here (January cohort) and here (July cohort). To apply for a future cohort, learn more here.

Blackbaud Partner Network Awards
At its on-site Partner Summit, Blackbaud recognized technology and services firms bringing more flexibility to customers by extending the ways they can leverage Blackbaud solutions. The 2024 Blackbaud Partner Network Awards winners included Red Arc, Almabase, SimpliPhi, FundMiner, BrightVine Solutions, Capital Business Solutions, Double the Donation, PairSoft, and Zobrio. Learn more about these partners and their awards here.

Next year’s bbcon will be held in Philadelphia, Oct. 6-8, 2025. In the meantime, for more details on Blackbaud’s product roadmap, register to attend the upcoming Blackbaud Product Update Briefings, happening Nov. 12-14, 2024.   

About Blackbaud
Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB) is the leading software provider exclusively dedicated to powering social impact. Serving the nonprofit and education sectors, companies committed to social responsibility and individual change makers, Blackbaud’s essential software is built to accelerate impact in fundraising, nonprofit financial management, digital giving, grantmaking, corporate social responsibility and education management. With millions of users and over $100 billion raised, granted or managed through Blackbaud platforms every year, Blackbaud’s solutions are unleashing the potential of the people and organizations who change the world. Blackbaud has been named to Newsweek’s list of America’s Most Responsible Companies, Quartz’s list of Best Companies for Remote Workers, and Forbes’ list of America’s Best Employers. A remote-first company, Blackbaud has operations in the United States, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica and the United Kingdom, supporting users in 100+ countries. Learn more at www.blackbaud.com or follow us on X/Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Media Inquiries
media@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, including statements regarding expected benefits of products and product features. 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 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.

 

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SOURCE Blackbaud

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Appy Pie’s No-Code AI Design Platform Simplifies Holiday Creations for Christmas Posters and Avatars

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NEW DELHI, Dec. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Appy Pie Design, a leading No-code AI Design Platform, offers businesses and individuals an easy way to create Christmas posters and avatars for this upcoming holiday season. With its enhanced suite of AI-powered tools, the platform allows users to design festive visuals effortlessly, making it a go-to choice for creative holiday solutions.

Also, users can create unique, seasonally-themed avatars to showcase their holiday spirit across social media and professional platforms. These Christmas avatars can be used to personalize social media profiles, email signatures, or even professional platforms, spreading holiday cheer in both casual and formal settings.

“Our platform is designed to make the holidays easier and more joyful for everyone,” said Abhinav Girdhar, CEO of Appy Pie. “By providing accessible and creative solutions, we aim to help users connect meaningfully during this festive season.”

The AI Animation Generator enables users to bring their holiday ideas to life with engaging and dynamic visuals. The platform provides flexibility and convenience, making it an indispensable tool for celebrating the holiday season creatively and efficiently.

For those looking to turn static visuals into dynamic content, the Image to Video AI tool transforms still images into alluring videos. This functionality adds a new dimension to holiday designs, making them more interactive and impactful.

About Appy Pie
Appy Pie, a Trademark of Appy Pie LLP, is a leading global platform offering a suite of no-code, AI-powered tools, including an app builder, website builder, workflow automation platform, graphic design software, chatbot builder, help desk software, and live chat software, to help businesses and individuals design, build, and automate. With a user-friendly interface and a wide range of customizable templates, Appy Pie empowers users to create professional-grade applications, websites, and automation without coding expertise. Appy Pie caters to diverse needs from entrepreneurs to established enterprises by providing innovative solutions for various industries.

Media Contact
Abhinav Girdhar
sales@appypie.com
+1 888 322 7617

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SOURCE Appy Pie

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The Art of Lightness: ASUS to Unveil World’s Lightest Copilot+ PC

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LAS VEGAS, Dec. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — ASUS is set to debut the world’s lightest Copilot+ PC during the AIways Incredible launch event on January 7, 2025. This groundbreaking laptop redefines ultra-light, AI-powered performance and will kick off CES 2025 with a live global stream.

Join the AIways Incredible Launch Event Online:

Date: January 7 at 9:00 AM PST

Event Page: https://asus.click/ces25_teaser

Teaser Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLgFyI5jnbQ 

This latest solution will be part of the ASUS Zenbook series of laptops and offers several innovative aspects to look forward to.

The Art of Lightness Meets Next-Gen Technology

The ultra-light design of the world’s lightest Copilot+ PC is set to redefine possibilities for mobility on AI devices, offering a portable partner and collaborator for the modern user. It is the perfect blend of elegance and functionality, offering a seamless experience for professionals, creators, and everyday users alike. Inspired by minimalism and nature, the design philosophy celebrates quiet luxury without sacrificing innovation.

Intelligent Innovation with Copilot+ AI

The new Zenbook is more than a laptop—it is a smart partner designed to revolutionize productivity. Powered by Copilot+ AI, it delivers intuitive, adaptive workflows, seamless collaboration, and smarter performance tailored to user needs.

Performance Without Compromise

Despite its ultra-light design, the laptop boasts robust performance and an impressive 32-hour battery life, offering continuous productivity that makes it ideal for travelling, remote work, and on-the-go productivity. Full specs, including details of the cutting-edge processor, will be unveiled during the event.

AIways Incredible at CES 2025

The launch marks a key milestone for ASUS in shaping the AI era. Viewers around the world will discover the complete AI-powered capabilities of the revolutionary Zenbook, redefining the future of computing.

Tune in on January 7 to experience AIways Incredible for yourself: https://asus.click/ces25_teaser

About ASUS
ASUS is a global technology leader that provides the world’s most innovative and intuitive devices, components, and solutions to deliver incredible experiences that enhance the lives of people everywhere. With its team of 5,000 in-house R&D experts, ASUS is world-renowned for continuously reimagining today’s technologies for tomorrow, garners more than 11 awards every day for quality, innovation, and design, and is ranked among Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-art-of-lightness-asus-to-unveil-worlds-lightest-copilot-pc-302337417.html

SOURCE ASUSTek Computer INC.

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IGF 2024 Concludes 19th Edition, Calling for Enhanced Digital Cooperation and Sustainable Development

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Dec. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) successfully concluded its 19th edition, hosted in Riyadh at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center from December 15 to 19, 2024. Organized by the United Nations, the event featured over 100 experts, specialists, officials, and stakeholders from 160 countries, alongside more than 1,000 international speakers.

The forum served as a distinguished platform for global digital transformation experts, fostering discussions on artificial intelligence and digital innovation. It provided an opportunity for the exchange of experiences, information, and best practices, while addressing emerging digital challenges and collaboratively identifying solutions across governments, private enterprises, and non-profit sectors.

This year’s edition was held under the theme “Building Our Multistakeholder Digital Future” and centered around four key sub-themes: Harnessing Innovation and Balancing Risks in the Digital Space; Enhancing Digital Contribution to Peace, Development and Sustainability; Advancing Human Empowerment and Inclusiveness in the Digital Age; and Improving Digital Governance for the Internet We Want.

Discussions focused on achieving a shared understanding of how to maximize the global internet’s potential, mitigate risks, and address challenges to support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Key topics included leveraging digital innovation while addressing associated challenges, supporting strategic digital government initiatives, and promoting global peace and sustainability through digital tools.

His Excellency the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Alswaha, expressed his great pride in the forum’s success, saying, “This year’s edition of the forum is the largest to date in terms of participants and working sessions, as confirmed by the United Nations. As one of the fastest-growing countries in the digital sector, Saudi Arabia is committed not only to facilitating internet access and harnessing technological developments to drive progress and sustainable development, but also to enhancing digital cooperation to achieve the SDGs.”

The forum’s activities featured a strong presence from public and private sector institutions and international entities dedicated to enabling digital transformation and fostering innovation. Success stories were showcased, demonstrating how these entities have accelerated digital government services for the benefit of society. Sessions and workshops addressed critical digital challenges, transformative applications of digital innovations, and opportunities for adopting and expanding access to digital technology and governance.

Participants engaged enthusiastically in interactive sessions with experts who shed light on diverse aspects of internet governance and digital collaboration, responding to inquiries and providing valuable insights. These interactions offered Saudi national cadres and emerging talents an exceptional opportunity to expand their knowledge and expertise.

The forum was an opportunity to showcase the Kingdom’s great capabilities in communications and information technology, the tremendous digital developments and achievements in e-commerce, banking, healthcare services, and official government transactions.

The forum also served as a platform to highlight Saudi Arabia’s remarkable advancements in communications and information technology, including progress in e-commerce, banking, healthcare services, and official government transactions. It reaffirmed the Kingdom’s rapid strides in building a thriving digital economy, its leadership in promoting digital inclusion, and its efforts to bridge the global digital divide in alignment with the UN’s SDGs.

By hosting the 19th edition of IGF, Riyadh reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to solidifying its position as a global leader in digital innovation, international cooperation, and shaping the future of internet governance.

For more information about the Internet Governance Forum, please visit: https://www.intgovforum.org/en

For more information about the Digital Government Authority, please visit: https://dga.gov.sa/en

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/igf-2024-concludes-19th-edition-calling-for-enhanced-digital-cooperation-and-sustainable-development-302337853.html

SOURCE Internet Governance Forum

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