Best Buddies is the largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical, and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower people with IDD to form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure jobs improve communication and advocacy skills, and live independently, while also offering support for their families.
Best BuddiesAmbassador Katie with NFL legend and Best Buddies
Global Ambassador Tom Brady
BEST BUDDIES
LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
A once in a lifetime experience bringing together more than 2,500 leaders from schools and communities worldwide each year to discuss social inclusion, leadership and community, fundraising, and advocacy for people with IDD. Attendees with and without IDD are challenged to explore their full potential as leaders and advocates, tap into their power to motivate and encourage others, and translate awareness into quality friendships between people of all abilities.
BEST BUDDIES LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS
Best Buddies programs all around the world united in Bloomington, Indiana for the annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference! The event celebrated life-changing friendships and the lasting impact participants with and without IDD are making in the world as a result of their leadership. Here’s a video from BBLC --- Check it out to see our incredible mission in action!
MEET JENNY
“I don’t think I’ve laughed louder, smiled brighter, or loved harder than I did this past weekend. BBLC was filled to the brim with excitement! I can’t wait for the school year to start so I can show off my new leadership skills as the president of an amazing chapter of an amazing organization!”
Jenny
Past BBLC Attendee & Former Chapter President
JOIN US AS A LEADER FOR INCLUSION
By joining us at BBLC as a part of our community leaders track, you will help create the next generation of leaders who will inspire others in their communities, countries and around the world. Students who participate in Best Buddies become adults who raise children with a new perspective based on compassion and integration; they become employers who understand the undeniable value of hiring people with IDD; and they become leaders who challenge others to follow their example in creating a more inclusive world. By lending your perspective and leadership to our conference, sharing your experiences with peers and helping students to find their voice and hone their own leadership skills, you will help make this weekend unforgettable for so many of our Best Buddies participants and champions.As a leader for inclusion, you will help change the world, one leader at a time.
ATTENDEES
CHAPTER LEADERS
Chapter Presidents for all High School and College Chapters are required to attend BBLC. Additional student officers, Advisors and Middle School leaders are encouraged to attend as well.
JOBS PARTICIPANTS
Participants in Best Buddies Jobs Programs are encouraged to attend BBLC to further their professional development and engage in networking opportunities.
AMBASSADORS
Best Buddies Ambassadors who have participated in trainings at the state level and are interested in enhancing their public speaking skills are encouraged to attend BBLC.
TRANSITIONS STUDENTS
Students who receive Best Buddies’ Transitions and Pre-ETS services are encouraged to attend BBLC to build their independence and get a glimpse of life on a college campus.
COMMUNITY LEADERS
Advisory Board members and committee volunteers are encouraged to attend BBLC to share ideas and network with fellow leaders across the country.
Community Leaders
This educational track offers a unique and immersive training experience, where community leaders will have the opportunity to learn from experts in the field, gain new perspectives from Best Buddies participants and volunteers, network with peers, and participate in interactive activities with participants from each of our mission pillars. Trainings will be comprised of large group sessions, breakouts, panels with guest speakers, professional development sessions and roundtable discussions.
OPPORTUNITIES
PARTNERS FOR INCLUSION COMMUNITY LEADERS
This educational track offers a unique and immersive training experience, where community leaders will have the opportunity to learn from experts in the field, gain new perspectives from Best Buddies participants and volunteers, network with peers, and participate in interactive activities with participants from each of our mission pillars. Trainings will be comprised of large group sessions, breakouts, panels with guest speakers, professional development sessions and roundtable discussions.
Who who will attend?
•Corporate and Employer Partners
• Advisory Board members
•Friendship Walk committee members, Team Captains and Sponsor partners
•Champion of the Year legacy members, committee members, past Champions and Circle of Champions
•Foundation partners
•Volunteer leaders
LOGISTICS
Dates
Friday, July 18th – Sunday, July 21st
*Preferred arrival on campus on Friday by 3:30pm ET and preferred departure from campus on Sunday no earlier than 12:30pm ET
Location Indiana University
107 S Indiana Ave, Bloomington, IN 47405
Traveling by Plane
The arrival airport for flights to Best Buddies Leadership Conference (BBLC) is Indianapolis InternationalAirport (IND) which is approximately 50 miles from the Indiana University campus (about an hour drive). For conference arrival (July 18th), attendees are encouraged to book flights that land at IND before 3:00 pm ET to avoid missing conference kickoff events. Attendees are responsible for making their own plans for transportation, GO Express Travel offers regular shuttle service from the university to the airport; GO Express Travel also provides private car service, if needed.
Traveling by Car
If you will be arriving to conference in your own car, please be sure to notify your Best Buddies staff contact so we can arrange for a parking pass for your car.
Hotel Accommodations
Community leaders will stay at the BiddleHotel:IndianaMemorialUnion:IndianaUniversityBloomington on the IU campus for the duration of the conference. Room reservations will be made directly with the hotel by your Best Buddies staff partner.
