Get Ready for BBLC 2024!

Best Buddies participants from New Hampshire and Vermont posing in front of an inflatable Best Buddies sign. The sign is a large Best Buddies Logo reading “Best Buddies”.

Get Ready for BBLC 2024!

Summer is approaching and for all of our Best Buddies participants that means the Best Buddies Leadership Conference (BBLC) is on the horizon! BBLC is an annual conference that invites Best Buddies participants from all over the world to come together, share experiences, and make change. BBLC showcases all of the work that Best Buddies does as an organization -- it empowers leaders and it creates a space for everyone to share their passion for inclusion and friendship. 

This year, 2024, the Best Buddies Leadership Conference will be held at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana from July 19th to 22nd. The theme for the conference is “Every Buddy Belongs”. This year’s conference will emphasize inclusion and belonging within Best Buddies. It will equip the attendees with knowledge and skills to facilitate belonging in their schools, workplaces, communities and more. 

For Best Buddies participants, BBLC is an experience of a lifetime! Many of our YLC members have had the opportunity to attend BBLC and they were all positively impacted by the experience. They are going to share with you their favorite part of BBLC and one piece of advice for anyone who is attending BBLC this year!

Angelo Santiago attended BBLC as a Connecticut Ambassador. His favorite part of BBLC was “Learning from the best about different ways to spread inclusion…speech writing and being surrounded by friends who share the same values/interests. Plus opening and closing ceremonies.” Angelo would like anyone attending BBLC in 2024 to “Be prepared to have fun and [have] informative conversations about how to be a better leader!”

As a California Ambassador, Caley Versfelt attended BBLC. She says, “I love everything about LC. My first experience was really amazing especially with the speech coaches, being on stage in the opening ceremony, and closing ceremony. I spoke at LC as well. My second experience was last year in person after COVID. I also enjoyed doing the fashion show with my friends and helping David Quilleon with the donations on stage. This year is now my 4th year and I'm looking forward to working with the YLC this year at the conference.” Caley wants everyone who attends BBLC to stay connected! She recommends exchanging phone numbers so you can stay in touch after BBLC. She adds, “Have a Good Time! Learn something new. Have courage and believe in yourself you can do anything that you put your mind to. Don’t underestimate yourself.”

Terence Moore had the opportunity to attend BBLC as a member of the Ambassadors and the Jobs program. His favorite part was “Being with everybody! Having awesome activities in the meetings and group events!” Terence wants everyone at BBLC to “make new friends”. 

Sofie Dalton has been to BBLC three times! She went with her High School, Yorktown High School, in 2018 and 2019. Last year, 2023, she attended as a YLC Member. Sophie says her favorite part of BBLC is “Meeting Best Buddies leaders from around the world and learning from their experiences!” She recommends that you “Talk to new people! Everyone is so friendly and wants to meet you. You will learn so much from other leaders.”

As an Ambassador for Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Jacob Myers had the opportunity to attend BBLC. His favorite part was the opening and closing ceremonies. Jacob wants everyone who attends BBLC to “just be yourself and introduce yourself to others, to make new friends and have fun!”

Nathan Moldavsky attended BBLC as a YLC Member. His favorite part was, “Meeting so many inspirational leaders around the world who share the same passion for creating a more inclusive and equitable environment!” Nathan wants every one who attends BBLC in 2024 to “Be open to meeting new people and trying new things! There are so many great panels, sessions, and events at BBLC to help you grow your leadership skills, and I encourage you to take advantage of these amazing opportunities.”

As a YLC Member, Vanessa Ocana, attended BBLC. She says, “Last year, I had an opportunity to attend the Best Buddies International Leadership Conference…As a member of the Best Buddies Young Leaders Council, I had the honor of co-facilitating Hosting Accessible Events alongside Nathan Moldavsky…As a person whose disability includes a mobility device BBLC was a challenge. I am so incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by a phenomenal group of leaders dedicated to ensuring participants of all abilities have the best experience possible.” Vanessa advice for BBLC attendees: “Before LC: Rest up as much as you can! During LC: Enjoy everything LC has to offer, attending sessions, forming friendships and everlasting memories!  After LC: Take a moment to share your experience by completing the survey. Doing so ensures BBLC is better than ever in 2025!”

Amir Geva attended BBLC as an Ambassador and a Jobs Program participant. Amir says, “My favorite part of LC is the workshops, getting to meet new people,  and the opening and closing ceremonies…Do not be afraid to ask questions. Staff and people will always have an answer.”

As a High School Chapter Leader, Abby Ingersoll attended BBLC. Her favorite part was “meeting other chapter leaders in my state and making friends that had such similar interests to mine.” She wants anyone who attends BBLC to not be “afraid to talk to the people around you that you don’t know! Everyone there is so friendly!”

Overall BBLC is an enriching experience for anyone who attends. If you are a Best Buddies Participant and you have the opportunity we all encourage you to attend BBLC. The YLC can’t wait to see you all at BBLC this year!

Learn More About BBLC!

In friendship, 

Izabel Korbet

YLC Member, New Hampshire