{"id":127,"date":"2024-12-09T17:47:39","date_gmt":"2024-12-09T17:47:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/bblz\/?page_id=127"},"modified":"2026-04-10T20:41:48","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T20:41:48","slug":"faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/bblc\/faq\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Frequently Asked Questions\n<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
What are the dates of this year\u2019s conference? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Best Buddies Leadership Conference will be held at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana from July 17 \u2013 July 20, 2026.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
Why is the Best Buddies Leadership Conference (BBLC) important? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStudent and community leaders for Best Buddies commit to change the lives of people with and without disabilities. Best Buddies International is 100% dedicated to fulfilling all the commitments we make. The best way we have found to improve the odds of our chapters and community leaders fulfilling this commitment is by offering high quality personalized training. BBLC attendees have the chance to share ideas and learn strategies to create positive change in their community. Statistics show that those who attend BBLC are more likely to succeed in managing chapters and engaging their communities in Best Buddies\u2019 mission. \u200b\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
Where is BBLC held? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBest Buddies Leadership Conference is held annually at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Conference attendees use the campus facilities for trainings and events; attendees stay in the dorms on campus and participate in education forums and lectures in the campus classrooms and auditorium.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
How do I register for BBLC? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYou can register for BBLC right here on the site: REGISTER<\/a>.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
How much does this year\u2019s conference cost? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Best Buddies Leadership Conference is $400 for all general attendees; $450 for Community Leaders; and $650 for Advisors seeking continuing education credits for professional development hours.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
What do I do if I have a dietary concern? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe dining services staff are able to accommodate special dietary needs. Please note your dietary restrictions on your registration form.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
Do I need to bring any money? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThere will be an official Best Buddies Shop that will sell a variety of items , including limited edition items only sold at conference. Merchandise prices range from $0.50 to $50 per item.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
What should I pack for my stay at conference? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEach attendee will be provided with a set of sheets, a pillow, a pillow case, and a towel. Please remember to bring a blanket as it is not provided and the rooms can get cold. Some of the dorms have communal restrooms. We recommend you bring any additional comforts that will make your stay more pleasant. Some suggestions are: shower shoes, bathrobes, blankets. Please note that the weather in Indiana is hot and humid during the day and can be cool at night. The Indiana University dorms and buildings are air-conditioned so blankets and jackets are highly advised.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
If I use BBLC Online Fundraising or have a fundraiser with my chapter to secure my travel costs, what happens to any extra money raised? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAny extra funds raised will be used to support Best Buddies in your state or country. Your additional fundraising efforts can be used to help support another officer or chapter in your state\/region to attend the conference. Funds cannot be carried over to cover costs for future conferences.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
Will individual staff or volunteers be assigned to assist participants with daily living needs? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

No. Best Buddies does not provide one-on-one staff or volunteers to support daily living needs such as medication management, toileting, personal hygiene, or other personal care services.<\/span><\/p>

Participants must be able to manage daily living needs independently or attend with a caregiver who can provide necessary support.<\/span><\/p>

If a participant requires accommodations, we are committed to working with families and state staff to determine what is feasible. Please indicate any accommodation needs during registration so our team can review and follow up in advance of the conference.<\/span><\/p>

Our goal is to ensure a safe, supportive, and successful experience for all attendees.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Travel\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
How am I going to get to Indiana? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAll attendees are responsible for securing their travel arrangements to and from Indiana. All modes of transportation should be explored to find the most efficient and cost effective means to arrive at the conference. Your Best Buddies staff contact is available to assist you with booking your travel and has helpful travel resources available.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
When should I arrive in and depart from Indiana? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

For information on arrival and departure parameters, please visit the Travel<\/a> page.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
What if I am raising my travel costs through BBLC Online Fundraising? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOnce you raise enough money to cover the cost of your travel, you will work with your Best Buddies staff contact to find and book your travel for you.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIf I am not using BBLC Online Fundraising, what do I do after I book my flight?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYou will receive an e-mail with a link to a Conference Travel form where you can enter your travel details and submit to Best Buddies. You can also send your travel itinerary to your Best Buddies staff contact. This is to ensure you get picked up from the airport by Best Buddies staff and are transported by bus to Indiana University.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
How will I find Best Buddies staff and get to the conference once I land at the Indianapolis International Airport (IND)? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBest Buddies will have over 50 staff members and volunteers that will greet you at the airport in Indianapolis. Attendees are encouraged to wear Best Buddies apparel as this will identify you as a conference participant to our staff members and airport personnel. Staff will be waiting directly outside security to meet each flight. They will escort all participants from security to baggage claim and then onto one of our charter buses. The charter buses will bring our participants to the Indiana University campus, which is approximately one hour from the airport.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
Where do I park if I am driving myself to the conference? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIf you are driving to Indiana University, you will receive a parking pass and campus map via e-mail from Best Buddies. Attendees\u2019 cars, with the parking pass displayed, will be parked in a campus lot two blocks from the dormitory.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Education Tracks<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
What is Best Buddies LIFE? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

<\/p>

<\/p>

Best Buddies LIFE is a new interactive conference track at the Best Buddies Leadership Conference designed specifically for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are working toward personal growth, employment success, and greater independence.<\/span><\/p>

Participants attend workshops aligned with their personal and professional goals<\/b>, creating a more customized and meaningful experience.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
Who should register for Best Buddies LIFE? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Best Buddies LIFE is a great fit for individuals who are:<\/p>

  • Exploring work for the first time<\/li>
  • Seeking competitive employment<\/li>
  • Building skills in their early career (1\u20133 years employed)<\/li>
  • Pursuing career advancement<\/li>
  • Working toward greater independence<\/li>
  • Interested in strengthening leadership and public speaking skills<\/li><\/ul>

    If you are ready to take your next step \u2014 in employment, independence, or leadership \u2014 this track is for you.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

    \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
    How is Best Buddies LIFE different from other BBLC tracks? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    Best Buddies LIFE is goal-driven and employment-stage aligned<\/strong>.<\/p>

    During registration, participants identify:<\/p>

    • One personal goal they are actively working toward<\/li>
    • One professional goal they are actively working toward<\/li>
    • Their employment stage<\/li><\/ul>

      Sessions are intentionally aligned to support those goals through structured, hands-on learning experiences.<\/p>

      Rather than a one-size-fits-all model, content is designed to meet participants at their current life and career stage.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

      \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
      What is the difference between the Advisors track and the Advisors Continuing Education Track <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

      The Advisors Continuing Education track offers professional education programs, activities, and learning experiences toward continuing education for advisors who wish to receive contact hours toward their state\u2019s professional education requirements. These training courses will meet the requirements of interpersonal skills in a school environment, access to post-secondary education options for students with disabilities, and activities around inclusive classrooms.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

      \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
      How many contact hours can be claimed for the Advisors Continuing Education Track? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

      Best Buddies anticipates ten hours available to claim in continuing professional education programs, activities or learning experiences throughout the conference. The following breakdown outlines the hours assigned to each topic:<\/p>