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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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GIGABYTE Named Official PC Monitor Sponsor of FINAL FANTASY XIV Fan Festival 2026 in Anaheim

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LOS ANGELES, April 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — GIGABYTE, the world’s leading computer company, today announced its role as the Official PC Monitor Sponsor of the FINAL FANTASY XIV Fan Festival 2026, taking place from April 24 to April 25 at Anaheim Convention Center in California, USA. As part of the sponsorship, GIGABYTE will power the event’s PvP tournament stage with its MO27Q2A OLED gaming monitors, delivering an immersive and competitive gameplay experience for both players and fans.

At the center of the showcase is the GIGABYTE MO27Q2A, the OLED gaming monitor engineered to elevate the experience of FINAL FANTASY XIV. From richly detailed environments and dramatic lighting effects to fast-paced raid mechanics and PvP encounters, the MO27Q2A enhances every aspect of gameplay with deep contrast, vibrant color accuracy, and ultra-fast 0.03ms response time. Its OLED panel brings Eorzea to life with true blacks and exceptional clarity, while 280Hz high refresh rates ensure smooth, responsive performance during intense battles, making it an ideal display for both competitive play and immersive exploration.

Beyond the MO27Q2A monitor, GIGABYTE’s expanding monitor lineup continues to deliver cutting-edge display technology for gamers and creators alike. Featured models include the MO27U2 and MO32U, offering high-resolution visuals and immersive performance for both competitive and cinematic experiences, as well as the GO27Q24G, designed for smooth, responsive gameplay with high refresh rates and versatile performance in the budget friendly segmentation.

To further celebrate the partnership, GIGABYTE will be hosting a special social media giveaway in collaboration with the FINAL FANTASY XIV team, featuring 30 exclusive merchandise prizes. Fans can participate via a Gleam-powered campaign by following GIGABYTE and FINAL FANTASY XIV social channels for a chance to win. The giveaway will run from April 23 to April 30, inviting the community to engage and celebrate the event together.

With its focus on OLED innovation, high refresh rates, and gamer-centric features, GIGABYTE continues to push the boundaries of display performance, empowering players to experience their favorite titles with unmatched precision and immersion.

For more information on GIGABYTE monitors and the giveaway experience, please visit the official event page to learn more.

Media Contact:
GIGABYTE USA PR Team
City of Industry, California
gbtusa_marketing@gigabyteusa.com

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SOURCE GIGABYTE

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Fun Services Announces Full Integration of Cliffhanger Productions Amusements Operations Beginning 2026

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TOTOWA, N.J., April 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Fun Services is proud to announce the full transition and integration of Cliffhanger Productions Amusements operations under the Fun Services brand, effective January 1, 2026.

Following the acquisition of Cliffhanger Productions Amusements contracts in 2023, Fun Services has continued to operate and service events under the Cliffhanger name during a multi-year transition period. Beginning in 2026, all clients, events, and bookings will be managed directly through Fun Services.

This transition marks a significant milestone in the company’s growth, reinforcing its commitment to delivering high-quality amusement rentals, event services, and customer support across the region.

“Over the past few years, we’ve worked closely with Cliffhanger clients to ensure a seamless experience,” said Anthony Lombardi III, CEO of Fun Services. “As we move into 2026, we’re excited to officially bring all operations to Fun Services, allowing us to expand offerings, streamline service, and continue building strong relationships with our clients.”

Fun Services will continue to provide the same popular attractions and event equipment that clients have come to expect, including:

Mechanical ridesCarnival game trailersInflatablesFull-service event setups

Clients can expect enhanced booking processes, expanded inventory options, and continued reliability backed by the Fun Services team.

Anthony Lombardi, Owner of Fun Services, added, “This transition allows us to grow while maintaining the quality and consistency that Cliffhanger clients are used to. Our focus remains on making every event successful, safe, and memorable.”

All existing contracts and relationships will be honored, with no disruption to scheduled events. Clients will now work directly with Fun Services for all future bookings, inquiries, and event planning needs.

For more information or to book an event, please contact:

Fun Services
(973) 450-9610
info@njfunservices.com
https://eventsbyfunservices.com

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SOURCE Events by Fun Services

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Alchemy Technology Group Acquires IOvations to Grow Its Northeast Presence

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HOUSTON, April 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Alchemy Technology Group, an IT advisory, consulting, and reseller firm and a portfolio company of Avance Investment Management, has acquired IOvations, a Burlington, Massachusetts-based cybersecurity solution provider.

The acquisition expands Alchemy’s cybersecurity portfolio and further extends its geographic reach into the Northeast, giving customers access to deeper expertise in cloud security, advanced threat detection, and Zero Trust architectures. IOvations brings long-standing customer relationships and proven experience helping organizations build modern security strategies.

“IOvations is a perfect fit in our acquisition strategy,” said Wes Davis, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Alchemy Technology Group. “They have a terrific, longstanding customer base in a dynamic growth market for us. We love quality businesses built on the same core principals as Alchemy: trusted relationships, elite domain expertise, and a history of execution.”

For IOvations’ customers and partners, joining Alchemy provides access to a broader set of capabilities while preserving the specialized security focus they rely on today.

“Becoming part of Alchemy strengthens our ability to support our clients and their evolving needs,” said Jim Sacco, CEO and Founder at IOvations. “Our clients will gain access to expanded expertise in cloud, data, digital workspace, AI, and application development, while continuing to work with the same IOvations team they know and trust. Culturally, there is a strong alignment around our client-first approach, focusing on positive outcomes, investing in technical talent, and building long-term relationships.”

This transaction marks Alchemy’s second acquisition in as many months. With the support of Avance, Alchemy intends to continue its strategy of building a national platform through targeted acquisitions that complement its strong organic growth.

About Alchemy Technology Group

Alchemy Technology Group is an award-winning reseller of next-generation technology solutions and a provider of high-touch consulting and advisory services. Focused on critical software solutions such as cybersecurity, digital workspace, data, cloud, application development, and AI, Alchemy was purpose-built to go beyond the offerings of a traditional VAR and take a truly client- and vendor-centric approach. For more information, visit www.alchemytechgroup.com.

About IOvations

IOvations is a Burlington, Massachusetts-based cybersecurity solutions provider focused on helping customers protect critical systems, data, and users. The company specializes in modern security architectures with a focus on Zero Trust strategies and protecting critical infrastructure. IOvations works closely with customers to design and operate practical, resilient security programs that keep pace with evolving risks and regulatory requirements. For more information, please visit www.iovations.com.

About Avance Investment Management 

Avance Investment Management is a private equity firm with a passion for building great businesses in partnership with talented founders and management teams. Avance focuses primarily on thematic investments within the Services, Technology, and Consumer areas in the U.S., seeking attractive opportunities with catalysts for growth and fragmented spaces with consolidation opportunities. Avance’s team has a long history of partnering with founder-owned businesses, industry executives, and management teams and aims to add value to each investment through the application of its STAGE™ value creation framework. Avance has offices in New York and Miami. For more information, please visit www.avanceinv.com.

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SOURCE Alchemy Technology Group, LLC

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