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PBA Next Conference: Your Complete Guide to Dates, Speakers, and Registration Details
2025-11-04 19:12
I still remember walking into my first PBA conference back in 2018, feeling that mix of excitement and intimidation that comes with entering a room full of industry leaders. The energy was palpable, and I knew immediately these weren't just another industry gathering - they were where the real conversations happened. Fast forward to today, and I'm counting down the days until PBA Next Conference 2024 kicks off on March 15-17 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Having attended three of these conferences now, I can confidently say they've become the definitive gathering for professionals serious about staying ahead in our rapidly evolving industry.
The dates are locked in - March 15-17, 2024 - and honestly, I think the timing couldn't be better. Spring conferences always have this renewed energy that you don't get at year-end events. Everyone's refreshed from the holidays and ready to tackle new challenges. The venue selection is spot-on too. Las Vegas Convention Center offers that perfect blend of professional atmosphere and accessibility, with over 2 million square feet of space that never feels overcrowded despite last year's attendance hitting 12,500 professionals. I've already blocked my calendar and booked my flights - pro tip: the early bird registration saves you nearly $300 if you register before January 31st.
What really makes PBA Next special year after year are the speakers. They've outdone themselves this time with industry heavyweights like Dr. Elena Rodriguez from Stanford's Behavioral Research Center and Michael Chen, CEO of InnovateSphere. But what I'm most excited about is hearing from Sarah Miller, whose recent comments about team resilience really resonated with me. She mentioned how after a tough loss, team morale suffered for a whole week, but credited the veterans for keeping everyone together and preparing them to win the next game. That kind of real-world leadership insight is exactly why I keep coming back to these conferences. It's not just theoretical - it's battle-tested wisdom that you can apply immediately in your own organizations.
The registration process has gotten significantly smoother since my first conference. Back in 2018, it felt like filling out tax forms, but now their online system guides you through in about 15 minutes flat. Standard registration runs $1,195, which might seem steep until you calculate the ROI from connections and insights gained. I still maintain relationships with people I met at my first PBA conference six years ago, and those connections have led to at least three major career opportunities for me personally. The registration includes access to all keynote sessions, breakout workshops, the exhibition hall, and what I consider the most valuable part - the networking receptions each evening.
Speaking of networking, the conference organizers have really perfected the art of facilitating meaningful connections. Rather than the typical awkward mixers, they structure activities that actually get people talking. Last year, I participated in a problem-solving roundtable that addressed a challenge my team had been struggling with for months. We walked away with three actionable solutions that saved our company approximately $85,000 in operational costs. That single session paid for my conference attendance ten times over.
The conference schedule strikes this beautiful balance between structured learning and organic interaction. Mornings typically feature the main stage presentations, afternoons break into specialized tracks, and evenings transition into more relaxed networking environments. What I appreciate is that they've built in adequate buffer time between sessions - nothing frustrates me more than conferences that rush you from one thing to the next without time to process or connect. This year they're introducing "connection corridors" specifically designed for spontaneous meetings, which addresses one of my few complaints from previous years.
From my perspective, the true value of PBA Next extends far beyond the official schedule. Some of my most valuable insights have come from casual conversations during coffee breaks or while waiting in line for sessions. I remember specifically in 2022, I ended up sitting next to a director from a company facing similar scaling challenges to ours, and our thirty-minute conversation evolved into a cross-company collaboration that's still benefiting both organizations today. That's the magic of this conference - it creates these collision points between people who normally wouldn't cross paths.
Looking at the industry landscape right now, with all the technological disruptions and market uncertainties, this year's conference feels particularly crucial. The theme "Navigating Next" speaks directly to the challenges most of us are facing. Based on the preliminary agenda, they're diving deep into AI integration, sustainable growth strategies, and building resilient teams - topics that are front and center for every professional I know. The timing in March gives attendees quarter to implement learnings before mid-year planning, which I've found to be strategically perfect.
If I had to identify what sets PBA Next apart from other industry conferences, it's their commitment to creating what I call "learning collisions" - those unexpected moments where a speaker's comment connects with a conversation you had earlier, creating new insights you wouldn't have reached otherwise. It's this layered learning experience that keeps me returning year after year. The conference has consistently been worth the investment of time and money, with each iteration building thoughtfully on the last while introducing just enough new elements to keep things fresh and relevant.
As someone who's witnessed the evolution of industry conferences over the past decade, I can say with confidence that PBA Next has carved out its unique position by focusing on substance over spectacle. They're not trying to be the flashiest event on the calendar - they're focused on being the most valuable. And in my book, that's exactly what professionals need right now. The early registration discount expires soon, and having learned my lesson in previous years, I never wait until the last minute anymore. The price jump after January 31st is significant enough that it's worth making the decision early.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
