May 7-8, 2025 | Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina | Booth #127
Your schedule for the BGCA National Conference 2025 is going to be packed. Between keynotes, breakout sessions, and those hallway conversations that spark new ideas, your brain will be buzzing. But what about the moments in between? You'll be in one of the best locations in San Diego, with a few local favorites just steps away from the convention center. Make the most of your downtime and explore some of the best spots the city has to offer right outside the doors.
Here’s a short guide to making the most of your downtime near the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, the official conference venue.
The 2025 BGCA National Conference is the premier event for youth development professionals, organized by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. This year, the conference will be held from May 7 to May 9, 2025, in sunny San Diego, California. It’s an incredible opportunity for leaders and staff to connect, share insights, and discover new strategies for supporting the communities you serve. From inspiring keynotes to practical workshops, the event is designed to equip you with fresh ideas and tools. For those of us dedicated to child safety, it’s also a vital time to discuss and explore advancements in facility management and member protection. You can find more details about the conference and the full schedule as they become available.
Getting your team to the conference is a great investment, and there are often special offers to make it more accessible. Based on past events, you may find deals like a "Buy One Get One Half Off" promotion specifically for board members. This is a fantastic way to encourage more of your leadership to attend, allowing them to gain valuable knowledge and network with peers from across the country. Keep an eye on the official registration page for announcements on how your organization can take advantage of these opportunities. Having multiple team members attend can help you cover more sessions and bring back a wealth of information to your club.
To make sure you have the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official BGCA conference page for registration, schedules, and event logistics. Once you're registered, block off the dates on your calendar and start thinking about which sessions you want to prioritize. As you plan your agenda, be sure to schedule some time to walk the exhibit hall. It’s the perfect place to discover new resources and technologies. We’d love to see you at the WAVE booth (#127) to show you how our drowning detection system is creating safer swimming environments for aquatic facilities just like yours.
The Gaslamp Quarter is right outside the hotel and perfect for a casual dinner or quick happy hour. You’ll find everything from rooftop bars to quiet cafes. If you’re meeting with peers after a long day of sessions, this is a go-to spot.
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If you have a bit more time in the evening, Little Italy is a vibrant neighborhood packed with dining options. It’s a great place to grab a glass of wine, unwind, and enjoy a meal made from scratch.
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Right outside the Marriott, the San Diego Bayfront offers a scenic walking path with waterfront views, public art, and places to sit and recharge. If you need a mental break between sessions, this is the perfect 15-minute reset.
Whether your Club manages its own pool or takes kids to a community or partner facility to swim, water safety remains a top priority—and one of the highest-risk activities you oversee.
WAVE’s real-time drowning detection technology is helping facilities leaders across the country add a powerful layer of protection during swim time. It’s easy to deploy and supports staff without slowing down programming.
At Booth #127, you can:
We're giving away a free rental of a 25-swimmer WAVE system for the summer. If you take kids offsite to swim, this is a unique opportunity to enhance their safety—and if you operate your own pool, you're eligible too.
Want a more in-depth conversation? Book a time to meet during the conference and get a walkthrough tailored to your setup:
Reserve a Meeting Slot Now
We’ll see you in San Diego.
While the National Conference is your time to focus on big-picture strategy, it also highlights the daily responsibilities that make your work so impactful. For any Club with a swimming program, aquatic safety is one of the most critical operational areas you oversee. Whether you manage your own pool or take kids to a community facility, creating a secure environment is the foundation for all your youth development work. This is a significant responsibility, but it’s also your chance to show an unwavering commitment to providing the safest possible experience for every child who walks through your doors.
Your mission is to help young people reach their full potential, and that begins with providing a safe, supportive environment where they can thrive. WAVE’s real-time drowning detection technology helps facility leaders add a powerful layer of protection during swim time. Our system is designed to be a seamless partner for your aquatic staff, providing immediate alerts that help lifeguards respond faster when seconds matter most. It’s an easy-to-deploy solution that supports your team without slowing down programming. This allows you to focus on what you do best: creating positive, life-changing experiences for kids, knowing you have an extra layer of protection in place. You can learn more about how it works to support your existing safety protocols.
While the National Conference is a major highlight, the work of empowering youth and strengthening communities happens all year. The Boys & Girls Clubs of America offers a rich calendar of programs and events designed to celebrate young leaders and provide ongoing development for board members and staff. These initiatives are the lifeblood of the organization, turning the inspiration you gain at the annual conference into tangible action and impact back home. From prestigious awards that recognize outstanding youth to targeted training sessions for leaders, these opportunities keep the entire BGCA network connected, informed, and focused on the mission.
For more than 75 years, the Youth of the Year program has been a cornerstone of the BGCA experience. This powerful initiative is about so much more than an award; it celebrates young people who show exceptional leadership, help their communities, excel in school, and commit to healthy lifestyles. It gives teens a platform to share their stories, build confidence, and become powerful advocates for themselves and their peers. The program is a living testament to the incredible potential within every Club and the profound impact that dedicated mentorship and real opportunities can have on a young person's life.
Receiving the Youth of the Year title is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can achieve. The program recognizes and celebrates the most outstanding young people from Clubs across the nation, culminating in a national winner who becomes a key voice for their generation. These young leaders embody the core values and mission of the BGCA, and their personal journeys inspire everyone in the organization, from fellow members to the board leaders who guide the Clubs. Their stories serve as a powerful reminder of why the work you do every single day matters so much.
Effective leadership is the backbone of every successful Club, and the BGCA provides robust support for its volunteer board members. Beyond the National Conference, the organization offers a wealth of training and development opportunities designed to help you govern with confidence and strategic insight. These resources ensure your board is equipped to handle key responsibilities, from financial oversight to long-term planning, which allows you to steer your Club toward a sustainable and impactful future. It's a great practice for board members to regularly check the official BGCA site for the latest event flyers and calendars to stay informed.
The BGCA understands the demanding schedules of its board members and offers a variety of accessible training formats to match. The organization’s website lists numerous training events, webinars, and conferences for board members scheduled throughout the year. Whether you attend a regional summit or participate in an on-demand virtual workshop, these opportunities provide flexible ways to sharpen your skills, connect with peers, and stay current on best practices in nonprofit governance. This commitment to continuous learning is what strengthens the entire BGCA network, from national leadership down to every local Club.
Even as you wrap up one conference, it’s never too early to start thinking about the next one. Planning ahead helps you make the most of this invaluable opportunity for professional growth and networking. The 2026 National Conference for board leaders of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America is already on the calendar, promising another chance to gather with your peers, learn from experts, and return to your Club with renewed energy and fresh ideas. Be sure to mark your calendar now for this essential event in the BGCA year.
The next national gathering will take place in the vibrant city of Charlotte, North Carolina. The official venue for the 2026 conference is the Charlotte Convention Center, a modern facility located right in the heart of the city. This central location provides easy access to accommodations, dining, and local attractions, which will make for a convenient and enjoyable conference experience for everyone. Get ready to explore a new city while connecting with fellow leaders who share your deep passion for the BGCA mission.
Make sure to block off your calendar for the 2026 BGCA National Conference, scheduled from Tuesday, April 28, to Friday, May 1, 2026. Setting aside the time now helps you and your fellow board members plan accordingly to ensure your Club is well-represented. This four-day event will be packed with sessions, keynotes, and networking events you won’t want to miss. It's a dedicated time to build your leadership skills and find new ways to contribute to your Club's long-term success.
The core purpose of the National Conference is to help board members lead with greater clarity, confidence, and purpose. Every session and workshop is designed to give you the tools and insights needed to guide your organization effectively. This focus on strong governance is what enables Clubs to provide safe, enriching environments where young people can thrive. By investing in your own leadership, you directly support the mission of creating great futures. It's a goal we at WAVE are proud to share, and we support it by helping you uphold the highest standards of aquatic safety at your facilities.
Why should I visit the WAVE booth if my Club doesn't have its own pool? That's a great question. Many Clubs partner with community or municipal pools for their swim programs, and water safety is a shared responsibility. Our system is portable and easy to deploy, so it can be used at partner facilities to add a crucial layer of protection. Plus, our summer rental giveaway is open to all Clubs, whether you own a pool or not, giving you a chance to enhance safety wherever your kids swim.
We already have certified lifeguards. How does your system add to our existing safety plan? We see our technology as a powerful support tool for your aquatic staff. Lifeguards do an incredible job, but even the best can't see everything at once, especially in crowded or murky water. The WAVE system acts as a second set of eyes, monitoring every swimmer and providing immediate alerts if someone is submerged for too long. This helps your team respond faster when seconds are critical, reinforcing the great work they already do.
My conference schedule is tight. How much time should I set aside to see a demo at your booth? We know how packed conference days can be. You can see a full live demo and get a feel for how the system works in just a few minutes. If you'd like to have a more detailed conversation about your Club's specific needs, you can always use the link in the post to reserve a dedicated time slot with our team.
Is this system complicated for our staff to set up and use? Not at all. We designed the WAVE system with busy aquatic facilities in mind. It's straightforward to set up before swim time and simple for your staff to operate. The goal is to integrate seamlessly into your existing safety protocols and support your team, not add another complicated process to their day.
How can my Club participate in the summer rental giveaway? It's simple. Just stop by Booth #127 during the conference to enter. We're giving away a free summer rental of a 25-swimmer WAVE system. It's a fantastic opportunity for any Club to try the technology and provide an extra measure of safety for your members during the busiest swimming season.