WASHINGTON, May 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Blackboard Inc., the world's leading education technology company, today announced astronaut Capt. Mark Kelly will deliver the BbWorld 2016 keynote address. BbWorld is one of the largest education technology conferences in the world, bringing together educators, administrators and industry thought leaders to network, share successes and challenges, and build action plans addressing critical education needs. This year's conference will take place July 12–14 at The Venetian in Las Vegas, NV. 

NASA astronaut Capt. Mark Kelly

Capt. Kelly commanded space shuttles Endeavour and Discovery, and is one of two individuals to visit the International Space Station on four separate occasions. In 2011, an assassination attempt on Kelly's wife, former U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, caught international attention, and the couple became a symbol of strength and perseverance. An American hero who exemplifies courage under pressure, Kelly will provide BbWorld attendees insights drawn from his experiences in leading teams in dynamic environments, the thrill of spaceflight and a deep commitment to career and family.

Blackboard Chairman, CEO and President Bill Ballhaus will deliver the BbWorld 2016 opening keynote address. The conference keynote lineup also includes Adm. James Stavridis, dean of The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, Col. Steven Dlvaux, vice provost of academic affairs of the Army University at Fort Leavenworth, leaders from Kansas' Lawrence Public Schools including Dr. Angelique Nedved, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning, Dr. Jerri Kemble, Assistant Superintendent of Education Programs & Technology and second grade teacher Paula Barr, recipient of the iNACOL Blended and Online Learning Teacher of the Year Award, and more.

BbWorld 2016 also features a myriad of sessions led by faculty from colleges and universities that are influencers in innovation, including Princeton University, Arizona State University, and the University of New Mexico.

BbWorld LIVE, a free digital companion to the conference, features 10 hours of live stream content, including keynotes and sessions from the K–12, Higher Ed and ProEd tracks. More information is available at www.BbWorldLive.com.

"BbWorld features a packed three-day agenda with something for everyone," said Katie Blot, SVP of Global Strategy and Marketing & Business Line Management at Blackboard. "We've built a striking lineup of sessions that will highlight innovations in education and best-of-breed solutions that will help attendees solve issues that matter to their students and faculty."

For up-to-date information and to register for BbWorld 2016, please visit www.BbWorld.com. .

About Blackboard Inc.
Blackboard is the world's leading education technology company. We challenge conventional thinking and advance new models of learning to reimagine education as more accessible, engaging and relevant to the modern-day learner and the institutions that serve them. In partnership with our customers in higher education and K-12, as well as with corporations and government agencies around the world, our mission is to help every learner achieve their full potential by inspiring a passion for lifelong learning. For more information about Blackboard, follow us on Twitter @Blackboard.

CONTACT:
D'Anthony White, Blackboard Inc.
202.303.9314 or
DAnthony.White@Blackboard.com

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SOURCE Blackboard Inc.

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