In the latest episode of ADDcast, we discuss the 2026 BTC with Paul Borneman from Island Energy and Amy Katsigiannis from ADD Systems. Paul discusses the benefits he found from the 2023 BTC, and Amy explains the process of making the BTC successful. The 2026 BTC promises informative educational sessions, new product announcements, countless opportunities for professional growth, and relationship-building, all in a family-friendly environment.
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Brian Cohen: Welcome to ADDcast. I’m ADD Systems Multimedia Specialist Brian Cohen. Joining me today is Paul Borneman, Director of Dispatch and Supply at Island Energy Services, as well as Amy Katsigiannis, BTC and Special Projects Coordinator at ADD Systems. Paul, Amy, thank you both for joining me today.
Paul Borneman: Thank you very much for having me. I’m glad to be a part of this.
Amy Katsigiannis: Yeah. Thanks for having us, Brian.
Brian: Paul, let’s start with you. Could you start by telling us a little bit about your role at Island Energy?
Paul: Sure. We are ADD users. So, we have been involved in using ADDs for a number of years, but once our company started consolidating a couple things, we actually started using it, hopefully more correctly. We used to print tickets on a dot matrix printer in triplicate form from a blue screen up until about five years ago. And then we started having a lot of ADD specialists come out. We started using the Raven for deliveries, we’re now using Pegasus and service. And so, my role here is we live out on an island out to sea. So, part of our logistics end of it is actually scheduling things up on a boat. I do reservations for that, get in touch with terminals as far as what we’re getting, bring it over here. And then making sure it goes out to the customers. And then part of our storage facility falls under me since we’re users of it. Just kind of making sure that everybody stays nice and warm, and restaurants are going.
Brian: Excellent. And Amy, a little bit about your role with ADD Systems.
Amy: I started with ADD systems about 20 years ago, 19 years ago. And I started in sales support. And then from sales support, I moved up to an administrative role. And then from there, in 2019, I moved over to the BTC and Special Projects Coordinator.
Brian: Well, today’s topic is perfect then because we’re going to be talking about something that both ADD Systems as well as ADD customers get really excited for and that is the 2026 BTC. Paul, how long have you personally been attending the conference?
Paul: My first conference was actually in 2023. I’ve been in the industry just over 20 years now. And this was my first time doing it. As I said, we just started using ADDs correctly. So, as we got to meet different people within ADDs coming out and showing us how to do different things, just kind of formed some good relationships that opened up talking points and different things at the BTC itself.
Brian: Well, since it was your first time attending, what drew you to the conference in the first place? And when you were headed there, what were you personally looking to gain from it?
Paul: Well, what really drew me to it was delving more into the ADD System. It didn’t have to do with Disney. I managed to set my schedule a little bit differently than some people. I booked myself completely in all the different sessions day in and day out. And even on the day time, if I had a little bit of time in between, I kind of met with different vendors and things like that. It really just opened up some new avenues for relationships – not only with other people in the same industry, but also some of the vendors and just strengthen a lot of the contacts that we had.
Brian: Well, Amy, bringing you into the conversation now, can you talk about your history with the BTC?
Amy: Sure. I attended the first ever Disney BTC, which was at the Coronado Springs in 2001. I was a freshman in college, and I have attended every BTC since. I think maybe that’s around 7 BTCs. I became the BTC and Special Projects Coordinator in 2019. So, we were one year out from our 2020 BTC and, unfortunately, that event was postponed due to COVID. So the first BTC that I actually helped plan and execute was the 2023 BTC, which was awesome because it also coincided with our 50th anniversary, so the event was that much more significant for us.
Brian: Well, I guess we should probably get the most important question out of the way, Amy, and I’m going to direct this to you. Again, talking about the 2026 BTC, who, what, when, where, and I guess we could save the how for when we’re a little closer to the actual event.
Amy: The 2026 BTC is going to be held at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort in Orlando, Florida, from May 18th to the 22nd. It’s a great venue that can accommodate the size of our event. With the tremendous growth that we saw in attendance from 2017 to 2023, we’re going to get to move to the larger conference space at the Convention Center.
Brian: What are some of the things that people can expect to gain from attending the BTC?
Amy: I think the thing that we promote the most is collaboration. This is really a time for ADD clients to hear what we have to offer through our informative sessions, but it’s also a great opportunity to speak face-to-face with ADD employees and other ADD users. I think that’s probably the most beneficial part of our conference. I also think one of the most valuable parts of the BTC is meeting our ADD User Group, which is our AUG. Those members have so much to offer to other ADD clients. So, really, it’s invaluable.
Brian: Paul, bringing you back into the discussion, what are some of the most important things you’ve gained from attending the BTC, and what were you able to bring back to your company?
Paul: A lot of it actually, I completely agree. I was active in the AUG groups before going down to the BTC. Not a lot of people use video when doing it, so it’s nice to just simply put a face to the name, and then be able to sit down and join meals with different people. I chose a different table every time. I sat somewhere and just randomly ran into people from where I used to live in Pennsylvania to people from Alaska. It’s just great keeping busy, getting to learn different people within the groups, which actually helps strengthen relationships to where I even contact some people outside of the AUG groups. I have them in my phone; I’ll shoot them a text. And the same thing with the vendors as well. Part of what I was able to bring back was different relationships with, even if we didn’t necessarily choose a new vendor for one of the things that we do, I was able to take the ideas that they were proposing, and ask our current ones if it’s something that they could do. So it worked well that way. And another part of what I just personally had a lot of fun doing was some of the non-traditional activities, like going to a walking group in the mornings, and just being able to talk to a couple people. The different events that ADDs would actually also host in the evenings, going to different parts of the amusement park because I’ve never been to Disney, and my wife never had either. I knew that I was going to be busy in the conferences, so she didn’t want me going to a bunch of stuff, asking her to come and go to everything, and we wouldn’t be able to spend that time together. We’re going to do another trip in the future where it’ll be the family going. But by keeping busy but also having that little bit of downtime where, okay, I’m not buying a park pass for this. I actually get to go on one of the rides along with a couple other people, it was just, it was a lot of fun. It’s very informal that way, where you’re really just hanging out with friends which, once again, really strengthens the bonds that I have with some of the people now.
Brian: Excellent. Well, one of the key benefits to attending the BTC are the product updates and plans for the future. Paul, what were your thoughts on the sessions that you attended?
Paul: They were all interesting. Once again, I’m not involved in every aspect of the industry. Like I’m not in the billing part. But it was nice, go to Qualpay and see what they’re doing. It was nice to go to other things because it just gave me a little bit better understanding of what other people even do within our company, and then be able to report back some of the practices other people use. What actually helps a lot with that, too, once again, are the AUG groups. As I talked to different people there, I was trying to talk them into joining and saying, “Hey, it’s this type of thing where you’re talking to other people just like you are here down in Disney.” And a lot of people have started to talk and then we might even send a side chat to each other during the different AUG groups. And it’s just phenomenal that way.
Brian: Were there any sessions that stood out to you?
Paul: There were several things that actually stood out. One was just the opening session with everybody there. I loved the closing session, being able to see the entire ADD family together, seeing some of their extended family. I thought that was neat. To specific events, going into maybe more what I do within the company, like if it’s a Raven type thing, going to a monitor type thing. Learning about, and I’m still learning with the SmartConnect, like I understood the concept behind it. I knew that we used it, but realizing how much it can do, learning different things of BI and reporting to even the sales rep from ADDs that we deal with took several different people from his area out to dinner one night. And that was great because I met a lot of people. He happens to live in Maine. He had a couple other companies from there and I’ve fallen in love with the state up there. So, it was nice to be able to connect with people and then talk about different things that were primarily not work-related. It was just nice. So, a specific thing, it’s kind of hard to answer that. I can’t really answer to what I didn’t like.
Brian: Well, excellent. Now, Amy, you had a backstage view into the session preparations that we were just talking about. Can you give us an overview as to what the company does for these presentations?
Amy: Yeah. So for the BTC 2023, we had over 30 sessions, which ran over a period of three days. And that’s not including all of our AUG breakout sessions. This takes a lot of our time. This is something that we really take our time thinking about. We want to give clients what they’re most interested in hearing. So, we spend a lot of time narrowing down topics, making sessions as informative as we can. It’s the biggest part of planning the BTC.
Brian: Well, Paul, since 2023 was your first time attending the conference, how did you prepare for it?
Paul: One of the things that I found very useful was, I forget the name of the app, but you guys had an app through a company, and there were lots of different general boards to which you could do things. And I was active in that only because I personally don’t have any social media. I don’t have Facebook or anything. So, I went a little too far in being involved. But it was a great way to, like I felt comfortable enough to ask dumb questions like, “Hey, do they have shampoo and conditioner down there or is that something I need to take travel size?” So anything from the small things to even the larger things like being able to reach out to people in ADDs and the different vendors that were putting on different breakout sessions. Being able to ask them, “So what does your product entail exactly?” And sometimes they get the answer, “We have to come the session to find out.” “Well, I’m only going to so many sessions because there are not two of me. So, what specifically do you deal with?” And they were actually all very nice. I mean, much like the AUG groups, I’m sorry I keep referencing that, but that’s been the continuation of the BTC. And, actually, if people get involved in that, they will kind of know what the BTC is about.
Brian: Now, Amy, we’ve already brought up the word networking several times so far, but how does ADDs facilitate that part of the BTC?
Amy: We offer tons of networking opportunities at the BTC. Our daily sessions are filled with knowledgeable clients and employees that are always willing to chat. We do a few great meals during the day that offer opportunities for quick meetups, introductions. Like Paul mentioned before, that face to face, putting a name with a face opportunities during the day. And then we host a few evening activities. We’ve had everything from laid-back beach events with food and drinks, all the way to private events in Animal Kingdom, with some of Disney’s most popular attractions. In the past, we have offered a free evening, which is really just a chance for ADD users to have a more intimate conversation or evening out. And that doesn’t just involve ADD employees. But you can also have dinner or go out with some of ADD partners, so you have a chance to meet up with exhibitors that you probably hadn’t before.
Brian: Paul, bringing you into that networking aspect of this because I know you’ve mentioned it, how do you feel you took advantage of networking when you were at the BTC?
Paul: Well, part of it was actually reaching out to some of the vendors ahead of time and then saying, “Okay, do I need to invest time or not getting to know some of the ADD people that I talked to on the phone ahead of time?” Seeing them in person also. And then being able to continue those relationships. So, whether it’s with some of the tech support people within ADDs, being able to reach out, “Oh, I remember you, blah, blah, blah.” And that part is just, it’s useful and just humanizes it. It’s one of the things as companies we try and do anyway with customers. It’s no, we’re not the big bad company does this. We’re people part of the community, and that’s why I really like ADD template of reaching out and having the customers involved. It’s something we’ve been able to kind of incorporate within just reaching out to the community here in general. So that’s one way I guess we somewhat taken advantage of some of the networking both before and after.
Brian: Well, Paul, sticking with you. In the time since the 2023 BTC, have you been able to apply any of the information that you gained at the conference over at Island Energy?
Paul: We have, or we have as a company. Parts of it we’re learning what’s available within ADDs where we’ve done some more updates, we’re looking at getting the newest version going. And being able to more easily walk through the different steps once it comes time for implementation. Things are put more in layman’s terms when you’re down in person because you’re around a bunch of other people where it’s new to them as well. So just to get that kind of basic understanding so once we start the implementation here, it’s much easier to do. And then part of that, not just with ADDs, but also with the vendors, once again, finding out the different things that companies are capable of doing and being able to more customize it for ourselves with actually a little bit less expense. Instead of piecemealing together and adding on to what we have now, this is what other companies are doing. This is what another vendor is able to do for us and kind of starting from scratch. And some of that takes time. It’s getting everybody within our company and even other companies comfortable with kind of starting over. But we did that with ADDs a couple years ago, just actually using the system, once again, the way it’s supposed to be. And we’ve been able to make some changes which just helps in saving money, saving time, hopefully helping out with the customer experience and the employee experience in general.
Brian: Now, Amy, Paul had brought up partner exhibitors a couple of times throughout the conversation, so I’d like to bring you into that part of the discussion now. Can you tell us a little bit more about that aspect of the BTC?
Amy: We had a great turnout in 2023 as far as partners go. I believe we had 26 exhibitors, some of which offered sessions as well. And Paul just mentioned this, but it was a great way for ADD clients to learn who we partner with, and how they can help ADD clients make the most of ADD software.
Paul: And Amy, one of the things that I actually appreciated was in the main dining hall, that’s where the different partners were set up with their booths. So even as you’re eating and chatting with people, you’d look at one and say, “Oh, yeah.” And then you’d be able to talk to someone else and say, “What’s your experience with them? How are they?” And it’s kind of informal, but I really appreciated that setup.
Brian: And Amy, Paul also brought up the family friendly atmosphere around the BTC. Can you talk about how that and why that continues to be such an important piece to this puzzle?
Amy: Absolutely. So at ADD Systems, we promote a family-friendly environment. I didn’t mention this before, but my parents are Bruce and Gail Bott. My parents have always emphasized the importance of family, specifically children. So that’s a value that we want to continue upholding. And Disney is the perfect destination for a family-friendly event.
Brian: Well, Amy, you had mentioned this earlier that you’ve been going to the BTC as long as it’s been at Disney. Do you have a personal favorite BTC memory that maybe you’d like to share?
Amy: I have a lot of BTC memories. I think, I don’t know if I would say my most favorite, but one that sticks with me is from the 2023 BTC. We had an evening event planned at Typhoon Lagoon and around six o’clock, the skies opened with thunder and lightning. I was on the phone with our Disney representative who said, “Don’t worry. It’s going to work out, it’s going to work out.” And we made a very, very last-minute call to cancel and to move the entire luau-themed event indoors at the convention center. We were all very nervous, but the Disney magic prevailed. They came through. It was a very stressful couple of hours, but it ended up being a really nice event and I think nobody even was concerned that we weren’t on the beach.
Brian: Well, Paul, you have only attended one BTC, like you mentioned. So, I’d still like to ask you that same question. Do you have a favorite memory from the event that you’d like to share?
Paul: Part of what I mentioned earlier, I actually did enjoy that closing thing. It was last minute, but because I didn’t know what it was supposed to be, I liked what was there.
Amy: No, that’s great.
Paul: Yeah, there was a nice show that went on. And it was great because it was your family all coming together as well. And that’s one thing that I did not do. I didn’t take family and I kept it more to the different sessions. But in the future, for anybody thinking of doing it, you make of it what you want. You can go with a family – there were a lot of families that were there and it was nice to see them at some of the different things in the evening and then they oftentimes had young children. But the same people with their families, the parent that was in the industry would come off, have a presentation at one of the breakout sessions, and they were able to coordinate it well. So once again, kind of as I went overboard with the app, I went overboard with scheduling myself with the different things, but that was mainly because I didn’t want to experience too much Disney without my family. I still had a great time just being able to talk to everybody and not everyone there has families. A lot of people were there single, they had families back home, and it was nice to be able to talk to them about that experience. And even if they had been to Disney, what they recommend, what they don’t recommend, so that when I do go, I’m going to be a little better prepared.
Brian: Well, Paul, if you had to offer advice to a first-time BTC attendee like you were in 2023, what would that advice be?
Paul: My advice would be to engage as much as possible, whether it’s virtually, whether it’s in person on different things, and just get out of your comfort zone a little bit. Try and sit somewhere different all the time. Don’t just, if you go as a company, don’t just stick with the person that you’re with the entire time. Try and break up between the sessions, have one go to one, one goes to another. So that way, you’re just exposing yourself to more people because even sitting beside someone different, if they’re talking about something work or not work related, you’re going to connect on something. I just personally find people endlessly fascinating. I love talking to people. So, I just enjoyed that part of it.
Brian: Amy, anything you’d like to add to Paul’s suggestions for first-time attendees?
Amy: Jeez. Paul’s advice I think was really good. I think that’s very good first-time advice. I think I was just going to add that Paul mentioned that he was a good user of our mobile app. And I appreciated that. We could see the activity that was going on in the app and the questions that were being asked beforehand. I do think that you took advantage of making the most of the BTC for what you wanted it to be for yourself. So, I would suggest the mobile app. When we push that out, you should download it as soon as you can. And make sure to follow along with updates and really start to plan your visit so you can make the most out of it.
Brian: Paul, if somebody was on the fence about attending the BTC in 2026, what would you say to them?
Paul: It’s a difficult question to answer outright because I would want to find out why they’re on the fence because if it were due to the sessions, just how intimate or informal or formal or however they are, the different sessions are described well in the events ahead of time as far as what they are. To the travel end of it is not difficult. I mean, it’s easy to get to the airport. I personally recommend using whatever travel buses they have going at the time because it’s much easier than trying to Uber out and do things like that. To wondering what you’re going to do when you’re not inside the event, ADDs was wonderful. They had different areas open, right where we were staying where, “Hey, you can grab a drink at this place and then meet up with people or there’s a late-night session food over here. There’s a fire pit over there. So, they did a great job with the scheduling where, once again, if you want to be involved, you can. If you’re a little bit more of a hermit and you’re really technical and you only want to go to those things, you could do that. You could sit in your hotel room and watch TV I guess, but there really is something for everyone. So, whether you’re an outgoing person or an introvert, you can become involved and be at ease.
Brian: Well, Amy, if people are looking to learn more about the 2026 BTC, where should they go?
Amy: They should watch for our emails and our ADD News. We’re going to have announcements and updates over the next couple of years, but you can always visit us at www.addsys.com/BTC or email us at marketing@addsys.com.
Brian: And for any partners that are maybe looking to be a part of the BTC, where can they get more information?
Amy: ADD partners can also visit our website for updates, or they can contact us at marketing@addsys.com.
Brian: All right, Paul and Amy, I thank you both for taking the time out of your busy schedules to be with me today.
Amy: Thank you, Brian.
Paul: Thank you very much for having us. I really appreciate it.
Brian: We will see you in 2026!
Amy: Sounds good.
Paul: Thank you.
Brian: To keep up with the latest happenings at ADD Systems, visit addsys.com/blog or connect with us on social media by following ADD Systems on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, or X. If you have any questions about ADDcast, feel free to reach out to us at addcast@addsys.com. Thanks for listening and have a great day!
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