--- title: Contest Uncovers the Secrets of Playful Costumes description: During Wednesday night’s costume contest, attendees dazzled their peers once again at the Payroll Congress Expo in Nashville, Tenn. image: https://blogs.payroll.org/hubfs/costume%20contest.jpg --- - [Home](https://blogs.payroll.org/congress-today) - [About](https://blogs.payroll.org/about-congress) - [Connect](https://blogs.payroll.org/connect-congress) [![icon_fb](https://blogs.payroll.org/hubfs/ct-23-assets/icon_fb_CT-24.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/AnnualCongress)[![icon-ig-CT](https://blogs.payroll.org/hubfs/icon-ig-CT.svg)](https://www.instagram.com/payrollorg/)[![icon_li](https://blogs.payroll.org/hubfs/ct-23-assets/icon_li_CT-24.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/payroll-org/) ![CT27 Online Banner_v2](https://blogs.payroll.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CT27%20Online%20Banner_v2.jpg?width=2000&height=669&name=CT27%20Online%20Banner_v2.jpg "CT27 Online Banner_v2") ![](https://blogs.payroll.org/hs-fs/hubfs/PayrollOrg_Swirl.jpg?width=150&name=PayrollOrg_Swirl.jpg) [PayrollOrg Staff](https://blogs.payroll.org/congress-today/author/apa-staff) May 14, 2026 # Contest Uncovers the Secrets of Playful Costumes ![](https://blogs.payroll.org/hubfs/costume%20contest.jpg) Secrets lurked behind glamorous masks during Wednesday night’s costume contest. Attendees dazzled their peers once again at the Payroll Congress Expo in Nashville, Tenn. ![AA103084](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AA103084.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AA103084.png) ![AB100292](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100292.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100292.png) ![AA103071](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AA103071.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AA103071.png) ![AA103073](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AA103073.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AA103073.png) ![AA103086](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AA103086.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AA103086.png) ![AA103092](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AA103092.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AA103092.png) The friendly competition crowned contest winners for the best costumes in the following four categories as voted on by a panel of judges: Gatsby Glamour, Mysterious Masquerade, Coded Couture, and Perfect Fit. The first-place recipients of this year’s costume contest were the following: **Gatsby Glamour**—Unlock your vintage charm by dressing in classic Roaring ‘20s style. Remember to practice your Foxtrot! **Winner**—Becky Harshberger, CPP, as "Lady Great Gats-Pay"   **Mysterious Masquerade**—Add a touch of intrigue with a masquerade-inspired look to puzzle all but your closest payroll pals! **Winner**—Sydney Paquin, FPC, as "Phantom of the Payroll"   ![AB100306](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100306.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100306.png) ![AB100311](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100311.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100311.png) ![AB100317](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100317.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100317.png) ![AB100326](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100326.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100326.png) ![AB100336](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100336.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100336.png) ![AB100340](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100340.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100340.png) ![AB100344](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100344.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100344.png) ![AB100347](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100347.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100347.png) ![AB100351](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100351.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100351.png) ![AB100354](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100354.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100354.png) ![AB100358](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100358.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100358.png) ![AB100366](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100366.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100366.png) ![AB100368](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100368.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100368.png) ![AB100373](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100373.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100373.png) ![AB100378](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100378.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100378.png) ![AB100383](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100383.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100383.png) ![AB100384](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100384.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100384.png) ![AB100390](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100390.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100390.png) ![AB100392](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100392.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100392.png) ![AB100394](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100394.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100394.png)   **Coded Couture**—Have fun with a creative costume that incorporates a play on words or puzzles. See which of your fellow attendees can “crack the code!” **Winner**—Deb Laidler, CPP, as "Roaring Twenties"   **Perfect Fit (Duo or Group)**—The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Grab a partner or group and dress in complementary outfits that fit together perfectly like a puzzle! **Winner**—Unsung Heroes   ![AB100497](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100497.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100497.png) ![AB100492](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100492.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100492.png) ![AB100485](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100485.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100485.png) ![AB100481](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100481.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100481.png) ![AB100475](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100475.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100475.png) ![AB100468](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100468.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100468.png) ![AB100454](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100454.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100454.png) ![AB100448](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100448.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100448.png) ![AB100446](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100446.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100446.png) ![AB100439](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100439.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100439.png) ![AB100433](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100433.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100433.png) ![AB100426](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100426.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100426.png) ![AB100420](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100420.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100420.png) ![AB100410](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100410.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100410.png) ![AB100405](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100405.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100405.png) ![AB100403-1](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100403-1.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100403-1.png) ![AB100398-1](https://516067.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/516067/hubfs/AB100398-1.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=AB100398-1.png) Thank you everyone for cracking the code of the contest with such creative flair.   ### Search [![26 Paytalk_CTA_300x300-4](https://blogs.payroll.org/hs-fs/hubfs/26%20Paytalk_CTA_300x300-4.jpg?width=300&height=300&name=26%20Paytalk_CTA_300x300-4.jpg)](https://blogs.payroll.org/congress-today/Link%20here) [![26 PAYO Subcriber 300x300 OP-1](https://blogs.payroll.org/hs-fs/hubfs/26%20PAYO%20Subcriber%20300x300%20OP-1.jpg?width=300&height=300&name=26%20PAYO%20Subcriber%20300x300%20OP-1.jpg)](https://blogs.payroll.org/congress-today/Link%20here) [![26 CT Online MM Ad-2](https://blogs.payroll.org/hs-fs/hubfs/26%20CT%20Online%20MM%20Ad-2.jpg?width=300&height=300&name=26%20CT%20Online%20MM%20Ad-2.jpg)](https://blogs.payroll.org/congress-today/Link%20here) [Privacy Policy](http://www.americanpayroll.org/privacy/)     |     Acceptable Use ![26 PayrollOrg®RGB-Wht-Tag](https://blogs.payroll.org/hs-fs/hubfs/26%20PayrollOrg%C2%AERGB-Wht-Tag.png?width=612&height=396&name=26%20PayrollOrg%C2%AERGB-Wht-Tag.png "26 PayrollOrg®RGB-Wht-Tag") [![icon_fb](https://blogs.payroll.org/hubfs/ct-23-assets/footer-icon_fb.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/AnnualCongress)[![footer-icon-ig-CT](https://blogs.payroll.org/hubfs/footer-icon-ig-CT.svg)](https://www.instagram.com/payrollorg/)[![icon_li](https://blogs.payroll.org/hubfs/ct-23-assets/footer-icon_li.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/payroll-org/) © PayrollOrg