Sharon Tayfield remembers when it was just her and four others who made the trek to the United States for Payroll Congress. 

“We had special seats in the front,” she said. “On the seats, it said ‘overseas guests.’”

Tayfield, Client Services Director at BDO LLP, UK, and PayrollOrg’s 2020 Global Payroll Titan, says now they couldn’t fit all the overseas participants for this year's 42nd Annual Payroll Congress in one row if they tried. She said she’s found the experience worth it each time she has gone abroad. 

“In global payroll, it’s who you know that is going to help you,” she said. “This is also for the content. It’s great networking and content. There are more and more international people coming. It’s great to see.” 

Alight Solutions sponsored the international Expo at this 2024 Payroll Congress, gathering together those who made the trek to Nashville. 

“If you’re not here, you’re not in the payroll business,” said Frank Lesitner, Senior Vice President of Global Payroll & Professional Services at Alight Solutions. “This is our ability to make sure we make sure what’s going on with the marketplace and what’s going on with clients.” 

Max Van der Klis-Busink, Head of Service Delivery at Payzaar, has been coming for the last eight years to Payroll Congress. He said he finds value in packing his bags from the Netherlands and traversing the thousands of miles to the United States. 

“I wanted to learn and connect,” Klis-Busink said. “There’s only a rare occasion we can meet in person and bring this knowledge together. I am still surprised by meeting new people and having insights. It makes me think how I want to change my work when I go back on Monday.” 

Emily R. West is a freelance writer and reporter based in Nashville, Tennessee.