---
title: Payroll Pros Play to Their Own Beat During Opening General Session
description: The Opening General Session at the 37th Annual Congress had a rhythm all its own when it kicked off Tuesday afternoon with a packed house of payroll professionals from around the world.
image: https://blogs.payroll.org/hubfs/OGS1.jpg
---

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[Greg Mellen](https://blogs.payroll.org/congress-today/author/greg-mellen)   
 May 15, 2019

# Payroll Pros Play to Their Own Beat During Opening General Session

![](https://blogs.payroll.org/hubfs/OGS1.jpg)

![OGS1](https://blogs.payroll.org/hs-fs/hubfs/OGS1.jpg?width=652&name=OGS1.jpg)The Opening Session of APA’s 37th Annual Congress began with a bang, or, rather the banging of drums and cymbals, as the BOOM! Drumline kicked off festivities at the Long Beach Convention Center.

The 10-man percussion marching troupe got the audience tapping along with their unique blend of bass beats and a little levity.

“I am so excited about payroll!” one of the members yelled out in the middle of the performance.

The crowd was warmed up for the drum line by a montage of music and videos by groups such as Imagine Dragons, One Republic and Daft Punk, followed by APA Executive Director Dan Maddux’s stirring rendition of “America the Beautiful.”

As BOOM! rat-a-tat-tatted its way off stage, it was time to get to the business at hand, a tribute to former APA President Sue Darring, CPP, recognition of the incoming and outgoing Presidents, and announcement of the 2019 Payroll Man of the Year and Payroll Woman of the Year. (**[Find out who took top honors](https://blogs.payroll.org/congress-today/willson-hill-are-apas-2019-royalty)**.)

The session continued with Simon Bailey, MA, CSP, CPAE, delivering the keynote address.

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