The 43rd Annual Payroll Congress will take place 13-16 May at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, so now is a good time to start thinking about planning your visit. As someone who only recently started attending Payroll Congress (this year will be my third time), I bring a fresh perspective to the experience I like to call the “Super Bowl of Payroll.”
With so many payroll professionals, vendors, workshops, and activities, there’s always so much to see, do, and learn (read “Time to Get Your Game On at Payroll Congress” in the March issues of PAYTECH and Global Payroll). Yet, feeling lost and overwhelmed by it all is also easy. That is why a plan will help you maximize your experience, whether you stay one day or attend the entire conference. Here are some of my tips.
Buddy Up—If You Can
While I attended Payroll Congress solo on my last two visits, I plan to bring two of my direct reports for their first time this year. While there is the freedom to navigate from workshop to workshop without coordinating with others, I remember how overwhelming it was my first time before running into other payroll pros and vendors I knew. Even if you plan on attending different workshops from each other, having a buddy to check in with (even if just to grab a bite to eat or decompress) helps make the event more enjoyable.
Make New Connections
Payroll professionals from all over the country (I remember the Hawaii contingent from last year), or even the world, attend Payroll Congress each year, so there will be plenty of chances to meet new people. I have observed from my prior visits that attendees stay in small, familiar circles and rarely leave those circles. However, Payroll Congress typically offers fantastic networking events including the Meet and Greet, #Get Social, Chapter Exchange Reception and Awards, Costume Contest, and FÊTE! (party). These are great opportunities to meet fellow payroll professionals from your state, region, or even elsewhere. You never know who you may meet and how that contact could become an ally or resource in your career journey. I like to strike up conversations with people I have never met. In each case, I walk away either learning something, being able to encourage someone else, or making a new contact.
Don’t Skip the Expo
Most vendors are eager to meet you and will entice you to their booths with wonderful treats, drinks, or even giveaways that you can bring back to your teams. As a decision-maker/influencer in my organization, I use the Expo to meet contacts and view software demos my company is interested in. Seeing a software or service in person is a great way to decide which vendors to consider as part of a request for information (RFI) or in-person demonstration. Some vendors may even offer savings if that initial connection leads to a sale. I’m all about saving money.
Plan Something Fun
During the 42nd Annual Payroll Congress held last year in Nashville, a vendor offered several clients an opportunity to visit the Grand Ole Opry, which was a fantastic experience. This year in Orlando, I plan to spend some time visiting a theme park or two before Payroll Congress begins. Each year I go, I also want to make sure I spend at least one night grabbing dinner or drinks with friends. My point is that “All Congress and No Fun is No Fun.” You may prefer something other than amusement parks or fine dining. Payroll Congress offers opportunities to let your hair down and enjoy yourself, so take advantage of it.
Test Your Backup Payroll Plan
I have been able to attend Payroll Congress without having to worry about whether my company’s payroll would be processed. This year will be challenging since some other team leaders will join me. However, it is a chance for us to test our processing backup plan, ensuring the contingencies we put in place work. Each year, the most popular places at Payroll Congress are the wall outlets outside workshop sessions or along the back walls, occupied by payroll professionals trying to plug in to finalize their payroll or deal with some challenge no one else can correctly handle but them. But what would your organization do if you won the lottery, and you only gave them enough notice to cash your first lottery check? Whether or not you ever really win the lottery, payroll needs to be able to be processed without you. Now is a good time to start thinking about and planning how that can happen.
My list of reasons to attend Payroll Congress is not intended to be exhaustive, and I’m sure you may have a good tip or two that could easily be included in this list. The point is to make a plan and make a friend, and you will make a memory that will last a lifetime.
Send Your Team! Enjoy savings by getting a group rate. Contact GroupRate@payroll.org.
