We previously reported that the agenda for Scaling New Heights 2014, the largest QuickBooks ProAdvisor event in the world, was released in February. This article is the first of many that will be written to give you an in depth look at the event, the educational sessions and generally what you can expect as an attendee at the event. Not planning to go? You just may want to reconsider........
If you have not heard of or attended this event in the past, you should take a look at the site (http://www.scalingnewheights.com/conferences), review the offerings and give this event some very real consideration. We launched Intuitive Accountant at Scaling New Heights in Orlando last year because it is "THE EVENT" for ProAdvisors (and because Joe Woodard is a partner in Intuitive Accountant). 2013 was my 4th Scaling New Heights to attend as an exhibitor. In those 4 years I have watched the event grow from a small hotel event with a couple of hundred people into not only the largest QuickBooks ProAdvisor event, but one of the largest events in the accounting sector.
A quick glance at the agenda and some discussions with Joe Woodard, Event Host and Wendy Rohrssen-Director of Training and Conference Producer, gave me some good information to share with you.
Key Stats (or "the news you can use")
- Over 170 Educational Sessions
- Over 50 Speakers, including Brad Smith, CEO - Intuit, Frank Abagnale, Jr. - Fraud Expert Portrayed in the movie Catch Me If You Can; Luis Sanchez - Director, North America ProAdvisor Program and Joe Woodard, CEO- Woodard Consulting Group/Conference Host, plus many, many more of the leading practitioners in the space.
- 16 Hours of Advanced Excel Training
- Up to 32 hours of CPE
- 100 Exhibitor and Sponsor Companies
- 1,200 ProAdvisors and 300 Small Business representatives expected
- ProAdvisor Certification exam Preparation
- In-Depth, Post Certification QuickBooks Training
If you are more of a people person and not as much of a numbers person (which would really surprise me consider we write for accounting related professionals!), then you may be more interested in the social aspect of the event. I have attended dozens of accounting events over the last 6+ years and I can unequivocally say that the attendees at Scaling New Heights are the most friendly, professional, engaging and outgoing group of people that I have ever been at a trade show with. Further, the Scaling New Heights staff, lead by Joe Woodard, is equally engaging, approachable and friendly. I know this sounds like a sales pitch, but I truly believe in this event and in the people who run it. Not just because of my business relationship with the group, but because of what I have personally experienced at the event.
Finally, if you don't care much about the key stats and aren't too social, perhaps you go to events based on where they are located or the activities you can attend while you are there. WELL, read on. I have not been to the JW Marriott Hill Country, but I did a fly over on Google Earth and it looks fantastic! It is a Marriott Rewards Category 7 hotel, which is the best of the best for Marriott (not counting The Ritz Carlton brand). The resort offers Golf (there is a golf tournament on Sunday) , pools with a lazy river and water slides, a spa and multiple restaurants for your dining pleasures. Did I mention that Scaling New Heights has booked the entire hotel, so everyone you see on property will be associated with either the hotel or the show!
If all of this is not reason enough to attend, Intuitive Accountant will be at the event and we will be presenting our First Annual ProAdvisor of the Year award during one of the keynote sessions, as well as recognize several leading ProAdvisors in the various categories this diverse group of professionals works in.
Between now and Scaling New Heights in June we plan to feature at least least 1 speaker per week as part of our "Road To Scaling New Heights" series, so keep reading Intuitive Accountant to stay up to date on the event and to get the details you want and need about the sessions and on-site happenings.
See you in San Antonio!