In today’s 21st-century workplace, the line that separates art and science has started to blur across several industries. From medical 3D animators who create virtual models of molecular structures to mobile app designers who focus on aesthetics when building software applications, art and science go hand in hand in a variety of ways.
Art and science complement each other in global payroll, too. Global payroll professionals will likely have the technological tools to do their jobs, but how does one make payroll data interesting if it’s not presented creatively? The industry works best when the value of one’s artistic and technical abilities can be combined to empower the future of global payroll.
At the Global Payroll Management Institute (GPMI) and the American Payroll Association’s (APA) Payroll Congress, global payroll professionals will gather from 16-19 May at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Denver, CO, USA, for the 41st annual conference. Attendees from various industries can expand their knowledge and careers with insight from global payroll experts—all while forging their personal connection with art and science in the digital age.
Attendees can take advantage of all the educational workshops, unparalleled networking opportunities, inspiring keynote and guest speakers, and the industry’s largest payroll, AP, and finance expo.
New global workshops at this year’s Payroll Congress include “A Tale of Two Journeys: How to Be Best Prepared for Success in a Global Payroll Consolidation,” “Selecting a Global Payroll Provider That Aligns to Your Global Payroll Strategy,” and “Navigating Cross Cultural Differences in Payroll and Championing Culture.”
“The world-class training at Payroll Congress is second to none,” said Dan Maddux, GPMI President and APA Executive Director. “As always, we’re incredibly excited to bring payroll professionals from every industry together to share in all the payroll knowledge waiting for them to benefit from.”
Registering for the 41st Annual Payroll Congress will give you the following:
- Up to 20 RCHs, 2.0 CEUs, and 24 CPE credits
- 1-year APA membership (for colleagues and nonmembers)
- More than 90 educational workshop sessions
- Four days at the industry’s largest payroll, AP, and finance expo
- Free access to Virtual Congress (21-22 June) where 14 more RCHs can be earned
The GPMI and APA annual Payroll Congress will provide attendees with the chance to become familiar with the latest payroll products and services, learn best practices that will improve internal controls, increase their ability to identify compliance issues, and more.
Embracing Education
During Payroll Congress, experts will hold more than 90 workshops in the following six education tracks:
- Benefits and Compensation
- Global Payroll
- Late-Breaking Legislative and Regulatory Updates
- Payroll Management and Operations
- Technology
- Professional Development
Payroll Congress attendees can also join motivational speakers Pegine and Carolina Caro for this year’s Leadership Excellence Series. The expanded five-session series will include both speakers sharing information about how payroll professionals can harness their personal power and work with diverse personalities and emotions in the industry. Sessions during the series include the following:
- “Confidence Karma”
- “Play Big: Becoming a Powerful Force in Your World”
- “How to Give Feedback, Coach for Success, and Help Your People Grow”
- “Accelerated Leadership: The Art of Managing Up, Down, and Across”
- “The Great Re-Alignment: Developing Influence Through Personal Power”
Visit the Payroll Congress “Workshops” webpage to see the complete list of workshops.
Speak Easy
The keynote speakers at this year’s Payroll Congress are industry leaders and entertainers who are sure to keep attendees engaged and inspired.
During his Opening General Session presentation, sponsored by rapid!, “Connect the Dots: The Art and Science of Innovation” on 16 May, Bill Stainton, CSP, CPAE, will help payroll professionals to reimagine their potential, rethink innovation, and start down a path to transform their life and career.
During the General Session on 17 May, keynote speaker Seth Mattison will present, “The Heart of Futuristic Leadership: Reimagining Influence in Times of Transformation.” Sponsored by ADP, Mattison will provide insight about the type of leadership skills currently needed in the business world. In his presentation, Mattison will talk about the “neuroscience of influence” and why it’s important that leaders understand what drives human behavior by connecting to people’s rational and logical parts of their brains and hearts.
During the Closing General Session on 18 May, Tami Evans, CSP, will teach payroll pros the best ways to stay positive and professional in the workplace with her presentation, "Lighten Up and Lead: Leveraging Levity and Fun to Boost Engagement." Evans will teach attendees how to develop a “positive culture of engagement” to empower employees to confidently collaborate, create, and communicate with one another.
Payroll Congress will also feature esteemed industry experts. This year’s speakers are Pete Tiliakos, Principal Analyst and Co-Founder of GxT Advisors, and Carolyn Hayden-Garner, CPP, CPM, Director of Payroll at Tesla, who will be featured in the April issue of PAYTECH. Hayden-Garner was also featured in the Professional Spotlight column of the October 2019 issue of Global Payroll.
Award Recognition
The recipients of the 2023 Payroll Woman of the Year and the 2023 Payroll Man of the Year will be announced at the Opening General Session on 16 May.
Some of the other prestigious awards being presented at Payroll Congress include Special Friend, Special Recognition, Global Vision, and the education grants. During the Chapter Exchange Reception and Awards, sponsored by rapid!, on 15 May, attendees will learn which APA chapter will go home with a chapter award, including the honor of being named Chapter of the Year.
There will also be several special guests in attendance, including Dan Maddux, GPMI President and APA Executive Director; Linda Obertin, CPP, APA President; Bruce Phipps, CPP, APA Immediate Past President; Taunya Fritzsching, CPP, 2022 Payroll Woman of the Year; Levi Meeske, CPP, 2022 Payroll Man of the Year; and Bryan Chan, who will serve as the event’s master of ceremonies.
Grand Expo
While at Payroll Congress, payroll professionals can learn about the latest in products, technology, and tools at the largest payroll Expo. While there, they can connect with product service providers that are leading the industry. As of press time, Payroll Congress sponsors include: ADP, Alight, Immedis, Juice Financial, Netspend, Paychex, rapid!, UKG, US Bank, and Wisely Pay by ADP. They are only some of the vendors that will be on the Expo floor with representatives ready to show off their cutting-edge technologies, tools, and resources and explain how they can benefit the payroll industry.
Special events happening at the Expo include the following:
- Global Reception to meet and network with global payroll professionals, networking lunch with exhibitor prize drawings, and the Citation of Merit Photos to recognize members who volunteer on national boards, committees, advisory groups, and/or task forces on 18 May
- Networking lunch, cocktail reception and dinner, costume contest on 17 May, and exhibitor drawings on 18 May
The Expo will be open from 1800 - 2000 GMT on 16 May (Expo Grand Opening and Cocktail Reception, sponsored by Juice Financial); 1200 - 1600 GMT and 1800 - 2015 GMT on 17 May; and 0900 - 1415 GMT on 18 May.
Congress Extras
Attendees have more opportunities for networking at the Meet & Greet and Tweet Up, sponsored by Wisely by ADP, on 16 May at 1000 and 1100 GMT. Make sure to get some tips of the trade when it comes to social media and find out from members of the APA’s Social Networking Committee how a company can use platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and others to stay ahead of the payroll trends.
During the Citation of Merit Photos, the APA will award citations to members who volunteer on national boards, committees, advisory groups, and task forces. At that time, those volunteers can get their photo taken to commemorate those achievements. Photos will take place on 18 May from 1230 - 1400 GMT.
Don’t let the week come to an end without attending FÊTE, this year’s Annual Payroll Congress Party, on 17 May from 2000 - 2300 GMT. There will be plenty of games and exhilarating music, so everyone can celebrate the payroll industry with a little fun.
Find out firsthand how art and science come together at the 41st Annual Payroll Congress in Denver, CO, USA, from 16-19 May. Register at APACongress.com, and be sure to be prepared for a week of top-tier education and what is likely to be one of the best investments for you and your entire organization.