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May 6-10, 2012 Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center Orlando, FL 30th Anniversary Congress Paying it Forward: Building a Firm Foundation for Future Success http://www.americanpayroll.org/congress-next/
APA’s 29th ANNUAL CONGRESS EXPERIENCE
The American Payroll Association (APA) 29th Annual Congress “Competency, Compliance, Community” was held at the Salt Lake City Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, from May 24th through May 27th. Congress is the largest educational conference that brings together payroll and accounts payable professionals and offers over 170 workshops in the fields of payroll, accounts payable, finance, HR, and benefits.
On Tuesday, Pre-Congress kicked off. Two workshop sessions were held in the morning that offered 10 different topics each. During the “Making Payroll Connections” luncheon, a panel of three experienced leaders and a moderator offered informative insights into the importance of relationship-building, tips for establishing contacts, and networking opportunities with fellow attendees. Attendees used a voting card to respond to moderator questions and received immediate results. The free Congress 2011 smartphone app was unveiled as a wonderful new tool for networking with fellow attendees, checking your class schedule, and even locating your class. Five topics were offered during the Power Hour Workshop Session following lunch. The final workshop session of Pre-Congress offered another 10 topics.
As in 2009, the Congress experience began on Tuesday with the Opening General Session following Pre-Congress Workshop Session 3. Pre-show entertainment was provided by The Flying Aces All-Stars who performed stunts on trampolines to the amazement of the audience. Tim and Kris O’Shea entertained the audience with their Olympic challenge and antics. Executive Director Dan Maddux, Past-President Linda Obertin, CPP and incoming President Jane Holmes, CPP officially opened Congress. The keynote speaker was Giovanni Livera. His message provided inspiration to attendees by reminding everyone to be open to the realization that “Anything Is Possible” and that ‘impossible’ resides only in our minds.
On Wednesday morning in the first Workshop Session, AC-APA Secretary, Valery Noakes CPP co-presented the “2010 Workforce Management/Performance Study Results” workshop with Brian Koniuk from The Hackett Group and discussed her company results as compared to last year’s study results. Two more Workshop Sessions were held throughout the day.
The 2011 Payroll Man and Woman of the Year Awards were announced, followed by the 2011 APA Chapter of the Year Awards. The Alamo Chapter again received Honorable Mention for our Chapter of the Year submission. The APA, Global Cash Card, and Kronos Payroll Education Grants were also awarded.
Luncheon entertainment was provided by The Water Coolers with comedic skits on “office and everyday life” and Tim and Kris O’Shea brought us an Olympic update. During the Chapter Exchange, the Alamo Chapter also received 2nd place for the Chapter Pictorial Contest, 3rd Place for Best Chapter Website and 1st Place for 2011 Dream Theme “Taking the Mystery Out of Payroll” with all of the other Texas chapters. The Congress Expo had its Grand Opening that afternoon followed by the Dessert Reception.
The fun and learning continued on Thursday with three more Workshop Sessions throughout the day. During the General Session, Nina Olsen, US National Taxpayer Advocate of the IRS gave the government address followed by the keynote speaker, Mary Lou Retton, who shared her story of Olympic success with attendees. The O’Shea’s “went for the gold” with their comedic Olympic competition and clearly showed how payroll professionals team together to achieve positive results. A networking luncheon was held in the Expo as well as the Cocktail Reception after the final workshop session. The evening ended with the Mike Rayburn & Friends Dance Party -- a fun evening of magic, music and laughter.
On Friday, four more Workshop Sessions were held. At the Awards Luncheon, the 2011 Meritorious Service, Special Recognition, Government Partner, and Special Friend Awards were presented. Chapter Secretary, Valery Noakes, CPP, was the recipient of a Meritorious Service award from APA. The day closed with a General Session. The Commissioner of the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement, Department of Health and Human Services, Vicki Turetsky, provided the government address. The conference and general session closed with a motivational message from keynote speaker Mike Rayburn and his topic “What If…?”.
AC-APA members attending were Christy Witzel, CPP – President, Harland Clarke Corp ; Valery Noakes, CPP – Secretary, Tesoro Companies, Inc.; Don Barham, CPP, Clear Channel Communications; Rosie Morales, CPP, Harland Clarke Corp.; and Narlen Morales, CPP – Valero Energy Corp.
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