Battle of the Conferences

Battle of the Conferences: QuickBooks Connect (QBC) vs. Scaling New Heights (SNH)

Hey my geeky friends!

If you’re a fellow number cruncher or spreadsheet wizard in accounting, chances are you’ve explored the wild world of accounting conferences. If you’re like me, you’re always on the hunt for the best events to sharpen your skills and swap stories with peers.

Conferences can be an expensive investment, with costs including registration, flights, and hotel accommodations. My goal is that this review will help you decide on the right option for yourself or a team member. This is my perspective after attending QuickBooks Connect (QBC) conferences for a few years and my recent first-time attendance at Scaling New Heights (SNH). These are two of the largest conferences in the field, and accessible to most individuals and firm owners. 

Let's dive into the ring where two heavyweight accounting conferences duke it out: QuickBooks Connect (rebranded this year as Intuit Connect) and Scaling New Heights. 

QuickBooks Connect (QBC)

First up, we've got QuickBooks Connect, now jazzed up as Intuit Connect. This conference isn't just about numbers; it's a networking extravaganza! The QuickBooks accounting platform is part of the Main Stage presentations, providing in-depth insights and training for a mix of accounting professionals and small business advisors. 

QBC has typically opened with early check-in on a Sunday, then Keynote speakers and Breakout sessions throughout the days Monday through Wednesday in the Fall. In recent years the bustling Aria in Las Vegas, Nevada has been the location; odds seem favorable that it will continue to be hosted here for some time to come. 

They've got a knack for booking motivational speakers who are SMB rock stars. Ryan Reynolds gave great insight with an abundance of wit from the Main Stage last year. No one brings more energy and excitement than Carla Hall as host. You'll leave feeling like you can conquer the world armed with stories of courage and entrepreneurial grit.

Evenings include an array of parties and events hosted by various sponsors and partner vendors. There is no shortage of socializing opportunities at QBC, so bring those sparkle party pants and shine on! Early mornings and throughout the daytime sessions you’ll find seats and couches available across 3 floors to network without even leaving the conference space. Picture this: dice with conversation starters scattered throughout to get you chatting with strangers—because nothing breaks the ice like a pair of oversized dice.

Scaling New Heights (SNH)

Next there's Scaling New Heights, hosted in Orlando in June, the obvious difference you’ll see right away in a wider array of platforms and partners. You will see Xero and Freshbooks on the exhibit floor, along with breakout sessions for users of Intuit ecosystems. The focus here is a laser beam on learning. This year’s theme was “Boldly Go”. Joe Woodard kicked off an exceptional Annual Practice Advancement Breakfast laying out the progression for the days to come. Beginning Sunday morning through Wednesday we watched the unfolding of Disruption → Opportunity → Leadership → Direction → Courage → Action. It's like they're guiding you through an epic accounting adventure! 

Practicality has been applied throughout the conference. My nerd side appreciated having seating at tables for note-taking, not only in the breakout sessions but in the Main Stage area too. I love being able to spread out in a little workspace without worrying that I’ll knock over that coffee tucked under my seat while I try to take notes on my lap. If you are not as needy as myself, there are open seats toward the back if you just want to slide in/out with little interruption. 

The days are filled with great content of workshops and panel discussions to help you tackle your goals for the year. You’ll likely have a few new goals spark to life in your brain too. The early morning (7am & 8am) timeslots are hosted primarily by vendors, so your FOMO alarm might be agreeable to hit the snooze button at least once. Evenings are left more available for own networking or cocktail hours. The Activity Feed on the conference app was a great place for attendees to post an open invite to connect with others. While there are fewer sponsored social parties at SNH, you won’t have a problem coordinating with other attendees to meet up in the lobby or at the pool.

What They Both Bring to the Table

Now, let's talk turkey. Both conferences serve up top-notch speakers who can riff on everything from tax code changes to leadership tips that don't put you to sleep. You'll find yourself nodding along to insights you never knew you needed, and laughing at accounting jokes you never thought could exist (yes, they do exist!).

I've been to both, and here's the scoop: you will come away with something, no matter how much of an accounting hotshot you think you are. Even sessions on topics you think you have mastered might surprise you with a fresh perspective or a handy trick to speed up your spreadsheet game. Who knew accounting could be this fun? 

Conclusion: Choose Your Adventure

So, which one should you pick? It all boils down to what floats your accounting boat. Spend some time preparing prior to attending a conference. Consider specific pain points you, or your clients, experience regularly that you want to minimize. Think about goals you may have for your growth, whether in numbers or knowledge. Identify what you want to get out of your conference. 

Want to mingle and network like a champ? Intuit Connect might be your jam. Need a structured roadmap to accounting enlightenment? SNH has got your back. Whichever you choose, know that both are worth the investment in your accounting acumen. If you want my opinion (isn’t that why you’re still reading?), you can expect to see me at both conferences for quite some time to come.

Thanks for reading! I hope you find my two cents helpful —may your debits always equal your credits!
Geek out!
Heather Kwitschau

TL;DR: My perspective says QBC is a social and motivational event with educational aspects included; SNH is a more educational and industry focused event with some social opportunities involved.

Bonus Geek Tip : Be sure to check out Accounting Cornerstone Foundation for opportunities to apply for scholarships to attend conferences like QuickBooks Connect or Scaling New Heights. They offer various scholarship options specifically designed for accounting professionals looking to expand their knowledge and network. This could be a great way to offset the costs and make the most of these invaluable learning experiences!