Reflecting on the success of this year’s NZQBA Conference, we (Kenn and Sandi) can’t help but feel a deep sense of pride and satisfaction.
As the organisers, seeing our hard work come to life and knowing that our attendees had a memorable and valuable experience made every bit of effort worthwhile.
In this post, we will share some behind-the-scenes insights, the highlights that stood out for us, and the feedback we received from our amazing delegates.
Whether you were able to attend or not, we hope these reflections give you a glimpse into the heart of the event!
What was the most rewarding aspect of organising this year’s conference?
Kenn: I loved seeing everyone so happy, having so much fun and leave the conference with satisfaction and smiles in their faces. I felt that everyone was really engaged throughout the conference, and you can feel the energy and good vibes buzzing in the air. All the sleepless nights, courier problems (long story for another day lol) and other problems were all worth it after seeing the smiles on our delegates faces.
Sandi: Seeing everything come together was incredibly rewarding. So much planning and coordination goes into these events, so when it all works out, it’s amazing (not thinking about the couriers right now!). Another highlight for me was seeing everyone make connections. Bookkeeping can be such a home-based profession, so these events are a great way to foster personal connections with other Bookkeepers, industry providers, and speakers. It’s wonderful to see people meeting face-to-face for the first time after only connecting virtually.
How did you ensure the conference was valuable for both new and experienced bookkeepers?
Kenn: Sandi and I carefully curated our speaker lineup, with the help of member feedback from last year’s conference of course. Our goal was to provide something valuable for everyone, from inspiring and empowering content to practical takeaways.
Sandi: It’s always a challenge to strike the right balance. The Association supports a diverse mix—sole traders, contractors, business owners—so their needs can vary widely. We rely heavily on post-event surveys to gauge what’s needed and then find the right people to deliver that content. So, if you haven’t filled out the survey yet, please do! It really helps us plan for next year.
What do you think attendees gained most from this year’s event?
Kenn: The community they built during the conference was invaluable. Many members started with limited bookkeeping connections, but left with new friends, support networks, and professional relationships. After the conference, I noticed a lot of our members connecting with each other in LinkedIn and interacting in our Facebook group with familiarity. It’s inspiring to see them slowly build their tribe.
Sandi: Well, they got a beautiful workbook (IYKYK). But in all seriousness, the sense of personal connection was so apparent. I don’t think I saw anyone standing alone or looking lost at any point—everyone was always engaged in conversation, and that’s invaluable. We also received amazing feedback on the speaker lineup and the exhibitors; people gained so much from both.
What feedback did you hear from attendees during the event?
Kenn: I personally received feedback from delegates raving about the conference. They told me they had an awesome, fun time during the event and I’m thrilled our efforts paid off. Our LinkedIn was buzzing with tagged posts and testimonials from members telling us they had a great time!
Sandi: So many people shared kind comments and even hugs as they were leaving, which truly made my day. The sleepless nights (and occasional tears) were all worth it when people showed so much appreciation. I’ve also never had so many LinkedIn notifications! It’s a bit overwhelming replying to them all, but it’s gratifying to see so many posts thanking Kenn, me, and the Association for such a wonderful day.
How did it feel to see your planning efforts come to life?
Kenn: I’m extremely satisfied, despite running on just 3 hours’ sleep before the conference. I was nervous and just wanted to make sure everyone had a great time. Sandi was an incredible partner, making the process smoother and more enjoyable. Every decision we made really paid off.
Sandi: It’s such an amazing feeling. Like Kenn said, we were pretty sleep-deprived and a bit stressed, but everything came together beautifully—and when it didn’t, we pivoted as best we could. I love working with Kenn; we’re a great team and work so well together, which makes everything easier. And having Steven, Daniel and Carol there for moral support was fantastic—we couldn’t ask for better!
What improvements are you already thinking about for next year?
Kenn: It’s definitely challenging to elevate this year’s success. Making sure that we maintain our speaker quality while introducing more engaging activities and interactions. I’m excited to share that our next year’s conference falls on 31 October which means it will feature a dress-up theme, encouraging members to have fun while we make sure they still gain valuable insights.
Sandi: First on the agenda: finding a new courier company! Beyond that, I’m not entirely sure, but one thing I do know is that Kenn and I will have fun figuring it out together!
As we wrap up our reflections, we’re already looking forward to next year’s conference, where we’ll continue to build on this year’s success and bring even more value to our community.
Thank you to everyone who joined us—your energy, support, and enthusiasm made this event so special. If you missed out, don’t worry! We will have more exciting content, networking opportunities, and of course, a bit of fun coming your way next year.
The 2025 Bookkeeping Conference will be held at the Due Drop Event Centre on Friday, 31 October 2025. Tickets are expected to go on sale in April 2025 for the event.
Sign up to our mailing list today and be among the first to know when information is released.
Be sure to check out the photos from the 2024 conference to see all the highlights, including our fantastic speakers and exhibitors!
