Memorable Moments from the NPI 2024 Payroll Conference

Memorable moments by the sea

Team Avanti is celebrating a memorable week at the 2024 National Payroll Institute annual payroll conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The refreshing air and lively maritime atmosphere created an ideal setting to learn about new industry trends and connect with the Canadian payroll community. We’re always ready to recognize and celebrate outstanding Canadian payroll professionals. The expertise and passion on display were truly inspiring.

Check out some of our favourite memories from the NPI 2024 Conference.

1. Early Risers Club

Who wouldn’t want to begin their day with a leisurely stroll along Halifax’s picturesque boardwalk? We embraced the true maritime spirit by starting the payroll conference with a glimpse of the shining lighthouse during our morning walk. Sponsoring the Early Risers Club has been a delightful tradition for us, offering a refreshing start with light activities like walking, running, or yoga before diving into the conference day. Halifax's charm meant that the stunning boardwalk was just a stone’s throw away, making our mornings even more memorable.

2. Opening Ceremonies

What a refreshing start to the payroll conference! Engaging with over 800 payroll professionals during the opening ceremonies was so much fun. We love any opportunity to chat about our ‘tide and true’ payroll solution. Like us, many attendees were experiencing Halifax for the first time and shared our admiration for the city’s beauty.

3. Panel Discussions

The room was buzzing with engagement during two excellent panels hosted by our Co-CEO, Amin, and VP of Sales, Russ, who each spoke to over 400 delegates! The lively discussions and insightful questions from industry leaders on 'Facilitating the Future of Payroll' and 'Optimizing Business Outcomes' provided the room with valuable strategies to bring back to work and foster ongoing dialogue.

4. Technology Round Tables

Spencer, our Senior Account Manager, enjoyed connecting with attendees at their individual Technology Round Tables. The discussions were dynamic and engaging, especially on a topic near and dear to our hearts: the role of implementation and support for payroll success.

5. Product Demo Theatre

Michelle, one of our amazing and knowledgeable Product Managers at Avanti, gave an incredible first look at the future of our Payroll and Time & Attendance modules. She showcased new designs that are the result of extensive research, user feedback, and a commitment to enhancing our clients’ experience. The new interface will not only streamline workflows but also provide a more engaging and efficient user experience. Learn more about how Avanti can save you time and resources here.

6. Russ & Amin’s Education Session - How to Become a Strategic Payroll Leader

It was a busy day, but we were thrilled to end it with an education session led by Amin, Russ, and Melissa, a long-time Avanti user and Payroll Specialist at Acera Insurance. Attendees started with an interactive quiz to assess their organization's readiness for a new HCM implementation. Then we dove into how to build a business case for a new HCM. If you want to learn more, read our blog here.

7. Client Dinner + Happy Hour

Next up, we treated our clients to the Harbour Hopper Tour to see all that Halifax has to offer! We learned some great facts about the city while going from land to sea within minutes! Meanwhile, our Sales team hosted a group of prospects at the 5 Social, and we all met together to continue the fun! Great conversations were had as we enjoyed fresh seafood and local wine and beer.

8. Avanti by the Sea

The NPI Payroll Conference maintained its fresh new look and feel with engaging vendor activations, speed networking rooms, technology round tables, education sessions, and an innovation lab.

We thoroughly enjoyed meeting everyone who visited our speed networking room. Attendees took photos in front of our custom Peggy’s Cove backdrop, entered a draw for an East Coast Lifestyle prize pack, and picked up some Avanti swag along the way. The entire Avanti team was on hand to answer questions about our software, discuss the future of payroll, and demonstrate how we help organizations save time and money.

We hope you enjoyed your time at Avanti by the Sea!

9. Thought Dot Boards

Our speed networking room was a dynamic and interactive experience, with our 'thought dots' serving as fantastic conversation starters. We posed a series of trending questions and invited delegates to share their insights by placing a dot on each board. Topics included their latest implementation experiences and the most important aspects of employee self-service. Take a look at the results below – they are truly eye-opening!

10. Bringing Halifax Back Home

There’s nothing quite like receiving a special surprise in the mail! We designed custom Halifax postcards for delegates to send messages to friends and family. We added postage stamps and mailed them out.

11. Peggy’s Cove + Avanti = Forever

Payroll professionals have a thing for stickers! This year, we designed some pun-ny Halifax-themed ones and they were an absolute hit! One of our clients even took hers to Peggy’s Cove, where it now has a permanent home by the ocean.

12. Congrats to our Prize Pack Winner!

In true maritime spirit, one lucky delegate brought home our East Coast Lifestyle prize pack! Here is Russ giving the lucky winner their gift. Thank you to all who participated!

13. Maritime Music During Fun Night!

This year’s Fun Night had a Nova Scotia twist, featuring a lively kitchen party with spoons, drums, a bagpipe, and more! We had a blast connecting with our clients and dressing the part. The food and drinks were delicious, the company was fantastic, and everyone sang and danced the night away!

We’re looking forward to the 2025 NPI Conference in our hometown of Calgary, Alberta next year! Save the date: June 4-6 2025. Avanti will see you there!

Additional Reading Links

1. How to become a more strategic payroll leader
2. 6 benefits of integrating your payroll and HR software
3. In-house vs. outsourced payroll