Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Preconference on January 19?

There has been considerable demand over the years to extend the Winning Is Everything Conference. We’ve found a great fit in the “Super Stars Pre-Conference Workshop”. This optional half-day session is designed to provide a more detailed, in-depth look at some of the concepts and ideas that are shared on the main stage at Winning Is Everything. Presented in a smaller group, we have a more relaxed, intimate setting and better access to the presenters.

What time does the conference end?

This year the conference will end at 12:00 noon on Friday, January 21.

What is the dress for the conference?

We have a unique dress code… “sports casual”. We encourage our attendees to wear comfortable, casual or dress casual clothing along with items from their favorite sports teams. We do recommend dressing

What is the best way to get from the airport to the hotel?

We usually recommend taking a taxi from the airport directly to the hotel. Depending on what time you arrive, however, you may need to wait in line at the airport to get your taxi. A complete list of transportation options is listed here.

What is The Advisory Board?

The Advisory Board is a collaboration of esteemed CPA firm consultants & practitioners: Gary Boomer (Boomer Consulting), Allan Koltin (PDI Global, Inc.), Rebecca Ryan (Next Generation Consulting) and Gary Shamis (SS&G Financial Services, Inc.). While each is exceptionally knowledgeable and successful in his or her own area, as a group we are able to collaborate and strengthen our information and guidance. Our mission is to provide innovative practice management education and training, focusing on concepts and ideas that come from outside the profession as well as “best practice” sharing by outstanding firm leaders.

What is unique about this event? Why do you call it “Winning Is Everything”?

When we first developed the idea of a practice management conference, we wanted to make it different. We wanted to provide something that our audience wouldn’t find at any other practice management event. Something that would really inspire those firms that were already on the cutting edge to continue pushing the envelope and to better the profession. The result was a two-pronged approach between content and culture.

In developing content, we started outside the box, and invited keynote speakers that had excellent messages and information – but didn’t practice in or around accounting. Then we took their messages and drilled down – applying them to the CPA firm and partners. The results have been fantastic and have introduced a host of incredibly innovative and motivating personalities to our audience – including “Rudy” Ruttiger, Joe Theismann, futurist Edie Weiner, sales expert Hal Becker, the Orlando Magic’s Pat Williams, Southwest Airlines founder Howard Putnam and a host of others – including our own Rebecca Ryan. Each one has had something valuable to share that applied to management, business or life in general.

The other unique feature is our culture. We wanted to create the excitement and motivation that would get attendees to break out of the mold and look at their business in a totally a different way. We have utilized a sports theme over the years to harness the passion and energy that fans and players alike have for competition. We want our attendees to be as excited about their firms as they are about rooting for their favorite team, or as passionate about creating a top-notch organization as they are about winning a golf tournament. Competition is a constant in life – and in business – and there are many ways that the two overlap. While “winning” isn’t going to happen 100% of the time, (and we even acknowledge that it’s not really everything), we want to encourage our attendees to strive to be the best that they can be – not to settle for complacency and the status quo in their companies, staff or their own lives.

I work with CPA firms, how do I participate?

We have a variety of ways for you to experience and network at Winning Is Everything. Your company can have an exhibit at the conference, or select one of the sponsorship options. If you haven’t attended before, you can also opt to register as a regular attendee and get a feel for the atmosphere and quality of our conference. If you have a unique suggestion as to how you would like to be involved, please feel free to contact show management.

Why Las Vegas?

To be honest, we initially chose Las Vegas because it had easy and inexpensive airport access from all areas on the US and abroad. What we soon discovered is that it ends up providing a multitude of entertainment, dining and sightseeing options – not only on the Las Vegas strip, but even just within our hotel building! Of course there are wonderful casinos, but for those that don’t gamble there are some fantastic stage shows, shopping, spas, pools, exhibits… even an aquarium in our hotel! The Las Vegas location makes it easy for attendees to enjoy themselves in whatever way they choose, and that is something that is difficult to find in many other cities.