Last week, we had the pleasure of attending, and for the first time sponsoring, Scaling New Heights 2025 in Orlando, Florida. And what an incredible experience it was.
Billed as one of the premier events for accounting and bookkeeping professionals, this year’s conference theme, “Make It So,” perfectly captured the prevailing mood. There was a palpable sense of momentum and optimism throughout the event, especially when it came to how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the profession and industry.
“This year, the conversation around AI shifted – from fear to fierce focus on adoption and opportunity.”
From insightful breakout sessions and thought-provoking keynotes to a bustling exhibitor hall packed with innovation, #SNH2025 delivered on its promise: to empower advisors and firm owners to take action and shape the future of their practices.
A Shift in the AI Conversation: From Fear to Focus
If 2024 was the year the accounting profession stared wide-eyed at the implications of AI, 2025 was the year we embraced it.
Last year’s tone carried a healthy mix of curiosity and concern about how AI would change our roles, our firms, and our relationships with clients. This year, however, the narrative shifted dramatically.
“We’re no longer wondering if we should adapt, we’re now asking how fast we can do it.”
The training schedule featured dozens of AI-focused sessions, ranging from workflow automation and predictive analytics to ethical AI usage and advisory opportunities. Rather than displacing accountants, AI is now being seen as a force multiplier, helping firms streamline compliance work, elevate client conversations, and deliver more meaningful value.
Spotlight on Thought Leaders
Scaling New Heights is known for its stellar speaker lineup, and this year was no exception. A big shout out to this year’s emcee Dawn Brolin, accounting’s Designated Motivator, who bought a genuine, fun and the true spirit of the accounting profession to the main stage. Several sessions stood out for their practical wisdom, thought leadership, and inspiring delivery:
- Geni Whitehouse reminded us that communication is still at the heart of great advisory work. Her session blended storytelling, psychology, and self-motivation in a way only Geni can. Plus, she got to fulfill a lifelong dream of being joined by a basset hound on stage
- Deb Defer brought a wealth of experience on CAS (Client Accounting Services) transformation. Her advice on structuring teams, technology and services for scalability resonated strongly with firms looking to expand their advisory footprint.
“Advisory success isn’t just about the tools—it’s about the people and the process.” —Deb Defer
- Samantha Hallburn challenged attendees to reconsider who their ideal clients are in her session, “Unintended Consequences: The Hidden Costs of Working with Non-Ideal Clients.”
“You can’t scale your firm if you’re spending all your time with the wrong clients.” —Samantha Hallburn
Exhibitor Hall Highlights: Innovation at Every Corner
With one of the largest exhibitor halls in Scaling New Heights history, this year’s sponsor showcase felt like the beating heart of the event. And while industry giant Intuit was notably absent, the energy, innovation, and variety of solutions on display more than made up for it.
AI-First General Ledgers Are Here
Two vendors made waves with bold visions for a new kind of general ledger:
- Digits turned heads with their campaign to #QuitBooks, positioning themselves as the modern, AI-powered alternative to legacy systems. Their platform offers real-time financial intelligence and a sleek user experience—but it’s still early days for many firms.
- Puzzle impressed with its automation and reconciliation features, particularly for startup clients.
“These tools aren’t ready for every firm just yet—but their ambition is undeniable, and their progress is exciting.”
Aider.ai: Making Reporting Truly Intelligent
Aider.ai continues to evolve, offering AI-powered reporting tools that deliver meaningful, actionable insights to clients. Their focus on turning data into conversation-ready advice aligns perfectly with the advisory services many firms are trying to scale.
One to Watch: Levvy Enters the Scene
Also turning heads on the exhibitor floor was Levvy, a new entrant in the practice management space. While still early in their journey, Levvy is aiming to rethink how firms manage their workflows, communications, and client experience, all through a fresh, modern interface.
“Levvy is a promising newcomer bringing fresh thinking to the practice management landscape.”
More Standouts from the Sponsor Floor
We could go on and on, but two other sponsors also stood out:
- Canopy showcased its modern practice management platform that brings together client communication, task tracking, document management, and billing into one intuitive system. Their focus on ease-of-use and workflow efficiency resonated with firms looking to reduce tech stack bloat.
- Relay brought fresh energy to firm-client banking collaboration with real-time visibility and easy integration. We’re long-time users and fans of Relay and it was great to see the team and hear more about their roadmap ahead.
“The sponsor floor wasn’t just a product showcase—it was a glimpse into the future of firm operations.”
A Heartfelt Thank You to the Organizers
We want to extend a huge thank you to Joe Woodard, Heather Satterley, and the entire Woodard team for putting on such a thoughtful, well-run event. From the session tracks to the sponsor experience, it was clear that every detail was curated with purpose and care.
“As a first-time sponsor, we felt welcomed, supported, and genuinely part of the community.”
It was especially rewarding to connect with so many of our current clients in person and to build new relationships with firms just beginning to explore outsourcing, automation, and advisory transformation. The sense of community and shared purpose was inspiring.
Looking Ahead to Scaling New Heights 2026
The good news? We get to do it all again next year.
📍 Save the Date: Scaling New Heights 2026 takes place June 14–17 at the Orlando Marriott World Center in Orlando, Florida.
With the new theme of “Strange New World,” we’re expecting a bold exploration of emerging technologies, business models, and opportunities for firm transformation. You can already explore next year’s event details at woodard.com/scaling-new-heights-2026.
Final Thoughts
As a first-time sponsor at Scaling New Heights, we came in with high hopes, and left with full notebooks, renewed energy, and an even deeper commitment to helping accounting firms thrive.
We can’t wait to build on the momentum from this event and continue supporting firms as they navigate change, embrace innovation, and boldly move forward.
See you in Orlando in 2026. But, until then, let’s make it so.
