Why Scaling New Heights Is Known as "The People’s Conference"

As someone who has spent decades in the accounting profession, I’ve attended more industry conferences than I can count. But none have resonated with me quite like Scaling New Heights®. 

Over the years, I’ve heard something interesting from both exhibitors and fellow attendees: “This is the people’s conference.” And they’re right.

More than a conference 

Scaling New Heights isn’t your typical professional event. It doesn’t exist to sell products or parade thought leadership from a stage. It’s not about optics or exclusivity. It’s about us—the practitioners, the advisors, the firm builders—coming together to share, grow, and move our profession forward. 

This conference feels different because it is different. The content is real-world. The discussions are grounded. The energy is authentic. You’ll find firm owners and solo bookkeepers in the same room, learning side by side—not just about accounting technology, but about running better practices and serving clients in more meaningful ways. 

Built for us, by one of us 

Scaling New Heights was created by Joe Woodard, a nationally recognized technology expert and thought leader, and the CEO of Woodard Events, LLC. Joe comes from our world. He understands the operational and strategic realities of building a practice, because he’s lived it. That authenticity is baked into every aspect of the conference. 

Seventeen years in, Scaling New Heights continues to evolve—but it’s never lost its grounding in practitioner experience. The sessions, the speakers, the learning tracks—all of it is designed with our day-to-day challenges and ambitions in mind. 

A mindset shift: Make It SO 

Each year’s theme helps set the tone, and 2025’s theme, “Make It SO,” couldn’t be more fitting. It’s not just a rallying cry—it’s a mindset. I see so many professionals arrive with ideas, questions, or even pain points. They leave with action plans, new tools, and real momentum. 

Whether you're rolling out a new service line, tackling workflow inefficiencies, or figuring out how to better price your offerings, this is where those plans move from possibility to progress. You don’t just learn what to do—you figure out how to do it, with guidance and support from people who’ve done it themselves. 

Real talk, real tools 

Let me be clear: this isn’t a top-down lecture series. This is a peer-to-peer exchange. In the sessions I’ve led—and the ones I’ve attended—I’ve seen open conversations about what’s working, what isn’t, and what’s next. 

There’s space for vulnerability. There’s space for wins and setbacks. I’ve had more valuable hallway conversations at Scaling New Heights than at most formal roundtables elsewhere. The trust and honesty in the room? That’s rare. And it matters. 

Technology without the intimidation 

One of the biggest value-adds of Scaling New Heights is how it tackles technology. We all know that apps and platforms are evolving fast. This conference helps you navigate that landscape without feeling overwhelmed. It doesn’t just tell you what’s new—it helps you understand what’s useful. 

We focus on technology that helps you click less and advise more—tools that support stronger client relationships, better insights, and scalable operations. And the best part? The vendors here want to help—not just sell. 

Community over competition 

In CAS, it’s easy to fall into comparison. How fast is that firm growing? Should I be offering that service? Am I doing enough? At Scaling New Heights, that mindset shifts. We stop competing and start collaborating. 

We learn from each other. We raise our hands and ask for help. We share the playbooks, the templates, the lessons learned. We show up for each other—not because we have to, but because it’s how we all get better. 

A place for action 

Scaling New Heights doesn’t just fill your notebook. It fills your pipeline. It clarifies your goals. It challenges your thinking. I’ve seen firms leave this event with reimagined client onboarding processes, restructured pricing, or entirely new service strategies. 

It’s empowering. And it’s immediate. You don’t have to wait until you’re back in the office to act—you start at the conference, with peers, mentors, and partners right there beside you. 

Join us in 2025 

If you’re ready to shift from talking about what’s possible to actually making it happen, this is your event. Scaling New Heights is where the accounting profession reconnects with its core: people helping people. 

That’s why they call it the people’s conference. And that’s why I keep coming back—not just to teach or speak, but to learn and grow with all of you. 

Let’s Make It SO—together.