Business Advisory

Ditch Conference Fatigue: The "Get Together" Approach Transforming Accounting Education

3 min read

Oct 23, 2024 12:00:00 AM

Reimagining Professional Gatherings for More Impactful Learning

The conference season can often be daunting for CPA firm owners and accounting professionals. Big industry events frequently result in an overwhelming amount of information and surface-level networking. But what if there was a more effective way to learn, connect, and grow professionally?

In a recent episode of the "Who's Really the Boss" podcast, hosts Rachel and Marcus Dillon address this issue directly. As CPA firm owners and industry advisors, they’ve come up with an innovative solution: the "Get Together" event format.

The "Get Together" Concept

The Dillons' "Get Together" events are intentionally kept small, with only around 50 to 70 participants. This intimate format encourages a more collaborative environment, countering the impersonal nature of larger conferences.

Key aspects of the Get Together include:

Roundtable discussions. These foster interactive learning and allow for peer-to-peer exchange.
Focused study sessions. These sessions promote deeper dives into topics in smaller, more engaged groups.
Practical, actionable takeaways. The emphasis is on real-world applications instead of abstract theories.

Rachel shares, "We called it Get Together because it truly felt like a gathering of friends—peers in the accounting industry who share the same objectives and a desire to make their firms a better place to work." This model addresses the common frustrations of traditional conferences, including information overload, shallow networking, and a lack of clear action items.

Targeted Audience and Exclusivit

The Get Together events are geared toward firm owners and leaders from businesses generating revenues between $500,000 to $5 million, with team sizes ranging from 3 to 30. This focus allows for content and discussions that are directly relevant to the attendees.

Rachel highlights, "This means there’s a limited number of seats, and we want to ensure we are transparent. We also want to make sure the people who value that transparency are the ones attending." This careful selection process ensures that everyone is there for the right reasons: to learn, share insights, and grow together.

Emphasis on Strategy, Structure, and Systems

The events cover three key areas: strategy, structure, and systems (including technology). Marcus elaborates, "Strategy could be something as simple as mission, vision, and values, which a lot of people dismiss as fluff. But without a clear mission or vision, it becomes challenging to guide the business."

When it comes to structure, the Dillons delve into their "team of three" model, where each client is assigned a Client Service Manager (CSM), Controller, and CFO. During these discussions, attendees explore roles, responsibilities, workloads, and compensation models.

The focus on systems and software highlights tools that improve efficiency and enhance both client and team experiences.

Marcus adds, "We’re connected to key players in the software and systems space, and we partner with them. So, our events aren’t about people selling things. If someone is just there to make a sale, they don’t need to be in the room."

Maximizing Learning and Networking

To make the most out of professional events, the Dillons recommend several strategies:

Set clear goals before attending
Review the agenda ahead of time and choose relevant sessions
Engage actively with other attendees by sharing both challenges and successes
Take time during and after the event to reflect and digest the information
Prioritize next steps and actionable tasks after the event

Rachel stresses the importance of leaving with actionable insights: "If there aren’t any next steps coming out of a conference, I’m not sure I’d call it a success. The next step could be as simple as ‘call this person’ or ‘reach out to that company.’ But if there’s no follow-up action, I don’t know if it was worth the time or investment."

Maximizing ROI on Professional Development

The Get Together format is a refreshing alternative to traditional conferences that often result in information fatigue. By targeting a specific audience, focusing on actionable insights, and offering strategies for effective participation, these events ensure tangible value for all attendees.

When considering your next accounting conference or professional development opportunity, ask yourself: Are you looking for a deluge of information or actionable insights? Would you prefer a room full of strangers or a community of like-minded peers?

In a world flooded with constant information, sometimes less is more. The Get Together approach shows that by rethinking how we learn, connect, and develop professionally, we can create more meaningful and impactful experiences. You can hear more about this approach in the latest episode of the "Who's Really the Boss" podcast.

Rachel and Marcus Dillon

Rachel and Marcus Dillon, CPA, own a Texas-based, remote client accounting and advisory services firm, Dillon Business Advisors, with a team of 15 professionals. Their latest organization, Collective by DBA , supports and guides accounting firm owners and leaders with firm resources, education, and operational strategy through community, groups, and one-on-one advisory

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