NAEA Members Win Big in Vegas

More than 150 National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA) members and guests braved the Las Vegas heat in July to attend the Special Topics Workshop, our first live event in 19 months. Some came for the content, some came for the location, but almost everyone came for the networking and the interaction with their friends and peers. The most common point of discussion was how happy people were to be back out at a live event.

Back in January 2021, when we decided to host a small program to avoid a sizable venue cancellation fee, we had no idea what things would look like in July. Once we started to promote the event, positive feedback and registrations started rolling in. We were pleasantly surprised when we hit our conservative registration goal, and ecstatic when we reached our stretch goal. Sponsors and exhibitors were also very excited to support the event and get back in front of our members.

By June, COVID-19 cases had been on the decline and vaccines were readily available; however, the Delta variant started to emerge. By early July it was more widespread, especially in Las Vegas, and this created a bit of uncertainty and the need for additional precautions. We had a sold-out crowd that we did not want to disappoint so we decided the show must go on.

It was so great to finally meet members in person. While we had many past National Conference attendees with us, we also had lots of first-timers and new members attend. The energy at the welcome reception was palpable. The speaker lineup was full of dynamic presenters who were just as excited to be in front of a live group as the attendees were to be there.

Zoom fatigue is real and will never fully replace the interaction of in-person meetings and events. However, virtual learning and meetings are likely here to stay. Making them fun, interactive, and worthwhile will continue to be a work in progress. But the reality is we have been able to engage and
reach more members than ever through virtual events and programming. NAEA will continue to offer a mix of programs. We will experiment with format and timing, analyze the registration data, and monitor member feedback to help us continue to provide a variety of learning and networking opportunities.

Coming soon is the Winter Education Academy in Scottsdale, Arizona. The event which will be from December 1–3 at the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa, will be our next live event. The education lineup will feature National Tax Practice Institute™ (NTPI®) Level 3, two days of tax preparation education, and one day of practice management. We look forward to gathering again for learning and camaraderie. Registration and location details
can be found in the events section of the website. We hope to see you there!