Memorable Moments from the NPI 2025 Payroll Conference

Memorable moments with a mountain view

Team Avanti celebrated an incredible week at the 2025 National Payroll Institute Annual Conference in Calgary, Alberta. The fresh mountain air and vibrant city energy provided the perfect backdrop for exploring the latest payroll trends and connecting with payroll professionals from across Canada. We’re always proud to recognize and celebrate the achievements of outstanding Canadian payroll leaders—and this year’s talent and dedication were nothing short of inspiring.

Check out some of our favourite memories from the NPI 2025 Conference.

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1. Early Risers Club

There’s something invigorating about starting the day surrounded by Calgary’s crisp mountain air and sweeping views. Avanti brought that energy each morning of the conference by hosting the Early Risers Club—an opportunity for attendees to kick off their morning with a light walk or jog through the city’s scenic pathways. With the Rockies on the horizon and Calgary’s dynamic downtown as our backdrop, it was the perfect setting to energize both body and mind before a full day of sessions.

2. Opening Cocktail Reception

What a refreshing start to the payroll conference! Engaging with 1,000 payroll professionals during the opening cocktail reception was so much fun. We love any opportunity to chat about how you can 'Wrangle your Payroll' with Avanti. 🤠

3. Technology Round Tables

Avanti team members had a great time connecting with attendees during the Technology Round Tables. These sessions sparked engaging, in-depth conversations on a range of topics—from automation tools and wellness in the workplace to delivering exceptional client care and practical ways to leverage AI in daily tasks. One particularly lively discussion centred on what payroll professionals wish their systems could do—but currently can't—as well as why some systems may be underperforming. A recurring theme across the tables was the vital role of implementation and ongoing support in driving payroll success, a topic our team is especially passionate about.

4. Product Demo Theatre

Michelle, one of our intrepid Product Managers at Avanti, gave a fantastic look at Avanti’s onboarding portal and Avanti Go mobile app. She showcased how Avanti helps take organizations from complexity to clarity by automating manual and tedious tasks, auto-populating the employee profile with payroll data, and ensuring employees are ready for payday from day one. Learn more about our remote onboarding here.

5. Client Dinner + Happy Hour

We were thrilled to treat our amazing clients to an evening at Craft Beer Market in Calgary, where great food, drinks, and lively conversation set the tone. Our CEO, Dave, shared an exciting insider’s look at what’s on the horizon for Avanti, giving clients a preview of the innovations we’re working on. It was a fantastic opportunity to connect in a relaxed setting, share ideas, and celebrate the payroll community together. The energy and enthusiasm carried throughout the evening as we enjoyed fresh local fare and meaningful conversations that reminded us why building strong relationships is at the core of what we do.

6. Wrangle Your Payroll with Avanti

We thoroughly enjoyed meeting everyone who visited our sponsor room. Attendees took photos in front of our Western-themed background, entered a draw for an iPad, and picked up some Avanti swag along the way. The entire Avanti team was on hand to answer questions about our software, discuss the future of payroll, and demonstrate how we help organizations save time and money.

We hope you enjoyed your time ‘Saddling Up for Simpler Payroll’ with Avanti!

7. Thought Dot Boards

Our sponsor room was a dynamic and interactive experience, with our 'thought dots' serving as fantastic conversation starters. We posed a series of trending questions and invited delegates to share their insights by placing a dot on each board. Topics included payroll challenges and the ability to handle compliance changes. Take a look at the results below – they are truly eye-opening!

8. Bringing Calgary Back Home

There’s nothing quite like receiving a special surprise in the mail! We designed custom Calgary postcards for delegates to send messages to friends and family. We added postage stamps and mailed them out.

9. Michelle’s Education Session - Why Payroll Best Practices Matter

It was a busy week, but we were thrilled to end it with an educational session led by Michelle, our Avanti payroll expert. We explored the importance of accurate payroll management and its impact on compliance, cost-effectiveness, and employee satisfaction. Michelle wrapped up the session with actionable insights and practical guidance for implementing best practices to simplify your payroll process and set your team up for success.

We’re looking forward to the 2026 NPI Conference in Montreal next year! Avanti will see you there!

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