Payroll Congress 2025 Recap

The 43rd Annual Payroll Congress took place May 13–16, 2025, at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Florida. Hosted by PayrollOrg, the event brought together thousands of payroll professionals, solution providers, and thought leaders for a high-energy week of learning, networking, and celebration. 

With the theme “Payroll Power Up,” this year’s Congress spotlighted payroll’s expanding role — not just as a critical business function, but as a strategic driver of compliance, agility, and employee well-being. Attendees came ready to level up their skills, gain new tools, and power up for the future of payroll. 

Who attends Payroll Congress? 

From payroll managers and directors to compliance specialists and finance leaders, Payroll Congress attracts professionals from across industries and all levels of payroll expertise. It’s the go-to event for anyone looking to stay ahead of regulatory change, emerging technologies, and shifting workforce expectations. And, of course, there are always plenty of networking opportunities before, during, and after the event. 

Additionally, professionals can earn up to 20 Recertification Credit Hours (RCHs)  for attending and CPAs can earn up to 24 CPE credits for attending specific sessions and workshops. 

Education that goes beyond the basics 

One of the biggest draws of Payroll Congress is the breadth and depth of its educational programming. This year’s event featured four full days of top-rated content, with more than 100 workshops designed to help payroll professionals stay sharp, strategic, and future-ready. 

Workshops were organized across a variety of tracks to meet attendees wherever they are in their career journey. 

Payroll thought leadership 
Real-world case studies and solution-driven sessions showed how organizations are overcoming challenges and delivering ROI through innovative payroll strategies. 

Late-breaking legislative and regulatory updates 
These must-attend sessions offered critical insights into current and upcoming federal and state changes, essential for anyone managing compliance risk. 

Payroll management and operations 
From day-to-day accuracy to process improvement, this track focused on operational excellence and identifying issues before they turn into penalties. 

Benefits and compensation 
Workshops in this track addressed the latest developments in fringe benefits, stock options, and nonqualified deferred compensation, with a focus on staying compliant. 

Global payroll 
Whether managing payroll in one country or across multiple regions, this track explored cross-border compliance, strategy, and success. 

Technology 
Covering topics like AI, robotic process automation, and implementation best practices, these sessions helped teams think more strategically about payroll tech. 

Professional development 
Attendees looking to grow personally and professionally benefited from sessions on analytics, negotiation, communication, and leadership. 

PAYO tools 
Designed for those looking to get more involved with PayrollOrg, this track included sessions on member resources, training tools, and community engagement. 

Keynote takeaways 

The speaker lineup this year brought both inspiration and practical insights: 

• Adam “Smiley” Poswolsky reminded us of the importance of belonging and connection in the workplace, a timely message for people-focused payroll professionals. 
• John Sanei, futurist and strategist, explored the promise and responsibility of AI in shaping the future of work. 
• Christine Cashen closed the conference on a high-energy note, encouraging attendees to lead with positivity and purpose. 

OneSource Virtual at Payroll Congress 

OneSource Virtual (OSV) was proud to be part of the action, connecting with Workday customers and payroll leaders through events, education, and a little fun along the way. Here's what we were up to at the conference. 

Welcome party with Workday 

Before the main event even began, OSV teamed up with Workday and others to co-host a Monday evening welcome party. It was the perfect way to kick off the week with food, drinks, networking, and great conversations about the future of payroll. 

Opening night reception in the expo hall 

On Tuesday evening, we welcomed attendees into our booth with wine and energetic conversation during the expo hall’s opening reception. It was a great opportunity for visitors to unwind, learn more about OSV, and try their luck at our signature booth game. 

Power up your payroll: plinko edition  

The interactive plinko game in our booth sparked a lot of great conversations about what payroll professionals value most from their technology and service providers. Attendees picked a payroll “power up” — like Compliance Shield or Engagement Boost — based on areas they wish they had a little more support or functionality, and dropped a puck into the plinko board to win a prize by landing in the matching slot. It was a fun (and surprisingly insightful) way to explore common payroll pain points and priorities. 

Live demos and theater presentations 

With multiple demo stations and a group theater area in our booth, we were able to give attendees a close-up look at how OSV’s payroll services for Workday customers reduce complexity and boost compliance without requiring integrations or manual workarounds. 

Payroll insights with Pete Tiliakos 

In a special in-booth session on Wednesday, payroll analyst Pete Tiliakos shared insights on “The Five Pillars of Modern Payroll,” including how organizations can modernize their approach to achieve resilience, agility, and employee satisfaction. If you missed the session, but still want the insights, you can watch our webinar with Pete Tiliakos on demand or download our report on the topic. 

Customer meet and greet: Nicole Lynch, Wayfair 

We wrapped up the week by welcoming Nicole Lynch, global payroll manager at Wayfair, to our booth for a casual meet-and-greet on Thursday. Attendees grabbed coffee and got a firsthand look at how Nicole is driving payroll transformation at Wayfair with OSV’s support. 

See you next year? 

Payroll Congress 2025 confirmed what we’ve known all along: payroll is powerful. From processing pay and protecting business continuity to enabling strategic decisions and improving the employee experience. We're proud to support that mission every day and to work alongside the incredible professionals who make it possible. 

We hope to see you next year in Nashville for the 44th Annual Payroll Congress!