QuickBooks Connect 2018 Main-stage Speakers

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Intuit has made some recent additions to the list of speakers for this year's QuickBooks Connect being held November 5 - 7, 2018 at the San Jose (California) Convention Center. Among this year's main-stage speakers are Alex Banayan, Mindy Kaling, Dylan Lauren and Alex Rodriguez.

Alex Banayan is a venture capitalist who has presented his award-winning Third Door framework to business conferences and corporate leadership teams around the world, including Apple, Google, Nike, IBM, Snapchat, Salesforce, among others.

It all began when he parlayed his winnings from the game show Price Is Right to fund his quest to learn from the world’s most successful people.

Since then, Banayan has been named to Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list and Business Insider’s “Most Powerful People Under 30.”  He is also the author of an upcoming business book being published by the Crown Publishing Group, the largest subsidiary of Random House.

You know her from the hit sitcom, The Office. Mindy Kaling is an actress, comedian, and writer. From 2005 to 2013, she played Kelly Kapoor in the NBC sitcom The Office.

In addition to acting in it, she was a writer, executive producer, and occasional director. Recognition for her work on The Office include a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series in 2010.

She is one of the hardest working and most sought-after self-employed entrepreneurs in the entertainment industry. Hear the lessons she learned as a businesswoman and independent artist juggling multiple disciplines and interests.

Dylan Lauren is an entrepreneur and creator of Dylan’s Candy Bar, the world's largest confectionery emporium (aka: ‘the largest candy store in the world’).

Dylan has merged art, fashion and pop culture with candy. Of course, she is likely to have gotten her ‘fashion sense’ from her father, American fashion designer Ralph Lauren.

During her main-stage appearance at QuickBooks Connect you will hear what Dylan has learned during her journey and tips on how to stay relevant in a competitive marketplace.

Alex Rodriguez is a Baseball icon and considered to be one of the greatest athletes in the world. During his baseball career, including a World Series Championship with the New York Yankees,

Mr. Rodriguez also built a tremendously successful investment firm with the purchase of a single duplex in 2003. From there he founded the A-Rod Corporation, a multi-faceted business that continues to invest in real estate and development, but has expanded into sports and wellness, media and entertainment employing more than 500 people.

During his main-stage appearance at QuickBooks Connect, Mr. Rodriguez will bring his unique perspective on discussing how he managed two successful careers simultaneously. He will also discuss valuable life lessons that now rule his daily decision-making process, share his best business advice and explain why following your passion is key to success and survival.

Over the next few weeks Intuit will continue to announce speakers for this year's QuickBooks Connect. Stay tuned, Insightful Accountant will bring you those announcements just as soon as they are made. For a list of additional speakers including those making breakout session presentations, check out the official QuickBooks Connect Speakers webpage.

For those of you who haven't decided to attend, QuickBooks Connect is all about connecting and each day has a different connection focus.

November 5 is 'Accountant Day' providing exhibits, and more than twenty breakout sessions ranging 'the Gig Economy' to 'Data flow and QBO'. Participants will also hear the welcoming keynote addresses from Intuit executives including product announcements and updates. This day provides a great opportunity for accountants to not only connect with other accountants, but to connect with product managers and third-party App developers.

Speaking of App developers, and exhibitors. Did you know that there are presently more than eighty-five vendors who will be exhibiting their offerings at QuickBooks Connect? You will have the opportunity to not only visit with these developers and see their App offerings, but hear about enhancements, future offerings, and even discuss your specific needs and issues. Many of these developers offer accountants an opportunity to 'connect' with them via a partnership program or (as we like to call them here at IA) an 'App Alliance.' For more details about the exhibitors attending see the official QuickBooks Connect Exhibitors webpage.

November 6 is the 'Main Day' in which not only accountants and developers are in attendance but small business owners and students who are there to experience and learn from others like themselves, as well as the experts. In addition to the main-stage presentations by keynote speakers, there will be more than thirty breakout sessions geared toward small business ranging from 'The Entrepreneurs Toolkit' to  'Funding Sources & Alternatives', from 'Nurturing your Online Brand' to 'Non-Profit Resources'. This is also a great time to 'connect' with small business leaders and entrepreneurs who may need your expertise.

November 7 is the 'Accountant Finale' which provides about a dozen additional breakout sessions as well as a 'wrap-up final main stage' event. It's that opportunity to not only look back at what you've learned during the event but to look ahead at how your new knowledge and most importantly, new 'connections' can help your firm grow.

For more day-by-day details you can check out the official QuickBooks Connect Agenda webpage.

Right now, registration remains open, and at at a 30% savings through September 20th (2018). You can register at the official QuickBooks Connect 2018 Registration webpage.

For information regarding travel, location details including parking, and nearby hotels, see the official QuickBooks Connect Travel webpage.