Sovos Always On: Chicago

8:45am-9:30am Registration & Breakfast

Complimentary continental breakfast and breakfast beverages.

9:30am-9:40am Welcome

Kevin Akeroyd, CEO, Sovos

9:40am-10:20am Keynote

Kevin Permenter, Research Director, IDC

As the CFO role reinvents itself in the face of rapid industry change, IDC’s keynote session will showcase how CFOs are emerging as champions of finance employee experience. Discover how they’re reshaping their teams to boost retention and operational efficiency, driving next-level performance. This session will be packed with cutting-edge strategies for talent management, staffing design, tackling risks like brain drain, arming attendees with the tools to master complex compliance during M&A and finance transformation.

10:20am-10:30am Email Break

Complimentary beverages and light snacks available.

10:30am-11:15am Breakout Session: Mapping the Road Ahead: Global Compliance Trends

Chuck Maniace, VP Regulatory Analysis, Sovos

Global expansion introduces a new set of tax compliance challenges that can either propel your business forward or leave it scrambling to catch up. This session offers U.S.-based organizations a front-row seat to the most critical global tax trends, with a special focus on the rapid adoption of e-invoicing and real-time reporting.

We’ll unpack how these trends are reshaping tax compliance worldwide, what steps U.S. companies need to take to align with evolving regulations, and how these global shifts could impact your future domestic obligations. Get ready to future-proof your compliance strategy and ensure your business thrives in an increasingly regulated global marketplace.

10:30am-11:15am Breakout Session: Navigating the Journey of Tax Reporting Modernization

Wendy Walker, VP RegTech Regulatory Affairs, Sovos

Tax reporting is entering a bold new era. In this session, Sovos experts dive into the evolution of IRS and state tax system modernization, offering attendees crucial insights into how recent changes will impact reporting in 2025 and beyond.

The IRS’s ability to efficiently handle more data through cloud-based solutions will require finance leaders to reshape the way their teams manage data and report taxes. For organizations still reporting manually, this session is a must-attend event to ensure your teams are empowered to stay ahead of the curve.

11:15am-11:45am Breakout Session: Mastering Retail Tax Complexities in a Changing Landscape

Joel Mitchell, Tax Compliance Supervisor at REI and Chuck Maniace, VP Regulatory Analysis, Sovos

In this session, Joel from REI shares insights and strategies to help retailers navigate evolving challenges, such as managing retail delivery fees, scaling compliance across multiple states, and addressing unique filing requirements like occupational and tribal taxes. Attendees will gain practical advice on expanding into new locations, conducting nexus reviews to avoid costly oversights, and creating scalable processes to manage changing regulatory requirements.

11:15am-11:45am Breakout Session: Paving the Way for True Reconciliation

Kelly Conner, Director Product Marketing, Sovos

Tax information reporting and withholding are no longer just compliance checkboxes—they’re strategic opportunities. But many organizations are still stuck in a maze of fragmented data and manual processes. To achieve true reconciliation and optimization, teams must adapt accordingly. This session introduces a five-stage maturity model, guiding businesses on how to transform from disconnected data and manual processes to centralized reporting and fully aligned, compliant systems.

Attendees will gain actionable strategies to overcome common pain points such as siloed data and inaccurate filings, while gaining practical insights on how to streamline operations, reduce risk, and ensure year-round data accuracy that can withstand scrutiny.

11:45am-12:00pm Email and Networking Break

Catch up on your daily tasks and chat with your fellow attendees.

12:00pm-12:30pm Breakout Session: Navigating M&A: Sales Tax Strategies for Finance Leaders

Diane Yetter, President, YETTER Tax & Sales Tax Institute

When navigating mergers, acquisitions, or corporate reorganizations, understanding the sales and use tax implications is critical to success. Whether your company is buying or selling, knowing the risks, compliance needs, and financial liabilities can help avoid costly errors.

This session will explore best practices from both buyer and seller perspectives, guiding you through the complexities of due diligence, liability management, registration, and audit issues. We’ll also cover the role of technology in reducing tax-related risks and the dangers of relying on ERP systems that may lack the sophistication needed for effective tax management.

You will leave with a clear understanding of how to navigate these complex transactions while safeguarding your bottom line.

12:00pm–12:30pm Breakout Session: Financial Services Panel: Implementing Provisions of SECURE 2.0

• Susan Nakano, Senior Manager Corporate Tax at Discover Financial Services

• Mike Asher, Tax & Treasury Services Director at Nationwide Financial

Attendees will gain valuable insights into navigating legacy systems in light of the SECURE 2.0 Act, with practical perspectives on balancing operational demands and technical challenges to meet new compliance requirements. The panel will explore strategic approaches to system consolidation that can streamline processes and address SECURE 2.0 complexities, offering actionable takeaways for organizations facing similar transitions.

12:30pm–12:45pm Email and Networking Break

Catch up on your daily tasks and chat with your fellow attendees.

12:45pm–1:45pm Lunch

Complimentary hot lunch catered by Convene’s in-house chef.

1:45pm–2:30pm Empowering Finance Leaders for Digital Transformation Success

Kaveeta Patel and Drew Achenbach, Directors of Indirect Tax Technology at PwC

As finance transformation continues to reshape companies, finance leaders must harness the power of emerging technologies to drive efficiency, accuracy, and compliance for their Indirect tax function. In this session, we will explore how Finance & Tax leaders can leverage technology to streamline changing operations, enhance decision-making, and stay ahead in an increasingly complex regulatory environment. We will also discuss the critical role of indirect tax in finance transformation programs, examining how automation tools and AI can help with a successful implementation. 

2:30pm-3:00pm 2025 Hiring Trends and Retention Strategies

Derek Walsh, Regional Director, Robert Half

In the dynamic landscape of talent acquisition, the competition for skilled professionals remains fierce. While some employers are adopting a more strategic approach to hiring, job vacancies are at unprecedented levels, prompting companies to expand their teams to bridge skill gaps and drive project initiatives forward. Discover how finance & accounting hiring managers are attracting top-tier candidates and fortifying retention strategies amidst the complexities of today’s job market.

3:00pm–3:45pm Fireside Chat

Chris Chelios, three-time Stanley Cup Champion and Kevin Akeroyd, Sovos CEO

NHL Legend Chris Chelios sits down with Sovos CEO to discuss the pursuit of excellence in hockey and in business.

3:45pm-4:00pm Email Break

Close out your workday tasks before joining us for happy hour networking.

4:00pm–6:00pm Happy Hour

Join us at Bar la Rue for an evening of networking, snacking, and a surprise giveaway.