Sovos Always On: San Diego

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

Complimentary espresso bar and continental breakfast.

9:30am–9:40am Welcome

Steve Sprague, Chief Strategy Officer, Sovos

9:40am-10:20am Keynote

Kevin Permenter, Research Director, IDC

In a time of rapid change for the office of the CFO, IDC’s keynote session will explore how today’s CFOs are evolving into Chief Data Officers, embracing new data responsibilities to drive strategic decision-making. From elevating data quality and achieving seamless real-time visualizations to integrating powerful analytics, this session empowers attendees to harness AI, drive tax transformation, and navigate global compliance trends.

10:20am-10:30am Email Break

Complimentary beverages available.

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

Erik van der Hoeven, VP Product Management, 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

John Kreger, VP Product Management, 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: Indirect Tax Breakout

Session details coming soon.

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

• Kelly Conner, Director Product Marketing, Sovos

• Serena Alfonso, Registered Principal, Empower Financial Services

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. Featuring a discussion with Empower to help put these phases into real-world context, attendees will leave this session with 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.

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

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

12:00pm–12:30pm Breakout Session: How to Facilitate Exponential Growth Through AI-Driven Forecasting

Tou Yang, Senior IT Manager, The Watkins Company

Tou Yang shares his experience using AI to transform forecasting and scheduling, enabling substantial growth without increasing headcount. Drawing on his expertise across multiple roles, he will discuss real-world applications of AI in material planning to streamline workflows and minimize human error. AI is no longer the future—it’s here. Join this session to explore practical strategies for leveraging AI to drive growth and efficiency in your organization. AI is not the future—it’s happening now. Join this session to learn how you can implement similar strategies to support growth in your organization.

12:00pm-12:30pm Breakout Session: Complying with New 1099-DA Digital Asset Reporting Requirements

Philipp Behrendt, Tax Litigator Associate at Hochman Salkin Toscher Perez P.C.

In this session, Philipp Behrendt guides attendees through the complexities of the new 1099-DA requirements for digital asset reporting. This session will provide participants with a clear understanding of the broker reporting landscape and will explore the implementation timeline set out in the regulations, along with safe harbor provisions included in the regulations, notices, and revenue procedures. Key topics will include challenges in interpreting the regulations and anticipated issues beyond the four corners of the regulations, such as increased correction requests as the new requirements take effect. Finance leaders will gain valuable insights into the law and a deeper understanding of how to navigate this evolving regulatory environment.

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

Catch up on your daily tasks and chat with your fellow attendees as we prepare for lunch.

12:45pm-1:45pm Lunch

Complimentary lunch catered by the San Diego Wine & Culinary Center.

1:45pm-2:30pm Thought Leadership by KPMG

Session details coming soon.

2:30pm-3:00pm Thought Leadership

Session details coming soon.

3:00pm–3:45pm Fireside Chat: What Does Golf Have to do With Anything?

Denny McCarthy, PGA Golf Professional and Steve Sprague, Chief Strategy Officer, Sovos

PGA Pro Denny McCarthy sits down with Sovos Chief Strategy Officer to discuss the importance of precision in golf and in leading high-performing teams.

3:45pm–4:00pm Email Break

Close out your workday tasks before enjoying our interactive, on-site happy hour.

4:00pm–6:00pm Happy Hour

Enjoy craft beer and wine tastings with passed hors d’oeuvres. Guests can enjoy artisan-selected wines, San Diego craft beers and attempt to guess the $100 bottle from a blind tasting.