When I stepped on stage in Dallas for the first time, I was less than 60 days into my role at Aiwyn. It was both exciting and a little unfamiliar, standing in front of 200 firm leaders, technology partners, and peers. But that moment reminded me of something important: excitement and uncertainty often come hand-in-hand – and that’s exactly where growth happens.

Finding energy in newness

I opened the user conference by asking: “When was the last time you felt truly excited about something?” That initial spark,  a mix of nerves and anticipation, is what Unlock is all about. Just like modernizing your firm, it may feel uncertain, but it’s also filled with possibility.

Over the two days together, we leaned into that energy. From conversations over coffee to packed sessions on AI, tax, and practice management, we saw firsthand how curiosity drives innovation.

The sessions that stood out

This year’s agenda had something for everyone. While I may be biased in saying the end-to-end platform demo was my favorite, I wanted to highlight a few other meaningful sessions from this year’s agenda.

Better together with our ecosystem partners

One of the standout sessions this year highlighted the power of partnerships. The panel brought together leaders from across the accounting technology landscape to discuss what it means to build a truly connected ecosystem. 

• Blake Rudolph, Sr. Manager, Enterprise Accountant Partnerships at Ramp
• Kourosh Zamani, Co-Founder, Strategic Growth & Partnerships at Laurel 
• Abdul Masud, Senior Azure Specialist – Data & AI at Microsoft
• Matt Naber, Head of Audit Adoption at Inflo

The conversation touched on why firms need more than siloed tools, how trust and collaboration shape roadmaps, and the role AI, automation, and data are playing in reshaping the profession. The takeaway was clear: when best-in-class partners work together, firms gain the seamless, future-focused experiences they need to thrive

Practice transformation in action

Alex Kenis, our transformation expert, walked attendees through a practical approach to planning meaningful change. This session included roundtable discussions, where attendees had the opportunity to engage in guided questions on how to organize their transformation methodology. 

Roundtables at Unlock are always a favorite because they create space for honest conversations, the exchange of ideas, and learning directly from peers who face the same challenges. It’s one of our favorite parts of the conference, and this session captured exactly why: collaboration sparks the kind of insights that stick long after the event ends.

How to define, measure, and act on innovation 

Day 2 opened with an energizing keynote from Marc Staut, CIO of Boomer Consulting. Coming off the first day’s focus on strategy and vision, Marc shifted the conversation toward time and how firms can use AI and innovation not just to modernize, but to reclaim time for higher-value work. He emphasized that the real opportunity isn’t in the tools themselves, but in how they free up teams to focus on relationships, advisory, and growth. His session set the pace for the day, reminding everyone that the future of accounting will be defined by how firms choose to spend their most limited resource: time.

Check out the full summary of Marc’s session here.

Accelerating payments

The payments session showed how Aiwyn continues to innovate around its core product, delivering features firms have been asking for from stronger dashboards and automation to a more modern, seamless client experience. Attendees saw new enhancements across the Firm and Client Portals, including international payments, downloadable invoices, and integration with SafeSend. 

The biggest highlight was the release of Apple Pay and Google Pay support, bringing one-tap convenience into everyday firm workflows and client interactions.

Overall, what struck me most was the openness. Leaders were candid about what’s hard, what’s exciting, and how they’re navigating the balance.

Community at the center

One of my favorite parts was seeing connections form outside the sessions. From the welcome reception at The Mexican to hallway conversations and even speed networking, it was clear: nobody here is alone in this journey.

I heard story after story of firms wrestling with change. Some felt energized, some admitted it was uncomfortable. But the common thread? A growing confidence that together, we’re moving the profession forward.

Looking ahead together

Unlock 2025 wasn’t just about automation, billing, or AI. It was about building confidence to take on what’s next. It was about realizing you’re not alone. That your peers, the Aiwyn team, and our technology partners are here to walk with you.

And we’re not slowing down. Mark your calendars: Unlock 2026 will take place next November, giving more of our tax professionals the chance to join. It will be our 5th annual conference and the biggest yet.

As someone new to Aiwyn, Unlock was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do, to create space for connection, collaboration, and progress. Thank you for making me feel at home, and thank you for making this community what it is. Until next year!