There’s a unique energy at Xerocon, and it’s about more than just the numbers. It’s the feeling of being at the center of the Xero ecosystem.
The Brisbane Convention Centre was buzzing with over 2,000 attendees and nearly 90 exhibitors, all sharing ideas and building connections. We were thrilled to be there as an exhibitor, right alongside our partner Abacus Business Solutions.
We had some great conversations and saw firsthand how businesses are building smarter practices. Here’s a look at what we loved most about our time at Xerocon Brisbane.
What Makes the Xerocon Community So Special?
There are three things that Xero do really well – build great software, build enthusiastic communities, and build industry vision. Xerocon South was packed with all three. From CEO, Rod Drury’s keynote to practical sessions with community members like Growthwise, Xero are future-focused and community driven. As a Xero add-on partner and a member of the wider ecosystem, it felt great to be part of a vision that extends well beyond document management and accounting software.
Getting some Suite tattoos with Hanna and Samara from Consolid8
Upcoming and Recent Xerocon Events
The energy from past Xerocons is still buzzing, but it’s always exciting to look ahead at what’s next. Xero continues to host events around the globe, bringing together accountants, bookkeepers, and app partners to share insights and innovations.
Xerocon Brisbane 2025
What to Expect at the “Supercharged” Event
Mark your calendars for September 3-4, 2025, because Xerocon is returning to the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. The theme for this event is “supercharged,” and it promises to deliver exactly that. Xero is planning more learning sessions, new stages to explore, and a fresh lineup of guest speakers. It’s the perfect opportunity for anyone in the industry to connect, learn, and see what the future of cloud accounting holds. These events are invaluable for discovering how different tools in the ecosystem can work together to streamline your practice.
A Look Back at Xerocon 2024
Highlights from Nashville and London
Xerocon had a busy year in 2024, with major events in both Nashville and London. In August, Xerocon Nashville brought the community together to showcase the latest product developments for the US market. Just a couple of months earlier, Xerocon London did the same for professionals across the UK and Europe. Both events were packed with networking opportunities and key updates, reinforcing Xero’s commitment to its global community and the partners who support it.
New Product Announcements from Xero
Xerocon isn’t just about community; it’s also where Xero unveils its latest product updates. The recent announcements show a clear focus on leveraging AI and providing partners and small businesses with more powerful, efficient tools.
JAX: Xero’s AI Financial Assistant
One of the most talked-about announcements is the next version of JAX, Xero’s generative AI tool. JAX is designed to help accountants and bookkeepers get answers and insights about their clients’ finances more quickly. By integrating AI directly into the platform, Xero is aiming to help its users handle financial management tasks with greater speed and accuracy. It’s a clear signal that AI is set to become a core part of the modern accounting toolkit.
The Xero Partner Hub
Xero is also doubling down on its support for accountants and bookkeepers with the Xero Partner Hub. This program is designed to help partners grow their businesses by connecting them with resources, support, and a network of peers. It’s a space for collaboration and development, making it easier for firms to join the partner program and get the most out of the Xero platform. This focus on partnership is what makes the Xero ecosystem so strong.
New Tools for Small Businesses
Small businesses are also getting a suite of new tools to help them manage their finances. At Xerocon Nashville, Xero introduced new features focused on simplifying essential tasks like taxes, payments, and payroll. These updates are designed to give business owners more control and clarity over their financial operations. When you combine these tools with a robust document management system, you create a seamless workflow for managing everything from invoices and receipts to payroll records, all in one place.
Catching Up with Our Customers at Xerocon
We’re a cloud technology company, which means we spend most days behind a computer in our office. But every so often we get a chance to leave our monitors behind to attend an event like Xerocon.
Nothing beats being on the ground and getting to chat to people face to face. We loved that current SuiteFiles customers went out of their way to find us at the Abacus stand just to say hi or to introduce themselves in person. We even had some people on trials come see us! If you’re reading this and you came to say hello, thank you! Our conversations with you were often the highlight of our days.
Loved meeting up with one of our SuiteFiles Partners, Michael from Essential Technologies Group !
What Made SuiteFiles a Hit at Xerocon?
Over the years we’ve seen a shift in thinking around document management. Many businesses are waking up to the fact that having a dumping ground for your files – sometimes in different software, desktops, or servers – isn’t cutting it.
We had many new faces visit the Abacus stand specifically for document management (particularly because, while Xero Practice Manager and Xero do have options for filing documents against clients and jobs, they’re not built to manage them).
It bolsters our confidence that the tide is turning towards better management of assets (because documents should be looked at that way) and encourages us hugely in the work we do to make document management easy for businesses.
More Than Just a Conference: Other Xero Events
While Xerocon is the main event on the calendar, the community spirit and learning opportunities don’t stop there. Xero keeps the momentum going throughout the year with a variety of other events tailored to different needs and locations. These gatherings are a great way to stay connected with the ecosystem, whether you’re looking for local networking, industry recognition, or career development. From intimate local meetups to prestigious award ceremonies, there are plenty of ways to engage with the Xero community beyond the big conference floor, all part of their vision to build a connected and forward-thinking industry.
Xero Roadshows
If the scale of Xerocon feels a bit overwhelming, or if you’re looking for insights more specific to your local area, Xero Roadshows are the perfect alternative. These are smaller, more intimate meetings held in various cities. Think of them as a concentrated dose of Xerocon, bringing product updates, practical advice, and networking opportunities directly to you. They offer a fantastic chance to connect with your local Xero team and fellow professionals without the need for extensive travel, making it easier to stay in the loop on what matters most to your region.
Xero Awards
Xero also takes the time to celebrate the achievements of its partners through the Xero Awards. Held in different regions around the world, these events recognize accounting and bookkeeping firms for their innovation, hard work, and positive impact on clients. Winning an award is a significant honor, and the ceremonies are a great opportunity to see who is leading the way in the industry. It’s a chance to celebrate the collective success of the community and get inspired by the incredible work being done by your peers.
Graduate and Investor Events
Looking beyond its current partners, Xero also invests in the future of the industry by hosting events for students and recent graduates. These gatherings, held in places like Australia and New Zealand, provide a platform for aspiring professionals to meet Xero employees and learn about career paths in the tech and accounting fields. It’s a clear sign of Xero’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of talent and ensuring the ecosystem continues to thrive for years to come, which benefits everyone involved in the community.
Resources for Partners and Attendees
The value of participating in the Xero ecosystem extends well beyond the events themselves. Xero provides a wealth of resources to help partners and attendees continue their professional growth, apply what they’ve learned, and stay up-to-date with the latest developments. These resources ensure that the benefits of attending an event like Xerocon last long after you’ve returned to the office. They help you integrate new ideas and tools into your daily practice, maximizing the return on your investment of time and money and ensuring the conference has a lasting impact on your business.
Earning CPD Credits
For many accountants and bookkeepers, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a crucial part of maintaining their credentials. Xero recognizes this by ensuring that many of its events, including Xerocon, feature CPD-accredited workshops and sessions. Attending these deep dives allows you to gain practical knowledge on new tools and workflows while simultaneously earning credits that contribute to your professional requirements. It’s a smart and efficient way to combine essential learning with your ongoing career advancement, making the most of your time at the event.
Accessing Post-Event Content on Xero Central
It’s impossible to be in two places at once, and at a conference as packed as Xerocon, you’re bound to miss a session you wanted to see. Fortunately, Xero makes select keynotes and presentations available on demand after the event. You can typically find this content on Xero Central, allowing you to catch up on anything you missed or re-watch a particularly insightful presentation. This is a great way to absorb all the valuable information at your own pace and share key takeaways with your team back at the office.
Ready for Your Xerocon Debrief?
Check out Xerocon in Review for great content or Xero’s Youtube channel for keynote sessions.
What were your highlights from Xerocon? What did you wish there was more of (besides free food)? We’d love to know in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Xerocon considered such a valuable event for accountants and bookkeepers? Xerocon is more than just a standard industry conference. It brings together the three things Xero does best: great software, an enthusiastic community, and a clear vision for the future of the industry. It’s a chance to connect with peers, share practical solutions to common challenges, and get a real sense of where cloud accounting is headed.
I couldn’t attend Xerocon. How can I access the key information and sessions? If you missed the event, you can still catch up on the most important moments. Xero typically makes keynote presentations and other select sessions available on demand. You can find this content on resources like Xero Central or their official YouTube channel, allowing you to review the material at your own pace.
What were the most significant product updates Xero announced? The recent announcements focused heavily on making work more efficient. A major highlight was JAX, Xero’s generative AI assistant designed to help you find financial insights and answers more quickly. They also revealed new tools for small businesses to simplify tasks like taxes and payroll, along with the Xero Partner Hub to better support accountants and bookkeepers.
Xero has some file storage. Why would I need a separate document management system like SuiteFiles? While Xero allows you to attach files to specific records, it isn’t built to be a comprehensive document management system. Many firms find they need a more robust solution as they grow. A dedicated platform helps you manage all of your firm’s and clients’ documents in one place, treating them like the valuable assets they are instead of just files in a folder.
Besides the main conference, what other opportunities are there to connect with the Xero community? If you can’t make it to Xerocon or prefer a smaller setting, Xero hosts Roadshows in various cities. These are more intimate events that bring product updates and networking opportunities to you locally. Xero also holds regional awards to celebrate the achievements of its partners, which is another great way to see what others in the community are doing.
Key Takeaways
- Engage with the Xero Community for Growth: Events like Xerocon show that the real value lies in connection. Participating in the ecosystem helps you stay ahead of industry trends and build partnerships that support your practice.
- Embrace New Tools to Work Smarter: Xero’s focus on AI tools like JAX and resources like the Partner Hub shows a clear direction. Adopting these innovations is key to improving your firm’s efficiency and client services.
- Treat Your Documents Like the Assets They Are: A simple file dump isn’t enough anymore. The conversations at Xerocon highlight a major shift toward strategic document management to create a more organized and secure practice.
