I don't know about you, but I'm counting down to the start of Intuit Connect 2026 in Las Vegas, October 26 through 28.
Will you be there? I will, at least part of the time.
I think this is like either number 16 or 17 since the start of what was first called 'QuickBooks Connect' and what's now known as 'Intuit Connect.' The event is back in Las Vegas this year, for the fifth year. Prior to Las Vegas, Intuit hosted the event in San Jose, California which is fairly close to their Mountain View Headquarters.
But that's all water under the bridge... we are talking about this year, and the event is at one of my favorite Vegas hotels, The Aria. It just seems to me, though the amount of walking I may regret this year having recently injured my Right Knee, that there is far less walking required to get from the hotel rooms to the conference center, and once there, it's more of an escalator or elevator shuffle between floors to reach the main stage, the exhibit hall, the breakout session, and the 'feeding trough.'
So, as far as the Aria goes, it's my kind of Vegas hotel... not to mention there are at least a handful of really good eateries to enjoy, but I won't mention them so that you don't jump on the bandwagon and beat me to them when it comes time to dine.
Speaking of the Conference Center (and hike to get there), don't forget that you need to pick-up your conference badge in the registration area before heading anywhere else. Even many of the 'Sunday night' Sponsor events require you to have your conference badge in order to gain admission, whether they are 'on campus' or elsewhere in Vegas.
Yes, you can grab yourself some early morning 'chow' from 7:30 to 9 AM Monday morning, just follow the crowd, they will all be headed to the 'coffee' after those late-night Sunday parties.
Let's talk about some of what's being offered at this year's Intuit Connect. First, a tremendous Expo Hall filled with Sponsor booths and Intuit Partners providing a wealth of opportunity to see, up close and personal those Apps you've been hearing about but haven't had the opportunity to experience first-hand. You will also find all of the Intuit product and service kiosks with experts from the product teams. Be sure to look for the Intuit Accountant Suite, the Intuit Enterprise Suite and the Intuit ProPartner Program kiosks because these three will likely impact your lives in future years as much, if not more so than any other part of the Intuit Ecosystem.
Unlike many conference that start with a main-stage presentation, Intuit Connect really begins the first day with break-out sessions from 9:00 - 10:00 AM, 11:00 - noon, 1:30 to 2:30 PM, and 2:45 to 3:30 PM (all times approximate, but close). There are hundreds of breakout sessions covering AI & platform innovations, Firm growth & advisory, and more.
It's not until 4 PM Vegas time that the event's first main-stage presentation opens with a welcome from Intuit's CEO, Sasan Goodarzi. Sasan will talk about where the Intuit Platform is headed, why Accountant's are a key component of Intuit's future, and how Intuit is investing in helping Accountant's grow and succeed.
The main event will also feature Jon Dorenbos, a former NFL player who magically turned a football into a Rabbit-in-a-Top Hat and pulled the trick off of becoming a world-class magician. And to carry around a title like that, in a city where "Magic is big business' is a bit of magic itself.
As soon as 'the magic has happened' everyone will 'disappear' from the main-stage theater and rush right over to the Expo for the welcoming reception hosting attendees for some food, music, and great opportunities to meet with fellow attendees, sponsors, Intuit product teams and many others. Who knows, you might even find me munching on a 'meatball', or a 'shrimp skewer', or some tasty desert. Be sure to say hi, I will be the one wearing the Stetson.
And yes, there will be plenty more Sponsor hosted parties Monday night after the reception.
Tuesday begins with a 7:30 - 9 AM Breakfast offering, and the Expo Hall opening at 8:00 AM. You might have signed up for a 'Support Expert' Session in one of the areas adjoining all those Intuit Product kiosks. You can sign-up to secure a spot over the topic you are hoping to get help with.
Breakouts begin at 9:00 and end just before 10AM, after a 30-minute break, head back to the Main Stage event hall to hear Jefferson Fisher, and attorney and New York Times bestselling Author. This main stage from 10:30 - 12 Noon also has the Intuit Innovation Spotlight presentation where Intuit product leaders will take the audience through an in-depth look at what's happening with the platform, enhancements driven by accountant and user requests, market-leading innovations (especially in the incorporation of AI) and what's on the product pipeline for the near term. If product is 'you thang', you won't want to miss it.
After lunch there are more breakout session from 1:30 to 2:30 PM, and 2:45 - 3:30. At 4:00 PM there will be a 'Customer Panel' on the main-stage followed by Lupita Nyong'o who will tell her story of perseverance and achievement.
About 5 PM it's time for the parties to begin... first, the 'ConnectFest Countdown' in other words, a mini-party counting down in the Expo Hall where you can enjoy a cocktail and some chat before heading over to the evening's main-even... ConnectFest "The Party" being held at the Jewel Nightclub. And yes, don't forget that conference badge, or you won't make it past the doorman. I will leave it up to your imagination as to what happens after ConnectFest.
For those who can struggle their way out of bed and down for breakfast at 7:30 it will be waiting on you Wednesday morning, the last day of Intuit Connect. The Expo Hall opens at 8 and will remain open until 11 when the hall begins shutting down, this is a great time to pick-up almost anything the sponsors are handing out, because they would rather you carry it home, then they having to pack it up and pay for shipping costs. So, if you have kids at home, especially little ones, be looking for the small stuffed animals, rubber balls, and candy treats.
At 11 AM, the final main-stage event opens with Angela Duckworth, MacArthur Fellow and #1 New Yor Times bestselling author of Grit. You will get a peak at her new book. You also will hear from Zack Kass, former Head of Go-to-Market at Open AI as he speaks on the Human Advantage in the Age of AI.
At noon, the big rush is on to get checked out of your room, down to the Uber or Taxi stand for your ride, and headed to the airport to stand in those long TSA lines. Yes, TSA Precheck helps, but 'Clear'... well let me just say, it's like being a celebrity, especially in Vegas where they offer 'front door' to 'gate' concierge service. I'll be the one in my Stetson zipping through the Clear-line while you are waiting, and waiting and waiting in one of those other security checkpoints.
Of course, if you decided to make it a long weekend, then break out your phone or tablet on Thursday and login to Insightful Accountant and read my Intuit Connect recap.
Oh' one last word. I forgot to mention that Intuit is offering "Connect Livestream" this year, your opportunity to 'attend Connect virtually.' For more details check out the details below, and register at: https://events.intuit.com/intuitconnect-on/vegas-2026-livestream-registration
It will be almost like being there!