Community, care and collaboration: Why I can’t wait for my first Xerocon London

Xerocon London 2022 is almost here, and I can’t wait to see you all during my first time at this amazing event. After a long break, we’ll be back with a bang – even if this year will be a little different, with an iconic new venue, a height-of-summer date, and even more to look forward to. 

But what will remain the same is the incredible sense of community, care and collaboration that the event has always inspired. I’m thrilled that we will get the chance to reconnect and recreate that magic, with a few new twists. 

I’d also like to say a huge thank you to all the Xeros who have worked so hard to make Xerocon London 2022 a reality. It’s been an incredible team effort from so many of you, and I can’t overstate how grateful I am to experience it myself.

Now, I want to explain what my first Xerocon means to me, and how glad I am to play a part in it. 

True and genuine customer care

I’m going to let you in on a secret: before joining Xero, I wasn’t even remotely aware of just how big Xerocon was. Of course, I’d heard of the yearly event where accountants and cloud accounting leaders gather, but that’s where my knowledge ended. 

Now that I’m here, I have been blown away by the magnitude of Xerocon, and its importance above and beyond your run-of-the-mill conference. This truly is a community event, and the depth of enthusiasm, care and even love that goes into Xerocon has been incredible to witness. 

This is so much more than customer-centricity. It’s a celebration of our community – of how caring, passionate and driven our accounting and bookkeeping partners are, and how vital they are to the success of small businesses. I know of very few businesses that have been able to build a true community of customers like Xero has, and I cannot emphasise enough what an incredible privilege, but also responsibility, that is! 

We have a packed agenda of exciting keynote speakers and amazing breakout sessions, as well as a hall full of brilliant app partners ready to share their solutions to bring even greater success to you and your clients. We also have a range of fun activities on offer that I don’t want to spoil here. 

However, what I’m most excited about is meeting you in the context of this community event. To learn what we should do more, what we should do less, and to hear all about your experiences over the past few years. Being able to do so over a coffee is just a bonus.

Adapting to change

Change might not always feel welcome, but it is necessary. It’s nothing to shy away from – it’s part of our journey. 

One of my favourite quotes is: “The seven most expensive words in business are: we have always done it this way”. Xero, our customers, and our partners have changed since our last Xerocon, for reasons too numerous to mention here, and this year’s event will embrace this change. 

The underlying goal remains the same: we want to reconnect with you, and rekindle what we’ve missed these last three years. There will be many elements you will recognise, and I look forward to enjoying those with you. 

But I also can’t wait for you to experience the new Xerocon – with the stunning new venue arguably the most exciting part. Hosting the event at Tobacco Dock will make for an even more special occasion. It is a fitting stage for a return that’s been a long time coming. 

While there have been changes, the good news is we have an honest, candid and enthusiastic community who will hold us accountable and make sure we never steer too far from who we are. Xerocon may look different, but the same values remain. I can’t wait to celebrate them with you in person. 

Why not join the Xerocon conversation on social media, using the hashtag #Xerocon, or check out our Twitter or Instagram for live updates at the event.