PowerUp 25: Helping Kiwi businesses thrive

12 August, 9am to 5pm | Auckland and online

Why attend PowerUp 25?

PowerUp is your front-row seat to the future of business — built for your business, your team, and your growth.

Join us for a high-impact day designed to power SME transformation — from surviving to thriving. You’ll connect with like-minded business owners, discover how AI and automation are reshaping the way Kiwi businesses work, and gain fresh insights from industry leaders like April Dunford. Walk away with real tools, new momentum, and practical ways to grow your business. Plus, you’ll get early access to Smartly’s roadmap and experience what’s coming next firsthand.

PowerUp 25 Agenda highlights

Positioning your business for growth

Discover how New Zealand SMEs are shifting from survival to growth and gain practical strategies to help you build high-performing teams. Plus, learn how to sharpen your market positioning to connect with the right customers — capped off by powerful insights from April Dunford’s keynote on standing out and driving growth in competitive markets. All brought together under the steady hand of MC Mike McRoberts, it’s a day designed to leave you with clear, actionable frameworks to grow your business.

Expert panels

Hear from Kiwi business leaders in three dynamic sessions, sharing real stories of progress, pivots, and practical wins that you can take straight back to your team. Explore themes like resilience and reinvention, payroll tech, compliance and AI, and what’s next for Smartly.

Breakout sessions

Get hands-on insights that tackle real business challenges in our breakout sessions — from team building and payroll compliance to shaping future features. You’ll leave inspired and equipped with tools, ideas, and connections to help you and your business thrive.

Networking opportunities

Experience a full day designed to fuel confidence, connection, and growth for you and your business. Connect with international thought leaders, product experts, Smartly’s senior leadership, and exhibitors who are helping Kiwi SMEs grow their people and businesses.

Key speakers

April Dunford - Keynote speaker Join April Dunford, a globally recognised positioning expert, as she shares proven strategies to help your business stand out and grow in competitive markets. Drawing on 25 years of experience and her unique, battle-tested methodology, April has guided over 200 companies — from emerging startups to industry leaders in crafting clear, compelling positioning and sales messaging that drives real revenue.

Lou Kuegler - Executive coach Learn how Lou helps Kiwi businesses build high-performing teams in challenging times with practical, evidence-based strategies to boost resilience, drive engagement, and align teams’ mindsets with business goals.

Melissa Cheals - CEO, Smartly Hear from Melissa Cheals on why now’s the time to shift from survival mode to a growth mindset in 2025's improving economy. Plus, discover how Smartly is evolving to support your business transformation journey.

Mainstage panels

NZ SMEs Rising: Real Stories of Resilience and Reinvention
Hear from Kiwi business leaders who’ve faced recent economic challenges and emerged stronger. Walk away with practical takeaways and smart strategies you can implement straight away.
Smartly’s Future Unveiled Product Innovations
Get an exclusive first look at Smartly's upcoming features designed to make payroll and people management even simpler and smarter – from automating compliance to boosting employee experience!
What’s next for payroll? Tech, AI and compliance
Hear from experts on New Zealand’s rapidly evolving payroll landscape. We’ll cover AI-driven compliance, Holidays Act reforms, changes to contractor classification, and staying ahead of regulation.

Highlights from previous Smartly events

Watch the highlights from an earlier event to get a feel for the energy, learning, and inspiration coming to PowerUp 25 — only this time, it’s even bigger. With more speakers, fresh insights, and even more ways to connect, it’s shaping up to be our most impactful event yet.

FAQs

PowerUp 25 is for anyone supporting or running a Kiwi SME — owners, managers, decision-makers, accountants, and bookkeepers alike. You'll gain valuable tools and insights to help grow your business and connect with like-minded professionals. Plus, it’s a chance for you to get a sneak peek at what’s coming next for Smartly and much more!

PowerUp 25 will be held at the Due Drop Event Centre in Auckland on 12 August 2025 from 9am to 5pm.

Can’t make it in person? Don’t worry, we’ll be streaming the mainstage speakers and panels so you can join from anywhere in New Zealand.

Click the 'Register Now' button on this page to secure your spot. Places are limited, so get in quick to avoid missing out!

Yes, but it’s packed with value!

You’ll gain fresh insights on market positioning, practical strategies to boost team performance, and tools to spark new ways to grow your business. It’s also a great chance to connect with like-minded SMEs. Plus, you’ll get a clear view of where Smartly is headed.

Standard early bird price - $169

Early bird pricing valid until 6 July.