Reaping the benefits: Elite ProAdvisor on tour in the US with West Ham

As part of our exciting new partnership with West Ham United, where Intuit QuickBooks proudly serves as the official sleeve partner, we're thrilled to offer exclusive opportunities to our community. 

Recently, one lucky Elite ProAdvisor reaped the benefits by winning a special competition, gaining VIP access to a West Ham United match in the US.  This competition, a benefit of being an Elite ProAdvisor, is just one way we've celebrated our partnership with West Ham United, and there will be more to come.

A journey that began with "I don't usually participate in competitions", culminated in meeting West Ham co-owner Tripp Smith, a dinner with West Ham legends, and Anton Ferdinand sending over some coaching tips for Steve's 8-year-old son.

The adventure was more than just a trip to watch West Ham United play in the US; it was an immersion into the world of football glamour and a rare opportunity to experience the sport from the inside.

This is the story of Steven Miller, a QuickBooks Elite ProAdvisor member who won our competition, exclusively offered to Elite ProAdvisors as part of their benefits, which included travel and match-day tickets for him and a guest to the West Ham match against Wolves in Jacksonville, Florida, US.

Find out more about Steve

A whirlwind of preparations

When Steve's phone rang, his QuickBooks account manager Sean was on the other end of the line with the news that he had won, and a whirlwind of preparations began. Soon, Steve and Jorge Wilson, his friend, found themselves in the same hotel as the West Ham team. This experience brought them closer to the action, including dinner with club ambassadors Anton Ferdinand and Jack Collinson.  

Living the high life with West Ham

Steve enjoyed the full VIP treatment, with access to the West Ham hospitality box, where they mingled with the club owner and their families. The food and drinks were plentiful, with a buffet and a fridge stocked with everything from beer to wine. "It was really good and a fantastic experience," Steve said, noting the unique thrill of being close to the club's players.

Another unforgettable experience during the trip was meeting Tripp Smith, one of West Ham's American owners. "He was just on a different level," Steve said, still in awe. Tripp had flown in from New York just for the friendly match.

Steve, however, declined the offer with a laugh, realising the logistical challenge that would follow. "The thing is, we would have just ended up in New York," Steve joked. "We'd have been stuck there." It was a surreal moment, adding another layer to Steve's trip.

Although the match might not have been the best outcome for West Ham, with a 3-1 defeat against the Wolves, Steve still took the positives. After all, the match was just a friendly, and many of West Ham's key players were absent, having just returned from international duty in the Euros or Copa America. 

What fascinated Steve most was the American crowd. "It was interesting seeing the American crowd. There was a large portion of the fans were American," he observed, reflecting on the growing popularity of football in the United States.

Top three highlights of the trip

Steve's journey wasn't just about football but about saying "yes" to every opportunity and embracing the unexpected. First on the list was something unexpected yet exhilarating—zipping around Jacksonville on scooters. "We got on the scooters quite a lot. That was really good fun. I don't normally do it back home," Steve recalled with a smile. He and his friend embraced the opportunity fully, saying, "We were there, so we've just got to say yes to everything because it's like an opportunity."

The second highlight was attending the West Ham training session. Despite the rainy weather, Steve found the open training session a unique and enjoyable experience. "The training was excellent as well. The players were approachable, sitting around at a table afterwards, ready to meet fans." He recognised the value of such an experience, particularly for younger fans. "How good would that be to take your kids along and see the players?" he mused, highlighting the potential for football clubs to build stronger connections with their supporters in the UK.

But perhaps the most cherished moment of all was a more personal one. For Steve, this was a surreal experience, not just because he was dining with footballers he had seen on TV, but because of the genuine, down-to-earth conversations they shared. 

"That's probably my favourite moment of the trip," Steve admitted. "Just sitting down and having a normal conversation with these people you've watched on the telly." 

Steve, who coaches his son's under-8s football team, found a special connection with Anton. "We were talking about coaching, and he was giving me some tips," Steve mentioned proudly. Anton even followed up after the trip by sending a video. "He sent me a video just for my under-8s team, just mentioning the game and saying good luck for the new season," Steve shared, clearly touched by the gesture.

Reflecting on the journey

From spontaneous scooter rides to intimate chats with footballers and even the chance to jet off to New York on a whim, Steve's trip was a whirlwind of memorable experiences, each adding a unique layer to the adventure.

As Steve reflected on the journey, he remained grateful for the opportunity, one that was made possible by his long-standing relationship with QuickBooks. 

While this journey might be over, Steve's story is far from finished. With his enthusiasm for football and his unwavering support for QuickBooks, who knows what other exciting opportunities lie ahead?

And as for those future QuickBooks competitions? Steve will keep a close eye on his inbox—because, as he wisely noted, "You've just got to say yes to everything because it's an opportunity."

QuickBooks: A partnership beyond software

Steve is an accountant and director of Cloud Accountancy Services based in Poundbury in Dorchester. Steve's relationship with QuickBooks extends far beyond just using the software. As an Elite ProAdvisor member who has been with the platform since its early desktop days, Steve has seen and supported the evolution of QuickBooks into the cloud software it is today. "That's the beauty of QuickBooks," Steve explained. "It's simple, easy for people to understand, and it's been with me from the start."

"It's the best package out there for me. I feel like I've been first to market. For a small firm, we've got a lot of licenses. It works for us," he added.

Steve's connection with QuickBooks is made stronger due to the personal relationships he has built over the years. He particularly values his relationship with his account manager. Steve said, "Sean is always on the other end of the phone letting me know about what’s new, and I'm still in touch with my previous account manager, Alex.

This trip was more than just a reward; it was a testament to a strong partnership over the years. 

Celebrating the QuickBooks x West Ham partnership

This incredible journey was made possible through the QuickBooks x West Ham United partnership, underscoring our commitment to creating unique experiences for our community. Stay tuned for more opportunities to benefit from this exciting collaboration. 

The QuickBooks ProAdvisor Programme provides accountants and bookkeepers with specialised tools, training, and resources to help them expand their practice and better cater to their clients. Elite ProAdvisors benefit from premium support, special events, promotions, and educational resources. 

To learn more about how you can benefit or maximise your current benefits, visit the QuickBooks ProAdvisor Programme

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