2023 Annual Conference and Tech Forum

Thank you for attending the 2023 Annual Conference

The MAG 2023 Annual Conference and Tech Forum brought together key stakeholders in the payments ecosystem and focused on the latest in payments technology.

MAG conferences offer a unique experience, attracting payments professionals as well as those with organizational responsibilities that include payments and related matters.

Benefits of attending a MAG conference

Two and a half days of pure payments knowledge with the best in the industry. the Merchant-Only session is something you do not want to miss!
Superior Networking - Connect with the top acquirers and networks as well as senior-level payments executives from the top merchants.
Merchant-Only Special Interest Group (SIG) Roundtable discussions.
Timely educational sessions and networking opportunities in an intimate setting that attendees have come to value - a value that impacts your company.

Tech Forum

The Tech Forum is designed specifically for payments IT professionals to learn and network among merchant technology professionals and leading technology providers focused on innovative uses of new payments technologies. Technologies in payments continues to evolve at a rapid pace. The Tech Forum provides attendees with the latest insights necessary to understand and use these new and emerging technologies in payments.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE REGISTRATION ROSTER

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TECH FORUM REGISTRATION ROSTER

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Tech Forum

The MAG Tech Forum is aligned with the MAG bi-annual conferences and designed specifically for payment IT professionals. Technologies in payments continue to evolve at a rapid pace. The Tech Forum provides education and networking opportunities among merchant technology professionals and leading technology providers focused on innovative uses of new payment technologies.

The objectives of the Tech Forum event alongside our MAG conferences are to foster collaboration, provide tech-focused knowledge, and build relationships across merchants, their payments IT and business teams, and technology-focused sponsors. This collaboration and networking further support the MAG's Payments Technology goal of influencing the technologies used in the payments ecosystem to better align with the needs of the merchant community.

NETWORK

Connect with IT professionals at the Tech Forum and payments professionals at the MAG conference events representing over 150 of the largest U.S. merchants which account for over $4.8 trillion in annual sales across physical and digital commerce.

DEVELOP

Create new business connections with Tech Forum and MAG merchant member attendees from every vertical (eCommerce, Airlines, Department Stores, Mass Merchant, Grocery, Hospitality, Hotels Petroleum/Convenience Stores, Small Ticket/Restaurants).

DEEP DIVE

Presentations are available on current industry topics that your business peers across the retail community are grappling with in their companies. Join the strategic discussions and learn best practices for today’s rapidly changing payments environment.

LEARN

Access to industry experts who provide the latest insights and innovative uses of new payment technologies twice a year through panel and keynote sessions, as well as within the exhibit halls at in-person events.

CONTINUED LEARNING

Beyond the in-person meetings twice a year, participate in the MAG webinar series, online learning, MAG committees, and Community of Practice (COP) efforts offered throughout the year. Want to get even more involved? Be a panelist at one of our upcoming events and share your perspective with fellow merchants.

PAYMENTS TECHNOLOGY

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Annual Conference and Tech Forum Agenda

Last updated on Monday, September 11, 2023. All times are in Eastern Daylight Time

Agenda Key

In Person
Virtual
Livestream
Rebroadcast
Merchant Only Session

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01:00 PM - 07:00 PM

All

Registration Hours
06:00 PM - 08:00 PM

All

Networking Reception Sponsored by American Express

Sponsors

Description

07:00 AM - 06:00 PM

All

Registration Hours
07:30 AM

All

Exhibit Hall

All

Breakfast
- 07:30 AM - 08:30 AM
  
  All
  
  Exhibit Hall
- 07:30 AM - 08:30 AM
  
  All
  
  Breakfast
08:30 AM

Annual

Education 100: Understand Merchant Costs That Aren't Interchange

Annual

Education 200: Creating Debit Strategies That Drive Significant Savings - How to Get Optimal, and Stay Optimal

Tech

Tech Forum Education Session: ISO 20022 with Mastercard
- 08:30 AM - 09:10 AM
  
  Annual
  
  Education 100: Understand Merchant Costs That Aren't Interchange
  
  Speakers
  
  Erika Curtis, Delivery Lead, W. Capra Consulting Group
  
  Description
  A deep dive into understanding the costs of merchant processing including understanding downgrades, network fees, and how you can work to reduce the cost of acceptance.
- 08:30 AM - 09:10 AM
  
  Annual
  
  Education 200: Creating Debit Strategies That Drive Significant Savings - How to Get Optimal, and Stay Optimal
  Speakers
  
  Christian Johnson, Global Advocacy Senior Manager, CMSPI, Smarter Payments Intelligence
  
  Emily Carling, Senior Manager Payments Acceptance, Target
  
  Alistair Matthewson, SVP, Consulting, CMSPI, Smarter Payments Intelligence
  Description
  
  In a fiercely competitive retail industry where percentages hold so much importance, optimizing debit strategies has become paramount. By driving substantial cost efficiencies, merchants can bolster their competitive edge and establish a stronger position in the market. But how can teams ensure they are getting appropriate deals and maximizing their savings potential? Join CMSPI’s session as we review the intricacies of debit routing, empowering merchants with actionable insights to maintain long-term optimization. Discover why debit is a top priority and learn how to secure the right deals and unlock lasting savings.
  
  Key topics include:
  Historical changes in card fees and how the emergence of new channels and shifting customer preferences has led to new fees.
  Challenges created by limited data visibility imposed by payments partners.
  The importance of unregulated vs. regulated environments, Average Transaction Values (ATVs), regionality, and more.
  The data behind an ever-changing industry: badging, pricing strategy changes, and shifting network market shares
  The significance of the PINless routing opportunity and overcoming challenges in in-store and online scenarios.
  Leveraging the right data for optimal performance
  Optimizing payments arrangements is challenging, but maintaining that optimization is an ongoing process due to the ever-growing complexities in the industry. This session will serve as a guide to help merchants implement effective cost-saving strategies tailored to their unique business needs.
- 08:30 AM - 09:10 AM
  
  Tech
  
  Tech Forum Education Session: ISO 20022 with Mastercard
  
  Speakers
  
  Sumith Kalas, Vice President, Network Products NAM, Mastercard
  
  Description
  
  ISO 20022 – Panelists will share what it is all about and what merchants should know about adoption.
09:35 AM - 10:20 AM

All

Keynote Fireside Chat: Finding the Win/Win in the Acquirer/Merchant Relationship

Speakers

Stephanie Ferris, Chief Executive Officer and President, FIS Global

John Drechny, CEO, Merchant Advisory Group

Kathy Hanna, Vice President Payments Acceptance and Services, The Kroger Co.

Description
The payments industry has been built through innovation and trust. Each stakeholder in the system must trust the other to perform their task for a successful transaction to be completed. One of those key relationships is between a merchant and an acquirer. We are fortunate to have Stephanie Ferris, CEO and President of FIS, and Kathy Hanna, Vice President, Payments Acceptance and Services for The Kroger Co., join John Drechny, CEO of the MAG, to talk about how trust built their relationship and where they believe the future of payments is heading. Come join us for this insightful discussion and hear how the presenters succeed by listening and how they find the win/wins in their relationship.
10:25 AM - 11:10 AM

All

The Economy Is at a Precipice: How Should Merchants React?

Speakers

Michelle Meyer, Chief Economist, North America, Mastercard

Description
Emergence from Covid has not been the smoothest ride, and the headlines certainly are not helping anyone wrap their head around where the economy might go in 2024 and beyond. With recent debt ceiling discussions, interest rate increases, and more, there is a lot to unpack to understand where merchants sit. Join this informative session with Mastercard to discuss key indicators of economic movement and where finance teams should focus their energy going into next year.
11:10 AM - 01:10 PM

All

Explore the Exhibit Hall!

Description
Whether it's for a mid-day pick-me-up of snacks and beverages or competing in the Exhibitor Quest for a chance to win great prizes, you will definitely want to spend time in our conference exhibit hall. This is the best opportunity to network with providers and find the solutions your teams need. See you there!
11:20 AM - 11:35 AM

All

NEW! Innovation Stage: Riskified

Speakers

Susanne Langkau, Business Development, Riskified

Description
The Innovation Stage is where new and exciting products and innovations get to shine! Here, attendees will be able to experience curated demos and presentations of what’s new in payments technology and learn more about the products available in 2023.
11:40 AM - 11:55 AM

All

NEW! Innovation Stage: Uplift

Speakers

Michelle Byerley, VP, Airline Partnerships, Uplift, Inc

Description
The Innovation Stage is where new and exciting products and innovations get to shine! Here, attendees will be able to experience curated demos and presentations of what’s new in payments technology and learn more about the products available in 2023.
12:00 PM - 12:15 PM

All

NEW! Innovation Stage: PayPal

Speakers

Per Anell, PayPal

Description
The Innovation Stage is where new and exciting products and innovations get to shine! Here, attendees will be able to experience curated demos and presentations of what’s new in payments technology and learn more about the products available in 2023.
12:10 PM - 01:10 PM

All

Networking Lunch
01:10 PM - 02:10 PM

Tech

Tech Forum Kick-Off: The Payments Industry State of the Union

Speakers

Frank Keller, Senior Vice President and GM, Merchant Business Unit, PayPal

Alex Hoffmann, Senior Vice President & GM Payments and Financial Services, BigCommerce

Description
In 2020, we saw the digital payments ecosystem take off, only to be tempered by economic and consumer uncertainty in recent months. Poised to help stabilize this volatility are new technologies that speed up time to market, unlock new streams of revenue, and put customers front and center. This keynote session will explore the payments industry innovations unlocking growth for merchants including AI, data, and tokenization of individual credentials, led by PayPal’s merchant leader Frank Keller, with a merchant guest appearance to share first-hand experience.
02:20 PM

Annual

How Large Merchants Are Driving Innovation Through Payments and Consumer Financing

Annual

One Size Doesn’t Fit All: How Merchants Create Effective Chargeback Strategies

Tech

Creating New Possibilities in Payments with Advanced Data Analytics

Tech

Great Consumer Experiences for Real-Time Payments
- 02:20 PM - 02:50 PM
  
  Annual
  
  How Large Merchants Are Driving Innovation Through Payments and Consumer Financing
  
  Speakers
  
  Meidad Sharon, CEO & Founder, ChargeAfter
  
  Scott Anderson, Vice President, Financial Services and Payments, The Home Depot
  
  Description
  
  The payments and consumer financing industry is undergoing significant changes. The industry is becoming more strategic in response to social and environmental factors, such as continued economic uncertainty and consumers’ increasing expectation for greater personalization and choice. Merchants need to understand the character and potential of this new landscape to implement new strategies that maximize conversion and customer experience potential. Session panelists will provide details on how large merchants are building strategies that drive innovation through their payments and consumer financing offers. The discussion will cover essential aspects of consumer financing and payments, such as the factors that drive change, how quickly consumers adopt new ways of paying or borrowing, merchant strategies, priorities, and the evolving role of data.
- 02:20 PM - 02:50 PM
  
  Annual
  
  One Size Doesn’t Fit All: How Merchants Create Effective Chargeback Strategies
  
  Speakers
  
  Tim Tynan, CEO, Chargeback Gurus
  
  Julie Mingus, Sr Director Treasury Operations, Cinemark
  
  Description
  The threat of first-party misuse is growing, and merchants are taking notice. Many merchants say their top priority is improving chargeback dispute processes. That is often easier said than done. Every business is different, and designing a chargeback management strategy that suits the needs of your company can be a daunting task. In this panel, you will hear from companies who have real-world experience in creating effective chargeback strategies. Chargeback Gurus will feature Cinemark, who will discuss how they approached the problem of chargebacks, the strategies they have developed, and the impact those strategies have had on their business.
- 02:20 PM - 02:50 PM
  
  Tech
  
  Creating New Possibilities in Payments with Advanced Data Analytics
  
  Speakers
  
  Andrew Stucchio, Vice President of Global Network Analytics, Discover Financial Services
  
  Stephen Yu, Director of Global Network Analytics, Discover Financial Services
  
  Description
  200 Level**
  Data and analytics are the backbone of growing and future-proofing any merchant’s payments strategy. Learn how Discover Global Network has built out data collection and analyzation capabilities to better serve the needs of their customers. In this session, Andrew Stucchio, VP of Global Analytics, and Stephen Yu, Director of Global Analytics, will highlight how data and analytics can support, transform, and evolve the payments landscape. From fraud and security, to identifying consumer habits, to the future growth of AI analytics—learn about the developments within an increasingly digital world and how merchants should be thinking about these trends.
- 02:20 PM - 02:50 PM
  
  Tech
  
  Great Consumer Experiences for Real-Time Payments
  
  Speakers
  
  Eric Smith, AppBrilliance
  
  Dean Nolan, Managing Director, Commercial Payments, Strategic Resource Management, Inc.
  
  Description
  100 Level**
  The market is expected to see a rise in the use of real-time rails from The Clearing House's RTP or FedNow for real-time payments or funds flow. For real-time payments to take hold and grow in retail payments, a seamless consumer experience that can be easily embedded into existing apps and online checkout flows is essential. This session will discuss why it is important to have a merchant-driven real-time payments consumer experience and how that can help expansion in the ecosystem.
03:00 PM

Annual

My Path in Payments: The Accidental Career Path?

Annual

Why Should You Care About Your Consumers' Credit?

Tech

Accelerate Payment Software Development and Deployment with Advance Testing Automation

Tech

Your Car as a Payment Device
- 03:00 PM - 03:30 PM
  
  Annual
  
  My Path in Payments: The Accidental Career Path?
  
  Speakers
  
  Monique Biady, Director, Commercial, Checkout.com
  
  Kevin Mayes, Associate Director, Payment Acceptance, Chewy, Inc.
  
  Melanie Stout, Head of Recurring Payments Strategy, Optimized Payments
  
  Kelly Andrus, Director, Collaboration, Merchant Advisory Group
  
  Description
  There is no defined roadmap or set playbook for a career in payments. It is a relatively new business function; many working in payments today are trailblazers, coming into the career with different skills and experiences from a variety of different backgrounds, collaborating to set the standards for the future of the industry. Should the industry expect payments-specific higher education courses to become available? Are formal qualifications even needed? Where does a career in payments take you? This live edition of My Path in Payments will feature a payments professional explaining their route into the industry, sharing candid insights into their successes and failures, and discussing how they are pushing the boundaries to elevate the role of payments in their business.
- 03:00 PM - 03:30 PM
  
  Annual
  
  Why Should You Care About Your Consumers' Credit?
  
  Speakers
  
  Trace Major, Director, Enterprise Partnerships, Sezzle
  
  Description
  In the United States, a credit score means a lot. But what does it look like and how does it impact your life? In this session, experts will discuss how credit scores have changed and how they are impacting shoppers in today's economic climate.
- 03:00 PM - 03:30 PM
  
  Tech
  
  Accelerate Payment Software Development and Deployment with Advance Testing Automation
  
  Speakers
  
  Itai Sela, President and CEO, B2 Payment Solutions Inc.
  
  Phani Kasibhotla, IT Manager, Albertsons
  
  Description
  
  200 Level**
  Payments testing automation is not new, but it does have its challenges. Modernizing payments software development and testing is a strategic goal for most merchants however, testing the physical PIN pad/terminal has always been manual. One of the main challenges of PIN pad/terminal testing is that you cannot virtualize all the components needed to test it. In this session, we will discuss what options are available to overcome this challenge and lead the way to full payments testing automation.
- 03:00 PM - 03:30 PM
  
  Tech
  
  Your Car as a Payment Device
  
  Speakers
  
  Sorin Hilgen, Group CDO & US CIO, EG America
  
  Tom Nipper, Global Head Energy and Mobility, J.P. Morgan
  
  Greg Ergenbright, CEO, OWL Services
  
  Description
  100 Level**
  Automobiles are joining smartphones and tablets as a powerful way for businesses to connect, interact, and transact with consumers seamlessly. Identifying, understanding, and solving the unique challenges and opportunities of in-car commerce is key to capturing, growing, and protecting relationships with customers on the go. Hear about the digital innovations and ecosystems that will help create safe, secure, contextual mobile commerce experiences.
03:30 PM - 04:00 PM

All

Explore the Exhibit Hall!

Description
Whether it's for a mid-day pick-me-up of snacks and beverages or competing in the Exhibitor Quest for a chance to win great prizes, you will definitely want to spend time in our conference exhibit hall. This is the best opportunity to network with providers and find the solutions your teams need. See you there!
03:40 PM - 03:55 PM

All

NEW! Innovation Stage: Mica

Speakers

Christopher Petersen, Founder and CEO, Mica

Eduardo Solis,

Description
The Innovation Stage is where new and exciting products and innovations get to shine! Here, attendees will be able to experience curated demos and presentations of what’s new in payments technology and learn more about the products available in 2023.
04:00 PM

Annual

Merchant Only SIG: eCommerce

Annual

Merchant Only SIG: Mass Merchant

Annual

Merchant Only SIG: Petroleum/Convenience Store

Annual

Merchant Only SIG: Recurring/Subscription Billing

Annual

Merchant Only SIG: Small Ticket/Restaurant

Tech

Merchant Only SIG: Tech Forum Business/Tech

Annual

Sponsor SIG: Sponsors Only: Maximize Your Sponsor Benefits: Building Stronger Partnerships
- 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
  
  Annual
  
  Merchant Only SIG: eCommerce
- 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
  
  Annual
  
  Merchant Only SIG: Mass Merchant
- 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
  
  Annual
  
  Merchant Only SIG: Petroleum/Convenience Store
- 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
  
  Annual
  
  Merchant Only SIG: Recurring/Subscription Billing
- 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
  
  Annual
  
  Merchant Only SIG: Small Ticket/Restaurant
- 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
  
  Tech
  
  Merchant Only SIG: Tech Forum Business/Tech
- 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
  
  Annual
  
  Sponsor SIG: Sponsors Only: Maximize Your Sponsor Benefits: Building Stronger Partnerships
  
  Description
  
  Sponsors: Please join us for a sponsor-only session to discuss the value of being a MAG sponsor, provide ways to get the most out of your sponsorship, and network with your fellow MAG sponsors. We will also have a Q&A session to learn what is most important to you, our sponsors.
05:00 PM - 07:00 PM

All

Networking Reception Sponsored by J.P. Morgan

Sponsors

Description

07:00 AM - 06:00 PM

All

Registration Hours
07:30 AM

All

Exhibit Hall

All

Breakfast
- 07:30 AM - 03:30 PM
  
  All
  
  Exhibit Hall
- 07:30 AM - 08:30 AM
  
  All
  
  Breakfast
08:30 AM

All

NEW! Innovation Stage: J.P.Morgan

All

Explore the Exhibit Hall!
- 08:30 AM - 09:45 AM
  
  All
  
  NEW! Innovation Stage: J.P.Morgan
  
  Presenters
  
  Peter Czimback, Vice President, Digital Innovation, Aramark
  
  Prashant Sharma, Executive Director, J.P.Morgan
  
  Description
  The Innovation Stage is where new and exciting products and innovations get to shine! Here, attendees will be able to experience curated demos and presentations of what’s new in payments technology and learn more about the products available in 2023.
- 08:30 AM - 09:15 AM
  
  All
  
  Explore the Exhibit Hall!
  
  Description
  Whether it's for a mid-day pick-me-up of snacks and beverages or competing in the Exhibitor Quest for a chance to win great prizes, you will definitely want to spend time in our conference exhibit hall. This is the best opportunity to network with providers and find the solutions your teams need. See you there!
08:50 AM - 09:05 AM

All

NEW! Innovation Stage: SKUx

Speakers

Bobby Tinsley,

Greg Leonard,

Description
The Innovation Stage is where new and exciting products and innovations get to shine! Here, attendees will be able to experience curated demos and presentations of what’s new in payments technology and learn more about the products available in 2023.
09:15 AM - 09:45 AM

All

MAG Industry Overview: Collaborating for a Better Future

Speakers

John Drechny, CEO, Merchant Advisory Group

Description
We live in a state of constant change, and that is especially true in the payments system, where change seems to be accelerated. Retail payments requires collaboration between several different parties to ensure a great experience for mutual customers. The MAG works to provide the environment for multi-stakeholder conversations to take place. This collaboration leads to a better overall outcome for all involved parties. Come here from MAG CEO John Drechny on what the organization is tracking in the payments industry and how working together is imperative in moving the industry forward.
09:50 AM - 10:30 AM

All

The Future is Now: Faster Payments

Speakers

Jim Colassano, SVP, RTP Product Management, The Clearing House

Ron Collins, System Director, Payment Card Operations - Treasury Services, CommonSpirit Health

Fanny Miner, Director, Product Management – Payments, Best Buy

Description
With the launch of FedNow earlier this summer, Faster Payments are reaching critical mass in both merchant and consumer payments, but there is still much to learn about just how valuable they can be for merchants. Learn what the use cases are, how merchants can leverage the new payments rails for their business goals, and where faster payments will go over the next couple of years.
10:35 AM - 11:15 AM

All

Exploring Financial Inclusion

Speakers

Jai Holtz, Vice President, Financial Services, Best Buy

Orlando Zayas, Chief Executive Officer, Katapult

Larry Lataif, Fintech Business Leader

Description
Financial institutions focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) often overlook and under-serve immigrants, who struggle to access the U.S. financial system. This session will shine a light on this neglected segment, making the case that they deserve more attention and access to financial services. Attendees will gain insights into the unique challenges faced by immigrants in accessing financial services, and practical strategies for improving access and promoting equal financial opportunities for all.
11:30 AM

Annual

Competing for the Future of C2B Payments With Open Banking

Annual

New Research on the State of Loyalty

Tech

Instant/Credit Push @ POS

Tech

How Large Language Models Will Re-shape Future of Developer Experiences
- 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
  
  Annual
  
  Competing for the Future of C2B Payments With Open Banking
  
  Speakers
  
  Ken Grogan, Director Treasury Services, Wakefern Food Corp.
  
  Carl Slabicki, Co-Head of Global Payments, BNY Mellon
  
  Ross McFerrin, VP, Enterprise Growth, Trustly Inc.
  
  Description
  What does the future hold for C2B payments? Open banking – which allows the electronic and secure sharing of financial data through APIs to enable digital payment options – is quickly becoming a driving force behind payment innovation for banks, merchants, and consumers. This session will focus on how the technology is reshaping consumer expectations and business needs in today’s C2B payment ecosystem by providing merchants the ability to seamlessly link, access, and collect payments from U.S. bank accounts. And because of its ability to provide instant and guaranteed payments via traditional payment rails, attendees will learn how the technology provides an enhanced experience as well as efficiency and working capital benefits to their businesses. The session will also explore how a collaborative approach to open banking between banks and merchants can create a competitive edge, driving value and convenience for customers.
- 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
  
  Annual
  
  New Research on the State of Loyalty
  
  Speakers
  
  James Becker, Head of Business Development, PayiQ
  
  Description
  PayiQ will present an independent national study commissioned by Wakefield Research looking at consumer and executive attitudes toward loyalty. Retailers face a significant challenge when it comes to maximizing the ROI of their loyalty programs. Most retailers allocate an average of ten percent of their company budget to customer loyalty programs. Despite this, they report that only 23 percent of their customers are active loyalty users. That is because customers are willing to leave loyalty programs that they do not find valuable. In this session, you will see the details of what makes a loyalty program valuable to consumers. You will also get a look at the barriers executives believe are limiting their ability to meet those loyalty needs.
- 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
  
  Tech
  
  Instant/Credit Push @ POS
  
  Speakers
  
  Mark Ericksen, Specialist Leader, Payments, Deloitte Consulting LLC
  
  Description
  
  100 Level**
  How might a credit-push instant payment work in a card-centric, debit-pull Point-of-Sale world? Join a techno-functional discussion on possible options leveraging learnings from foreign markets adapted to the realities of the U.S. environment.
- 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
  
  Tech
  
  How Large Language Models Will Re-shape Future of Developer Experiences
  
  Speakers
  
  Tom Eck, SVP Digital Technology, Carat From Fiserv
  
  Nick Brady, Senior Program Manager, Azure OpenAI, Microsoft
  
  Description
  
  200 Level **
  Open AI and ChatGPT have created an upswell of dialogue around the utility of artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLM) in business, and everyday users are exploring avenues for streamlining tasks from content to coding. How LLMs can be leveraged to optimize merchants’ priorities, and how will the emergence of LLMs shape the future of low/no code development across everything from eCommerce to customer service? In this session, a panel of experts will discuss the pros and cons LLMs, how AI is being used today by developers, and explore what this evolution could mean for the future of eCommerce. The team will discuss:
  • Augmenting, Not Replacing
  • Removing Friction
  • Code Generation
  • Commerce Applications
  • Self-Service Development
  • Security/Privacy by Design
  • End-User Experiences
12:00 PM - 01:00 PM

All

Networking Lunch
01:00 PM

Annual

Fighting Fraud and Boosting Revenue: Why Data Matters

Tech

Unleashing the Power of Payment Devices: How Retailers Tackle Application Integration Challenges

Annual

How to Solve Digital Checkout and Re-Engage With Consumers

Tech

Authentication in North America: How 3DS2 and Data-Only Flows are Changing the Game
- 01:00 PM - 01:30 PM
  
  Annual
  
  Fighting Fraud and Boosting Revenue: Why Data Matters
  
  Speakers
  
  Casey Zenner, VP - Global Sales, Kount, an Equifax Company
  
  Norma Flores, Senior Customer Care Manager, eharmony
  
  David Murphy, Senior Risk Analyst, Warner Bros. Discovery
  
  Description
  Data is a powerful — yet often underutilized — tool for business growth. Join us to hear real-life examples of how eHarmony and Warner Bros. Discovery are leveraging data to protect themselves from various types of fraud, improve the end-to-end customer experience, and increase revenue. Walk away with actionable advice on how to collect, analyze, and act upon data insights. Understand which data elements are valuable and what insights they contain. Learn how to fight fraud throughout the customer journey — without significantly increasing friction. Receive tips to bridge the gap between pre-authorization and post-authorization fraud prevention through strategic data sharing.
- 01:00 PM - 01:30 PM
  
  Tech
  
  Unleashing the Power of Payment Devices: How Retailers Tackle Application Integration Challenges
  Speakers
  
  Tim Reidy, Sales Executive, Retail Channel, Ingenico, Inc.
  
  Jennifer Martinez, Executive Director, Payments and Network Solutions, NCR
  
  Bryan Croteau, Executive Consultant, Global Omni-Commerce Solutions, ACI Worldwide
  Description
  
  100 Level**
  Retailers encounter various challenges when adding applications to their payment devices, including:
  User Experience: Ensuring the application's interface is intuitive and user-friendly to maintain customer satisfaction and cashier efficiency.
  Compatibility: Ensuring the application is compatible with the payment device's specific software and hardware requirements.
  Security and Compliance: Meeting industry security standards like PCI DSS compliance to protect customer payment data.
  Technical Integration: Requiring technical expertise for a smooth integration process, including API integration and compatibility with existing infrastructure.
  Testing and Certification: Undergoing testing and certification to comply with industry standards and regulations before deployment.
  Ongoing Maintenance and Updates: Managing software updates, addressing compatibility issues, and ensuring security and compliance over time.
  By collaborating with experienced payment solution providers and planning thoroughly, retailers can overcome these challenges for successful application integration and improved functionality, security, and customer experience
- 01:00 PM - 01:30 PM
  
  Annual
  
  How to Solve Digital Checkout and Re-Engage With Consumers
  
  Speakers
  
  James Anderson, Managing Director - Paze, Early Warning Services
  
  Saad Khatri, Managing Director, Payments, J.P.Morgan Chase
  
  Description
  It is indisputable that we all enjoy online shopping. Online checkout, however, is still riddled with pitfalls. Today, 71 percent of U.S. consumers still manually enter their card number on a regular basis when checking out online. And it does not end there: authorization rates can be ten percent lower for online transactions than in-person. All these factors spell trouble for online businesses, as friction leads to cart abandonment and reduced customer loyalty. The newly launched Paze^SM is a wallet that financial institutions are offering consumers and merchants for online purchases. The PazeSM co-brand use case provides an opportunity for merchants to engage, and re-engage, with their consumers. Paze^SM is launching with 150 million eCommerce active credit and debit cards pre-loaded. Join James Anderson, Head of Paze^SM, and Saad Khatri, Managing Director, Payments at Chase, and premier online merchants for a discussion of how Paze^SM is helping streamline checkout for consumers and enabling merchants to reclaim their customer relationships.
- 01:00 PM - 01:30 PM
  
  Tech
  
  Authentication in North America: How 3DS2 and Data-Only Flows are Changing the Game
  
  Speakers
  
  Blake Swenson, Head of Payment Partnerships, Adyen
  
  Yueming Wang, Sr. Director - Product, Visa
  
  Jonathan Borman, Director - Product, Capital One
  
  Steve Cole, Director of Technology Engagement, Merchant Advisory Group
  
  Description
  
  200 Level**
  To many, 3DS feels like a conversion killer that presents unnecessary customer friction without meaningful results. This session aims to break that stigma and shed light on how merchants can leverage 3DS2 in the U.S. market in a way that mitigates fraud without sacrificing conversion rates.
01:40 PM

Tech

From Fundamentals to Functions: Exploring Artificial Intelligence and Its Impact on Fraud Mitigation in Payments

Annual

Mastering the Checkout: Myths, Mistakes & Mysteries

Annual

How to Reduce the Cost of Payments From a Secret Pocket?

Tech

From Data Drought to Data-Driven Risk Decisions
- 01:40 PM - 02:10 PM
  
  Tech
  
  From Fundamentals to Functions: Exploring Artificial Intelligence and Its Impact on Fraud Mitigation in Payments
  
  Speakers
  
  John Winstel, VP, Worldpay from FIS
  
  Sunny Thakkar, Sr. Director, Product Management, Worldpay from FIS
  
  Description
  
  200** Level
  This session will explore the fundamentals of AI and the core principles behind machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing. We will also discuss the capabilities that have made AI a game-changer in fraud mitigation strategies by enabling rapid detection and early prevention of fraudulent transactions.
- 01:40 PM - 02:10 PM
  
  Annual
  
  Mastering the Checkout: Myths, Mistakes & Mysteries
  Speakers
  
  Chris Jacques, Head of Delivery, Primer
  
  Gabriel Le Roux, Co-founder and CEO, Primer
  
  Larry Diamond, Global CEO, Zip Co
  Description
  
  Last year, online businesses said goodbye to a whopping 70 percent of their potential customers at checkout. Despite spending millions on marketing efforts to win customers’ trust and convince them to buy, there is another make-or-break moment that is often overlooked – taking payment.
  
  With the current global economic context and competition at its peak, cart abandonment spares no merchant: the product could be amazing, the marketing campaigns stellar, the website more beautiful than any competitor’s—if the checkout experience is neglected, none of it will matter. More than ever, it’s a race to the top, to provide the best checkout experience in order to skyrocket conversions.
  
  Enter checkout optimization, the indispensable step towards increasing your bottom line and growing your business. Join the conversation with Zip Pay and Primer as they share insights into the customer experience journey and how to adapt to customer needs.
  
  What you will learn:
  The top 3 conversion killers for consumers and how to solve them
  Zip Pay and Primer’s top tips on how to increase conversion and customer retention
  How to think about the checkout experience on a global scale
  Learn how to take your checkout game to the next level during this informative session.
- 01:40 PM - 02:10 PM
  
  Annual
  
  How to Reduce the Cost of Payments From a Secret Pocket?
  
  Speakers
  
  Johnny Huang, Sr. Director of Partnership & Marketing, CITCON
  
  Description
  The process of accepting payments can be intricate and costly for businesses, especially when considering the ancillary expenses that come with it. This session highlights practical strategies to reduce ancillary costs associated with payment acceptance. Key areas of focus include international fees, reconciliation, fraud prevention, payment processing optimization, and customer experience enhancements. By the end of this session, you will have a new perspective on the cost of accepting payments and practical strategies for reducing those costs. You will leave with actionable insights and tips that you can implement immediately to optimize your payments acceptance and boost your bottom line.
- 01:40 PM - 02:10 PM
  
  Tech
  
  From Data Drought to Data-Driven Risk Decisions
  
  Speakers
  
  Jeff Hallenbeck, Head of Payment Partnerships, Forter
  
  Matt Wegner, Adobe
  
  Description
  
  100 Level**
  The eCommerce payments ecosystem is suffering from a data drought. ISO 8583 – a widely used standard for financial transaction messaging – only provides a limited view of data, making it difficult for banks to fully understand the transaction and the associated risks. The result? Merchants and banks are left making risk decisions in fractions of a second without important context and information. This leads to lower bank approval rates, more frequent declines, and unhappy customers. Attendees of this presentation will walk away with a clear understanding of the industry’s existing data limitations and why banks need to explore alternative ways to receive data, such as 3DS and direct connections, to fully understand the transaction and associated risks.
02:10 PM - 03:10 PM

All

Explore the Exhibit Hall!

Description
Whether it's for a mid-day pick-me-up of snacks and beverages or competing in the Exhibitor Quest for a chance to win great prizes, you will definitely want to spend time in our conference exhibit hall. This is the best opportunity to network with providers and find the solutions your teams need. See you there!
02:20 PM - 02:35 PM

All

NEW! Innovation Stage: Pagos

Speakers

Katie McCarthy, Product Development Lead, Pagos Solutions

Description
The Innovation Stage is where new and exciting products and innovations get to shine! Here, attendees will be able to experience curated demos and presentations of what’s new in payments technology and learn more about the products available in 2023.
03:10 PM

Annual

How Retailers Can Arm Their Businesses With the Right Payment Product Mix

Annual

Millennial Consumers Prize Value - And Brands that Share Their Values

Tech

Enhance Customer Experiences With Holistic Fraud Prevention Strategies

Tech

Generative AI – Revolution or Evolution?
- 03:10 PM - 03:40 PM
  
  Annual
  
  How Retailers Can Arm Their Businesses With the Right Payment Product Mix
  
  Speakers
  
  Liz Kozersky, Director, Enterprise Merchant Partnerships, Cash App and Afterpay
  
  James Amos, VP, Enterprise Payments, Adyen
  
  Description
  The retail sector continues to undergo significant transformation with a demand for more payments solutions to accommodate varying degrees of consumer values. This session brings together experts across the industry to uncover the latest payment trends (e.g. BNPL, tap to pay) and solutions to add to your product mix, as well as how retailers can optimize these tools for their omnichannel strategies.
- 03:10 PM - 03:40 PM
  
  Annual
  
  Millennial Consumers Prize Value - And Brands that Share Their Values
  
  Speakers
  
  Anthony Walsh, Head of Sales, Retail U.S., Ingenico, Inc.
  
  Description
  Shaped by inflationary pressures and informed by values, millennial consumers buy and spend their own way. This generation may not have yet surpassed older generations’ wealth. However, as the largest consumer segment at approximately 72.26 million, their considerable purchasing power matters. In 2021, a millennial household’s disposable income averaged $84,563 per year, second only to Generation X. Capturing that wallet share can make the difference between a thriving and a struggling business. Millennials frequently use social media, but they do not simply scroll. They use these platforms to provide their family and friends with recommendations of where to shop and what to buy – and they rely on the advice of others. On the other hand, if millennial consumers have a negative experience or discover something about a company that does not align with their values, they will boycott that brand and encourage others to do so. They also use social media to make purchases. In 2022, 78 percent of millennials followed brands on social media; and Insider Intelligence reports that 51 percent of millennials purchase directly through social media, the biggest percentage of any generational demographic.
- 03:10 PM - 03:40 PM
  
  Tech
  
  Enhance Customer Experiences With Holistic Fraud Prevention Strategies
  
  Speakers
  
  Noelle Seawright, Director of Data Strategy, Mastercard
  
  Michael Habermann, Director of Fraud Services, Radial, Inc
  
  Description
  
  100 Level**
  Fraudsters have become increasingly sophisticated in their attacks. Transaction fraud, promo abuse, and loyalty abuse are all growing in frequency and impacting many organizations' bottom lines. Companies need to adapt by implementing holistic fraud prevention strategies that assess risk at every step of the customer journey. Merchants need to monitor fraud from account opening all the way through the transaction and must strike a balance between verifying a consumer’s identity while maintaining the low-friction experience consumers expect. In this session, we will explore multi-layered fraud prevention approaches that balance friction and fraud with dynamic identity data, and you will leave with three actionable tactics you can use to build a holistic customer-centric fraud prevention strategy.
- 03:10 PM - 03:40 PM
  
  Tech
  
  Generative AI – Revolution or Evolution?
  Speakers
  
  Marc Rousset, Partner, Oliver Wyman
  
  Danny Zhang, Principal, Oliver Wyman
  Description
  
  200 Level **
  There is a lot of buzz with Generative AI and ChatGPT, with experience deploying it in a variety of retail contexts. Let’s cut through the noise and look at how it works and what makes it different. We will explore how to think about it, good uses for GenAI in payments and financial services, and real-live examples of enterprise applications to bring these points to life.
  In this session, we will lay out some basics about GenAI overall, and our team of AI experts will share insights on:
  What differentiates Generative AI from established AI, which has been used in financial services and other industries for the past 20 years
  Views on where Generative AI is applicable and where it doesn’t work as well
  Near-term use cases in payments and financial services businesses, with real-time examples
03:50 PM - 04:25 PM

All

Are Merchants Ready to Conduct Their Payments With Orchestration?

Speakers

Tom Randklev, Global Head of Product, CellPoint Digital

Peter Jessiman, Director of Payments, The Wendy's Company

Dan Coates, Solution Evangelist - Omni-Commerce, ACI Worldwide

Description
Routing has been the name of the game for over a decade in U.S. payments, but with the rise of eCommerce and a new focus on multichannel operations, choosing the right payments partner is more difficult than ever. Join a panel of experts to discuss how orchestration can help merchants extract more value out of their partnerships and grow their multichannel operations.
04:30 PM - 05:00 PM

All

15 Years of Building the Merchant's Voice

Speakers

JP Jolly, Co-Head of Corporate & E-Commerce Sales, J.P. Morgan Chase

Gina Powers, Sr. Director, Assistant Treasurer, Inspire Brands, Inc.

Dee O'Malley, Past MAG Board Member

John Drechny, CEO, Merchant Advisory Group

Description
Over the last 15 years, the MAG has grown from a handful of merchants meeting with a single acquirer to one of the premier merchants-driven payments associations. Collaboration between payments systems stakeholders has led to many accomplishments, including EMV, digital wallets, debit routing, alternative payments, signature removal, and new payments rails. The one constant for the MAG has been the engagement between all the participants to improve the common experience for the consumer. Hear from some of the key people in the association on what the MAG has meant to them and where the organization should head in the future.
05:00 PM - 07:00 PM

All

Networking Reception Sponsored by Carat From Fiserv

Sponsors

Description

07:00 AM - 12:00 PM

All

Registration Hours
07:30 AM - 08:30 AM

All

Breakfast
08:30 AM

Annual

Merchant Only SIG: eCommerce

Annual

Merchant Only SIG: Mass Merchant

Annual

Merchant Only SIG: Petroleum/Convenience Store

Annual

Merchant Only SIG: Recurring/Subscription Billing

Annual

Merchant Only SIG: Small Ticket/Restaurant
- 08:30 AM - 09:30 AM
  
  Annual
  
  Merchant Only SIG: eCommerce
- 08:30 AM - 09:30 AM
  
  Annual
  
  Merchant Only SIG: Mass Merchant
- 08:30 AM - 09:30 AM
  
  Annual
  
  Merchant Only SIG: Petroleum/Convenience Store
- 08:30 AM - 09:30 AM
  
  Annual
  
  Merchant Only SIG: Recurring/Subscription Billing
- 08:30 AM - 09:30 AM
  
  Annual
  
  Merchant Only SIG: Small Ticket/Restaurant
09:30 AM - 09:45 AM

All

Networking Break
09:45 AM - 10:30 AM

All

Merchants Unleashed: Learning From the Past to Secure a Future

Speakers

Kathy Hanna, Vice President Payments Acceptance and Services, The Kroger Co.

Chris Priebe, Sr. Director - Treasury Payments and Risk, Southwest Airlines Company

Ann Schmitt, Vice President, Enterprise Consumer Payments, The Walt Disney Company

Joe Vasterling, Director, Payment Acceptance, Gift Cards, and BNPL, Best Buy

John Drechny, CEO, Merchant Advisory Group

Description
When the MAG launched 15 years ago it started with two powerful concepts: merchants who believed they should have a voice in the development of payments and an understanding their voice is louder together than individually. These successful concepts have taken the MAG from a group of 35 merchants to now over 2,000 registered merchant participants. In addition to providing the merchants a platform to have their voices heard, the MAG also continues to develop industry-leading education. In this session, MAG CEO John Drechny will speak with MAG Board Members who were here at the beginning, as well as those leading us into the future on why they all believe in the power of the MAG.
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM

All

Voice of the Merchant 2023 Study

Speakers

Rick Oxenhandler, Partner, Oliver Wyman

Description

In today’s post-pandemic world, the payments industry continues to transform with new technologies, new rules and regulations, and new providers entering the fray. Merchants are sifting through these dynamic trends as they focus on delivering superior consumer experiences centered around speed, convenience, and frictionless shopping journeys. Against the backdrop of this complex payments landscape, how merchants approach their payments strategy, operating model, and key partnerships is critical for strengthening relationships and driving sustained growth.

In 2022, Oliver Wyman conducted the “Voice of the Merchant” study in partnership with the MAG, and an updated survey was conducted in 2023. This 2023 study collected direct feedback from merchants on their commerce and payments journey given the realities of commerce this year – what is working well for their customers coming out of the pandemic, what payments challenges still exist, and what new payments and financial services innovations are on the horizon. The session will share results from this 2023 study and provide comparisons to particular topics from last year’s study.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

All

Improving the Payments Landscape: Advocacy

Speakers

Brendan Woodbury, Senior Manager Payments Policy, Amazon.com

Ryan Burns, Director, Federal Government Affairs, Walmart

Duncan Douglass, Partner, Alston & Bird

Beth Provenzano, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs and Events, Merchant Advisory Group

Stephanie Badger,

Description
This year, there are many exciting opportunities for merchants to advocate and improve the payments landscape through public policy initiatives. Merchant member government relations staff and legal counsel will join us for a lively discussion on what policy debates they are watching – and engaging in – and share how you can get involved.
12:00 PM - 12:15 PM

All

Break: Boxed Lunches
12:15 PM - 01:00 PM

All

Improving the Payments Landscape: Collaboration

Speakers

Ken Grogan, Director Treasury Services, Wakefern Food Corp.

Trent Addington, Sr. Director, Payment Acceptance, Walmart

Kimberly Johnson, Senior Manager, Product Owner, VF Corporation

Description
MAG’s mission is to drive positive change and innovation in the payments industry that serves merchants' interests – and one of the primary ways we do that is through collaboration with industry partners. Our objective in collaboration is to identify, prioritize, and execute strategies to improve payments operational challenges most relevant to MAG merchant members and drive the merchant voice through industry participation. In this roundtable discussion, the MAG’s Collaboration Committee members will discuss how we are amplifying the merchants’ voices through collaboration efforts with payments industry stakeholder discussions. This is a can’t-miss session!

**To better inform attendees the technical depth of Tech Forum sessions, we are using the following identification conventions and descriptions:

100 Level: These sessions will tend to have content that appeals to a more diverse audience.
200 Level: These sessions will tend to have content that appeals to a more technical audience.

Agenda Key

Merchant Only Session

Conference Sponsors and Exhibitors

Sponsorship Value

As a MAG exhibitor and/or Conference sponsor, merchants will:

Recognize your company brand, products, and services
See you as a supporter and partner in the payments community
View your company as a relevant solution to current or future payment needs

REMINDER: You must be a current MAG Annual Sponsor in good standing to be an Annual Conference and/or Tech Forum Conference sponsor. View the MAG Annual Sponsor Listing here.

ANNUAL SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Learn More

Speakers

Thank for you being a valued MAG partner and agreeing to share your expertise and insights with our conference attendees.