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Welcome
MAG’s Mid-Year Conference & Tech Forum will take place February 13-16, 2023, at the J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa.
Industry-leading speakers will focus on the latest payment-industry trends including innovation in payments.
Tech Forum Attendees: We are looking forward to building on the record-setting Annual Conference 2022 Tech Forum! The 2023 Mid-Year Conference Tech Forum event will dive deeper into the technology of payments while continuing to connect merchant IT professionals and their business partners with technology sponsors through technology-focused educational sessions and engaging networking events.
Continue to check our conference website as planning continues and more information becomes available. We look forward to connecting and seeing you in San Antonio!
Countdown to San Antonio!
February 13, 20230
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Registration for the 2023 Mid-Year Conference and Tech Forum is now open!
We look forward to you joining us for a dynamic lineup of speakers, discussions on the latest payment-industry topics, and robust engagement opportunities.
Registration Deadlines
- November 10 - Registration Opens for Mid-Year Conference and Tech Forum
- January 13 - Early Bird Deadline
- January 13 - No Refunds for Cancellations Deadlines, all events
- Mid-Year Conference
- Tech Forum
- January 19 - Hotel Block Closes
- January 26 - No Transfers/Substitutions
- No changes to different individuals from company (Mid-Year Conference & Tech)
- February 9, 11:00pm CT - Mid-Year Conference & Tech Forum Online Registration Closes
- February 13, 2023, 9:00 AM CT - February 16, 2023, 4:00 PM CT
Mid-Year Conference and Tech Forum
J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa
Hotel Information
The Mid-Year Conference and Tech Forum will be held at the J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa.
Be sure to book your room early. The MAG has secured a discounted group rate of $269 plus tax per night for hotel rooms booked by January 19.
Who Attends the MAG?
- Payments professionals representing cross verticals who want to drive positive change in the payments industry.
- Payments operations or payments technology subject matter experts willing to share knowledge.
- New payments professionals looking to gain a foundational knowledge of payments and the ecosystem.
General Information
- You must be registered for the conference to attend any of the Mid-Year or Tech Forum programming.
- Registration grants access to education sessions, general sessions, breakout sessions, exhibit hall, and all MAG networking events.
- MAG offers Merchant-Only sessions that are restricted to MAG merchant members and guest merchants.
Registration Fees
Merchant Members
- All MAG merchant members are eligible to attend both Mid-Year Conference and Tech Forum. Current MAG Members receive 5 complimentary registrations that can be used for either event.
- Not sure if you are a member of the MAG? View the current list of MAG members.
- If you are not a merchant member of the MAG and wish to attend a conference, please contact Kristi Simonett, Director, Membership Engagement and Sponsorship Programs for options and the process to attend.
Annual Sponsors
The number of complimentary registrations for MAG conferences are based on your sponsorship level. View MAG Annual Sponsors and levels.
Exhibit Hall Passes
Use promo code EXHMYC231302 when registering to secure the $100 Exhibitor Set Up/ Tear Down Only pass.
Use promo code EXHSTAFFMYC231302 when registering exhibit booth staff registration fee of $800.
Prospective Merchants, Annual Sponsors, and Tech Forum Sponsors
- Prospective Merchant Pricing
- Complimentary passes are available for first-time attendees, limit 2 total per company, and include access to the Mid-Year Conference and Tech Forum agendas
- Prospective Sponsor Pricing
- Registration is $3,000/person: includes access to the Mid-Year Conference and Tech Forum agendas
If you are not a merchant member or a sponsor of the MAG and wish to attend a conference, please contact Kristi Simonett, Director, Membership Engagement and Sponsorship Programs for options and the process to attend.
HOTEL RESERVATIONS
BOOK YOUR ROOM TODAY!The MAG Tech Forum is aligned with the MAG bi-annual conference designed specifically for payment IT professionals. Technologies in payments continue to evolve at a rapid pace, and the Tech Forum provides education and networking opportunities among merchant technology professionals and leading technology providers focused on innovative uses of these new relevant payment technologies.
The objectives of holding the Tech Forum event alongside our MAG conferences is to foster collaboration, provide tech-focused knowledge, and build relationships across merchants, their payments IT and business teams, and technology focused sponsors.
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, Mass Merchant, Petroleum/Convenience Stores and Small Ticket/Restaurant).
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.
Beware of scams
Do not respond if an individual outside of MAG contacts you regarding accommodations or contact lists.
NEED APPROVAL TO ATTEND TECH FORUM? PERSONALIZE THE SAMPLE EMAIL BELOW.
GET SAMPLE EMAILMid-Year Conference and Tech Forum Agenda
Last updated on Friday, February 3, 2023. All times are in (UTC-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada)
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Merchant Only Session
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Description
Networking Reception
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Exhibit Hall
AllBreakfast
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Exhibit Hall
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Breakfast
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Tech
Education Session - Redefining Payment Authentication in 2023
Mid-YearEducation (100): Introduction to Payments
Mid-YearEducation (200): Fraud and Tokenization
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Tech
Education Session - Redefining Payment Authentication in 2023
Speakers
Frank Mendicino, VP NuData Business Development, Mastercard
Description
There is no shortage of authentication methods to help secure payments. Your customers log in, they need a password. When they purchase an item, your customers get a text message to approve it. They might want a higher-ticket item that requires a code from an authentication app. All of which create friction in the customer transaction.Payment authentication is a requirement for nearly all of today’s transactions, but it can be frustrating for both the business and the customers. Balancing the business risk versus customer frustration can be difficult with many authentication solutions.During this session, Mastercard authentication expert Frank Mendocino will share insights into the following:- Covering the basics of active vs. passive authentication
- Understanding the differences between biometrics and behavioral biometrics for authentication
- Perspectives on best practice authentication without friction strategies
- Looking at future authentication methods, including passwordless technologies
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Mid-Year
Education (100): Introduction to Payments
Speakers
Paul Larsen, Senior Director, Optimized Payments, LLC
Alan Vickness, Vice President of Product and Delivery, Optimized Payments, LLC
Description
This engaging foundational session is designed for anyone seeking a role in the merchants' payments industry as well as anyone who has a stake in the acceptance of payments looking to brush up on their skills. Whether or not you have taken MAG’s Merchant Payments 101 eLearning course or not, this session is designed to give you a taste of the more in-depth content the course provides. This live Merchant Payments 101 session will discuss how payments affect the customer journey and will answer the following questions:- Who are all the players in payments and what do they do?
- What is an authorization?
- How does authorization affect the customer and the merchant?
- What are clearing and settlement?
- When do funds switch hands?
- What happens if there is a dispute, or the customer wants a refund?
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Mid-Year
Education (200): Fraud and Tokenization
Speakers
Galit Michel, VP, Payments, Forter
Jeff Hallenbeck, Head of Payment Partnerships, Forter
Description
Payment tokenization has certainly been one of the most talked about topics over the last year. Many questions remain about the various Token Autofill products that will replace a primary account number (PAN). One in particular is how merchants’ fraud engines will be able to risk-assess known and unknown customers if they are not receiving the consumer's full PAN.In this session, experts from Forter will cover the essential questions that merchants should be considering if you are using tokenization, including best practices for choosing a solution, benefits and limitations of network tokenization, and predictions for what the future of tokenization will look like (and how to stay ahead of the curve).
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Keynote Fireside Chat: How Acquirers and Merchants Build a Lasting Relationship
Moderators
John Drechny, CEO, Merchant Advisory Group
Robert Goldberg, Director of Finance, Universal Orlando
Guy Harris, Head of Merchant Services, Bank of America
Description
Acquirers play a key role in the payments system by helping merchants create a seamless customer experience. As the payments industry continues to evolve, an ongoing relationship is critical for merchants to best understand the most important changes to prioritize. Guy Harris, Head of Merchant Services at Bank of America, John Drechny, MAG CEO, and Rob Goldberg, Director of Finance at Universal Orlando, will discuss how all stakeholders cooperate and collaborate to create a better experience for our common customers.
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2023: The Year of Online Routing
Speakers
David Schneider, President, PULSE, a Discover Company
Brian Dammeir, Global Head of Unified Commerce, Adyen
Kothai Senthil, VP, Head of Payments, Albertsons Companies, Inc.
Jacqueline Chilton, Global Payments Operations, McDonald's Corporation
Josh Pynn, Senior Manager, Payments Content, Merchant Advisory Group
Description
The Federal Reserve’s Clarification of online debit routing made waves throughout the merchant community. With a flurry of activity rippling around the community as the enablement deadline of July 1 approaches, we are bringing together the experts to talk about what they are doing to ensure merchants and their partners are prepared. -
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Exhibit Hall and Networking Break
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Tech
Tech Forum Kick-Off: Synching Payment Data via the Cloud to Reduce Risk, Manage Costs, and the Enhanced Checkout Experience
Speakers
James McGeehan, Snowflake
Brandy Wood, Vice President, Head of Client Experience Products, Fiserv
Kothai Senthil, Albertsons Companies, Inc.
Description
Payments data is a foundational tool for merchants, underpinning modern technology that manages everything from fraud prevention and authorization engines to loyalty and customer engagement tools. Large enterprises with access to data spanning millions of card transactions grapple with providing adequate resources needed to extract maximum value from that data.To manage cumbersome data sets, many organizations invest resources to access, analyze, and utilize their payments data. But manual intervention is costly, inefficient, and can be all too time-consuming. To that end, cloud-based data sharing is revolutionizing how large enterprises can tap into the power of payment data. These new data-as-a-service (DaaS) capabilities allow businesses to have near-real-time access to their enterprise-wide transaction data, critical intelligence that can help businesses make informed decisions. DaaS allows businesses to sync transactions payments data across reporting and analytics provided by their acquirer, and within the business’ existing data warehouse. Synching via the cloud removes the need for enterprises to build ETL (extract, transform, load) integrations, reducing operational costs and removing the need for manual intervention. Doing so allows a business to access transactional data with speed and accuracy. It also empowers the business by providing rich insights that will help strengthen commerce models. With ready-to-query data, a business can also enhance consumer experiences by integrating real-time payments data into the checkout process. This can enable the business to use data intelligence to strengthen loyalty and rewards programs, improve decisioning for embedded financial services, and augment fraud mitigation.In this session, Fiserv, Albertsons Companies, Inc., and Snowflake will discuss how cloud-based data capabilities can reduce risk, optimize commerce, and enhance checkout experiences. -
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Networking Lunch
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Mid-Year
The Rise of Online Bank Transfers in the US Payments Landscape
Mid-YearWhere in the World are Cross Border Payments?
Mid-YearPayments Innovations from Argentina to Zambia
TechDeep Dive on Network Tokenization and PAR
TechDigital Payments: What Merchants Need to Know for Global Growth
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Mid-Year
The Rise of Online Bank Transfers in the US Payments Landscape
Speakers
Keith Olson, VP of Sales, ACH & Online Banking , Nuvei
Description
This session aims to introduce and explain trends around direct bank transfers as a method of payment, which enables consumers to buy products and services from merchants. Why this topic now? The recent rise in real-time payments, coupled with the FedNow launch coming up in mid-2023, and an already established consumer preference for frictionless, speedy, mobile-enabled payments has caused the perfect environment for new forms of payments, such as Online Bank Transfers, to flourish. The session will evaluate this rising trend and outline the challenges and opportunities merchants can expect to face when offering this payment method to their customers. -
Mid-Year
Where in the World are Cross Border Payments?
Speakers
Tim Diggs, Pan-American Life Insurance Group
Daniel Carter, Senior Director & Head of Global Payment Strategy, Redbridge Debt & Treasury Advisory
Description
Accepting international transactions is an integral part of the payments value chain; in fact, it is a link in the chain that many merchants can extract significant additional value from. In today’s global economy, multinational corporations must position themselves not only as brands that transcend borders, but also resilient payments innovators. This often means building a customer journey that leads to a frictionless buying experience, whether that be through translated websites, currency options, local payment methods, provider harmonization, and proper messaging. -
Mid-Year
Payments Innovations from Argentina to Zambia
Speakers
Adrielle Andrade, Business Development Manager, dLocal
Michel Golffed, SVP Growth, dLocal
Description
Over the last two years, payments, fraud, and regulations in emerging markets have drastically changed. The challenges. The infrastructure. The regulations. Brazil introduced the instant payments system PIX, with the world's fastest adoption rate. India updated regulations on recurring payments, hitting the SaaS in an unprecedented way. The payments infrastructure in emerging markets is changing and evolving – and it won’t stop. This panel is a key step in understanding current payments innovations from wallets in Asia, mobile money in Africa, and instant payment systems in Latin America. Dive into how localization affects your checkout, fraud prevention, and, therefore, conversion rates. -
Tech
Deep Dive on Network Tokenization and PAR
Speakers
Mark Ericksen, Specialist Leader, Payments, Deloitte Consulting LLC
Description
200 Level** - Network Tokenization and Payment Account Reference (PAR) are the new kids on the block for protecting PAN data, but what are they exactly? Do they have limitations? How can PAR be leveraged? These are a few of the many questions merchants should consider and answer in their designs ahead of an implementation. In this technical session, panelists will dig into these challenging topics to prepare you for your tokenization and PAR journey. -
Tech
Digital Payments: What Merchants Need to Know for Global Growth
Speakers
Jean Kany, VP Retail & Commerce BU, CITCON
Description
100 Level** - Digital payments methods are replacing cash, checks, and credit cards. Having a variety of payment options to serve a wider demographic of customers is essential to the success of any merchant looking to expand their customer base. Panelists will discuss important considerations as digital payments methods evolve.
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Mid-Year
Wyoming Stable Token for Zero Cost Payments
Mid-YearUnleash the Power of Pay: The Benefits of an Open Commerce Platform
Mid-YearOptimizing Fraud and Risk Management Operations to Drive Growth
Tech2023: The Year for Open Banking Payments in North America?
TechPayment Orchestration
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Mid-Year
Wyoming Stable Token for Zero Cost Payments
Speakers
Randy Gibbons, Sr Manager Payment Strategy & Risk, Southwest Airlines
Scott Moeller, Organizer, American CryptoFed DAO
Senator Chris Rothfuss, Co-Chair, Wyoming Legislative Select Committee for Blockchain
Representative Jared Olsen, Co-Chair, Wyoming Legislative Select Committee for Blockchain
Description
The Wyoming Legislature is discussing a bill called the “Wyoming Stable Token Act” which will enable the State of Wyoming to issue “a virtual currency representative of and redeemable for one (1) United States dollar.” Senator Chris Rothfuss and Representative Jared Olsen, co-chairs of the Wyoming Legislature Select Committee on Blockchain, Financial Technology, and Digital Innovation Technology, will provide an introduction on the Wyoming Stable Token Act and answer questions from participants.
American CryptoFed’s mission is to create a two-token monetary system with zero inflation, zero deflation, zero transaction costs, and maximum employment. In this session, learn how The American CryptoFed Blockchain, which will be an open and free, public utility platform, can be one of the blockchains for the Wyoming Stable Token to provide merchants with zero cost payments services. -
Mid-Year
Unleash the Power of Pay: The Benefits of an Open Commerce Platform
Speakers
Liesl Smith, SVP, Marketing & Sales Enablement, FreedomPay
Description
Globally, merchants and their customers are demanding greater control, convenience, and flexibility in their payments processes. Non-traditional, complex digital payments types are rising in popularity, including account-to-account (A2A) and business-to-business (B2B) transfers, splitting costs with Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), the use of super-apps, request to pay, and cross-border transactions. To meet customer expectations of in-store, mobile, or online checkouts, merchants are upgrading from their siloed, legacy payments platforms to innovative, fully integrated, agnostic solutions that support global commerce.Speed, customization, and convenience are top of mind for today’s consumers, with commerce’s shift online during the pandemic continuing into 2023. As such, both brick-and-mortar and eCommerce businesses can benefit from adopting non-traditional, frictionless, and innovative methods of engaging with customers. Open-loop technology gives consumers the flexibility to pay as they choose across many verticals including hospitality, retail, F&B, gaming, healthcare, and education, to name a few. It enables payment methods such as contactless debit and credit cards as well as emerging technologies. These include Apple Pay, Google Pay, Retail kiosks which use AI and cameras to detect items, QR codes for ordering and payment at F&B establishments, and personalized in-app reservation management including room key generation and booking services. Panelists will share how adopting agnostic, fully integrated, open-loop platforms empower merchants to manage their own strategy. -
Mid-Year
Optimizing Fraud and Risk Management Operations to Drive Growth
Speakers
Eyal Raab, Events Manager, Riskified
Steve Eastham, At Home
Description
According to a report by Juniper Research, retail merchants are set to lose $130 billion in digital fraud between 2018 and 2023. This staggering number emphasizes how important it is for customer service and payments teams to address fraud. In this session, the audience will learn the tactics and strategies that merchants can implement to ensure that the correlation between fraud management and company growth is recognized across the organization. -
Tech
2023: The Year for Open Banking Payments in North America?
Speakers
Vinay Nilakantan, Principal Product Manager - Platforms and financial services, Adyen
Description
2023 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for the open banking landscape in the United States and Canada, with a range of regulatory changes and new payment technologies set to shake up the industry. In this session, we will explore the current state of open banking in these countries, including the typical friction points that businesses may encounter when accepting ACH/EFT payments in a B2C context. We will also delve into the evolving ways that businesses can accept bank payments, both for B2B and B2C transactions. Finally, we will discuss the potential role of a digital wallet and the impact of initiatives such as FedNow and RTP on the future of open banking and bank payments. Join us to stay up-to-date on the latest developments and strategies for navigating this complex landscape as it undergoes significant changes in the coming year. -
Tech
Payment Orchestration
Speakers
Todd Wade, VP, New Solutions, Visa
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Exhibit Hall and Networking Break
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Tech
How to Gain Access and Leverage First Party Data
Tech3DS Myth Busting: Challenge What You Think You Know About Optimizing Conversions
Mid-YearAre You Ready for the Post-Pandemic Wave of Asian Travelers?
Mid-YearA/B Testing to Analyze Conversion and Overall Impact
Mid-YearEvolving Your Subscription Payments Journey
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Tech
How to Gain Access and Leverage First Party Data
Speakers
Tim Dardis, VP of Business Development and Strategy, Alviere
Description
100 Level - In this session, we will talk about the ways embedded finance gives brands the ability to offer financial services to their customers which in turn gives them access to first-party spend data. We will also talk about how to use that data to increase CLV and monetize that data. -
Tech
3DS Myth Busting: Challenge What You Think You Know About Optimizing Conversions
Speakers
Galit Michel, VP, Payments, Forter
Description
200 Level - Fraud prevention has changed dramatically in recent years — and former truths are increasingly becoming outdated myths. In this “Myth Busting" session, we're busting the myth that ‘3DS is a conversion killer.’ When you learn how to leverage 3DS smartly, you can drive a huge amount of value and revenue for your business. -
Mid-Year
Are You Ready for the Post-Pandemic Wave of Asian Travelers?
Speakers
Mikaho Hara, Vice President / Marketing, JCB International Credit Card Co., Ltd.
Eric Liebman, Sr Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, JCB Credit Card (Japan)
Description
In 2019, the United States welcomed more than 12 million travelers from Asia, ranking in the top five inbound markets. While the pandemic essentially shut down travel from Asia, we are now seeing the resurgence of travelers from the Asia-Pacific region in record numbers. The United States remains one of the top travel destinations for these affluent visitors. They collectively spend billions of dollars every year on everything from airlines, hotels, and rental cars to retail, gas stations, restaurants, and more. With this wave of inbound tourism upon us, is your business ready to welcome them? Join our session to hear about the impact on your industry or business, learn the buying behaviors of Asia travelers, and get a how-to guide on how to make them feel welcome in your business. -
Mid-Year
A/B Testing to Analyze Conversion and Overall Impact
Speakers
Tiffany Raymond, Head of Global Customer Advocacy, PayPal
Description
For a merchant to modernize and expand their payments offerings, a key part of this process should include measurement to access the effectiveness of their new capabilities. As businesses remain on high alert for an impending recession, being able to prove the value of every decision is non-negotiable.Recognizing the impact every basis point in conversion could have on their business, search website Spokeo engaged with PayPal to go beyond credit card acceptance and add the PayPal button to payments offerings. As part of the implementation, the two companies conducted controlled A/B testing and found a staggering spike in conversion rates of 20 percent within the first week.Join this session as PayPal speaker walks you through their payments evolution, exploring what worked and what didn’t, including details on:- Integrating a new payment method
- Assessing customer demand to influence alternative payment methods
- Controlled A/B testing to analyze conversion and overall impact
- The role of data science to predict potential outcomes.
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Mid-Year
Evolving Your Subscription Payments Journey
Speakers
Melanie Stout, Head of Recurring Services, Optimized Payments, LLC
Kenny Ebanyat, Director, Head of Payments Direct To Consumer, NBA
Jane Frazier, Sr. Director of Payment Acceptance, Charter Communications (Spectrum)
Description
Pandemics, recessions, and ever-changing card brand regulations are impacting subscription merchants more than ever. Global events have impacted how consumers pay the economy has impacted how much consumers can afford, and card brand changes have thrown traditional recovery strategies out the window. Using real-life data across multiple recurring verticals, session panelists will review what merchants can do to crush involuntary churn and build a successful recurring payments strategy and hear directly from one of the world’s leading subscription billers.
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Exhibit Hall and Networking Break
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Merchant Only SIG: Recurring Billing/Subscriptions
AllMerchant Only SIG: eCommerce
AllMerchant Only SIG: Small Ticket/Restaurant
AllMerchant Only SIG: Petroleum/Convenience Store
AllMerchant Only SIG: Mass Merchant
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Merchant Only SIG: Recurring Billing/Subscriptions
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Merchant Only SIG: eCommerce
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Merchant Only SIG: Small Ticket/Restaurant
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Merchant Only SIG: Petroleum/Convenience Store
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Merchant Only SIG: Mass Merchant
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Networking Reception Hosted by MAG
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Exhibit Hall
AllBreakfast
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Exhibit Hall
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Breakfast
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International Panel
TechMerchant Only SIG: Tech Forum Business/Tech
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International Panel
Panel
Kirkland Morris, Vice President, Enterprise Initiatives & External Affairs, Interac Corp.
Anusha Ramanujam, Head of Payment Partnerships & Product Enablement, Square
Howard Sysler, Executive Vice President, Global Sales - Multinational Commerce, Global Payments Inc.
Martha Southall, Global Market Insights Manager, CMSPI
Jeff Gallo, Director, Global Merchant Services, IHG Hotels & Resorts
Description
Payments innovation is happening around the globe. Whether it is real-time payments in India or evolving wallets in Asia, it is beneficial to understand how payments are changing. Besides just new entrants into the market, we also see international regulators weighing in on everything from customer identification to least cost routing. Our panel will give you a quick around-the-world look at payments and what activity in other markets might mean for the United States. -
Tech
Merchant Only SIG: Tech Forum Business/Tech
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Exhibit Hall and Networking Break
Sponsors
Description
Exhibit Hall and Networking Break
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Women in Payments
Speakers
Sophie Rainford, Vice President Industry Engagement, American Express
Beth Costa, Partner, Oliver Wyman
Anusha Ramanujam, Head of Payment Partnerships & Product Enablement, Square
Kevin Halliburton, Vice President, Enterprise Compliance, Global Payments
Description
Back by popular demand! How do organizations enable an environment in 2023 to enhance diversity, overcome barriers, and drive towards a more balanced and equitable workforce in payments? Kevin Halliburton from Heartland moderates a panel of diverse women from across the payments ecosystem. Learn about their journeys - where connections, relationships, and experiences have guided them through triumphs, challenges, and transitions bringing them to where they are today. Hear directly from these leaders on advice, lessons learned, and insight into the steps they took along the way to navigate their careers across the field of payments – touching on topics including building the next generation of payments leaders, the gift of feedback (how to give and receive), and staying hungry for change in this ever-changing landscape. This is a don’t-miss session! -
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Regulatory Panel
Panel
Christina Brown, Anticompetitive Practices Division, Bureau of Competition Federal Trade Commission
Tim Boike, Vice President of Industry Engagement The Federal Reserve
Owen Glist, Attorney Constantine & Cannon
Beth Provenzano, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs and Events, Merchant Advisory Group
Amy Zirkle, Senior Program Manager, Payments and Deposits Markets at Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Description
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Mid-Year
The 7 Simple Truths of Real-Time Payments
Mid-YearTop Tips for Merchants: How Collaboration at Scale Can Enhance the Payments Experience
TechFrom Legacy Processing to a Unified Back-Office Platform, an Optimization Journey
TechThe Evolution of Fraud Inside and Outside of Payments
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Mid-Year
The 7 Simple Truths of Real-Time Payments
Speakers
Dan Coates, Solution Evangelist - Omni-Commerce, ACI Worldwide
Description
The world is moving away from cards toward real-time payments, and the United States is not far behind. By 2026, real-time payments are set to be at the heart of the new global payments landscape, accounting for a significant percentage of electronic payments globally. Will you be ready to take advantage of everything that real-time payments for merchants has to offer? Imagine NO interchange fees, chargebacks, or limits on transaction value along with the benefits of instant settlement and liquidity. For merchants that offer ACH payment options to consumers, imagine no more NSF risk or guaranteed funds expenses. In addition, all fraud exposure is shouldered by the banks. So, what can you do now and how can you prepare to take advantage of real-time payments? This session will cover all you need to know to plan your real-time payments strategy. -
Mid-Year
Top Tips for Merchants: How Collaboration at Scale Can Enhance the Payments Experience
Speakers
Ginny Huber, Director, Sales, Checkout.com
Description
In this session, merchants will recap the benefits of collaborating with different players across the payments ecosystem - but also receive actionable guidance on how to make this happen in practice. Acquirers, issuers, networks, partners: when should merchants involve each party? How can all players work towards more effective communication? How do strategies differ according to vertical, company size, and geography? And how will better collaboration ultimately ladder up to improve customer experience at the checkout? We will closely look at an example of successful collaboration with our panelists, and cover:- How it happened
- What challenges were faced
- Curveballs - what went wrong and what was unexpected
- What the outcomes were
- How this can be scaled to other businesses: top tips on when to initiate collaboration, when to involve each party, and how to build a successful ecosystem that ultimately drives outcomes for all businesses involved.
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Tech
From Legacy Processing to a Unified Back-Office Platform, an Optimization Journey
Speakers
Swapnil Mengawade, Founder, Optimus FinTech
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Tech
The Evolution of Fraud Inside and Outside of Payments
Speakers
Casey Zenner, VP - Global Sales, Kount
Scott Adams, CEO/Founder, CNPMentors.com
Description
200 Level - Fraud is constantly changing, and new tactics emerge every day. But no matter what the strategy is or how fraudsters are attempting to cheat the system, the outcome is always the same: your revenue is in jeopardy. The secret to staying one step ahead is data. If you have access to the right data elements and can leverage them in the correct way, you can gain the upper hand. This session pulls back the curtain on data-driven decisions and how they can benefit your business — no matter which fraud risks come your way.
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Networking Lunch
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Mid-Year
Future-Proof Your Payments Strategy with Device and Behavioral Intelligence
Mid-YearWhat Does a Fraud Detection Solution Look Like in 2023?
Mid-YearOpen for B2B Business; Two Truths and a Lie to Prepare for Expansion in B2B
TechBuilding and Migrating to Modern Systems While Maintaining Legacy Systems
TechReducing Friction in Ecommerce Transactions
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Mid-Year
Future-Proof Your Payments Strategy with Device and Behavioral Intelligence
Speakers
Hal Granoff, Head of US Market Development, Callsign
Description
Like a fingerprint, no two mobile or web devices are exactly the same – and a unique profile can be created for each one. Similarly, human behaviors can also create unique data points that help establish individual profiles. All this data can be collected and analyzed to help process payments in a private, secure, and effective manner. So why aren’t more merchants leveraging this technology? With browser companies increasingly stepping away from the use of third-party cookies – merchants might have to look more to devices and behavior for accurate data signals. -
Mid-Year
What Does a Fraud Detection Solution Look Like in 2023?
Speakers
Jamie George, Head of Account Management, Ravelin
John Dobson, Senior Product Manager: Merchant Fraud and Security, Elavon
Description
Elavon is one of the leading payments companies in the United States. In 2022, they decided to revamp their fraud offering for their customers large and small. But what did the market want? John Dobson of Elavon, in a conversation with Jamie George of Ravelin, will take us through the findings from their extensive research into the U.S. market and what the findings told them about what the modern merchant wants. -
Mid-Year
Open for B2B Business; Two Truths and a Lie to Prepare for Expansion in B2B
Speakers
Dina Vardouniotis, Founder and Principal, Payments + Partnerships Inc.
Jennifer Tramontana, President, The Fletcher Group
Description
By 2026, B2B eCommerce will hit $18 Trillion, showcasing that digitalization is well underway as leaders are moving their transformation efforts and omnichannel strategies ahead significantly faster than they previously thought possible. But when we talk about improving B2B payments, it is important to understand that credit cards won’t cut it. Today’s business buyers, shaped by their experiences with B2C, want the option to purchase online and the process to be fast and convenient. In this presentation, we will envisage the B2B payments network of the future and how it will create an experience as frictionless as a credit card purchase. It stands to change B2B forever. -
Tech
Building and Migrating to Modern Systems While Maintaining Legacy Systems
Speakers
George Leedle, Vice President of Digital Payments Technology, Discover Financial Services
Scott Raible, VP Application Development, Discover Financial Services
Description
200 Level - Like changing the proverbial aircraft engine while in flight, building and migrating to modern payments systems while maintaining the existing systems pose unique challenges. Do you build and migrate incrementally or is a ‘big bang’ approach the way to go? Can it all be done in-house or are there some things better done by external resources? How do you ensure the business and technology groups stay aligned on goals and priorities? Attend this session to hear perspectives on these questions and more to learn lessons that can help in your journey to deploy a modern payments solution. -
Tech
Reducing Friction in Ecommerce Transactions
Speakers
Elisa Ahern, Lead Field Data Scientist, Ekata, a Mastercard Company
Frank Mendicino, VP NuData Business Development, Mastercard
Description
100 Level - Slowing down any eCommerce experience can lead to lost revenue, lower customer conversions, and decreased reputation. Yet, merchants need to balance their needs for growth and revenue against the reality that cybercrime is expected to rise globally to US$10.5 trillion by 2025. During this session, attendees will learn how they can come to a better balance with improved checkout experiences while adding the right level of friction to the experience, as well as:- Understand today’s growing friction trends and challenges
- Use both consumer and merchant perspectives to make better customer experience decisions
- Discover best practices for minimizing friction without increasing fraud
- Balance fraud prevention and customer experience
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All
Exhibit Hall and Networking Break
Sponsors
Description
Exhibit Hall and Networking Break
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All
“CALLING ALL SPONSORS (ONLY)”: How to get the most out of your MAG Sponsorship…and more!
AllMerchant Only: SIGs and Snacks
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All
“CALLING ALL SPONSORS (ONLY)”: How to get the most out of your MAG Sponsorship…and more!
Speakers
Kristi Simonett, Director, Membership Engagement and Sponsorship Programs, Merchant Advisory Group
Description
The MAG is offering a new 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’ll also have a Q&A session to learn what is most important to you, our sponsors. -
All
Merchant Only: SIGs and Snacks
Description
The ultimate networking session! SIGs are by far the most highly rated sessions of a MAG conference – and we have heard you loud and clear that you want MORE! We are breaking down the walls in this first-of-its-kind networking session where merchants will have an opportunity to sit in small groups of no more than eight for an open and honest chat with your peers about the latest going on in payments to collaborate and problem-solve together.
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All
Exhibit Hall and Networking Break
Sponsors
Description
Exhibit Hall and Networking Break -
All
Alternative Payment Panel
Panel
Tim Boike, Vice President of Industry Engagement, The Federal Reserve
Greg Worch, Global Head of Revenue, CellPoint Digital
Nitin Prabhu, Vice President, Merchant Experience and Payment Solutions, PayPal
Chris Storbeck, Vice President, Business Development and Tech Engagement, Merchant Advisory Group
Description
Alternative ways to pay continue to be introduced to the payments ecosystem. Whether they are using existing rails like ACH or new alternatives like blockchain, merchants need to understand how these payments work and what the consumer demand is for them. We have assembled a group of experts to examine the most popular ones in the market and the benefits of considering them in your payments mix. -
All
EMVCo, FIDO, and W3C: Specifications Working Together for Safer Payments
Speakers
Brian Byrne, Director of Engagement and Operations, EMVCO
Steve Cole, Director of Technology Engagement, Merchant Advisory Group
Ian Jacobs, Head of Payments, W3C
Christina Hulka, Executive Director & COO, FIDO Alliance
Description
One way the payments landscape is continually changing is through the introduction of new or updated specifications. In some cases, specifications can be used in combination to create solutions that would be otherwise difficult for any one entity to develop alone. Come listen to our panelists from EMVCo, FIDO, and W3C to learn how they are working together to create a safer online payments experience. -
All
General Mid-Year Conference and Tech Forum Closing
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All
Networking Reception Hosted by MAG
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All
Breakfast
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All
Merchant Only SIG: Mass Merchant
AllMerchant Only SIG: Recurring Billing/Subscriptions
AllMerchant Only SIG: eCommerce
AllMerchant Only SIG: Petroleum/Convenience Store
AllMerchant Only SIG: Small Ticket/Restaurant
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All
Merchant Only SIG: Mass Merchant
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All
Merchant Only SIG: Recurring Billing/Subscriptions
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All
Merchant Only SIG: eCommerce
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All
Merchant Only SIG: Petroleum/Convenience Store
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All
Merchant Only SIG: Small Ticket/Restaurant
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All
Networking Break
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All
State of the MAG
Speakers
John Drechny, CEO, Merchant Advisory Group
Kelly Andrus, Director, Collaboration, Merchant Advisory Group
Bryan Penny, Vice President, Collaboration and Education, Merchant Advisory Group
Beth Provenzano, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs, Merchant Advisory Group
Chris Storbeck, Vice President, Business Development and Tech Engagement, Merchant Advisory Group
Description
Come hear Kathy Hanna, MAG Chair, talk with MAG leadership on how the MAG is focused on being the voice of the merchant. MAG leadership will speak to the key ways the MAG helps to collaborate, advocate, and educate its membership. The group will also cover the health of the MAG and more ways members can get involved.
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All
LIVE! Merchant Benchmarking
Speakers
Erika Curtis, Delivery Lead, W. Capra Consulting Group
Description
W. Capra will lead this very interactive session where we request only one person who represents their company to respond to live polling on popular benchmarking key performance indicators (KPIs) including authorization and approvals, fraud and chargebacks, tender share, channel share, and much more. So, grab a coffee, a seat near your co-workers, and settle in for this fun and interactive activity. Following the conference, a summary report will be published and shared with all merchants with the outcomes of the polling questions. -
All
Merchants Unleashed: Creating Competition
Speakers
Joe Vasterling, Director, Payment Acceptance, Gift Cards, and BNPL, Best Buy
Kathy Hanna, Vice President Payments Acceptance and Services, The Kroger Co.
John Drechny, CEO, Merchant Advisory Group
Description
One way to have more control of your payments environment is by creating a competitive payments ecosystem. This can be achieved in several ways including debit routing, multiple acquirers, alternative payments, and engagement with regulators. Hear from our panel of merchant experts on how they create a competitive landscape as well as the barriers which still prevent it. -
All
Break: Boxed Lunches
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All
Improving the Payments Landscape: Collaboration
Speakers
Kelly Andrus, Director, Collaboration, Merchant Advisory Group
Nancy Morgan, Director, Financial Payment Acceptance, The Kroger Co.
Jutin Staskiewicz, Director, Payments and Fraud Prevention, Restaurant Brands International
Grant Olson, Director Payments Strategy and Assurance, ADT Security
Eric Vescera, Director, Payments, Inspire Brands
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 and enforce payment partners' accountability. In this roundtable discussion, MAG merchant members and staff will discuss how we are amplifying the merchants’ voice through collaboration efforts through payments industry stakeholder discussions and in current Communities of Practice. This is a can’t-miss session! -
All
Improving the Payments Landscape: Advocacy
Speakers
Beth Provenzano, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs, Merchant Advisory Group
Doug Kantor, General Counsel, National Association of Convenience Stores
Stephanie Martz, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel, NRF
Austen Jensen, Executive Vice President, Government Affairs, Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA)
Description
There were many highlights in payments policy last year. Merchant trade association partners will discuss the policy accomplishments and election results of 2022. In addition, panelists will share their predictions of how the election results and advocacy efforts may shape the debate around payments issues in 2023.
Agenda Key
Merchant Only Session
Attention Tech Forum Attendees: The MAG has assigned 100 or 200 levels to our tech sessions to better inform attendees on the technical depth of each session. Please see descriptions below.
100: These sessions will tend to have content that appeals to a more diverse audience.
200: These sessions will tend to have content that appeals to a more technical audience.
Agenda subject to change.
Conference Sponsors and Exhibitors
The MAG 2023 Mid-Year Conference & Tech Forum will offer a variety of opportunities to show support for the MAG and gain additional exposure as you showcase your brand to conference attendees.
As a MAG exhibitor and/or Annual sponsor, merchants will:
- View your company as a relevant solution provider to current or future payment needs
- Recognize your company brand, products, and services
- See you as a supporter and partner in the payments community
REMINDER: You must be a current MAG Annual Sponsor in good standing to be a Mid-Year Conference and/or Tech Forum Conference sponsor. View the MAG Annual Sponsor Listing here.
Review Conference Exhibit and Sponsorship Opportunities
Important Deadlines
December 9, 2022
- Deadline to sign up as a MAG Mid-Year or Tech Forum Sponsor
- Deadline to sign up as a Mid-Year Conference or Tech Forum Conference Sponsor and/or Exhibitor
Exhibit Personnel
Exhibit personnel who will staff your booth must be registered for the conference and can register using one of the three options below:
- Standard Sponsor registration using either a comp or purchasing a full conference pass.
- Please refer to the Annual Sponsor Levels and Benefits to determine how many complimentary registrations your company receives.
- $100 Exhibitor Set Up/Take Down Only*: EXHMYC231302
- *Grants access to the Exhibit Hall for set up on Monday, Feb 13 from 8am-5pm CT and take down on Wednesday, Feb 16 from 5:30pm – 9pm CT.
- $800 Exhibit Booth Staff Pass for MYC & Tech Forum**: EXHSTAFFMYC231302
- ** This pass will not allow access to other conference elements including the general or education session. This pass is for those who will only be staffing your booth but will not be attending sessions.
- ** This pass will not allow access to other conference elements including the general or education session. This pass is for those who will only be staffing your booth but will not be attending sessions.
Payment
Mid-Year Conference and/or Tech Forum sponsorships and exhibits will not be guaranteed or promoted until payment has been received. We encourage you to submit your payment as soon as possible.
Once your conference sponsorship and/or exhibit selection is made and approved, a MAG Staff member will reach out for payment.
*If your company would like to purchase lead retrieval licenses for the MAG Mid-Year Conference exhibit hall, payments will be processed via credit card directly in the Exhibitor and Sponsorship selection portal.
Exhibitor Rules and Regulations
Though your booth is complimentary, you must visit the Conference Sponsorship and Exhibitor website to make your exhibit booth selection.
Please let Jennifer Mammele know by December 9, 2022, if you will not be utilizing your exhibit space.
Questions?
Conference Sponsorship & Exhibitor Questions: Contact Jennifer Mammele.
Interested in Becoming a MAG Annual Sponsor? Contact Kristi Simonett.
ANNUAL SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
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