MAG Insights

Bringing merchants together across regions to share knowledge, strengthen collaboration, and shape the future of payments.

The payments landscape is increasingly global, but merchants face challenges shaped by local markets, regulations, and customer expectations. For organisations operating across multiple geographies, navigating this complexity requires more than local expertise. It demands opportunities to learn from peers, share practical experiences, and strengthen the collective merchant voice.

The Merchant Advisory Group (MAG) is expanding its membership internationally, extending the benefits valued by U.S. members to payments teams across Europe and Asia-Pacific.

One global community, with regional relevance

MAG International Membership builds on our mission to serve merchants through collaboration, education, and advocacy, connecting members with a wider network of peers while addressing the specific challenges of their markets.

In Europe, merchants are navigating evolving payments regulations, strong customer authentication (SCA), and changing payments frameworks. Across Asia-Pacific, priorities include real-time payments systems, digital wallets, cross-border payments, and diverse local payment methods.

While regional priorities differ, many challenges are shared, including payments acceptance costs, provider relationships, operational efficiency, fraud prevention, and innovation. Connecting merchants across regions helps them understand developments beyond their own markets and learn from organisations facing similar challenges.

When we brought global and multinational merchants together face-to-face at the recent MAG Payments Conference in Nashville, one message came through clearly. Many organisations operate across multiple regions, but their payments teams can be fragmented. International Membership creates an opportunity to learn directly from peers experiencing these nuances every day. We’re already seeing strong uptake, with many existing U.S. members with international operations extending MAG’s benefits to colleagues globally.

Practical education and insights

International members gain access to the MAG Learning Center, offering foundational payments education and focused learning resources. Live webinars, best-practice resources, and curated industry insights help professionals deepen their knowledge and make informed decisions.

This goes beyond understanding payments theory. Members can learn from fellow merchants in evaluating payment providers, managing contract renewals, and navigating the commercial, operational, and strategic considerations behind payments decisions.

The value of merchant-to-merchant collaboration

Some of the most valuable insights come from peers who understand the realities of managing payments within a merchant’s business.

Through regional insights calls, merchant-only WhatsApp communities, webinars, and in-person meet-ups, MAG creates opportunities to exchange experiences and explore how other organisations approach common issues. These trusted, merchant-only forums provide a space to share practical perspectives openly and identify opportunities for collective action.

A stronger merchant voice across borders

As payments become increasingly interconnected, developments in one market can have implications for merchants operating elsewhere. Effective engagement requires both a regional understanding and an international perspective.

MAG connects merchants across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and North America, providing opportunities to contribute to discussions on payments innovation, regulation, and industry change. Through initiatives such as our quarterly Payments Knowledge Network calls, merchants can share practical experiences and help ensure their business priorities remain central to conversations shaping the future of payments.

Connecting the global community in person

International Membership also extends access to MAG’s flagship payments events. Members receive two complimentary registrations for the MAG Payments Summit-London 27 on 12–13 April 2027 and two for the MAG Payments Summit-Singapore 27 on 5–6 October 2027. Additional registrations are available at member rates.

Alongside regional meet-ups and digital engagement, these events enable merchants to build relationships and connect local challenges with wider industry developments.

Building the future of payments together

The launch of MAG International Membership reflects a simple principle: merchants navigate change better when they learn from one another and work together on shared challenges.

By extending membership across Europe and Asia-Pacific, MAG is helping international payments teams access relevant education, build trusted relationships, and contribute to a stronger global merchant voice, while retaining the regional insights essential to their businesses.

As the payments landscape evolves, MAG will continue bringing merchants together to drive positive change and innovation in the industry.

To learn more about MAG International Membership, contact the MAG team at Partnerships@MerchantAdvisoryGroup.org or visit www.MerchantAdvisoryGroup.org