NAC2017 reflects retail ATM growth

More than 500 attendees and 50 exhibitors gathered at Bally's Las Vegas Oct. 10 to 12, 2017, for NAC2017, the fifth annual convention and expo of The National ATM Council Inc. The not-for-profit association, formed in 2011 and based in Jacksonville, Fla., represents independent ATM owners, deployers and vendors, many of whom traveled great distances to attend the popular event.

In opening remarks, NAC Executive Director Bruce Renard welcomed new and returning attendees, encouraging them to visit with vendors, share ideas and participate in interactive workshops. "NAC is the voice of America's independent ATM providers and suppliers working to solve our industry's most pressing issues," he stated.

George Sarantopoulos, NAC Chair and CEO of Access One Solutions, added, "The ATM industry is changing, and it's important to remain relevant by looking to the future. I'm grateful for the amazing work of NAC staff, committee members and board of directors who have done so much to make our organization and industry a success."

High priority initiatives

The diversified conference included keynote presentations, workshops and break-out sessions covering a range of trending topics. NAC leaders recapped key association initiatives, including:

• ATMs go to Washington: NAC directors and members met with members and staff of the Senate Banking Committee and House Financial Services Committee July 18 and 19, 2017, to discuss Operation Chokepoint and ATM industry issues. Renard said numerous ATM owners, operators and vendors traveled at their own expense to attend the historic congressional meetings and share their views with key policymakers.

• EMV (Europay, Mastercard and Visa) implementation and compliance: A panel of experts participated in a panel presentation, titled EMV Survival Guide for U.S. Retail ATM Operators – Living in the Full EMV World!, Fallback penalties, chargebacks, fraudulent Regulation E claims and implementation strategies were among the topics discussed by leading retail ATM manufacturers and processors.

• Operation Chokepoint aftermath: Restoration of access to the U.S. banking system for U.S. ATM ISOs and independent ATM deployers remains a key issue, even after the official end of Operation Chokepoint. A panel of leading attorneys provided advice and guidance on risk management, offering resources, direction and support.

• Legislative developments: NAC is actively involved in regulatory initiatives at the state and federal levels. Legal analysts provided updates on NAC's antitrust action against payment card brands over ATM differential surcharging, which made its way through trial and circuit courts to the U.S. Supreme Court and will soon go to trial at Federal District Court.

• Physical, cybercrime threats: A presentation, titled Protecting Your People, Cash, Terminals & ATM Businesses - Safety First and Always!, featured a panel of security experts who presented industry leading solutions and security best practices, including armored car services, risk mitigation techniques, disaster and succession planning.

• Dynamic Currency Conversion: NAC hosted a panel discussion with payments industry leaders focused on how to successfully deploy DCC at retail ATMs. Panelists included executives from Euronet Worldwide Inc., Planet Payment Inc. and Monex Financial Services Ltd. NAC disclosed at the end of the session that it has launched a petition drive, urging Visa Inc. to enable DCC at U.S. ATMs. NAC leaders are encouraging independent ATM owners, deployers and vendors to sign the online petition. "NAC members are questioning why Visa is not supporting DCC at U.S. ATMs, when Mastercard has enabled this feature for years," Renard stated.

Positive results, outlook

Despite myriad issues facing the industry, Renard and Sarantopoulos see a prosperous future ahead for the retail ATM industry.

"As we know, events such as ours not only help us organize together to address misguided or misapplied federal government action, but also to tackle harmful local state and government proposals," Sarantopoulos stated. "The work we are doing at NAC2017 is not only to face these hurdles, but to seek new opportunities for our industry by meeting with vendors, sharing ideas with colleagues, learning about new technologies, and strengthening NAC as an organization to fight for the interests of independent ATM operators across America."

Editorial Note:

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