Safe, distanced SEAA reopens tradeshow season

An impressive number of payments industry professionals will gather at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort in Bonita Springs, Fla., on May 24 to 26, 2021, for the 20th annual Southeast Acquirers Association conference. With Bloomberg's COVID-19 tracker reporting 252 million vaccinated U.S. citizens as of May 6, 2021, and numerous companies lifting travel restrictions, the timing is right for a real-time, real-place gathering, SEAA planners stated.

Jamie Garfield, SEAA board member and director of partner sales at Secure Bancard LLC, said the Hyatt Regency host hotel has sold out, but rooms are available at nearby TownePlace Suites. She urged attendees to reserve rooms right away, using this link: www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1620234595087&key=GRP&app=resvlink .

"Our registration numbers currently rival Atlanta 2019, which is the largest draw we ever achieved," Garfield said. "We are limiting our exhibitor count to 90 to make sure we can provide adequate room to all attendees and exhibitor participants."

Safe distancing

Garfield added that SEAA attendees can choose stickers that indicate their personal level of concern with interaction. For example, purple stickers identify people who have been vaccinated. Green sticker wearers are open to physical proximity and contact. Yellow stickers mean "I'm okay with fist bumps" and red sticker wearers will maintain safe distancing, she stated

One-way foot traffic in the exhibit halls will further protect exhibitors and attendees while giving exhibitors equal time to engage with attendees, Garfield pointed out. In addition, face masks will be available at the Hyatt Regency and SEAA registration desk, and SEAA opening and closing receptions and poolside after-hours party will all be held outside.

Live, on-demand demos

DemoDay will take place on Mon., May 24, with select exhibitors presenting 20-minute demonstrations to small groups outside of the exhibit hall. Garfield noted the idea for DemoDay came up at a board meeting in 2020 and that the SEAA is excited to see it come to fruition. "Room capacity for each demo will be capped at 12 to give everyone a comfortable amount of personal space," she said.

Garfield went on to say that Tuesday's agenda will offer a full slate of educational sessions, with eight presentations, four breakout sessions and a general session with a CBD panel.

"Anyone attending even one of the four breakout sessions will be entered into a drawing for free registration and a complimentary three-night stay at SEAA 2022," Garfield said. "And all DemoDay and Breakout Session presentations, along with the CBD panel, will be recorded and available for viewing after the show through the SEAA 2021 mobile app or SEAA web portal by visiting portal.southeastacquirers.com/seaa2021/.

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