SEAA returns to Atlanta

The Southeast Acquirers Association will host its annual conference March 25 to 27, 2019, at the Loews Atlanta Hotel, which is located in a region numerous payments companies call home. The independent not-for-profit trade association, established in 2000, has prepared a varied menu of seminars, exhibits and presentations for a diverse audience. Event organizers noted that equipment manufacturers, finance experts, technology startups and merchant acquirers will be among attendees, speakers and exhibitors.

The SEAA and other regional shows provide merchant level salespeople (MLSs) with networking, business and educational opportunities in affordable, locally situated venues, stated John McCormick, SEAA founder and board member. Recalling the success of SEAA 2014, also held in Atlanta, McCormick said hundreds of organizations and professionals have already registered for this year's show.

Georgia's Transaction Alley

The Technology Association of Georgia dubbed the Atlanta region "Transaction Alley" in 2010, noting that Georgia-based companies facilitate nearly two-thirds of all U.S. credit, debit and gift card transactions.

"Atlanta, along with the surrounding areas of Georgia, has evolved to become the epicenter of a growing segment of the financial services industry – a sector often known as Financial Technologies or FinTech," TAG members wrote. "This sector encompasses the product and service companies that support the technology needs of the financial services industry and, ultimately, the payment-processing infrastructure of the economy."

Additional data from TAG's fintech division shows continuing unabated growth in the region. Economic indicators show that Georgia fintech companies generate more than $72 billion in annual revenues. These companies employ more than 38,000 professionals in the state and over 130,000 globally and six of the ten largest U.S. payments processors are based in Georgia, researchers noted.

New and legacy players

Trending Twitter hashtag #SEAA2019 shows the conference is drawing interest far beyond Georgia and the Atlanta area. Exhibitors and attendees from tech startups and established, nationwide U.S. brands will participate in the show. The presenters listed below will examine the following topics:

• Major gift card acceptance: David and Josh Allen of Braandz
• Alternative finance solutions: Jon Engleking, Super G Capital
• Selling software solutions: Panelists Nicole Klein, CardFlight; Margot Langsdorf, Homebase; Barry Davis, Womply

• Legislative, regulatory landscape: Scott Talbott, Electronic Transactions Association
• Cash discount and surcharging programs: Moderator Jill Miller with panelists John Barrett, NXGEN; Michelle Geraci, Transaction Services; Jonathon Razi, CardX and Phil Ricci, Clearant

Additional workshops and breakout sessions will explore vertical industries and technology updates. Sessions will include Retail Solutions Providers Association's comprehensive look at the evolving small and midsize business marketplace; Visa's research on growing contactless adoption; insights on social media for fintech professionals from Mary Hagen, senior vice president of electronic banking and customer support at Meridian Bancorp; and an overview of omnichannel strategies by Greg Aamoth, founder of POPcodes.

In addition, Aamoth will share experiences and key learnings from his 10-year stint as vice president of customer and marketing systems at Macy's, event organizers stated. These experiences shaped his view of how acquiring banks and processors, ISOs and MLSs, and their growing number of fintech partners can employ omnichannel strategies, such as push-button services and omnichannel support, to build profitable merchant portfolios.

Editor's Note:

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