Page 5 - GS131002

Letter from the

editors

n honor of our 30th anniversary, we have made
room in this issue for many reflections on the role
The Green Sheet has played in supporting and help-
I ing to educate the payments industry's feet on the
street over the years. The lead article contains Paul H.
Green's thoughts on our current milestone, as well as
a reprint of the lead article from our 20th anniversary
issue. For some, it will be a trip down memory lane; for
others, it will provide insight into our industry's history.

A feature article that complements the lead, and brings
us full circle back to the present, contains perspectives
from members of The Green Sheet Advisory Board on
what the publication has meant and continues to mean
to them personally, as well as to the industry overall.

Thanks to our contributors
Of course, we saved ample room for the informative,
insightful articles from our contributing writers. Some of
the topics explored are the impressive longevity of checks
as they've increasingly shifted from paper to electronic
form; what differentiates the coming digital wallets from
mobile wallets, mobile payments and mobile banking;
how merchant level salespeople can remain competitive
by leveraging the trends that are shaping the industry's
future; the rationale for determining the value of
merchant accounts before you devote marketing and
sales efforts to them; why it makes perfect sense to make
key decisions right now about the coming new year; and
how the buying process has changed in recent years and
why it is imperative to be with prospects at every step in
the new purchasing journey.

Some of our regular features, such as New Products,
Inspiration and Company Profiles, are not included
herein; others, such as News and Industry Update, are
reduced in size. Not to worry. We did this solely to make
room for our anniversary coverage; they will resume, as
usual, with our Nov. 11, 2013, issue. Speaking of news,
we covered another anniversary in that section: at its
annual conference in early October 2013, the Western
States Acquirers Association celebrated its 10th year.
The presentation, panels, networking and festivities
occurred near San Francisco, where WSAA's inaugural
meeting was held. Also in news, we reported on Ventra
Card's debut in Chicago and recent research pertaining
to the card-not-present realm.

We all appreciate the dedication of those who have
contributed astute articles and advice to The Green Sheet
issue after issue, year after year. You have been and
are now integral to our success. We also appreciate the

5