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TradeAssociationNews

ETA's Transact 18: not were selected not only for their impact on the industry,
but also on their professional character. "ETA's first
the same-old, same-old Forty Under 40 class are growing the industry at an
unprecedented pace," Oxman stated. "Each one possesses
a unique skillset, allowing them to identify and shape
key segments of the payments ecosystem. The caliber and
he Electronic Transactions Association's signa- impact of their work is exceptional, demonstrating their
ture conference had a new look and feel this commitment to the industry."
year. Held April 17 to 19, 2018, at the Las Vegas
T Mandalay Bay Resort and Convention Center, Reflecting upon the Forty under 40 honorees, Ryan Gilbert,
Transact 18 attracted card brands, merchant service pro- founder, operator and investor at Propel Venture Partners,
viders and technology companies. and member of the ETA Venture Capital Committee, said
he invests in teams that are rethinking and rebuilding
"If you're here, you have a product or you are the sales financial services. "Many are building on top of a solid
channel," said Jason Oxman, Chief Executive Officer at the infrastructure that the U.S. payments market is all about,"
ETA. In the opening keynote presentation, Oxman said he said. "They're going forward versus backward and
payments' current age of innovation is powered by ETA tend to be more data-centric than old school."
companies that are shaping how we interact with money.
"As our industry changes, so too must our industry's Education, naturally, was a primary focus throughout the
annual event, Transact," Oxman stated. "We've taken a show. Six educational tracks provided in-depth analysis
fresh look at our conference, with an eye on building its of digital wallets, integrated payments, government
legacy of advancing payments technology." and regulatory landscapes, mobile and digital payment

New, interactive zones schemes, payment facilitators and risk, fraud and security
technologies. "The payfac sessions were full and there is so
The ETA also offered attendees and more than 200 much excitement and activity in this sector," said Caroline
exhibitors a mix of 10 venues and events created Hometh, Managing Director at RPY Innovations. "It's an
specifically to provide networking opportunities, many entirely different world than it was two years ago."
of which were centrally located in the exhibit hall, which 2018 Star Award winners
had an open floor plan. These included the executive
lounge, ETA membership lounge, ETA CPP & YPP Always highly anticipated, the ETA 2018 Star Awards
networking luncheon, exhibit hall opening reception, Visa winners were revealed during the annual President's
President's Dinner and Star Awards gala, Young payments Dinner. The program honors individuals and companies
professionals reception, Transact first-time attendee/new that have made a significant difference in the payments
member reception, payment facilitator reception, Wnet industry through innovation, business practices or
networking reception, and an all-attendee party. contributions to the association: This year's winners were:

In addition, designated interactive zones were devised • Distinguished Payments Professional: Henry
to highlight emerging industry talent and technologies. Helgeson
These popular zones spotlighted contactless payment • Business Partner of the Year: Mastercard
alternatives, biometrics and identity solutions, and • Committee Volunteer of the Year: David
innovations by startups from business accelerator and Leppek
incubator programs.
• ISO/Merchant Sales Organization of the Year:
Keynotes, educational tracks iPayment Inc.

The show's future-forward theme was reflected in an • Pay It Forward: FIS
eclectic mix of keynote presentations, break-out sessions • Technology Innovation: IRIS CRM
and educational tracks, beginning with a keynote
conversation between Poynt CEO Osama Bedier and If you couldn't make it to this dynamic show, the
talech CEO Irv Henderson, who have entered into a Midwest Acquirers Association is ramping up for its 2018
strategic partnership to embed talech software in Poynt conference. The annual event will take place July 25 and
devices. Additional leaders from Mastercard, Elavon, 28 at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile
Verifone, First American Payment Systems and Zelle and will offer a rich mix of educational and networking
shared perspectives on changing trends in acquiring, opportunities. For details on MWAA 2018, visit, http://
technology and peer-to-peer payments. midwestacquirers.com.
The ETA's inaugural Forty Under 40 program recognized The ETA also holds periodic payments technology and
a diversity of next-gen leaders found to be game changers leadership events throughout the year. For specifics on
at the intersection of payments and technology. Members those, visit http://electran.org.

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