Giving Due Credit

I just read "Women Are Making Payments Happen" (The Green Sheet, July 12, 2004, issue 04:07:01), and I thought it was a great article, with one important exception. You stated that I was the first female president of ETA. That is not quite accurate.

ETA was formerly BSA and as BSA, the first female president was Joyce Cook. Joyce became the president of BSA back in 1992. I was the first female president in 10 years of BSA/ETA's history. However, Joyce deserves credit as the first BSA/ETA female president. I'm sure Joyce would appreciate it if you ran a correction.

Thanks!
Mary L. Gerdts
POST Integrations Inc.

Mary,

Thank you for the correct information. Our apologies to Joyce Cook.

Editor

Was It Worthwhile?

Editor's Note: The following chain of correspondence was forwarded to The Green Sheet, Inc. by Wayne Damron of Lynk Systems, Inc. We are reprinting the letter he received, his response and the comments of Electronic Transactions Association (ETA):

Wayne,

It's been a long time, my friend. I hope that you and all of your family members are well. As my memory serves me (if it still does as an old man) you were an integral part of the founding of the ETA. I have often bugged you for advice that you freely provide, so here I am bugging you again. I hope that's OK. Last night several of my team members and I went to the ETA Expo Network in La Jolla, Calif. The space was quite small and as far as I could tell, there were only vendors there.

I called the ETA office the day before the event and learned that only 125 people had registered. I then counted the vendor list and saw that there were 49. In all candidness we tried to cancel and get a refund. However, we received no return telephone call so we went on down. One of my team was a new member of my ISO sales channel and frankly, I was embarrassed. It was really not representative of a multi-billion dollar industry.

It seems like the lights are on at the ETA but (no)one is home. I have called a few times over the last couple of years and e-mailed once as well. I have never heard a word back. Now to the question...should we cancel our membership or maybe just not let new employees attend? There was absolutely nothing gained except lost resources. What do you think?

Steve Bryson,
Global Electronic Technology

Damron forwarded Bryson's letter to ETA with this response:

I would ask that a review be held as to the wisdom of the ETA venturing out to compete with the existing regional shows.

Wayne Damron,
Lynk Systems, Inc.

ETA responded as follows:

Wayne,

Thank you for your e-mail regarding the ETA Expo Network show in La Jolla. I have contacted Steve Bryson directly to discuss his concerns.

ETA routinely evaluates all of its programs and services to ensure quality and value. The Expo Networks are no exception and we are reviewing all aspects of the show as we make plans for the future events. Your feedback is appreciated and always welcome.

Regards,
Diane Vogt
President, ETA