rom January through November 2004, the payment processing industry's national and regional trade associations brought together payments professionals from across the country and in all types of weather and other conditions.

Overcoming snowstorms, hurricanes and hotel strikes, this year's event calendar was filled with many exciting opportunities for ISOs, merchant level salespeople (MLSs) and representatives from payments companies to meet, greet and further their education.

As the year draws to a close, the trade associations have already begun making plans for their 2005 events. Upcoming meetings are listed in the Trade Show Directory on GS Online (www.greensheet.com). Look for additional information on the conferences, such as agendas and direct links for registration and hotels on each association's Web site.

National and International Associations

ATM Industry Association (ATMIA)

www.atmia.com

ATMIA, the only international independent forum for the ATM industry, is a six-year-old nonprofit trade association with more than 550 members that make up six chapters spanning 28 countries. ATMIA encompasses terminal deployers, ISOs, private owners, financial institutions, manufacturers, network processors and technology providers.

"The growth in membership has been phenomenal during 2004, showing 169 new members with an 80% renewal rate," said Lana Harmelink, ATMIA's International Director of Operations.

ATMIA increased its overall membership by 77% in 2004. Harmelink said the growth is attributed to the many new programs, such as the Global ATM Security Alliance (GASA), initiated by ATMIA throughout the year.

In 2005 ATMIA plans to expand its international insurance program, initiate ATMIA accredited education programs, implement changes based on the 2004 ATMIA member survey and industry audit, add an ATMIA Debit Council, and continue its committees' efforts.

ATMIA's ISO Committee will host a reception during ATMIA's Conference East, to be held Feb. 14 - 16, 2005 in Miami Beach, Fla. at the Fontainebleau Hilton Resort. For more information about ATMIA or upcoming events, contact Dana Benson, ATMIA's Director of Conferences by phone at 605-528-7270 or by e-mail at dana@atmiaconferences.com .

Electronic Transactions Association (ETA)

www.electran.org

ETA is the international trade association serving the needs of organizations offering transaction processing products and services. Following are some of the events ETA has planned for 2005:

• ETA Expo Network, Jan. 27 - 28 in Orlando, Fla. "Since ETA is new to this regional market, we've been gathering information from attendees and exhibitors to make sure we're responding to the market," said Kevin Brosnahan, ETA's Director of Communications.
• ETA Annual Meeting and Expo, March 15 - 17 in Las Vegas. This year, the event will take place at the Mirage Hotel and Casino. "It's more compact and centrally located," Brosnahan said. "No more long walks from the elevator to the exhibit floor. And it allows us to expand the space for exhibitors." Check ETA's Web site in early 2005 for more information about the event.
• ETA Strategic Leadership and Networking Forum (SLNF), Sept. 27 - 29 in Charleston, S.C. Brosnahan said ETA is already planning for the event, even though it's nearly 10 months away. "We have an all-year planning cycle," he said.

ETA has 15 active committees that are made up entirely of volunteers, and the groups meet throughout the year. Some of these include the Technology, Emerging Markets, Best Practices, Government Relations and Program Planning committees.

In other news, ETA now offers its "Encyclopedia of Terminology for the Acquiring Industry," a 300-page book created by ETA's Education committee that contains definitions of all commonly used terms in the payment processing industry. The book is $50 for members and $75 for non-members. For more information, call 800-695-5509 or visit: www.electran.org/info/eta_glossary.asp.

National Association of Payment Professionals (NAOPP)

www.naopp.com

MLSs created NAOPP for MLSs. It's purpose: To exist for all those selling in the payment processing industry by providing education, benefits, liaison/representation and certification.

"It'll be two years in February 2005 since NAOPP officially started," said Steve Norell, NAOPP's Interim President. "It's been a long and winding road to say the least, but after many ups and downs, we're finally on the right track and moving in a positive direction for all MLSs."

In less than two years as an association, NAOPP has made significant accomplishments for its members. NAOPP now offers access to low cost legal consultation and representation, a 401(k) plan for all 1099 MLSs, and a health insurance plan available for one person or up to 100 people.

NAOPP's Web site provides the latest information about what's going on with the organization. NAOPP board members, all volunteers, have also initiated an e-mail list where NAOPP members automatically receive information about the organization and other things going on in the industry. Once you become an NAOPP member, you are automatically added to the list.

Norell said NAOPP membership cards have been mailed to all members; e-mail www.admin@naopp.com if you have not received your card.

NAOPP is currently interviewing candidates to fill a new Executive Director position, which the association expects to fill by the end of 2004. Look for an announcement in the first quarter of 2005.

At the recent Western States Acquirers' Association (WSAA) meeting in November 2004, NAOPP presented a panel discussion on legal issues, with attorneys Adam Atlas, Tony Ogden and Paul Rianda serving as panelists; following the discussion, NAOPP hosted a luncheon for members.

NAOPP plans to attend the ETA Expo Network in Orlando at the end of January 2005, where it will have a booth. At the Northeast Acquirers' Association (NEAA) conference in early February 2005, NAOPP will hold its first ever elections for the NAOPP Board of Directors. NAOPP members currently serving on the Board have been interim members.

Anyone interested in running for an NAOPP board position must meet the following criteria: 1) You must be an NAOPP member and 2) You must notify an NAOPP board member in advance of the meeting so your name is included on the list for the elections.

Contact board members by e-mail. Their addresses are available at www.naopp.com/boardmembers.html .

Regional Associations

Midwest Acquirers' Association (MWAA)

www.midwestacquirers.com

Planning for MWAA's third annual conference is currently underway; the 2005 event will return to Chicago for the third straight year and will take place July 26 - 29.

"We will enhance the ability of ISOs, banks and payments vendors to meet with MLSs and prospects and stay up to date on the most important developments in the industry," said Mark Dunn, MWAA's President. "Several new programs are being developed that will add more interest and value to the already worthwhile MWAA trade conference experience."

Members of MWAA's Board selected the elegant and inviting accommodations of the Renaissance Chicago Hotel, which is located on the corner of State Street and Wacker Drive. This site offers scenic views of Lake Michigan, the Chicago River, the skyline of "The City of Big Shoulders" and all of the excitement of being in the heart of downtown Chicago, within a few blocks of "The Magnificent Mile" and five-star restaurants.

"Chicago has never looked better from our 2005 location," said Jim McCormick, MWAA's Vice President and Treasurer. "We anticipate the Renaissance Chicago to meet and surpass the traveling and conference needs of all those in attendance. It should be another exciting and successful conference."

Stay tuned for more information about MWAA's upcoming meeting or contact Jim McCormick at jimmccormick@gcfinc.com .

Northeast Acquirers' Association (NEAA)

www.northeastacquirers.com

At the recent NEAA Board of Directors meeting, the association changed its by-laws to expand the number of board members from seven to nine in order to address and fulfill "the ever increasing need of education." NEAA welcomed Chris Butts of Paymentech; Henry Helgeson of Merchant Warehouse.com; and Jared Isaacman of United Bank Card as new members of the Board. NEAA also appointed Linda Ford of CardSystems Solutions to serve as NEAA's Education Coordinator.

"NEAA has become a very popular regional seminar for all (financial institutions, processors, ISOs/MSPs, MLSs and industry consultants," said NEAA Treasurer Jacques Breton. "Vendor space is always limited but NEAA welcomes all attendees."

NEAA is now finalizing all plans for its annual Winter Seminar and Outing. The event will take place Tuesday through Thursday, Feb. 1 - 3, 2005 at the Grand Summit Hotel in Mount Snow, VT. Those who register before Jan. 19, 2005 will receive a discount.

Following an NAOPP meeting, NEAA will host a pre-conference educational seminar in the afternoon, covering important issues such as fraud, risk, security, the USA PATRIOT Act and more. On Tuesday evening, join other NEAA members for a tubing party, followed by the conference's opening cocktail reception.

On Wednesday, attendees will have time to "meet the vendors" and attend seminars throughout the afternoon. A dinner and social gathering will be held in the evening. On the last day of the conference, attendees are encouraged to dress according to the activity of their choice including skiing and snowmobiling.

This summer, NEAA plans to celebrate 20 years as a regional acquirers' association at its upcoming Summer Event to be held June 7 - 9, 2005 in Wilmington, Del. Visit NEAA's Web site for more details on the association and the meetings, or contact Jacques Breton by phone at 603-692-2408 or e-mail at jbreton@gcfinc.com .

Southeast Acquirers' Association (SEAA)

www.southeastacquirers.com

The SEAA superbly hosted a successful and well attended conference Sept. 27 - 29, 2004 in Atlanta regardless of the wind, rain and remnants of Hurricane Jeanne ("SEAA Triumphs Over Jeanne," The Green Sheet, Nov. 8, 2004, issue 04:11:01). And not taking so much as a breath, SEAA board members are busy planning the Fifth Annual Information and Educational Conference, to be held in New Orleans in October 2005.

If you're planning to attend the event, you can look forward to some of the attractions of this popular destination: an evening or two spent walking around the French Quarter, dining on some of the best food in the country, including red beans and rice, crawfish etouffe€, beignets and po-boys, or taking in a river boat cruise if your schedule allows for it.

SEAA's Vice President, Audrey Blackmon said more information about the meeting will be available on SEAA's Web site in early January 2005. For more information about SEAA or the upcoming meeting, e-mail Audrey at ablackmon@posportal.com .

Western States Acquirers' Association (WSAA)

www.westernstatesacquirers.com

Radiant from its successful inaugural meeting held Nov. 3 - 4, 2004 in San Francisco, WSAA members are already putting that positive energy to work by beginning to plan for their next event. The next WSAA conference is still months away, but the group hopes to announce details about the meeting in the first quarter of 2005.

"The inaugural meeting turnout was so successful, we were thrilled beyond our wildest dreams," said Steve Eazell, a WSAA Director. "We were very pleased with attendance and overall participation that we had from vendors, sponsors and attendees." ("Wussup at the First WSAA Conference? Nothin' But Net," The Green Sheet, Nov. 22, 2004, issue 04:11:02).

In order to plan for the next event, members of WSAA's board are looking for input on where to hold it.

If you have a suggestion, or for more information about WSAA, please contact Steve Eazell at 866-300-3376 or by e-mail at stevee@westernstatesacquirers.com .