Field Guide for ISOs seminar, a keynote address from VeriFone Chief Executive Officer Doug Bergeron and a debate over free terminal programs were just a few highlights from this year's Western States Acquirers' Association conference.

About 450 people gathered Oct. 18 - 19 at the San Jose Wyndam Hotel for WSAA's third annual meeting. Nearly 200 in the crowd were ISOs, merchant level salespeople (MLSs) and other payment professionals; about 250 were vendors.

The Field Guide seminar, hosted by Mark Dunn, offered six presentations from industry moguls on everything from laying the right foundation and using industry resources, to financing, capitalizing and selling your ISO. (Comments from Bergeron's presentation and the free terminal debate are captured in news stories in this issue of The Green Sheet).

Other talks included an update on Visa U.S.A.'s Cardholder Information Security Program and how to grow from an MLS to a mega ISO. Opportunities for selling prepaid products, as well as Internet protocol and contactless technologies, were also discussed.

Payments consultant Paul Martaus provided his perspective on hot industry topics like Wal-Mart's application for an ILC and potential interchange regulation. The National Association of Payment Professionals sponsored a presentation from author Frank Rumbauskas on top sales pros' insider secrets. And United Bank Card Inc. held its last Texas Hold' Em charity poker tournament for 2006

Throughout the day on Oct. 19, WSAA board members gave away envelopes containing $100 to $200 in cash as attendee door prizes. And a grand prize - an all-expense-paid trip for two (a $5,000 value) to the Caribbean, Hawaii or a destination of choice - was awarded during the closing reception.

Sherry Friedrichsen announced she is stepping down as WSAA President but will continue on the board as Secretary. Ken Elderts will serve as the association's new President.

Field Guide seminar PowerPoint slides in PDF format are availableat www.fieldguideforisos.com Slides from WSAA's agenda will be available in the coming weeks. For more information, visit www.westernstatesacquirers.com