20 years on, MWAA envisions future, honors Kate Gillespie

The year was 2003. The Green Sheet was reporting how "Online sales really clicked in second quarter," when consumers made $10.3 billion in purchases, and the Midwest Acquirers Association held its first-ever conference in Chicago. Fast forward to 2022. Online sales topped $216 billion in the first quarter, and MWAA held its 20th conference, in Chicago, where The Green Sheet Inc.'s Kate Gillespie was honored with the prestigious Industry Achievement Award.

"Kate's continued support of the electronic payments industry has been invaluable," MWAA President Rod Katzfey said in presenting the award.

Kate thanked the industry and The Green Sheet staff for contributing to her success and the success of the The Green Sheet. "I would not have been able to accomplish all that I have without the support of everyone," she said.

Kate joined the industry in 1999, when she went to work for Paul Green, who at the time was an executive at Cross Check while also publishing The Greet Sheet. It was her passion for journalism that drew Kate to join the growing staff at The Green Sheet, where her duties included research and writing. Before long, Kate rose to the position of General Manager.

As General Manager Kate kept The Green Sheet going during turbulent economic times, growing its online presence and winning multiple awards for journalistic excellence. When Paul retired, in 2014, he sold the business to Kate, who has carried on the publication's tradition of educating and supporting the feet on the street.

In presenting Kate with the Industry Achievement Award, Katzfey said the MWAA also would make a $5,000 donation to No Kid Hungry, a charity dedicated to eradicating childhood hunger in America.

Blast into the future

Nearly 1,100 payments professionals were in attendance at the MWAA annual event, the theme of which was Blast into the Future. Attendees heard from industry experts on topics like ecommerce, the fintech frenzy, ISO of the future and real-time payments.

Following are insights shared by some of the panelists featured the show:

• "The ISO model is alive and well," said Kim Fitzsimmons, CEO at Talus Pay, during the ISO of the future panel. But, she added, "We all have to evolve. If we don't, we will go away."

• "The ISOs that are really successful are those that identify a vertical and really go after that vertical," said Heather Mlachnik, senior vice president for acquirer and ISO sales at PAX Technology.

• "Everyone is looking for the ability to complete transactions fast with the fewest steps possible," Chad Anselmo, CEO at Corvia Pay (formerly F1 Payments) noted during the ecommerce panel.

• "Payments and convenience go hand-in-hand," said Bob Wesley, global head of commerce sales and business at GoDaddy Poynt.

• "If you're in sales and you're good at it, don't be overwhelmed by technology," Juan Ortiz, director of sales and training at Plink, advised during the panel on fintech disruption. "You should be excited about it."

• "Demand for real-time payments is coming," Christine Fuchs, general product leader at Secure eCommerce, stated during the real-time payments panel.

• The push for real-time payments is "going to be driven by younger consumers," said Keith Sampson, national sales director at North American Bancard.

• "On the merchant side, demand will come from a desire to reduce costs," Fuchs added.

The 2023 MWAA conference will be held July 19 and 20 in Schaumburg, Ill.

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