Why Is The ABA Distancing Themselves From The
ETA?
This year, as was the case last year, the ETA (formerly the
BSA-Bankcard Services Association) planned their annual meeting back
to back with the American Bankcard Association (ABA) Bankcard
Conference, held this year in Orlando, Florida.
Based on the timing of the event and location of meetings, it
would appear to the uninformed that the organizations are working
together, with perhaps better ETA attendance since some of the
vendors and or banks could save money by coming early or staying
longer to attend both meetings.
One might also conjecture that ABA money making opportunities
might increase as might attendance, since vendors might be inclined
to participate in both shows.
Well, it is clear from talking to the ABA, that the ABA is taking
every possible step to disassociate their organization from that of
the ETA/BSA, and are upset that some attendees believed that there
was some connection between the two associations, even trying to
enter the ABA with ETA/BSA badges.
Both at the show, and in a phone conversation between ABA
officials and The Green Sheet, the ABA made it clear that it
had blocked distribution of a Special Edition of The Green
Sheet, through the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel, because the
Special Edition "mentioned the ETA/BSA, and could be confusing to ABA
members."
We were further told that ABA show participation with the ETA/BSA
is in the spirt of friendly competition, recognizing that the ETA/BSA
is seen as a competive organization, much they same as Faulkner &
Gray, who were also show exhibitors. From the ABA's perspective,
they may permit their competition (the ETA/BSA) to be an exhibitor,
but they do not allow anything that would be viewed as endorsing the
competition.
It should also be noted that "The Official CD-ROM" for the ABA
Bankcard Conference, produced by MIRA CD-ROM Publishing, contained
basic information about every ABA Exhibiting company that paid a fee
to be included. Among the items included on the CD was the
information about the ETA/BSA, which was one of the better developed
pieces on an otherwise barren advertising landscape.
So one is left to wonder, particularly if you are a ETA/BSA
member, why is this happening and what can be done to avoid ETA/BSA
bashing statements by the ABA next year?
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