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Cover Story continued
We also need to train professionals to qualify the
full relationship, not just the merchant. Yes, the mer-
chant needs to be a good fit for the processor and the
risk profile. But the solution also needs to be right
for the merchant. The pricing structure, equipment,
contract terms, support model and operational fit
all matter. Real professionalism is knowing when to Prepaid Expo LLC
move forward, when to slow down and when a solu- All Wireless & Prepaid Expo
tion is not the right fit.
Highlights: This expo is known as the premier event for pre-
We also need better contract transparency standards. paid wireless and value-added services. When it comes to prepaid
Disclosure and transparency are not the same thing. wireless – from MVNO hosting partners and back-end technology, to
Disclosure means the information exists somewhere top up and retail distribution – no other event brings more prepaid
providers together under one roof. AWPE serves all companies in the
in the agreement. Transparency means the merchant wireless space and includes players from diverse industry sectors,
actually understood the terms before they signed. including accessories, repair, technology, insurance, financing, soft-
That difference matters. The most important terms ware and more.
should be explained in plain language before sig- On the retail front, AWPE 2025 brought in more retailers than ever,
nature. Length of agreement. Cancellation terms. with 67 percent of our attendees being wireless dealers, repair shops
Equipment ownership or lease obligations. Monthly and electronics retailers. As of today, All Wireless & Prepaid Expo
fees. PCI fees. Auto-renewals. Funding expectations. is the largest and most inclusive event for companies in wireless
Any material cost or obligation that could surprise telecom
the merchant later should be impossible to miss.
When: Aug. 18 – 19, 2026
There also need to be real consequences for repeated Where: Caesars Palace, Julius Ballroom, Las Vegas
misrepresentation. If an agent or ISO consistently Registration: https://www.allwirelessexpo.com/register
creates merchant complaints, that should not be
brushed off as just another service issue or cost of do-
ing business. It should affect their ability to continue Payments First
boarding accounts.
Solutions Payments Conference
And accountability cannot stop with the agent. ISOs, Highlights: The Solutions Payments Conference will bring to-
processors, sponsors and upstream partners all play gether payments professionals, technology providers and industry
a role because they set the rules, approve the chan- experts to explore emerging trends, regulatory developments, fraud
nels, benefit from the volume and create the incentive prevention strategies and operational best practices shaping the pay-
structure people operate inside. If the fastest path to ments ecosystem. Educational sessions will address topics including
income is vague pricing and aggressive tactics, that risk management, payment modernization, compliance and new
is what some people will sell. Oversight has to start technologies impacting the industry.
above the agent, not only with the agent. None of this The event is designed to help participants strengthen industry knowl-
is about punishing the industry. It is about protect- edge and build relationships that support long-term professional
ing merchants, protecting good sales professionals development and business growth. Attendees will be able to network
and protecting sustainable revenue. The people do- with peers, industry leaders and solution providers while exploring
ing this the right way should not have to compete products and services designed to improve payment operations and
against confusion. customer experiences.
When: Aug. 24 – 26, 2026
The industry does not need more people who can Where: HeartSong Lodge & Resort - Pigeon Forge, Tn.
simply sell a low rate. It needs more professionals Registration: https://paymentsfirst.org/solutions-pay
who can explain the full relationship, disclose the
tradeoffs, stand behind the agreement and take re- ments-conference/
sponsibility for what happens after the signature.
2026 Events
To me, professionalizing merchant sales means lead-
ing with integrity, doing right by the merchant, sup- Payments Symposium 2026
porting responsible growth, and making sure our Sept. 10 - 11, 2026, Las Vegas, NV
industry rewards the people who are building trust,
not the ones creating confusion. Certification helps. Wespay, Payments Symposium 2026, Sept. 10 – 11, 2026,
Training matters. Accountability changes behavior. Las Vegas, NV
Integrity is what makes the standard real. That is
how we professionalize merchant sales and raise the Visit www.greensheet.com/datebook.php for more
standard of the industry. events and a year-at-a-glance event chart.
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