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           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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