The MidWest Acquirers Association presents the 17th Annual MWAA Conference on July 17 – 18 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel in metropolitan Chicago. ISOs and other members of the acquiring industry will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of inspirational activities such as seminars, keynotes, networking events, a cyber café, and a tradeshow featuring the latest in payments and value-added products and services.
CrossCheck's National Sales Trainer Todd Little and VP of Partner and ISO Relations Travis Powers are attending the conference to discuss the company’s longstanding tradition of lifetime residuals, upfront commissions and buy-rate programs for resellers. ISOs and other payments professionals may visit them at booth UE75 in the exhibit hall and enter a drawing to win a complimentary bottle of Sonoma County wine.
The MWAA — a nonprofit, no-membership independent forum — was founded on the belief that it is important to educate payment professionals such as ISOs, MSPs and financial institutions with information addressing the constantly changing nature of the acquiring industry.
Wednesday, July 17
The first official day of programming for the acquiring industry begins with an invitation-only Entrepreneur Executive Forum from 9:00 to 11:00 am. MWAA says this is “an intimate discussion between like-minded 
executives looking to share challenges and best practices on running a small business.”
Next, the four-hour Field Guide experience (11:00 am to 3:00 pm) offers six different aspects of learning potential. It begins with a “Welcome and Introduction” by President Mark Dunn of Field Guide Enterprises before segueing to “Professionalizing Your ISO” by Garima Shah of Direct Connect.
The third segment, the Field Guide Attendees Luncheon, takes place 12:00 to 12:45 pm and is sponsored by the MWAA. Programming returns to business after the break with the “POS: Merchant Adhesion Through Critical Data” session by Gary Kielich of Systems Technology Group (12:45 to 1:30 pm).
The experience is rounded out by segment four, “Payment Card Settlement – Providing Value to Your Merchants,” by Harris Love of Financial Recovery Strategies (1:30 to 2:15 pm); and segment five, “Surcharging – Issues, Rules and Implementation” by Jill Miller of Varnum Law and Michelle Geraci of Transaction Services from 2:15 to 3:00 pm.
ISOs, MSPs and financial institutions will then have the opportunity to partake in the Wnet Networking Event, “Smart, Safe and Savvy: Tips on Being an Aware and Informed Traveler” from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Jordan McKee of 
415 Research finishes the business programming with the keynote “Integrated Payments and Beyond” from 3:30 to 4:30 pm.
After this intellectual stimulation, attendees will be able to stretch out during the evening and into the night at the Industry Achievement Award Presentation, Opening Reception in the exhibit hall, and the After Hours Party – MWAA Summer Festival in the Terrace Lounge. Food, beverages, music and games are scheduled from 8:30 pm to 12:00 am.
Thursday, July 18
The second day of programming kicks off with breakfast in the exhibit hall featuring vendor discussions and demonstrations from 9:00 am to 12:15 pm.
The schedule returns to an educational agenda after lunch with the “Merchant Perspective.” Moderated by Mary Winingham of Mirror Consulting, three panelists will discuss “why they integrated consumer payments and how it transformed their business models by streamlining AP/AR.”
Other segment leaders will take part in the “Software Perspective: Three Companies Discuss the Practical Side of Integrating Payments” from 1:30 to 2:30 pm. From the front lines of integration, these firms will discuss the how and why, the impact on ROI, and the recommended best practices for seamless integration of payments.
After a scheduled break, members of the acquiring industry will hear a “Strategic Perspective – It’s not ALL about integrated payments” from 2:45 to 3:30 pm. The session will offer three different viewpoints (a payment entrepreneur, an Industry insider, and HR specialist) on dealing with today’s challenges while looking toward tomorrow. The event will also discuss how to survive and thrive in the fast-paced payments space.
The final “Financial Perspective” will be presented by Vice President KJ McConnell of GTCR from 3:30 to 4:45 pm. Learn “why companies like GTCR are so interested in our industry and investing in integrated payment solutions.” The next big thing in payments will also be covered.
The acquiring industry conference concludes with a Closing Reception in the exhibit hall from 5:00 to 6:30 pm. Organizers say, “Visit with exhibitors and enjoy the hospitality of the MWAA!”
CrossCheck ISO and Agent Program for the Acquiring Industry
Crosscheck, the largest privately held check guarantee company in the nation, offers a variety of services with the help of sales support, proposals, training, sales materials and 24/7/365 customer service at no additional charge. This approach enables ISOs to focus on selling. Other advantages include:
- No territorial or geographic restrictions within the U.S.
- No charge for sales and marketing materials.
- Comprehensive training and support by our sales support team, national sales trainers and account managers.
REMINDER: ISOs attending the conference are invited to visit the CrossCheck ISO and Partners team at booth UE75 in the exhibit hall and enter a drawing to win a complimentary bottle of Sonoma County wine.
Learn more about CrossCheck's ISO programs via the free download, "The ISO Insider's Guide to Choosing a Check Services Provider.”
