MWAA 2008 Conference and Registration Policies
The MWAA has four major categories of participants: MLS, exhibitor and attendee. These categories are listed described below.
MLS Status
A major part of the mission of the MWAA is to provide educational and networking opportunities for the Merchant-Level Salesperson (MLS). The board of the MWAA has decided the best way to encourage MLS to attend the conference is to allow all MLS to attend the conference for a modest fee. In order to qualify for MLS status and free admission, the individual must certify that:
1. He/she sells bankcard to merchants as a direct salesperson or agent
2. Selling a merchant bankcard program to merchants is his/her primary job responsibility.
3. He/she is a “feet on the street” salesperson, not a sales manager, operations manager, or ISO business executive, owner or partner. (For example: If you manage people for your organization as your primary responsibility, you are not an MLS.)
The MWAA will examine the registration of every MLS to verify their qualification for MLS status. Every MLS must provide an industry business card at conference registration. The MWAA reserves the right to make the final determination as to who qualifies as a Merchant-Level Salesperson.
Please note that the MWAA conference advance registration admission fee is $100 to MLS. The MWAA encourages all MLS to register in advance. MLS who register in advance for the conference and attend are eligible for a $50 rebate card. MLS who register at the door pay a $150 registration fee and are not eligible for a rebate.
MLS must pay the low MWAA-negotiated rate if they wish to stay overnight at the conference hotel.
Exhibitor Status
The MWAA hosts an exhibitor hall as a convenience for companies that wish to solicit business or recruit agents at the conference. Every individual or firm that engages in solicitation or recruiting at the MWAA conference must register as an exhibitor and pay an exhibitor fee. Solicitation and recruiting are defined as:
Soliciting is defined as conducting any of the following activities anywhere on the conference hotel property or anywhere in the conference hotel lobby, hallways, meeting rooms or exhibit hall:
1. Distributing literature, brochures, corporate name/logo items or electronic media that promote a company, an association, a group or its products or services.
2. Wearing or carrying any button, badge or sign that promotes a company, an association or group or its products or services (logo apparel is normally acceptable but the MWAA reserves the right to determine acceptability).
3. Verbally prospecting for buyers of a company's products or services; verbally making a sales pitch or proposal that promotes a company, its products or services.
Recruiting is defined as conducting any of the following activities anywhere on the conference hotel property or anywhere in the conference hotel lobby, hallways, meeting rooms or exhibit hall:
1. Distributing literature, brochures, corporate name/logo items or electronic media that promote becoming an agent of or seeking employment with a company or membership in any group.
2. Wearing or carrying any button, badge or sign that promotes a company, an association or group or its products or services (logo apparel is normally acceptable but the MWAA reserves the right to determine acceptability).
3. Verbally prospecting for agents, sales persons, sales managers or any employees; verbally making a sales pitch or proposal that promotes seeking an agent or contractor relationship or employment relationship with a company, an association or group.
It is the policy of the MWAA to treat a company as an exhibitor if they have ever been an exhibitor at a previous MWAA event. Certain companies are considered exhibitors by the nature of their business, their services and their clientele, such as terminal manufacturers or leasing companies. Other companies, such as registered ISO’s, will be considered exhibitors by the activity they undertake at the conference. For example, an ISO that recruits agents, salespeople or sales managers at the MWAA conference will be considered an exhibitor. The MWAA board reserves the right to make the final determination as to who qualifies as an exhibitor and will be assessed exhibitor fees.
The MWAA does not allow exhibitor companies to “coat-tail” or “booth share.” This practice is where two companies attempt to share exhibitor table space and save registration fees. Representatives of exhibitor companies must register separately and pay separate fees.
The format for exhibiting at the MWAA conference is “table-top” only display. All registered exhibitors must use the table provided in the exhibitor hall. Exhibitors must set up and tear down their displays only during the approved times. Early tear down is not allowed. For safety and fairness for all exhibitors, the MWAA provides specific “table-top” display rules, which must be strictly followed. These rules are available to all on the MWAA web site. There are no exceptions. A representative of the MWAA will review all displays before the exhibit hall opens. Companies whose exhibits are out of compliance will be instructed to change the display. Failure to immediately comply with the MWAA “table-top” format and display rules when given notice by the MWAA representative, will result in the booth space being forfeited to a roaming exhibitor. The above-mentioned violator can remain at the conference as a roaming exhibitor provided they pay the additional cost of the roaming exhibitor fee.Exhibitors pay a fee to register for the MWAA conference and are assigned an exhibitor table. When all exhibitor table space is sold, the MWAA makes available a limited number of roaming exhibitor slots. Roaming exhibitors do not have an exhibitor table but may solicit or recruit at the conference. Companies wishing to exhibit after exhibitor table space is sold out may apply for roaming exhibitor status.
The exhibitor fees are $1500 for advance registration and $2500 at the door.
Exhibitors register as companies, with two people included in the exhibitor registration. Exhibitors may bring additional people for an additional per person fee of $150 for advance registration and $250 at the door.
Roaming Vendor Status
A roaming vendor is simply an exhibitor without a table in the Exhibit Hall. Roaming Vendors may solicit business or recruit at the MWAA conference. It is our practice to sell all our Exhibitor space before offering Roaming Vendor registration. However, we know some companies prefer not to have a table so we leave this option open for registration. Roaming Vendor fees are $2000 for advance registration and $2500 at the door.
Roaming Vendors register as companies, with two people included in the Roaming Vendor registration. Roaming Vendors may bring additional people for an additional per person fee of $150 for advance registration and $250 at the door.
Attendee Status
Attendee is a broad category that encompasses any industry participant who is attending the MWAA conference to learn, observe, network and discuss industry trends. The attendee registers as an individual, not a company. The attendee may be an ISO, a bank employee, an attorney, consultant or other industry professional. Attendees may give out business cards and network with exhibitors, other attendees, MLS and others. However, attendees are strictly prohibited from soliciting or recruiting.
Each attendee pays a fee to register for the MWAA conference that covers one person. The amount of the fee depends on whether the attendee is registered in advance or paying at the door. The attendee registration fee is $300 for advance registration and $500 at the door.
The MWAA will examine the registration of every attendee to verify qualification for attendee status. The MWAA board reserves the right to make the final determination as to who qualifies as an attendee.
Opportunity- Seeker Status
We are inviting anyone with experience in financial services sales to explore opportunities in merchant bankcard sales. This is a one-day portion of our larger three-day event and is only for those not currently working in merchant bankcard. This one-day session takes place only on Thursday, July 24, 2008 from Noon to 7:30pm at the Renaissance St. Louis Grand & Suites Hotel, 800 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63101. At-the-door admission is $75 and includes workshops, industry speakers, food and refreshments during the reception. You must be at least 18 years old to attend. The first 50 opportunity seekers to register at the door will receive a $50 gas card.
Exploring Merchant Bankcard Sales Opportunities Event
Agenda
Thursday, July 24
Registration: Noon - 1:30pm
Workshops:1:30pm-3:30pm
Speakers: 3:30pm-5:15pm
Exhibit Hall & Reception: 5:30pm - 7:30pm
If you wish to attend just come to the Renaissance St. Louis Grand & Suites Hotel on Thursday and register at the door.
Refunds
The MWAA will provide refunds for options (such as electricity and broadband Internet service) or for additional participants if the refund is requested before end of day on Friday, July 11, 2008. These refunds are requested online through the web site by going into your registration log-in and clicking on refund. This sends a request for a refund to our webmaster.
The MWAA provides refunds on registration fees only in special instances where circumstances beyond a person’s control prevent a registered person from attending the conference. Requests for a registration refund should be submitted to jim@midwestacquirers.com
Visitors and Minors
The MWAA will allow visitors who are not from the electronic payments industry to attend the MWAA conference for one day for a fee of $100. Visitors do not need to register in advance and will pay the fee at the door on the day they want to attend.
The MWAA does not allow any participants, attendees or visitors under the age of 18 in the MWAA conference areas. Please do not bring children to the conference meeting rooms, exhibit hall, breakfast, lunch or receptions.
Entrance to the Conference
Badges are required to enter any part of the MWAA conference or other company-sponsored event associated with the MWAA, such as the exhibition hall, breakfasts, lunch, and opening and closing receptions or any event that has MWAA approval. Security will be present to monitor event entrances and inside the event itself, as well as the MWAA registration table (which is located just outside the exhibitor hall).
Events at the Conference
Hosting a special event at the MWAA conference is a great way to focus attention on your product or program. The MWAA works very hard to assist any sponsor or exhibitor who wishes to host an event around the conference. Any MWAA sponsor or registered exhibitor may host a hospitality gathering after conference hours. However, if the event is to be held in the hotel where the MWAA conference takes place, the exhibitor must adhere to the rules of the MWAA for events in the hotel. The MWAA makes these rules available upon request.
The MWAA encourages an open invite policy for all events. If the hospitality gathering is an open invitation to everyone, then MWAA will be happy to help make an announcement at the conference. Please note that the planning of events should start between 60 and 90 days before the conference. Companies who host events in the conference hotel will be held responsible for any costs or incidentals incurred. Any hospitality gatherings, separate group meetings or presentations during regular scheduled MWAA conference hours will result in the host company’s immediate ejection from the entire MWAA conference.
Events outside the conference hotel are independent of the MWAA.
Violations of Registration and Fee Policies
The fees collected from registration are a primary source of funding for the MWAA conference. The MWAA board takes seriously the registration and fee collection processes. The MWAA will investigate and deal with any attempt at circumvention or violation of the registration or fee policies. The MWAA reserves the right to ban companies or individuals who violate or attempt to violate its policies.
The MWAA Board of Directors
Jim McCormick Lori Carney Mark Dunn Lisa Lenczyk Donna Ayers Juan Ortiz Rod Katzfey
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