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Editorial Viewpoint New Light on Consumer Confidence Spotlight On Consolidated Credit Counseling Services, Inc. Spotlight On Huntington National Bank COVER STORY 2005 Customer Symposium Takes a Wide-Angle Look at Electronic Payments CASE STUDY PNC Bank Leverages MasterCard RPPS Connection As It... EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION Two Team Members Recognized for Exceptional... NEWS REPORT Consumer Marketing Program Drives Adoption of Online... WELCOME New Customers! INDUSTRY INSIGHTS Q&A with David Jones, Ph.D.		2005 Customer Symposium Takes a Wide-Angle Look at Electronic Payments Emphasis on Industry-wide Topics Wins Praise from Attendees On March 16, the 2005 MasterCard RPPS Customer Symposium welcomed attendees to the flagship Portofino Bay Hotel at the Universal Orlando Resort® for illuminating discussions on the expanding universe of electronic payments. "This year's symposium was a little different from past events," says Mike Foye, MasterCard RPPS Sales and New Business Development. "While MasterCard RPPS was the central focus of the symposium, we looked beyond our core businesses. We showcased other MasterCard businesses that leverage our capabilities—like prepaid cards and MasterCard e-P3™—and focused on industry-wide topics. "Everybody I spoke to has said that this was the best symposium yet," says Foye. The attendees' survey agrees: 67.9% indicated they were very satisfied with the symposium overall, with the remaining respondents indicating they were satisfied. Working groups Two working groups—one for billers and one on expedited payments—met prior to the symposium's opening reception. "People really liked being in the working groups, exchanging ideas with other industry leaders," Foye notes. "These valuable meetings help us understand what's important for our customers, and they provide an opportunity for customers on opposite sides of a discussion to work toward a consensus on issues that affect their business and the industry at large. They also allow MasterCard RPPS to gather critical input from our customers that we can then incorporate into product expansions." Industry focus Presentations and discussion topics ranged from usability testing to the industry's fraud and security issues, the expanding world of stored-value card products, the value of business intelligence, and the future of mobile services. One new feature was a special hit: individual wireless response units at each seat allowed attendees to be instantly polled on a variety of topics. "The questions were topical," says Foye, "and with the instant feedback from the response units, they were an effective way to provide real-time insight into industry issues—and the thinking of your fellow attendees." Making contact Many attendees, especially first-timers, remarked on the number of valuable contacts they made, and how much they appreciated the open discussions among individuals that typically compete in the marketplace with one another, Foye noted. "We all enjoy being in an environment that allows everyone to come out of their corporate shell and share in an industry that we want to see grow and move forward," he says. "That's really what separates our symposium from other conferences. We're not just promoting MasterCard RPPS, we're promoting the entire industry." Fun times Surrounded by the Universal Orlando Resort and with Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Golf Club just a chip shot away, attendees had plenty of options for relaxation. The symposium closed with lunch at the club, where the Bay Hill Invitational, a major PGA tournament sponsored by MasterCard International, was under way. Attendees had the opportunity to meet Arnold Palmer at the MasterCard hospitality tent. "It was a great ending to a great symposium," says Foye, "a chance for some of the best in our industry to meet one of golf's best. If history is any indicator, we expect the next symposium to be even more engaging, with even more attendees. We're looking forward to it already." Printer Friendly Version Back to Top