Networking Opportunities
Grow your professional network. Smarter Faster Payments offers unique opportunities to interact with speakers, solution providers and fellow attendees immersed in the payments industry. Sunday through Tuesday enjoy networking events that complement your conference experience including a new attendee orientation and a variety of quality receptions.
Navigating Your Conference Journey
SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
Make the most of your time in New Orleans. Join us on Sunday from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM for an overview of all the educational and networking opportunities the Payments Conference has to offer. After this short presentation, enjoy a coffee break with select members of the Conference Planning Committee and Nacha staff who are there to answer your questions and help you make connections. Whether this is the first time you’re attending or a returning participant, all are welcome to come to this session.
Orientation includes refreshments.
Chairperson’s Leadership Reception
(invitation-only event)
SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 5:00-6:30 PM
The annual Chairperson’s Leadership Reception promises an evening of celebration with fellow Nacha leadership. This invitation-only event will require the correct password to enter.
Chairperson’s Leadership Reception includes hors d'oeuvres and beverages.
Sponsored by
Sunday Social
(No Host)
SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 6:00-7:30 PM
Look forward to fun ice breakers and get to know your payments peers. Just walk across the street from the convention center to socialize at the New Orleans Marriott Warehouse lobby bar. All attendees are invited to this casual, no-host networking event.
Nacha Accreditation Reception
(invitation-only event)
SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 6:30-7:30 PM
All Accredited ACH Professionals, Accredited Payments Risk Professionals and Accredited Faster Payments Professionals are encouraged to attend this esteemed invitation-only reception that honors the achievements of you and your peers. Enjoy live musical entertainment with a twist – you will have to attend to find out more!
Sponsored by
Lawyers' Reception
MONDAY, APRIL 28, 4:15-5:15 PM
Challenges and obstacles in the payments legal industry are consistently changing. Utilize this reception to spend time with other legal professionals to network, share experiences, and connect on common topics. This reception is open to all attorneys in the payments industry.
Lawyers Reception includes light hors d'oeuvres and beverages.
Sponsored by
Exhibit Hall Networking Reception
MONDAY, APRIL 28, 5:15-6:30 PM
The Smarter, Faster, Payments Exhibit Hall is giant – in more ways than one! All attendees are invited to enjoy the fun, network, socialize and make critical connections at this reception featuring the latest in fintech solutions and cutting-edge technology providers.
Exhibit Hall Networking Reception includes hors d'oeuvres and beverages.
Tuesday Night Out
TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 6:00-8:00 PM
Make unforgettable memories when you eat, drink, rock and dance at the House of Blues! Don’t miss this fun-filled party featuring locally inspired cuisine and five unique venues under one roof. Enjoy great entertainment including dueling pianos, accomplished jazz vocalist Nayo Jones and one of New Orleans' greatest entertainers: Rockin' Dopsie, Jr and the Zydeco Twisters.
Shuttle services will be provided from all of the official conference hotels except the Westin.
Tuesday Night Out includes hearty hors d'oeuvres and beverages.
Sponsored by
More Ways to Connect with the Payments Community
Experience more connections central to your network expansion in these new engaging areas on the Exhibit Hall floor.
Biergarten
We are bringing the outside in through a new networking area designed to be a traditional biergarten. Featuring picnic tables, greenery and adult beverages, the biergarten offers you a fantastic option to continue conversations in a relaxed area. Visit the booths of Biergarten sponsors to obtain your ticket for a complimentary beer or a glass of wine. This area will be open from 1-4 PM Monday and 2-3:50 PM Tuesday. (Hall closes at 3:50 PM.)
Sponsored by
Sponsored by
Meet & Mingle Area
Are you looking to meet new people who share similar interests? Did you come to the conference hoping to come away with new friends and ideas? The new Meet & Mingle area on the Exhibit Hall floor features a number of affinity group-based mixers to help you achieve your goals. You won’t want to miss your chance to exchange ideas, network with your peers and learn from others with the same interests. But it doesn’t have to be all work and no fun – ice breaker cards, MadLibs and other fun activities will be available to help get the conversations started.
Meet & Mingle Area Schedule
MONDAY, APRIL 28
| Time | Group | Description |
| 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM | Crypto Café: Brewing Innovation in Payments | Start your morning with a fresh cup of coffee and lively conversation about crypto’s evolving role in payments. Whether you’re a blockchain enthusiast, a DeFi skeptic, or just crypto-curious, this is the perfect space to discuss stablecoins, digital assets, and the future of financial transactions. Join us to connect with industry leaders, exchange insights, and explore what’s next for crypto in the payments ecosystem! |
| 3:10 PM – 3:55 PM | Community Banks & Credit Unions Mixer | Working for a community bank or credit union comes with unique advantages and perspectives. This safe space provides you with the opportunity to meet your peers and discuss top-of-mind topics specific to this group. Come make new contacts and greet old friends during this lively event. |
| 5:30 PM – 6:15 PM | I Want to be Nacha Accredited! | Planning to take the AAP or APRP in 2025 or the AFPP in 2026? This is the mixer for you! Come join us in the Meet & Mingle area to interact with representatives from the Payment Associations and Nacha to hear what to expect from the exams, find training and make friends (and maybe find a study buddy!) |
TUESDAY, APRIL 29
| Time | Group | Description |
| 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM | Next Gen Payments Pros | Are you an up and comer in the payments industry looking to meet your peers? Come join this fun gathering of like-minded young professionals to exchange ideas, make new contacts and have some fun in the Meet & Mingle area. |
| 3:00 – 3:45 PM | Risk & Fraud Enthusiasts | Crime doesn’t sleep, but neither do payments professionals who are working to combat risk and fraud. As the landscape continues to move and change this group are working together to maintain a safe and secure payments ecosystem. Join your fellow risk professionals to share stories of what you’re seeing, how you’re working to stop fraudsters while establishing new connections. |
Schedule and times subject to change.