As the Senior Director of Mobile Product Management at Apriva, I am often invited to speak at conferences throughout North America about the latest trends in mobile payment technology. While every conference has its merits, few attract as diverse and influential a list of players in the payment industry as Mobile Payment Conference (MPC) 2015. 

 

MPC draws together mostly C-level executives and SVPs from a wide range of mobile, payments and financial communities. During this year’s event, which took place August 31 – September 2 in Chicago, leaders from industry giants such as Discover, the Federal Reserve System, Google and Intel Corp. participated in thought-intriguing discussions. I especially enjoyed the Android Pay presentation from Jack Connors at Google – it was fantastic information!

 

Unlike many conferences that feature companies pitching their products during sessions, the speakers at MPC 2015 remained vendor-neutral and highlighted the key trends and technologies that are transforming the mobile payment industry as a whole. This approach created a dynamic atmosphere where leaders learned from one another about the latest advancements in mobile payments technology.

 

The panel session in which I participated, titled “Proximity – Why Everything Is About a Location-Based Experience,” focused on how location-based targeting can enhance customer acquisition in mobile retail services. Attendees learned practical tips for merchants and marketers to use the data they collect from their mobile payment applications post-interaction to create loyal customers and enhance the next customer experience.

 

This year’s MPC was a great example of how the entire payment industry benefits when leaders come together in a collaborative fashion to share their expertise. I’m looking forward to MPC 2016, and hope to see you there! 

 

– Ben Hurley, Senior Director, Mobile Product Management