Our MAC Level Up '23 Recap

We're well into 2023, which means trade show/conference season has started. Last month we sent a group of five to Las Vegas for MAC Level Up '23. MAC, now known as APP or The Association of Payment Professionals, is a member-based and volunteer-driven nonprofit committed to safeguarding the payments industry through education, collaboration, and leadership.

The group we sent was a mix of people who had been to multiple shows/conferences in the past as well as first-timers. Taylor Bleeker, our Infrastructure and Security Administrator, said "The conference was very informative and entertaining. We learned a lot about risk and compliance, future technology in the compliance industry, AI, and PCI DSS 4.0. On top of all of that, it was my first time in Las Vegas. We went to some great restaurants and played some fun golf courses." 

Our General Counsel and Chief Risk/Compliance Officer, Jason Bahnsen, said the conference reassured him of a few things that he already knew. "We obtained assurances that our understanding regarding surcharging and cash discount is correct according to the card brands and industry experts so that we can rest easy with our future goals. 

Mana Thongvanh, our Director of Operations echoed those same thoughts. "The conference was reassuring. I learned that we are headed in the right direction as a company. Some of the things we deal with as a company, in terms of processing, other companies are also dealing with. Things like surcharging and cash discount."

In typical VizyPay fashion, they worked hard but also found time to play hard as well.

"I think bonding with the team was great. We had some events during and outside of the conference that created a stronger team bond and that will help us moving forward."
Mana Thongvanh, Director of Operations

"While most of the team had been to Vegas before, two of us had not. We attended many of the great sessions and breakouts on the agenda for the conference, but also found time to experience Las Vegas, eat some amazing food and play some golf as well."
Jason Bahnsen, General Counsel and Chief Risk/Compliance Officer

Jason is already looking forward to the rest of the year and Level Up '24. "We definitely plan to attend Level Up 2024, as well as regional conferences and other webinars offered by APP."