tppEXPO’08 has partnered with industry leading research firm and conference organizer, The Pelorus Group, to help produce the industry’s most informative and most affordable conference program for prepaid services. These tracks were created specifically to provide you with the critical information you need to learn, adapt, and thrive in today’s competitive prepaid marketplace. 

Speakers are continually being updated. Please check back often

Day One: Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Prepaid Long Distance

SPONSORED BY


Building an Empire
The prepaid calling industry has undergone some significant changes in the past several years. But opportunities still abound, if you know where to look, and apply some creative thinking. There is a Gold Rush going on now for those companies that can match their capabilities to new and expanded markets, like cardless prepaid calling. How do you find and exploit these niche markets? What new applications are consumers most interested in and will try? What kinds of applications are new technologies enabling, and how can you leverage your existing technology and relationships? What are the revenue and profit potential opportunities?  Learn how to make prepaid calling profitable again.

Moderator: Gene Retske, The Prepaid Press

Len Bittner
Maverick Telecom Consultancy & Brokerage

Tom Regan
Pactolus Communications Software

What’s In a Card?
How to Make Your Cards Safe and Legal
There has been a lot of activity around the prepaid calling card business, from new laws to new rules and even civil lawsuits. Much of it focuses around how your products are packaged and sold. Some of the rules seem contradictory, and even counter productive. How do you make sure that your cards are safe from legal and regulatory sanctions and immune to competitor’s lawsuits? What does the federal government – the FCC and the FTC – expect cards to include? How can you structure your offer so that customers will understand it, and regulators won’t attack it? How do you clearly communicate your rate and fee structure to buyers but not confuse them?  Hear how the experts answer these perplexing questions.

Moderator: Ed Maldonado, Maldonado Law Group

Ed Maldonado                        
Maldonado Law Group  

Prepaid Today
Dealing with a Changing Distribution Model
Selling prepaid calling services today is not the same as it was a few years ago. Of course, the Internet has led to draconian changes in the way prepaid products are sent to market. But other technologies, like POSA, have resulted in further changes. Because, historically, so much of the cost and commission structure has been left in the channel, it is valuable to explore the opportunities for increasing efficiencies and reducing cost. How do products get from the service provider to the consumer? What are the costs of the distribution channel and how can they be optimized? What new technologies or business models are coming on the scene and how can they be employed?  This session will help you design your distribution model for maximum effectiveness.

Moderator: Gene Retske, The Prepaid Press

Jeremy Sacker, VP/GM         
Archway Marketing Services

Tino Patel
The Phone Card Warehouse

Doug Buchanan
VendTek Systems

Building a Better Mousetrap
The Technology of Prepaid
One of the greatest drivers in prepaid calling products has been the great advance in technology over a relatively short time frame. In just a few years, we have moved from a predominantly circuit switched network with “big iron” switches, to a network that is rapidly becoming IP based.  The growing intelligence of advanced networks is giving rise to applications that are faster, more efficient and more highly functional than ever before. How do you employ these technologies, and which ones are the best for your operation? What are the costs, and what are the returns you can get on technology investments? What do the backroom operations need? Prepaid calling services are empowered by the technology, and this session will provide details on the opportunity.

Moderator: Al Fross, The Pelorus Group

Ken Osowski
Pactolus Communications Software   

Pete Pattullo
CEO, NetworkIP

Aelea Christofferson
ATL Communications

The Future of Regulation, Taxes and Litigation in Prepaid Calling
Now, more than ever, regulations, taxes and litigation are shaping the prepaid calling environment. It seems that whatever lawmakers and federal regulators leave alone, high profile and expensive lawsuits are impacting. Federal programs like DAC, USF and other federal programs, coupled with lawsuits by competitors have increased the cost, and risk, of doing business in prepaid calling. Who are the players and what role do they play in the prepaid business? How have these developments affected the competitive landscape? What are the biggest risks you face and how do you plan so as to minimize their potential for disrupting your business?  This session will look at all the legal and regulatory issues that could impact a prepaid calling business.

Moderator: Ed Maldonado, Maldonado Law Group

Jonathan S. Marashlian            
The CommLaw Group 

Dan Wachs
Refund Systems

Selling Prepaid Calling
The Retail Focus
The retail component of prepaid calling has changed as dramatically as the other parts of the business. The way products and services are merchandised, priced and sold are continually changing. Knowing how to maximize the sale of products is vital for service providers and distributors, as well as retailers. What kind of packaging is the most attractive to customers? How do you merchandise products to get the highest efficiency? What is the consumer concerned most about, and what will influence their decision to purchase? The retail marketplace is the single most important link in the chain, and this session focuses on how to maximize it.

Moderator: Vance Hodnett, The Pelorus Group

Lourdes Fusaro Norton
Viscom International Inc.

Tony Bloom
iBasis

Day Two:Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Prepaid Wireless

SPONSORED BY

Prepaid Wireless Today
New Opportunities, Challenges and Technologies
Mobile phones have become a vital part of our daily lives, and are increasingly ubiquitous throughout all population segments.  Even the credit challenged and cash poor members of society have a need for a mobile phone, and it is not uncommon for them to use it as their only phone.  And, they are looking for more than basic voice technology. Features like mobile search, mobile payments and mobile data create new opportunities for the prepaid industry, along with new challenges.  How do prepaid wireless providers respond and deliver to this new environment?  How large are these growing market segments, and what companies are benefiting from them?  How can prepaid wireless providers leverage new needs, features and technologies into higher revenues and lower churn?  This session explores these issues and provides the answers.

Moderator: Gene Retske, The Prepaid Press

Fedor Smith                                      
Atlantic ACM

Ginger Sayor
First Data

Doug Fieldhouse
Vesta

Jeff Kapner
Total Call International

Regulation, Registration and Taxation
Will Government Dampen the Prepaid Wireless Party?
Mobile services are coming under increased scrutiny by government. In addition to taxation, there are concerns that prepaid mobile phones are enabling the user to engage in anonymous criminal or terrorist activities.  Frequently there are no technological means of determining a user’s identity.  Will these concerns result in a move to register and further regulate the users of prepaid mobile phones?  Where does pending legislation stand, and will legislation or new tax initiatives disrupt prepaid wireless growth opportunities?  This session explores these concerns, and addresses key issues in reconciling the prepaid consumers’ desire for privacy and anonymity with the realities of today’s social and political environment.

Moderator: Ed Maldonado, Maldonado Law Group

Raul Magallanes
RM Telecom Law

The MVNO Challenge
Remaining Relevant and Competitive in 2008 and Beyond
Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) have taken their lumps of late.  These marketing oriented entities -- Virgin Mobile being the most familiar -- buy minutes wholesale and then retail them to their customers.  They thrive by targeting specific market segments, and the road to success has not been easy for even the biggest players.  What applications and marketing strategies, and specific niche marketing demographics, are the mark of successful companies, and which have proved fatal?  What is the MVNO role in a world that already has over 3.5 billion mobile phone subscribers?  This session will address these issues, provide insight into current and future synergies between MVNOs and mobile operators, and answer what the future holds for these specialized mobile service entities.  

Moderator: Joe Pawlikowski, PrepaidReviews.com

Paris Holt
TeleSPACE

Dan Dow
Azteca Mobile

Voice, Data, Media
Can Prepaid Wireless Compete in this New Environment?
Technology and consumer wants have moved the smart phone of not so many years ago to the typical mobile phone of today.  Functions such as web access, streaming video, music downloads and local search are increasingly being demanded by the mobile user and incorporated by the mobile phone provider.  With phone manufacturers introducing feature-rich smart phones, and with the advanced capabilities of phones such as the Apple iPhone becoming more popular, questions arise over just how changing consumer handset needs and interests will impact the prepaid wireless space.  In this session industry visionaries will provide insights into these and other questions that are arising from the rapidly evolving capabilities of mobile phones, and how they will impact opportunities in the prepaid wireless space going forward. 

Moderator: Al Fross, The Pelorus Group

Joe Scattareggia 
VP Sales – Americas and Asia, Arbinet

Randall Walrond    
VP Product Management, IVR Technologies

Distribution and Retailing Strategies
The Potential to Change Market Dynamics
With approximately 250 million mobile phones in use today, representing over 80% of the U.S. population, reaching and enticing new subscribers is becoming increasingly important to a provider’s growth.  Targeting the right audience with the right distribution channel is a key component of a successful marketing strategy.  And that requires innovation in all aspects of its implementation, from packaging to presentation.  Nowhere is this more evident than in the prepaid arena.  What makes a distribution and retailing strategy successful?  What are the key challenges and what innovative techniques are providers using to meet those challenges?  This session promises to provide insight into emerging, innovative and successful distribution and retailing strategies being used by companies to attract new users and expand the prepaid wireless pie!

Moderator: Joe Pawlikowski, PrepaidReviews.com

Tim Anderson   
Blackhawk Network

Michael Keresman  
President, Cardinal Commerce

Charles Walton    
EVP Payments, INSIDE Contactless

Todd Achilles
Affinity Mobile

What Do Changing Demographics, FCC Actions and Evolving
Consumer Needs Mean to Prepaid Wireless?
Developing market conditions -- both consumer driven and government influenced -- and economic issues are setting the stage for changes in market acceptance of prepaid wireless solutions.  Continuing technology innovation and growing user sophistication are driving new functionality to prepaid services, compelling providers to evolve to meet the demands of today’s user.  What developments should prepaid providers prepare for and what do they mean to the industry?  Designed to shed light on the salient demographic and consumer driven factors propelling prepaid wireless, this session will offer a bold and unflinching appraisal of emerging trends, their ramifications and potential opportunities.

Moderator: Gene Retske, The Prepaid Press

Oscar Munoz          
President, Uni-Mas Corp. 

David Vindici
Slingshot Communications

Day Three:Thursday, August 21, 2008
Prepaid/Alternative Payments

SPONSORED BY

Stored Value Market Today
Capitalizing on Evolving Opportunities
As stored value has evolved past niche status, it is unleashing wholesale changes in the way we pay for goods and services.  This session will offer perspective on the current state of stored value -- its dimensions, prospects and avenues for future growth, and the forces shaping profitability.  What are the hot areas with high consumer adoption rates?  Designed to provide insight into the dominating market factors propelling stored value, this exclusive session will drill down on what likely direction the market will take over the next several years, and provide actionable insight on the market drivers.

Moderator: Al Fross, The Pelorus Group

Steve Mott                               
CEO, BetterBuyDesign

Joel Stanton                            
Senior Manager, Dove Consulting

Drilling Down on Stored Value Distribution Channels
The Inside Scoop
Launching a stored value program is no sure thing by any means.  Considerable planning and focused market execution must be exercised to prevent misfires.  Differences in market channels could make or break a stored value initiative.  Retail, the Internet, direct mail, or other avenues -- what determines the best course?  What innovative distribution models are emerging that will further propel stored value card usage through enhancing consumer convenience?  Why must approaches vary for national chains vs. regional chains and independent storeowners?  What are the most important factors when selecting specific target market(s)?  This session is designed to provide answers to these critical issues.

Moderator: Vance Hodnett, The Pelorus Group

Thomas Honey
Better ATM Services

Frank Squilla         
SVP Sales, InComm

Keven Lake
CEO & President, Futura Card Services

Jumpstarting Mobile Payments
Incenting Merchants and Targeting Consumers
There are approximately 250 million U.S. mobile phone subscribers, representing an 80% market penetration.  Widespread acceptance of mobile payments entails overcoming a number of obstacles, including merchant acceptance.  Are prepaid cards the entrée that will enable this payments market to blossom?  This session focuses on mobile payment applications that are in the here and now, and highlights effective -- and cost-effective -- incentives to attract sufficient merchants and users to take the critical first step for more widespread adoption of mobile payments.

Moderator: Al Fross, The Pelorus Group

T. Jack Williams  
President, eCommlink

Bruce Burke              
VP Mktg, & Sales, PayZone

The Security Specter
Dealing With Fraud and Risk Management
The growing trend to substitute electronic payments for cash introduces an additional dimension in protecting customer data.  These presentations will address how security, compliance, and privacy concerns will play an integral role in shaping solutions.  How and where does data traditionally hide, and how are the mistakes made?  Companies need to understand what steps are required to protect them -- and their clients – from the risks associated with fraud and security breaches.  This session lays out the major threats, and explores the methods to fight fraud, enhance security, and prevent identity theft.

Moderator: Lori Breitzke, E&S Consulting, LLC

Rene Babi           
President, RBA International

Exploiting New Mainstream Applications in Prepaid Cards
Payroll, Government, Health Care and Beyond
After years of rapid growth and proliferation of products, the mainstream public is using prepaid cards in new ways.  This session will bring delegates up to light-speed on the latest market developments, spotlighting why payroll cards are enjoying a meteoric rise in acceptance and popularity.  Just how big is the opportunity that has developed with health savings accounts? This will provide invaluable insight on how to integrate stored value applications into employee and government benefits portfolios. These mainstream applications show great growth potential – a potential that prepaid card retailers and banks ignore at their peril. This session strives to cast light on just how extensive and potentially lucrative these market segments can be for prepaid service providers, and how they are becoming increasingly attractive for employers, government at all levels, and the public at large.

Moderator: Lori Breitzke, E&S Consulting, LLC

Mark Herrington   
President, Global Prepaid Svces, First Data

Steve Karp                      
SVP - Enterprise Pmts. Strategy, SunTrust Bank

Matt Kerper                   
Vice President, Parago

Teri Llach              
Group Vice President, Blackhawk Network

Legal and Regulatory Factors Affecting New Payment Applications
Stored value comes under the review of regulatory agencies at both the federal and state levels.  But many of these regulations are literally in constant flux, coming under scrutiny on a regular basis.  Presented by leading regulatory and legal authorities, this session will delve into the legal and regulatory factors that impact industry participants on a day-to-day basis.  One of its many highlights will be a comprehensive, no-holds-barred and up-to-the-minute review of the current laws and pending issues related to stored value.  Are the Regulation E changes increasing growth rates for payroll cards?  What remaining uncertainties in this area are holding back stored value growth?  This session will explore the most pressing issues emerging from the regulatory/legal variable of the stored value equation.

Moderator: Vance Hodnett, The Pelorus Group

Marilyn Barker     
Counsel, Bryan Cave

Ed Maldonado      
Senior Partner, Maldonado Law Group

All Grammaticus Passes include
Conference(s), expo, floor demos, party

Each Industry Track (one day pass) -
$275 through August 15
$325 on site

Full “Grammaticus” Pass (all three days) -
$599 through August 15
$675 on site

Click here to register now.