Conference highlighted by groundbreaking product launches
TEMECULA — Over the course of four days and three nights, National Merchants Association welcomed a select group of top-performing partner agents and agencies, representing more than 3,000 merchants, to Temecula Creek Inn for its first-ever Fire & Ice conference.
The event — titled “Fire” for high-risk and “Ice” for low-risk — was designed to create networking, recruitment and educational opportunities, and most importantly, to preview and showcase NMA’s brand-new, game-changing product launches.
Agents from near and far arrived in Temecula on the night of Oct. 9 and the following morning, then enjoyed a day on the golf course, followed by networking with NMA executives at a cocktail gathering and sit down dinner.
But it was on Oct. 11 that the show really started and it was launched by NMA’s fearless leader, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Heather Petersen.
“National Merchants Association has achieved incredible growth and prestige since we opened our doors in 2004,” Petersen said. “We couldn’t have hit these amazing milestones and won these awards without the collaboration of our agents and partners.
“On that note, I’m thrilled to announce we’ve prepared the largest product launch since National Merchants Association was founded — and I promise, we’re only getting started.”
Agents then split up into two groups, low and high riskA merchant that is considered a high risk based upon the credit, product, method, ticket size or volume. Examples of high risk merchants are telemarketing, adult and travel related industries., to hear educational presentations and participate in question and answer sessions with NMA’s top executives.
After lunch, Ed Bowling, Director of Systems Administration for NMA, took to the main stage to announce the company’s brand-new ChargebackThe act of reversing a sale made by the merchant. This can happen for many reasons including procedural and fraud. The process usually begins with a dispute from the cardholder. Control Platform (CCP), which he described as “chargebackThe act of reversing a sale made by the merchant. This can happen for many reasons including procedural and fraud. The process usually begins with a dispute from the cardholder. interception that’s unprecedented.”
“CCP is one of the most exciting products we’ve ever created, and we’re ecstatic to unveil it here at Fire & Ice,” Bowling said.
CCP will offer automatic issue refunds on three levels, the third being an exclusive feature to NMA. On the third attempt, CCP will automatically issue processorA large data center that processes credit card transactions and settles funds to merchants. A processor connects to the merchant on behalf of an acquirer via a gateway or POS system to process payments electronically. Processors edit and format messages and switch to bankcard networks. They provide files for clearing and settlement and other value-added services.... level refunds.
“This product will completely change the way disputes, chargebacks, and high-risk merchantA business that accepts credit cards for goods or services. accounts are serviced and maintained,” Bowling said.
Then it was NMA Vice President of Sales Brian Berkenbile’s turn to take the stage and he first focused on the global merchantA business that accepts credit cards for goods or services. advocacy group’s Membership Programs.
“High RiskA merchant that is considered a high risk based upon the credit, product, method, ticket size or volume. Examples of high risk merchants are telemarketing, adult and travel related industries. agents need to control chargebacks and manage risk. Low Risk agents need value-add tools and services to offer their merchants to help them grow their businesses,” Berkenbile told the crowd. “And as of today, our Membership Program provides both.”
After a short break, Berkenbile came back to the stage for another ground-breaking announcement. Referring to the dozens of boxes on the stage and on tables in front of the agents, he said, “Inside this box is a revolutionary program that will change agent programs forever.
National MerchantA business that accepts credit cards for goods or services. Association Vice President of Sales and Customer Service Brian Berkenbile talks about NMA’s TransActionAn act between a seller and a cardholder that results in either a paper or an electronic representation of the cardholder’s promise to pay for goods or services received from the act. The action between a cardholder and a merchant that results in financial activity between the merchant and cardholder’s account.... Plan, which debuted at the Fire & Ice event.
“Inside this box is something that gives agents all over the globe the tools, the training, the support and — most importantly — the freedom you need to dominate your market.”
He then began previewing the much-anticipated TransActionAn act between a seller and a cardholder that results in either a paper or an electronic representation of the cardholder’s promise to pay for goods or services received from the act. The action between a cardholder and a merchant that results in financial activity between the merchant and cardholder’s account.... Plan, which he said will allow almost anyone the ability to become an agent overnight, while “instantaneously and immensely raising the level of support and flexibility longtime agents have come to expect from NMA.”
The multifaceted program provides the power of NMA’s multi-million-dollar marketing program, a proven learning management system and sales team-building tool, the proprietary ProAgent Portal and as well as up to four, pre-set and twice-confirmed appointments every, single, day — for each agent, within their assigned territory.
“This program will make you — not only the best in your market — but the best in this industry,” Berkenbile said.
After another short break, it was Berkenbile up on the stage again, this time, to close out the full day of presentations and product launches.
“Did you realize that you are part of a group that represents more than 3,000 merchants and half a billion dollars in processing transactions this year alone,” Berkenbile said. “Those are big numbers, and getting bigger all the time. But those numbers represent so much more.”
He told the crowd about National Merchants Association’s advocacy, which is at the heart of what the company is about.
“We are committed to the fight — and our focus in that fight is advocacy,” Berkenbile said. “Putting advocacy first is why you find Heather (Petersen, CEO) quoted regularly in the media. It’s why you find her giving key note speeches at trade shows. It’s why she serves as a policy maker with ETA and why you see her on Capitol Hill educating lawmakers and helping shape policy.”
National Merchants Association has backed up that commitment to advocacy with a surge in new hires which has seen the company more than double its workforce since the end of 2015.
“Why are we hiring at a break-neck pace?” he said. “We are hiring them for you, We Work for You® is not just a tag line. We want to bring in more people — people who have great ideas, better ideas — which fosters even more growth — and even better results.”
That commitment to agents, merchants and the industry is what advocacy is all about, Berkenbile said.
“So, why choose NMA?” he asked. “Whether it is products, programs or policy. We simply won’t accept anything less — not for NMA, not for our merchants and not for you.”