APP Level Up 26:
Fall into the Rabbit Hole of Payments
Curiosity doesn’t just lead Alice down the rabbit hole. In payments, it leads to Level Up 26.
From April 20 to 22, 2026, the Association of Payment Professionals invites you to Las Vegas, Nevada, for Level Up 26 at Park MGM. This three day conference brings payment professionals together to explore the deeper layers of the payments ecosystem and uncover what lies beneath the surface of risk, compliance, regulation, and innovation.
Level Up is more than a conference. It is an immersive journey designed to help attendees navigate an industry that is constantly changing, where every turn reveals new challenges, insights, and opportunities. Just like Wonderland, the deeper you go, the more there is to discover.
Why Level Up?
The payments industry often feels like a maze where rules shift, risks evolve, and technology moves faster than expected. Level Up exists to bring clarity to that complexity.
Built by payment professionals for payment professionals, Level Up delivers practical education that goes beyond theory. Sessions are designed to address real world challenges across compliance, regulatory requirements, underwriting and KYC, disputes, risk management, and fraud. Attendees gain insights they can apply immediately, not abstract concepts that stay behind when the conference ends.
Beyond education, Level Up is about community. It is a place to connect with peers who understand the peculiar puzzles of payments work. Through shared experiences, conversations, and collaboration, attendees leave not only better informed but better connected. Whether you are early in your career or a seasoned expert, Level Up helps you sharpen your perspective and strengthen your role in the industry.
What to Expect
Level Up 26 offers a thoughtfully designed experience that balances deep learning with meaningful connection.
- Pre-Conference Workshops
Begin your journey with optional pre-conference workshops that allow for deeper exploration of specialized topics, including disputes and underwriting. - Education and Keynotes
As the main conference unfolds, more than twenty educational sessions and keynote presentations provide insight into today’s most pressing payments challenges and what lies ahead. - Networking and Community
Throughout the event, informal networking opportunities encourage conversation and collaboration. From morning coffee discussions to evening events like the Welcome Reception, Level Up creates space for authentic connections in a relaxed and welcoming environment. - Solution Partner Engagement
Participants will have the opportunity to engage with solution partners and explore innovative tools and technologies designed to help organizations operate more efficiently, securely, and compliantly. These interactions often spark ideas and solutions that continue long after the event concludes. - Fresh Perspective
At every step, Level Up is designed to challenge assumptions, spark curiosity, and help attendees see the payments landscape from a new perspective.
The payments world is full of twists, turns, and hidden doors. At Level Up 26, you will not just skim the surface. You will go down the payments rabbit hole and return with insight, clarity, and connections that truly matter.
Volunteer Spotlight
Learn more about our Volunteer Opportunities!Derek Rogers has quickly made an impact since joining APP’s Program Committee this past year. He plays an important role in helping shape the upcoming Level Up conference agenda. Derek brings a thoughtful perspective that helps ensure the voices and needs of risk and compliance professionals are represented in the program. .
Derek also shares his expertise with the broader community. Last month, he volunteered as a speaker at the Third Party Risk Symposium, where his insights earned rave reviews from attendees.
Through his thoughtful contributions and willingness to step up, Derek exemplifies the collaborative spirit that makes APP strong. We’re grateful for his growing impact on the APP community.
Nominated by the Volunteer Committee
Who We Serve
The Association of Payment Professionals (APP) is a community that supports risk, underwriting, and compliance professionals within the payment ecosystem. Our primary focus is on education and loss prevention in payments. Being a member of APP means you and your associates have access to networking, professional development, and education focused on payment risk management, fraud prevention, and compliance.
Interested in a Partnership?
View our partnership resource page for more details, or contact us to build a partnership that meets the needs of both you and our members.
Visit Partnership Resource Page
Contact UsOpen Call for Volunteers
Want to be part of a team making a difference in the payments ecosystem? Want to develop your leadership skills or those of your staff? Looking to share expertise or build your network while giving back? Then answer our open call for volunteers!
Call for Speakers & Content
| Would You Be an Awesome Speaker at an Upcoming APP Event? |  |
We seek diverse proposals from across the payments and fintech industries, academia, government, and law enforcement. Please submit a proposal if you specialize in risk mitigation, compliance, AML, fraud prevention, researching criminal networks, or have awesomeness to share that could be in scope for our members.
Learn More