Level Up 26
APP's annual conference returns!
Park MGM Las Vegas, NV
Registration Open Now
Get Your Ticket.
Looking to Sponsor? Level Up sponsorship opportunities and programs.
APP Level Up 26:
Fall into the Rabbit Hole of Payments
At APP’s annual Level Up conference, we invite you to follow us down the rabbit hole—into a world where curiosity meets clarity, and unexpected connections spark real solutions. Level Up isn't just a conference—it's a portal to discovery, learning, and collaboration in the ever-evolving payments ecosystem.
Whether you’re chasing compliance details like the White Rabbit or navigating the mad world of risk management, you’ll find your footing—and your people—here.
A Wonderland of Education
Level Up 26 will feature a knowledge-rich agenda crafted by APP members, for APP members. No smoke and mirrors—just real insights across the six key disciplines that define our world: Risk, Compliance, Regulatory, Security/PCI, Disputes/Chargebacks, and UW/KYC.
From curious newcomers to seasoned pros, every attendee will leave with new perspectives and practical tools for navigating the complexities of payments.
Insightful and Wonderful Connections
Wonderland isn’t a solo journey—and neither is Level Up. Through community events, meet-ups, and informal gatherings, we make space for real conversations with people who understand the peculiar puzzles of our day-to-day.
Whether it is a riddle shared over coffee or a laugh during Trivia Night, every moment is a chance to connect with peers who face the same challenges—and who may just have the key to solving yours.
Unexpected Solutions Around Every Corner
At Level Up, solutions don’t always come from where you expect. Maybe it’s a speaker whose insight shifts your thinking. Maybe it’s a hallway chat with someone who’s been exactly where you are. Or maybe it’s one of our Solution Provider partners whose tools unlock what you’ve been missing.
Like Wonderland itself, Level Up is full of twists, turns, and aha moments. One thing is certain: you won’t leave the same way you came in.
Guides, Mentors, and the Cheshire Cat’s Grin
In a world that’s constantly shifting, having experienced guides makes all the difference. Our community leaders, volunteers, and mentors offer the kind of practical wisdom and encouragement that keeps you moving forward—even when the path seems upside down.
And like any good Wonderland companion, they’re here not just to answer questions—but to help you ask better ones.
Transform Your Professional Story
At its heart, Level Up is about transformation. With more than 20 breakout sessions, immersive discussions, and opportunities to lead, you’ll return with new tools, expanded knowledge, and a fresh perspective on what’s possible.
Looking to stretch your wings beyond your current role? Volunteer opportunities let you build your personal brand, contribute to your profession, and grow as a leader in a supportive, welcoming space.
Ready to Jump In?
The rabbit hole is open. Step into a world where payments professionals gather not just to learn—but to lead, connect, and reimagine what’s possible.
Join us at Level Up 2026—where curiosity leads, and confidence follows.
Main Agenda
Booked sessions & speakers follow. Speaker bios are available on the mobile Event App. Tentative sessions noted.
Registration Open - Buy Your Pass.
MONDAY, April 20
Time |
Session Name
|
Description |
|
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
Registration Open |
Registration open for APP's Underwriters Workshop, APP's Disputes Workshop, Trivia Night, and Level Up 26. |
|
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
Underwriters Workshop |
A workshop designed to enhance your team's Underwriters to the next level. Roll-up your sleeves and sharpen your pencils because class is in session. You don't need to attend APP's Level Up to attend this program. |
|
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
Disputes Workshop |
We're excited to offer this 3-hr Disputes workshop from noon to 3pm on Monday, April 20th. You don't need to attend APP's Level Up to attend this program. |
|
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
Volunteer Meeting |
|
|
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM |
Trivia Night |
Sponsor TBD |
TUESDAY, April 21
Time |
Session Name
|
Description |
|
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Registration Open |
Registration open for Level Up 26. |
|
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM |
Doors Open |
Coffee, tea, and light breakfast available. |
|
8:00 - 9:00 AM |
Coffee Connect |
For early risers, extraverts, and networkers - coffee, tea, light breakfast, and conversation shared in Community Room (Balboa). |
|
9:00 AM - 9:15 AM |
Welcome |
APP President and Conference Chairs welcome you to Level Up 26. |
|
9:15 AM - 10:15 AM |
Impact Keynote The Billion-Dollar Heist of a Generation—and How We Stop It Erin West |
During this presentation, former prosecutor and now non-profit founder Erin West will show you that pig butchering scams are not just financial crimes—they are a national security crisis. Organized criminal networks are stealing a generation’s worth of wealth, exploiting psychology at scale, and destabilizing trust in financial systems. This is an attack that demands collective action: law enforcement, regulators, financial institutions, tech platforms, and the public all have a role to play. We cannot afford to silo this fight—the only way forward is together. |
|
10:15 AM - 10:30 AM |
Vendor Spotlight |
|
|
10:30 AM -11:15 AM |
Session 1 |
Hard hats are on as we build the session description. |
|
11:15 AM - 11:30 AM |
Break |
Our sponsors help make our event possible and keep attendee prices affordable. Please take a moment to visit and thank them for being part of APP! |
|
11:30-11:45 AM |
Vendor Spotlight |
|
|
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM |
Session 2 |
Hard hats are on as we build the session description. |
|
12:30 PM - 12:45 PM |
Vendor Spotlight |
|
|
12:45 PM - 1:45 PM |
Lunch |
Lunch is provided as part of your conference pass. Vegan, vegetarian, and dairy-free options will be available. If you would like to request a kosher meal, please email us your request at event@paymentpros.org |
|
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM |
UW Meet & Greet |
Sponsor TBD |
|
1:45 PM 2:45 PM |
Session 3 |
Hard hats are on as we build the session description. |
|
2:45 PM - 3:00 PM |
Vendor Spotlight |
|
|
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM |
Donut Break |
|
|
3:30 PM - 4:15 PM |
Session 4 |
Hard hats are on as we build the session description. |
|
4:15 PM - 4:30 PM |
Vendor Spotlight |
|
|
4:30 PM - 5:15 PM |
Session 5 |
Hard hats are on as we build the session description. |
|
5:15 PM - 5:30 PM |
End of Day |
|
|
5:45 PM - 7:00 PM |
Welcome Reception |
Sponsor TBD |
WEDNESDAY, April 22
Time |
Presidio - Education Stage |
Balboa - Collaboration Stage |
|
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM |
Coffee Connect |
|
|
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM |
Coffee Connect |
|
|
8:00 AM |
Doors Open to Presidio |
|
|
8:30 AM |
Chairman Address/ Awards |
No Session |
|
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM |
Keynote 2 |
|
|
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM |
Session 6 TBD |
Session 11 TBD |
|
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM |
Vendor Spotlight |
Vendor Spotlight |
|
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM |
Break |
Break |
|
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM |
Session 7 |
Session 12 |
|
12:15 PM - 12:30 PM |
Vendor Spotlight TBD |
Vendor Spotlight TBD |
|
12:30 PM -1:30 PM |
Lunch Lunch is provided as part of your conference pass. Vegan, vegetarian, and dairy-free options will be available. If you would like to request a kosher meal, please email us your request at event@paymentpros.org |
|
|
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM |
PayTech Women Community Event During this session, attendees can expect to build relationships and learn from each other’s experiences which will contribute to their professional success and advancement in the payments sector. |
|
|
1:30 PM - 2:15 PM |
Session 8 |
Session 13 TBD |
|
2:30 PM - 2:45 PM |
Vendor Spotlight |
Vendor Spotlight TBD |
|
2:45 PM - 3:30 PM |
Session 9 TBD |
Session 14 |
|
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM |
Break Our sponsors help make our event possible and keep attendee prices affordable. Please take a moment to visit and thank them for being part of APP! |
|
|
4:00 PM - 4:15 PM |
Vendor Spotlight |
Vendor Spotlight TBD |
|
4:15 PM - 5:00 PM |
Session 10 TBD |
Session 15 TBD |
|
5:00 PM - 5:15 PM |
End of Day |
|
|
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM |
Volunteer Reception Do you volunteer at APP? Stop by and get a well-earned drink and talk to other volunteers. |
|
Thank you for registering for APP's upcoming annual conference, Level Up 26.
Hotel
Staying at the Park MGM hotel supports APP's mission to keep the conference price low!
We have secured a room rate starting at $178 per night (includes resort fees, not taxes).
Total room rate inclusive of taxes estimated to be $202 per night.
Room elevators let out less than 100 steps from the conference registration so there is no endless walk.
There is a range of food options from quick to elegant. And, if you want to step out, the hotel is in the heart of The Strip in between the Aria and New York, New York.
Book Your Hotel
If your cookies take you to a previous year's links, copy and paste the address into your browser:
https://book.passkey.
If you have any questions, please email us at event@paymentpros.org
Member Passes
Members have to be logged in to get member pricing.
| Credits | Price | |
|---|---|---|
|
Member Pass - Level Up 26 - Early Access Pricing
|
15.00 (ETA CPP Credit) | $895.00 |
Non-Member Pricing
Not seeing the Member Price? Members need to log-in first.
| Credits | Price | |
|---|---|---|
|
Non Member Pass - Level Up 26 - Early Access Price
|
15.00 (ETA CPP Credit) | $1,150.00 |
Pre-Conference Events
Add-on tickets
| Credits | Price | |
|---|---|---|
|
Disputes Workshop - NEW in 2026
We're excited to offer this 3-hr Disputes workshop from noon to 3pm on Monday, April 20th. You don't need to attend APP's Level up to attend this program. |
3.00 (ETA CPP Credit) | $225.00 |
|
Underwriting Workshop - NEW in 2026
A workshop designed to enhance your team's Underwriters to the next level. Roll-up your sleeves and sharpen your pencils because class is in session. You don't need to attend APP's Level up to attend this program. |
3.00 (ETA CPP Credit) | $225.00 |
Justification for Attending APP's Level Up 2026
The Best ROI in the Industry
At APP’s annual Level Up conference, we invite you to follow us down the rabbit hole—into a world where curiosity meets clarity, and unexpected connections spark real solutions. To help secure funds for this journey, we have prepared the following for one to use at will.
Long version:
Subject: Justification for Attending APP Level Up 2026
Hi [Boss’s Name],
I’d like to request approval to attend APP’s Level Up 2026. This two-day conference is one of the most valuable and cost-effective professional development events in the payments industry. Registration is $975 for members, and the hotel rate is $202 per night (including taxes and resort fees), bringing the total estimated cost to approximately $1,581, depending on the length of stay.
Why Attend:
Level Up is a portal to discovery, learning, and collaboration in the evolving payments ecosystem. Designed by and for payment professionals, the event delivers real insights across six key disciplines central to our work: Risk, Compliance, Regulatory, Security/PCI, Disputes/Chargebacks, and Underwriting/KYC.
Key Benefits:
- Industry-Relevant Learning: More than 20 breakout sessions and immersive discussions provide practical tools and actionable takeaways for navigating today’s complex payments landscape.
- Networking and Collaboration: The event fosters meaningful connections through community meetups, informal gatherings, and sessions with peers who face similar challenges, creating opportunities to share solutions and best practices.
- Leadership and Growth: Attendees can participate in volunteer and mentorship opportunities to build leadership skills, enhance visibility in the industry, and contribute to the broader payments community.
- High Value for Cost: For the quality of content, access to thought leaders, and networking potential, the event represents a strong return on investment.
By attending, I’ll gain new perspectives, tools, and professional relationships that can directly benefit our team and enhance [Your Company]'s expertise in the payments space.
Thank you for your consideration.
More Casual Version:
Subject: Request to Attend APP Level Up 2026
Hi [Boss’s Name],
I’d love to attend APP’s Level Up 2026: “Down the Rabbit Hole of Payments.” It’s a three-day conference packed with learning, networking, and fresh perspectives on everything happening in the payments world.
The event is known for being both high-impact and affordable—registration is $975 for members, and the hotel is $202 per night (including taxes and fees), for a total of about $1,581 depending on the stay.
Level Up brings together professionals from across the industry to share real insights in Risk, Compliance, Regulatory, Security/PCI, Disputes/Chargebacks, and Underwriting/KYC. There are more than 20 breakout sessions, opportunities to connect with peers, and sessions led by experts who understand the challenges we face every day.
It’s a great opportunity to pick up practical tools, new ideas, and connections that can help us continue improving how we serve our clients and grow within the payments space.
Thanks for considering this, I think it would be a valuable investment for both me and [Company Name]
Shorter Version:
I’d like to request approval to attend APP’s Level Up 2026. This is a two-day, member-driven conference focused on advancing knowledge and collaboration across key areas of the payments ecosystem including Risk, Compliance, Regulatory, Security/PCI, Disputes/Chargebacks, and UW/KYC. The event offers more than 20 breakout sessions, hands-on learning, and valuable networking with industry peers and leaders.
At an estimated total cost of $1,581 (registration $975 plus hotel $202 per night), it is a highly cost-effective professional development opportunity. Attending will provide practical insights, new connections, and actionable strategies directly applicable to [Your Company]'s goals in the payments space.
Thanks!
Basic Schedule:
Monday - April 20th
Pre-Conf Events
- Pre-Conference Workshops
- Trivia Night networking event
- Volunteer & Committee Meetings
- Vendor Setup
Tuesday - April 21st
- Leadership Stage - Main stage sessions
- Coffee Connect
- Keynote Speaker
- Welcome Reception
Wednesday - April 22nd
- Education & Collaboration Stages - a full day of simultaneous sessions on two stages
- Keynote Speaker
- Evening Free for Client Dinners/Meetings
Thursday - April 23rd
- Vendor Breakdown
- APP Board Meeting