Level Up 26
APP's annual conference returns!
Park MGM Las Vegas, NV
Registration Open Now
Get Your Ticket.
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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 CornerAt 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 GrinIn 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 StoryAt 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 |
Basic Schedule:Monday - April 20th
Tuesday - April 21st
Wednesday - April 22nd
Thursday - April 23rd
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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. Session topics & speakers subject to change.
Speaker bios are available on the mobile Event App. Tentative sessions noted.
Registration Open - Buy Your Pass.
MONDAY, April 20
Time |
Session Name
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Description |
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11:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Registration Open |
Registration open for APP's Underwriters Workshop, APP's Disputes Workshop, Trivia Night, and Level Up 26. |
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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. Niamh Lewis |
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12:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
The Disputes Workshop is an immersive training designed to take payments professionals deeper into the world of card network dispute rules, workflows, and operational best practices. Course Leader:
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3:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
Volunteer Meeting |
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4:00 PM - 6:00 PM |
Sponsored by Mentom Payments and Visa. Trivia Night is a free fun event that occurs on the night before the sessions at Level Up. This is a perfect way to meet up with other attendees before we collectively roll-up our sleeves and conference hard.
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TUESDAY, April 21
Time |
Session Name
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Description |
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8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Registration Open |
Registration open for Level Up 26. Get your conference lanyard. |
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8:00 AM - 9:00 AM |
Doors Open |
Coffee, tea, and light breakfast available. |
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8:00 - 9:00 AM |
Coffee Connects Communities' Event |
Coffee Connects Communities' Event: |
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9:00 AM - 9:15 AM |
Welcome |
APP President and Conference Chairs welcome you to Level Up 26. |
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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. |
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10:15 AM - 10:30 AM |
Vendor Spotlight |
G2 Risk Services |
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10:30 AM -11:15 AM |
Visa Speaks on Scams |
Hard hats are on as we build the session description. |
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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! |
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11:30-11:45 AM |
Vendor Spotlight |
LegitScript |
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11:45 AM - 12:30 PM |
Mastercard on Updates & Trends |
The Cheshire Cat seems to have hidden our agenda description. |
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12:30 PM - 12:45 PM |
Vendor Spotlight
From Automation to Agency: Acquiring Risk in the Agentic AI Era
Noam Izhaki |
From Automation to Agency: Acquiring Risk in the Agentic AI Era
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12:45 PM - 2:00 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 |
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1:00 PM - 1:30 PM |
Paytech Women Meet Up |
The font size of this description is currently too small. We're fetching a "Eat Me" cupcake to make it big enough to read. Please bear with us. |
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2:00 PM - 2:45 PM |
Visa Speaks on VAMP |
The Cheshire Cat seems to have hidden our agenda description. Please check back soon for speaker details. |
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2:45 PM - 3:00 PM |
Vendor Spotlight |
CorisAI |
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3:00 PM - 3:30 PM |
Donut Break |
APP was started 27 years ago with the founders gathering around coffee and donuts to collaborate on common challenges and fraud trends. We keep the tradition alive at every event with donuts for all! |
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3:30 PM - 4:15 PM |
Visa Speaks on VERC and VERP |
The Cheshire Cat seems to have hidden our agenda description. Please check back soon for the details. |
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4:15 PM - 4:30 PM |
Vendor Spotlight |
Truebiz |
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4:30 PM - 4:45 PM |
An Address from the Queen of Hearts |
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4:45 PM - 5:30 PM |
Mastercard Speaks on Intelligence Risk |
Hard hats are on as we build the session description. |
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5:30 PM - 5:45 PM |
End of Day |
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5:30 PM - 7:00 PM |
Welcome Reception |
Location: |
WEDNESDAY, April 22
Time |
Education Stage
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Collaboration Stage
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7:00 AM - |
Roundtable |
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7:00 AM - |
Government Relations Strategic Interest Group (SIG) Meeting |
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7:00 AM - |
Underwriters Meet-And-Greet hosted by Gratify |
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7:30 AM |
Doors Open to Presidio |
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8:00 AM - |
Keynote The Cheshire Cat seems to have hidden our agenda description. Please check back soon for the details. |
No Session |
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9:00 AM - |
Vendor Spotlight |
No Session |
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9:15 AM - |
Association Updates from APP President |
No Session |
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9:30 AM - 10:15 AM |
Through the Looking Glass: Stablecoins and the New Reality of Payments Ben Meeder Dive into what Stablecoins are and how they are transforming payments in real time. This session breaks down stablecoins from the ground up—how they maintain their peg, and the infrastructure that makes them work. We'll explore real-world use cases transforming payments today: near-instant cross-border settlements, 24/7 treasury operations, and frictionless merchant payouts that bypass traditional rails. You'll also learn about the regulatory landscape taking shape, the operational considerations for integrating stablecoins into existing payment flows, and where the technology is headed. Whether you're evaluating stablecoins for your organization or simply want to understand the technology, this session provides the practical foundation you need. |
New Rules: Experiences of High-Volume Participants Panelists: Join Capital One Bank, Intuit, UMACHA and Nacha in a discussion of the New Rules on fraud monitoring. Phase one implementation for high volume participants started on March 20 and phase two implementation begins on June 22. The 2026 Nacha Rule changes require mandatory fraud monitoring by ODFIs, RDFIs, Third-Party Senders, and non-consumer originators. This session will help you formulate your plans by providing insights into what you might encounter implementing such a material change, and prompt discussion into where the monitoring requirement may present more subtle but far-reaching challenges. Hear from a high-volume bank and a high-volume TPS and learn from their experiences in implementing the new Rules, their strategies, and what compliance has meant for their organizations. |
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10:15 AM - 10:30 AM |
Vendor Spotlight |
Vendor Spotlight |
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10:30 AM - 11:00 AM |
Break |
Break |
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11:00 AM - 11:45 AM |
Curiouser and Curiouser! Cihat Fitzgerald High risk acquiring can be rewarding when done right, and a significant liability when not done properly. Gain insight into the different types of risk an acquirer needs to mitigate for in general, and those specific to high risk verticals, such as adult, online gambling, nutraceuticals, and continuity merchants. Learn more about what controls are recommended for mitigating risk in each vertical. |
Who’s Who: Defining ACH Roles and Compliance Obligations for Originators, Third-Party Senders, and Service Providers Nicole Meisner |
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11:45 AM - 12:00 PM |
Vendor Spotlight TBD |
Vendor Spotlight TBD |
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12:00 PM - |
The Dating Game: How to Select a Bank Partner Hello ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to The Dating Game! The show where one lucky bachelor or bachelorette gets the chance to meet a dazzling lineup of eligible, accomplished, and highly regulated bank partners ... all waiting behind the curtain. Will today’s contestant choose the dependable type who plays it safe? The bold risk-taker with a taste for innovation? Or the mysterious charmer who says all the right things but keeps compliance on its toes? Ask the right questions, listen carefully to the answers, and you just might hear the sound of wedding bells… or at least a signed partnership agreement. This session will take a fun and cheesy approach to a serious topic. Finding the right bank partner in real life is no game. Behind the laughs, we'll break down how to evaluate potential bank relationships with clarity and confidence. We’ll explore the essential questions to ask, how to identify aligned values, compatible risk tolerance, and operational expectations, and how to spot red flags before committing. Attendees will also learn which key performance indicators can help determine long-term compatibility. Whether you’re entering a new relationship or reassessing an existing one, this session will help you choose a bank partner that’s truly a good match. |
Reputational Risk: What the “Fair Banking” Executive Order and the Legacy of Operation Choke Point Mean for the Industry Panelists: Theresa Kananen Shari M. Savlick Moderator: Attendees will hear from industry stakeholders legal counsel, acquiring experts, card brand consultants, and merchant banking representatives on how the payments industry is adjusting to these directives and the evolving role of reputational risk. The panel will unpack the legal risk, what’s operationally realistic, and how risk and compliance teams can move forward with clarity. |
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12:45 PM - 2:00 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 |
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2:00 PM - 2:45 PM |
Merchant of Record: Paddle Case & More. Panelists: Ed Marshall
According to the FTC, Paddle.com opened merchant accounts claiming to be a “merchant of record” or software “reseller,” then used these accounts to process card payments on behalf of numerous, unrelated third-party merchants involved in computer repair scams. The FTC says that Paddle.com also enabled overseas schemes to access the credit card system and collect payments from U.S. consumers, all while evading detection by sponsor banks and card networks. Our panel of experts will examine the FTC’s allegations and discuss the implications and takeaways of the FTC’s criticisms, including on the "Merchant of Record" model. |
Why the Queen of Hearts still needs a few Heads, AKA: AI Wonderland
Panelists:
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2:45 PM - 3:00 PM |
Vendor Spotlight |
Vendor Spotlight ChargebackHelp From Liability to Loyalty: Rethinking Chargebacks as a Retention Strategy Rick Lynch |
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3:00 PM - 3:45 PM |
The New Blueprint for Embedded Finance: How Banks and Fintechs Build Trust, Readiness, and Real Controls Barbara J Negron Embedded finance has entered a new era. More fintechs are seeking bank sponsorship than ever before, but underwriting readiness, governance alignment, and compliance discipline often lag behind the innovation. Risk and compliance teams must evaluate partners who move fast, operate across multiple rails, and expect instant decisioning while banks must protect their portfolios and regulatory standing. This session gives attendees a clear framework for evaluating embedded finance partners and understanding the new responsibilities that come with sponsorship. Through real examples from sponsor bank work and lessons from the “Fintech to Bank Ready” program, we will explore how banks and fintechs can build mutual confidence, reduce friction, and design operating environments that actually work in practice. The world of embedded finance often feels like Wonderland. Everyone is running, expectations change quickly, and the path is rarely straight. This session brings clarity to the twists and turns and offers practical tools, not theory. |
Novel Ingredients: The Mad Tea Party of Healthcare Products Panelists: Merchants and marketplaces are increasingly selling research chemicals, wellness aids, and performance enhancers that contain novel or higher-risk ingredients. For acquirers, PayFacs, and ISOs, facilitating these sales creates significant exposure. This panel provides strategic insights and practical guidance to help underwriting and compliance teams identify emerging threats, while aligning risk decisions with card network rules and enforcement realities. What you will learn:
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3:45PM - 4:15 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! |
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4:15 PM - 4:30 PM |
Vendor Spotlight |
Vendor Spotlight |
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4:30 PM - 5:15 PM |
Scam Patterns: Cracking the Code Panelists: This session examines how modern scam networks operate: The emotional-manipulation techniques that drive victim authorization, the distributed roles across countries, and the network patterns that allow scams to proliferate across the payments ecosystem. Using real case studies—including ghost-store networks and multi-domain subscription scams—attendees will see how scam clusters can be uncovered through consumer complaints, domain analysis, merchant data, and cross-platform intelligence. We will also cover regulatory momentum (e.g., Australia’s Scams Prevention Framework, cross-border enforcement operations, and the Global Fraud Summit) and how card networks are responding with AI-powered scam-disruption practices. Attendees will leave with a strategic view of how to recognize emerging scam patterns and strengthen end-to-end controls across underwriting, monitoring, and ecosystem collaboration. |
Regulatory Rigamarole: Supporting Good Policy and Onboarding Decisions When Rules Are Opaque Panelists: In the next 18 months, regulators will continue to grapple with industries like gambling, cannabis, and telemedicine—all of which remain high-risk, high-growth, and highly confusing for payments. At the same time, a wave of federal leadership turnover and fragmented state policies are creating even more uncertainty. For payment providers, sponsor banks, and ISOs, this creates a tough reality: you can’t just wait for clarity. You need to keep merchants moving through onboarding pipelines, protect against reputational and regulatory blowback, and still stay competitive. This panel brings together perspectives from risk intelligence, banking, and global payments operations to unpack how to make smarter policy and onboarding decisions when regulatory signals are anything but clear. The Latest Regulatory Action: Global and Emerging Markets Perspective: Felicia will speak to the realities of building risk and compliance programs across multiple jurisdictions—where regulatory uncertainty isn’t the exception, but the norm. Attendees will hear how North navigates conflicting regulatory interpretations and maintains compliance while scaling across the Americas and other fast-growing markets. Together, the panel will outline steps for shaping internal policies, communicating with regulators, and creating defensible, thoughtful onboarding practices that protect both compliance teams and the business. |
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5:15 PM - 5:30 PM |
End of Day |
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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. |
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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.
Policy Details
Meals
Suitcasing
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 | |
|---|---|---|
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Member Pass - Level Up 26
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15.00 (ETA CPP Credit) | $975.00 |
Non-Member Pricing
Not seeing the Member Price? Members need to log-in first.
| Credits | Price | |
|---|---|---|
|
Non Member Pass - Level Up 26
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15.00 (ETA CPP Credit) | $1,350.00 |
Pre-Conference Events
Add-on tickets
| Credits | Price | |
|---|---|---|
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Trivia Night - Add-On Pre-Conf Event on Mon Night
Attendees must be registered for a paid event to attend Trivia Night. |
FREE | |
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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. Full details -> www.paymentpros.org/events/pre-conference-event---disputes-workshop- |
3.00 (ETA CPP Credit) | $225.00 |
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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!
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