Annual e-Commerce Payments and Risk Conference Begins New Era for the MRC
Seattle, WA—February 24, 2009 The Merchant Risk Council (MRC) is pleased to announce an expansion of the organization’s activities to include education and advocacy programs that focus on electronic commerce security and electronic payment issues. With new industries, categories and vertical markets under the e-Commerce umbrella, the MRC is addressing new security risk and payment complexities associated with these expanding online business models.
“One of the biggest challenges facing merchants in today’s economy is identifying and communicating these emerging payment and risk options that are so unique to e-Commerce. The MRC is here to help merchants tackle these issues,” said MRC Executive Director Tom Donlea. “The MRC is rapidly evolving to be the preeminent source for all e-Commerce constituents who deal with the growing complexities of online sales security and payments – all with the mission of making e-Commerce safer and more efficient for consumers.”
Since its inception in 2001, the MRC has facilitated on-line merchants in collaborating and sharing information in order to prevent fraud. The MRC not only serves the rapidly changing needs of e-Commerce and multi-channel merchants, but is working with all participants of the electronic payments ecosystem, including: payment processors, law enforcement agencies, risk management solution providers, alternative payment providers and card issuers, as well as all the major payment card brands.
Throughout 2009 and 2010, the MRC will provide members and industry stakeholders with a wide range of new payment and security-related educational opportunities, trainings and papers. These include special conference sessions, hosted webinars, regulatory change updates and reports on alternative payment strategy trends.
The MRC Annual Conference and Platinum Meeting, March 10-12 in Las Vegas, exemplifies this evolution by dedicating nearly half of all sessions and content to Security Risk and Payment topics. These sessions include:
- Data Breach: Cause, Impact, Next Steps – Moderated by Chase Paymentech
- Managing Risk to Maximize Revenue: Risk & Payments Management Best Practices – Presented by Vindicia
- Payments as Business Strategy – Moderated by Glenbrook Partners
- Card Payment Risk Management Update – Presented by Visa
- Transaction 360: A Holistic View of Transaction and Risk Processing – Moderated by Litle & Co.
- Web Hacking 101: Hands-on Electronic Crime – Presented by SpiderLabs/Trustwave
- Internet Bank Payments Coming of Age – Presented by Netgiro
- Plus an update from the PCI Security Standards Council
The primary themes of the 2009 conference are: Fighting New Patterns of Fraud and Cybercrime; Emerging Risk Management Trends; and Global Online Payment Strategies.
The MRC Annual Conference includes more than 40 speakers and panelists, 30 unique sessions and 40 payment and risk industry exhibitors – all delivering valuable insight and information on the growth, diversity and risks associated with e-Commerce.
Conference keynote speakers include:
- Tom Ridge, the first US Secretary of Homeland Security, addressing the growing cyber security issues that affect both US security and the US and global economies.
- Terry Jones, Travelocity.com founder, focusing on the business of innovation.
- Chris Hansen, Dateline NBC correspondent, sharing his findings on the growing cybercrime community.
For full conference schedule, registration and exhibition information, please visit the MRC website at www.merchantriskcouncil.org.
About the Merchant Risk Council
The Merchant Risk Council (MRC) is a merchant-led trade association focused on electronic commerce risk and payments globally. The MRC leads industry networking, education and advocacy programs to make electronic commerce more efficient, safe and profitable.
Today, with the power of its member-base, the MRC is the leading trade association for managing payments, preventing online fraud and promoting secure e-Commerce. The MRC is dedicated to working with e-Commerce and multi-channel merchants, payment processors, credit card issuers, credit card companies, alternative payment providers, risk management experts, and law enforcement to make the Internet a safer and more profitable place to do business.
The MRC Board of Directors and Advisors includes: Expedia, Inc., Adobe Systems, Inc., Neiman Marcus Direct, 41st Parameter, Apple, BestBuy.com, Bill Me Later, Blizzard Entertainment, Chase Paymentech, CyberSource Corporation, Dell, Inc., Discover Network, Gap, Inc. Direct, iovation, Microsoft, Trustwave, Visa, Inc. and Wal-Mart.
The MRC is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.
The Merchant Risk Council’s 7th Annual e-Commerce Payments and Risk Conference is being held at the Wynn Las Vegas Resort on March 10-12, 2009. The 7th Annual e-Commerce Payments and Risk Conference unites the world’s top Internet merchants, credit card companies, risk management providers, law enforcement agencies and various consultants and educators in discussing how to make shopping on the internet easier, safer and more profitable for all involved. For registration or exhibition information at this conference, please visit the MRC’s website at www.merchantriskcouncil.org.
Jordan Rubin
Communications Manager
206.364.2789 office | 206.367.1115 fax