2026 NPECA Annual Conference - April 19-22 in New Orleans, LA

2026 NPECA Annual Conference - April 19-22 in New Orleans, LA

Bayou Beats and Business: Where credit and payments find their rhythm

April 19, 2026 6:30 PM EDT
Le Meridien Hotel - New Orleans, LA
About Agenda Speakers Location Gallery
Event Concluded

About the Event

We're thrilled to announce the 2026 NPECA Annual Conference, happening April 20-22 at the stunning Le Meridien Hotel in New Orleans, LA. With a special group rate of just $159++ per night, this promises to be an unforgettable experience in one of the most vibrant cities in the world. We can comfortably say, the venue is gorgeous, the location is unbeatable, and the atmosphere is perfect for learning, networking and having a little fun. The theme for the 2026 NPECA Annual Conference is: Bayou Beats and Business: Where credit and payments find their rhythm.

To register for the 2026 NPECA Annual Conference simply look to the right and utilize the box that applies to you. If you will be having a spouse or guest join you, please use the guest box to register them as well. If you are a non-member please utilize the non-member box. You will be able to pay for the registration and your 2026 annual dues at checkout.

As stated above, we will be using the Le Meridien Hotel for the conference and to reserve a room on their online portal, please click here. Be advised the reservation cut-off date is March 31st. Any reservations made after that date will be at the prevailing hotel rate and availability so we encourage you to book before the cut-off date.

Shortly after you register you will receive an email with a survey link imbedded asking you to give us specifics regarding your attendance. You can also sign up to play golf or participate in one or more of the other great things we have going on. Most of all, please answer the question regarding food allergies.

Here is just a taste of what's in store at the 2026 NPECA Annual Conference:
  • Golf outing on Sunday afternoon, April 19 (additional cost and limited availability)
  • Alternative activities for non-golfers - World War II Museum (additional cost)
  • Curated lists of tours, activities and restaurants to enjoy outside of conference sessions
  • The President's Reception, Dinner and Entertainment will be held on a riverboat from the New Orleans Steamboat Company. It will be a night you won't forget!
  • An leading industry economist and a local well known sports figure will be our two keynote speakers.
  • In the Credit Track participants will learn about INCO Terms and Logistics, Distressed Debtors and Bankruptcy Outlook for 2026, Best Practices Session, Big Data and Data Integration, Offshoring and an ETRM Discussion.
  • The Payment Track attendees will hear a new spin on the traditional Card Brand Panel, a new Fleet Card Panel, Point to Point Encryption & Tokenization, Fraud & Financial Crimes from a local Secret Service Agent, Chargebacks and of course the ever popular Merchant's Only Session
We are hopeful you will be able to join us and if you have questions or need more information please email [email protected]. 


Agenda

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2026 NPECA Annual Conference - April 19-22 in New Orleans, LA

April 19, 2026 – April 22, 2026

All Tracks

Sunday, April 19, 2026

5:30 PM - 6:30 PM EDT

Early Attendee Reception

General

LMNO Room - 1st Floor Sponsored by: NPECA Board

Monday, April 20, 2026

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM EDT

Board Meeting

General

Maringy 1 Room (Board Members Only)

12:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT

Conference Registration

General

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EDT

Opening Ceremony

General

Presentation of Colors, National Anthem, Executive Director Comments, Introduction of Current and Incoming Board, Board and Associaiton Status & Accomplishments Sponsor Introductions Attendee Introductions

2:05 PM - 2:10 PM EDT

Sponsor Presentation

General

Global Payments, Inc.

2:10 PM - 3:30 PM EDT

Keynote Address

General

Speakers: Michael A. Brown (Visa)

US and World Economic Overview

3:30 PM - 3:55 PM EDT

Sponsor Presentation

General

Visa

3:55 PM - 5:00 PM EDT

Energy DNA - How Did We Get Here...

General

Speakers: Pat McKinnon (Marabou Midstream)

Resources

5:00 PM - 5:05 PM EDT

Sponsor Presentation

General

ACI International

5:15 PM - 7:15 PM EDT

Attendee Welcome Reception

General

LMNO Room - 1st Floor Sponsored by: Discover

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

7:00 AM - 8:35 AM EDT

Networking Breakfast

General

Esplanade Ballroom 2 Sponsored by: ACI Worldwide

8:35 AM - 8:50 AM EDT

Opening Comments

General

8:55 AM - 9:05 AM EDT

Sponsor Presentation

General

Navitas Assurance Partners

9:05 AM - 10:15 AM EDT

Bridging the Gap

General

Speakers: Dr. Kerry Petsinger (K. Petsinger Intl. )

How High-Performing Teams Communicate Across Generations

10:15 AM - 10:20 AM EDT

Sponsor Presentation

General

S&P Global Market Intelligence

10:20 AM - 10:40 AM EDT

Networking Break

General

Sponsored by: Creditsafe USA

10:40 AM - 10:45 AM EDT

Sponsor Presentation

General

Creditsafe USA

10:45 AM - 11:55 AM EDT

AI in the Petroleum Industry

General

Speakers: Andrew Behlmann (Lowenstein Sandler)

Resources

11:55 AM - 12:00 PM EDT

Sponsor Presentation

General

Lowenstein Sandler LLP

12:00 PM - 1:15 PM EDT

Networking Lunch

General

Esplanade Ballroom 2 Sponsored by: Navitas Assurance Partners

1:15 PM - 2:15 PM EDT

The Importance of Understanding Incoterms in Global Trade, and the Risks associated with Ex-works and DDP

Credit Track

Speakers: Paul Jarzombek (LR International)

Resources

1:15 PM - 2:30 PM EDT

Card Brand Panel Discussion

Payment Track

Speakers: John Hierholzer (Mastercard), Julian Moorer (Discover), Chris Brummer (Visa)

Card Brand Panel Discussion

2:20 PM - 3:15 PM EDT

Big Data & Data Integration

Credit Track

Speakers: Yesinne Alvarez (Creditsafe), Scott Garger (Creditsafe)

Resources

2:35 PM - 3:15 PM EDT

Tokenization & vP2PE in Fuel: From Security to Business Enablement

Payment Track

Speakers: Dan Coates (ACI International)

Resources

3:15 PM - 3:40 PM EDT

Networking Break

General

Sponsored by: Creditsafe USA

3:40 PM - 4:40 PM EDT

The Road Ahead: The Future of Financial Distress and Bankruptcy in 2026 and Beyond

Credit Track

Speakers: Andrew Behlmann (Lowenstein Sandler)

Resources

3:40 PM - 4:40 PM EDT

Proprietary Credit Cards Should be Both a Revenue AND Loyalty Driver. Here's How!

Payment Track

Speakers: Amy (AJ) Stocker (W. Capra Consulting)

Resources

5:45 PM - 6:15 PM EDT

Transportation to President's Event

General

Walk or take Tour Bus from hotel to pier Sponsored by: SHAZAM, Inc.

6:00 PM - 9:30 PM EDT

President's Event

General

New Orleans Steamboat Company 400 Toulouse Street, New Orleans, LA Half-mile from hotel Riverboat: City of New Orleans

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM EDT

President's Reception

General

City of New Orleans Riverboat Sponsored by: Lowenstein Sandler LLP

6:30 PM - 8:30 PM EDT

President's Gaming Tables and Prizes

General

City of New Orleans Riverboat Sponsored by: Caliche Energy Solutions

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM EDT

President's Dinner

General

City of New Orleans Riverboat Sponsored by: Visa

9:00 PM - 9:00 PM EDT

Transportation from President's Event

General

Walk or take Tour Bus from pier to hotel Sponsored by: SHAZAM, Inc.

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

7:30 AM - 8:45 AM EDT

Networking Breakfast

General

Esplanade Ballroom 2 Sponsored By: GROWMARK, Inc.

8:45 AM - 10:00 AM EDT

Navigating Offshore - Using Offshore Resources to Build and Manage Efficient, Scalable Business Support Teams

Credit Track

Speakers: Pat McKinnon (Marabou Midstream), Nithya Venkatesan (Navitas Assurance Partners)

Resources

8:45 AM - 10:00 AM EDT

Fleet Card Panel Discussion

Payment Track

Speakers: Amanda McMahon (Mastercard), David Sedlacek (Visa), Sharon Scace (WEX)

10:00 AM - 10:25 AM EDT

Networking Break

General

Sponsored by: S&P Global Intelligence

10:25 AM - 11:25 AM EDT

ETRM - The AI Disruption

Credit Track

Speakers: Rogerio ("Roy") Castillo (Caliche Energy Solutions), Duke Mattoon (Caliche Energy Solutions)

Resources

10:25 AM - 11:25 AM EDT

Chargeback Best Practices in Gas & Convenience

Payment Track

Speakers: Marty Williams (Chargeback Gurus)

Resources

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM EDT

Best Practices Discussion

Credit Track

Speakers: Rhonda Buras (D&B)

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM EDT

Merchant's Only Session

Payment Track

Speakers: Mark Steelmon (Circle K)

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM EDT

Closing Lunch

General

Esplanade Ballroom 2 Sponsored by: S&P Global Intelligence

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EDT

Board Meeting

General

Marigny 1 (Board Members Only)

Speakers

John Hierholzer

John Hierholzer

VP Operations and Infrastructure, US Market Development

Mastercard

Julian Moorer

Fraud Risk Investigator

Discover

Amy (AJ) Stocker

Amy (AJ) Stocker

SVP, Practice Lead Customer Strategy & Experience

W. Capra Consulting

Amanda McMahon

Amanda McMahon

Manager, Global B2B Transportation Payments, Mastercard

Mastercard

Michael A. Brown

Michael A. Brown

Principal U.S. Economist

Visa

Pat McKinnon

Pat McKinnon

Director - Credit and New Markets

Marabou Midstream

Nithya Venkatesan

Nithya Venkatesan

Global Head of Risk and Compliance

Navitas Assurance Partners

Paul Jarzombek

Paul Jarzombek

President & CEO

LR International

Marty Williams

Marty Williams

FinTech Executive

Chargeback Gurus

Rogerio ("Roy") Castillo

Rogerio ("Roy") Castillo

President - Founder

Caliche Energy Solutions

Duke Mattoon

Duke Mattoon

CEO

Caliche Energy Solutions

Yesinne Alvarez

Yesinne Alvarez

Leader, Partnerships, Alliances & Trade Data

Creditsafe

Scott Garger

Scott Garger

Director of Sales

Creditsafe

Andrew Behlmann

Andrew Behlmann

Restructuring Partner

Lowenstein Sandler

Dan Coates

Dan Coates

Product Management Director

ACI International

Mark Steelmon

Mark Steelmon

Sr. Manager, Payment Operations

Circle K

Dr. Kerry Petsinger

Dr. Kerry Petsinger

Professional People Coach

K. Petsinger Intl.

Chris Brummer

Sr Director

Visa

David Sedlacek

Employee

Visa

Sharon Scace

Manager

WEX

Rhonda Buras

Employee

D&B

Location

Le Meridien Hotel - New Orleans, LA