“If you’re not here, you’re missing out.” 

Talk about putting it succinctly. But Lindsay Serth’s message to everyone attending Smarter Faster Payments 2025 is not just crystal clear, it’s very important. 

“Whether this is your first Payments conference or your 15th, you belong in the Hall. The connections, the insight, the energy—it’s what moves the industry forward,” said Serth, Nacha's Assistant Director, Exhibitor Management and Sales Support. 

The Exhibit Hall is always an important part of Payments, and this year in New Orleans, April 27-30, is no different. 

“As soon as you enter the hall you feel a surge of excitement and inspiration,” Serth told Nacha’s Payments SmartCast podcast. “Exhibitors and attendees can expect to engage with decision-makers and key stakeholders.” 

In fact, Ashley Mustico, Nacha’s Director of Education and Accreditation, said the learning experience at Payments “is comprised of both your classroom education in the session rooms and then your hands-on learning that you’re going to get in the Exhibit Hall.” 

“In the sessions you’re going to be hearing from your peers, you’re going to hear what they’re doing in the industry, how they’re approaching challenges. And then you’re going to go to the Exhibit Hall and you’re going to get to really see and tinker with the tools and the technologies that they’re using to bring those ideas to life,” said Mustico, who recommends doing your homework before getting on the plane. 

“Make sure that you’ve got a plan,” said Mustico. “Take a look at the exhibitors. Know who’s going to be there,” and arrive with a list of companies you want to chat with.

Kyndryl, a major provider of IT infrastructure services which works with about half of the world's largest banks, exhibited for the first time at Payments 2024, and this year is Kyndryl is also a Gold Sponsor. Why return? Because that’s where their customers are and, so, “that’s where we need to be,” said Tammy Hughes, Kyndryl’s Associate Director of Events.

Along with meeting existing and potential new clients, Hughes said Payments is extremely popular with the Kyndryl team. They brought 10 people to last year’s event “and all 10 wanted to come back. We have a waiting list,” said Hughes. And Hughes noted that the people you’ll meet in Kyndryl’s booth, along with many other exhibitors’ booths, aren’t folks you often get to chat with. 

“Being on site there’s a rare opportunity that many companies bring in their executives. So, you have a chance to sit down one-on-one and ask them anything you want,” said Hughes. 

And the Exhibit Hall is more than just booths. It’s home to fintech demonstrations and networking spots, including two new features: the Meet and Mingle area featuring affinity group-based mixers to help you achieve your goals; and the Biergarten, offering a relaxing space to have conversations. The Hall also features the Accreditation Awareness Center which this year will have a wealth of information on Nacha’s newest accreditation: the Accredited Faster Payments Professional (AFPP).

This 365 Podcast episode is brought to you by our sponsor Form3. 

Much more was discussed, and you can listen to the complete podcast below. 

For details on Smarter Faster Payments 2025, visit the conference website.