ETA Announces Selection of Two Vice Chairs for Mobile Payments Committee, Will Hold Kick-Off Session at Strategic Leadership Forum in Palm Beach, Fla.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Electronic Transactions Association, the trade association of the global electronic payments industry, today announced the selection of two vice chairs for the ETA Mobile Payments Committee. Kevin McKeand, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships and Major Account Development, Tabbedout, will chair the Best Practices sub-committee. John Mavraides, Vice President, Partnerships and Strategy, BilltoMobile, will chair the Education sub-committee. The announcement was made as ETA plans for the first in-person meeting of the Mobile Payments Committee in Palm Beach, Fla., on Oct. 16-18 during its annual Strategic Leadership Forum.

"ETA's new Mobile Payments Committee continues to attract our industry's top leaders, and we are honored to welcome two such visionaries, Kevin and John, to the team," said ETA Chief Executive Officer Jason Oxman. "As chairs of the Best Practices and Education sub-committees, Kevin and John will steer two of the Mobile Payments Committee's most important tasks: discussing a set of recommended best practices for all participants in the mobile payments ecosystem and helping the public better understand the benefits and opportunities from adoption of mobile payments."

The Best Practices sub-committee will develop and deliver information that ensures merchants and consumers have access to the most innovative and effective mobile payments solutions.  Establishment of industry best practices will ensure that regardless of company, technology or platform, mobile payments products and services enhance and improve merchant sales while providing consumers a secure and reliable experience.

"As a nascent industry, mobile payments is just beginning to realize its full potential for merchants and consumers," said Kevin McKeand. "I'm excited to be at the forefront of developing and implementing the kind of solutions that will facilitate the phenomenal growth we know is the future of mobile payments."

The Education sub-committee will develop and deliver materials, such as policy briefs and white papers, to policymakers, merchants and consumers that explain the potential of mobile payments to provide an efficient, reliable and secure experience at the point of purchase.

"There are many unresolved questions confronting the mobile payments industry, which ETA is dedicated to address," said John Mavraides. "One of our chief concerns is ensuring that government officials understand the complex issues facing the industry as well as our dedication to developing a system that protects both consumers and merchants."

ETA's Mobile Payments Committee held its inaugural organizational session in August where representatives from 45 top technology and payments companies conducted a teleconference to discuss the goals, challenges and action items moving forward. The Mobile Payments Committee will meet for the first time in-person during ETA's annual Strategic Leadership Forum in Palm Beach, Fla., Oct 16-18.  In addition to the meeting of the Mobile Payments Committee, ETA's SLF event will feature prominent mobile payments professionals in educational and networking sessions that help attendees grow their businesses.

"ETA's Strategic Leadership Forum is a chance for our members to meet and interact with hundreds of frontline leaders, business visionaries and senior level professionals who are advancing the payments industry," said Oxman. "This year, attendees will also have the opportunity to strategize with representatives of the Mobile Payments Committee and learn about the exciting future of mobile payments."

About ETA's Mobile Payments Committee

Launched in August 2012, ETA's Mobile Payments Committee is an industry-wide task force of representatives from top companies in the innovative market of mobile payments, including all four major mobile network operators – AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon. The Mobile Payments Committee will develop and implement industry-wide solutions to the complex policy and business issues surrounding the emergence of mobile payments in the U.S and globally.

Companies interested in participating in the Mobile Payments Committee and/or becoming members of ETA should contact Rori Ferensic, [email protected] or 202-828-2635.

About ETA

The Electronic Transactions Association is an international trade association representing more than 500 companies that offer electronic transaction processing products and services. ETA's mission is to advance the payments industry profession by providing leadership through education, advocacy and the exchange of information. 

SOURCE Electronic Transactions Association