Smart Card Alliance spearheads new agenda for CTST 2008 conference

The Smart Card Alliance is bringing its industry knowledge and experience to the conference program of the premier event in the payments and security industry for the Americas: CTST 2008 – The Americas Conference and Exhibition.  A combination of the Smart Card Alliance Annual Conference and SourceMedia’s CTST Conference, CTST 2008 will feature over 120 speakers, 40 conference sessions, and 30,000 square feet of exhibit hall space from May 12th through 15th at the Orange County Convention Center West, in Orlando, Florida.

The Smart Card Alliance developed the conference program around the theme of “The Future of Payments and Security,” building six tracks that cover the convergence among technologies and the markets deploying contactless payment solutions, mobile financial services, secure physical and digital access, and the expanding world of secure identification technology.  The Alliance has used its presence and experience in Latin America to create the Latin America Spotlight on the agenda, making CTST 2008 an International event for the first time.  
 
Popular elements from past Alliance annual conferences are being brought forward to CTST 2008.  The attention will focus on advanced applications and users implementing technology in core markets.  Daily Birds-of-a-Feather Discussion Groups are planned for contactless payments adoption, the business issues of a shared device for banking, mobile and transit payments, and the business opportunities for using secure credentials.  Alliance members can relax in the Smart Card Alliance member lounge during the day, and gather at night to meet with colleagues at networking receptions sponsored by the Alliance and additional conference sponsors.
 
At a pre-conference Networking Reception on May 12th, the Alliance will present its “Outstanding Smart Card Achievement” (OSCA) awards.  The OSCA’s recognize the issuing organization, supplier organization and individual that have significantly impacted and influenced the market for smart cards in North America.  For the first time, the Smart Card Alliance Latin America chapter will present an Outstanding Smart Card Achievement Latin America (OSCA-LA) award.
 
The Alliance is also bringing its successful Educational Institute to CTST 2008, hosting the pre-conference Smart Card Technology and Payments Applications Workshop on Monday, May 12th.  In this new course, industry experts will present the fundamentals of smart card technology, and its uses in retail payments, transportation, and mobile applications. 
 
Early registration discounts and the conference rate at the Rosen Centre and Rosen Plaza Hotels expire on Friday, April 18th.  Smart Card Alliance members receive one free registration at CTST as they did at past annual conferences.  Smart Card Alliance members qualify for a $100 discount off additional paid registrations.  Members can visit http://www.smartcardalliance.org to register.