SLF doesn't just inform your strategy; it fundamentally transforms how you lead and succeed in payments. It is where industry innovators connect, challenge assumptions, and forge relationships that drive real impact. Be at the table where the future of payments takes shape.
Our Keynote Speaker
We bring cutting-edge insights from visionaries both within and beyond the industry, offering a unique perspective on the future of payments. SLF isn't just an event — it's a catalyst for growth, a launchpad for collaboration, and your compass in a rapidly evolving ecosystem.
Albert Yu-Min Lin, Ph.D.
Storyteller, Explorer of the National Geographic Society, Research Scientist at UCSD, and Co-Founder and CSO of Planet3 Inc.
The Conversation is Happening Here
SLF is more than a conference — it's a master class in strategic leadership. Join us for carefully curated content, unparalleled networking, and an environment intentionally designed to elevate your leadership and transform your business.
It’s just a
phenomenal
event.
— Afshin Yazdian
CEO & President, Electronic Merchant Systems
Top Payments Companies Attend
A snapshot of companies that have attended.
1stMILE • 3 Drivers Capital • ACH Payment Solutions • Adyen • American Express • Aperia Solutions • Apple • Arnall Golden Gregory • Aurionpro Fintech • Bank of America • Bankful • Bead Pay • Blankfactor • Blue Owl Capital • Bluefin Payment Systems • Boost Payment Solutions • BridgePay Network Solutions • Brink's • CardFlight • Castles Technology • Celero Commerce • Chargeback Gurus • Chargebacks911 • Checkout.com • Chesapeake Bank • Computop • Conference Direct • Core Business Technologies • Cutter • DataMesh Group • Deluxe • Discover • DisputeHelp • Dwolla • Elavon • Electronic Merchant Systems • Featurespace • Fidelity Payment Services • Fifth Third Bank • FIS • Fiserv • FlexFactor • FNBO • Fortis • G+D • G2 Risk Solutions • Global Payments • Goldman Sachs • GrailPay • Gray Consulting ATX • GTCR • Indeflex • Infinicept • Ingenico • Intrepid Ventures • JP Morgan Chase • Keefe,Bruyette & Woods • Kump • LegitScript • Lyfecycle Payments • Maast • MarketTime • Mastercard • Mastercard Economics Institute • Merchant Industry • MerchantE • Midmetrics • Moonlight Payments • Newline by 53rd Bank • North American Bancard • Nuvei • Olo • OvationCXM • Paya • PayBlox • PayCafe • PayEngine • Payfactory • Payliance • PayNearMe • PayPal • Payroc • Payway • PNC Bank • Pollinate • POPcodes • POS Portal, a ScanSource Company • Pulse Network • Rainforest • REPAY • Savify • Searchlight Capital • Semper Payments • Silverflow • Speaker • SphereCommerce • Steptoe • Stripe • Swivel Transactions • TD Bank • Tesouro • The Strawhecker Group • Tilled • Toast • Touch Bistro • Truist • TSYS • UBS Group • Unity FI Solutions • US Alliance Group • Valor Paytech • Vendelux • Visa • VizyPay • Waller Helms Advisors • Wellesley Hills Financial • Wells Fargo • Woodforest Acceptance Solutions • Worldpay
Rates & Deadlines
ETA Members
$1795 PER PERSON
Non-Members
$2295 PER PERSON
Golf
Wednesday, October 1 • 8:00am Shotgun
Limited Availability • Registration deadline is September 3
$295 PER PERSON
Hotel
One Ritz-Carlton Drive • Dana Point, CA
Limited Availability • Room block ends September 5
$449 PER PERSON + TAXES / FEES
Link to book provided via email after registration.
Our Generous Sponsors
PLATINUM SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
Terms & Conditions
Cancellations & Refunds
Strategic Leadership Forum attendees agree to follow health guidelines issued by the local authorities and by the venue operators.
Cancellations are allowed until September 12, 2025, 11:59pm ET. Refunds will not be issued for cancellations made after September 12, 2025, 11:59pm ET. All cancellations are subject to $150 cancellation fees. No-shows are non-refundable.
Substitutions can be made until September 26, 2025. Substitution requests should be made in writing to etareg@expotracker.net with the subject "Strategic Leadership Forum Registration Substitution". No on-site substitutions will be allowed.
In the unlikely event of program cancellation, ETA will refund 100 percent of registration fees paid. ETA assumes no liability for any penalty fees on airline tickets, deposits for hotel accommodations, or any other fees, charges, penalties or other incidental costs that a registrant might incur as a consequence of a program cancellation.
Name Badges
All registrants will be provided a name badge for use during the event. For security purposes, you will be required to wear your name badge at all times in ETA's meeting space. Individuals without a visible name badge will not be permitted into the meeting areas.
Americans with Disabilities Act / Special Dietary Needs
Attendees with special needs for facilities, visual or audio aids, or dietary requirements are asked to email etareg@expotracker.net so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Golf Tournament Terms & Conditions
The deadline to register for the SLF Golf Tournament is September 3, 2025. Entries after September 3, 2025, are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact etareg@expotracker.net.
The golf registration fee of $295 per person includes greens fees, cart rental with GPS, practice balls, and bottled water. No golfers will be assigned to play without a completed golf registration form and payment.
Foursomes can be requested but cannot be guaranteed. If you have a foursome, ensure all players list each other to keep the foursome intact. Space is limited and based on availability. Golfers will be notified of their pairings on the day of the tournament.
Golf substitutions can be made by email. Please email your request to etareg@expotracker.net. There will be no substitutions for requests received after September 10, 2025.
Written notice of golf cancellation received on or before September 3, 2025, will result in a refund of fees paid less a $75 processing fee. Please submit cancellation requests to etareg@expotracker.net. There will be no refunds for cancellations received after September 3, 2025. No-shows are non-refundable.
Event Photography Policy
By attending the event, you acknowledge that photographs and/or videos of you may be taken by our conference staff and/or photographers at any time. Furthermore, you grant ETA permission to use photographs and/or video of your likeness in any type of media, including websites and print publications, without compensation or reward.
NO AUDIO OR VIDEO TAPING OF THE PROGRAM IS PERMITTED.
ETA CPP CE Credits
The ETA CPP™ certification program sets the standard for professional performance in the payments industry and is a symbol of excellence. It signifies that an individual has demonstrated the knowledge and skills required to perform competently in today's complex electronic payments environment.
This event is approved for ETA CPP™ Continuing Education (CE) credits. Credit is earned at the rate of one credit per 50 minutes of electronic transactions industry-related session time, including questions and answers, excluding lunches and breaks.