As Event Sales Manager for the Smarter Payments Summit, Joe Sammon works closely with technology providers, consultants and specialist suppliers looking to connect with senior decision-makers across the payments sector. In this Meet the Team Q&A, Joe discusses the trends shaping the smarter payments industry, the solutions currently attracting buyer interest and how suppliers can make the most of the Summit’s focused one-to-one meeting format…
How long have you worked with Forum Events?
I have been with Forum Events for three great months and have really enjoyed getting to know the team, the Summit format and the suppliers operating across the smarter payments sector.
What are the key trends in the smarter payments industry right now?
One of the most significant trends is the growing use of agentic AI and AI-powered payment routing.
Payments businesses are looking at how artificial intelligence can help automate decision-making, improve transaction routing and create faster, more efficient payment journeys.
Fraud prevention also remains a major priority. As payment technology becomes more sophisticated, organisations need to strengthen their ability to identify suspicious transactions and protect both businesses and customers.
Embedded finance is another important area of development, as more companies integrate payment, lending and other financial services directly into their existing platforms and customer experiences.
What products and services are smarter payments professionals looking for in the year ahead?
The biggest themes we are currently seeing include AI automation, B2B payment services and open banking.
Payments professionals are looking for solutions that can reduce manual processes, improve operational efficiency and create a more connected experience across payment systems.
There is also strong interest in technologies that support secure B2B transactions, faster settlement and more effective financial-data sharing.
Tell us about the Smarter Payments Summit format and its benefits for industry suppliers.
The Smarter Payments Summit is a highly targeted, invitation-only event that brings together senior payments decision-makers with carefully selected solution providers for a day of pre-arranged business meetings.
Unlike exhibitions, where suppliers often depend on passing footfall, or conferences where networking may be limited to breaks between sessions, each supplier receives a personalised schedule of one-to-one meetings.
These meetings are arranged with buyers who have already expressed an interest in relevant products or services.
The key benefits for suppliers include:
- Guaranteed meetings with qualified decision-makers
- Opportunities to identify active projects and genuine buying intent
- A streamlined day focused on relevant commercial conversations
- Support with introductions and follow-up activity after the event
The format gives suppliers the opportunity to spend more time having meaningful conversations and less time trying to identify the right people in a busy exhibition hall.
How do you work with industry suppliers in the lead-up to the Summit?
We work closely with suppliers to understand the industries, job roles and organisations they most want to engage with.
This allows us to actively target suitable companies and ensure the meetings taking place at the Summit are as relevant as possible.
Suppliers receive regular updates on the delegate list in the lead-up to the event, and I am always available to answer questions or help them prepare.
We also provide a range of marketing opportunities through our media channels. These can include editorial newsletters, dedicated HTML campaigns and LinkedIn activity, helping suppliers showcase their brands and solutions to our network of more than 28,000 payments professionals.
What tips would you give suppliers to help them maximise their time at the Summit?
The most important advice is to keep an open mind about every meeting. A short company profile may not reveal the full extent of the organisation’s requirements or future plans.
Suppliers should research the companies they are meeting and consider how their proposition may relate to each organisation.
However, the conversation should not feel over-scripted. Asking open-ended questions can often be the best way to understand the buyer’s challenges, priorities and current projects.
Suppliers should also make good use of the networking breaks, which provide another opportunity to continue conversations and build relationships beyond the formal meeting schedule.
About the Smarter Payments Summit
The Smarter Payments Summit provides suppliers with a focused and efficient way to meet senior professionals who are actively reviewing solutions, planning projects and exploring new partnerships. To discuss supplier opportunities or find out more about the Summit, contact Joe at j.sammon@forumevents.co.uk / 01992 374095.
