We ask payments professionals attending TRANSACT to direct your support to the companies who officially exhibit, or sponsor TRANSACT. If a payments company comes to Atlanta the week of TRANSACT, they’re here because your nonprofit trade association, ETA, has invested in making TRANSACT a worthwhile destination for members of the industry.

“Suitcasing” and “Outboarding” are unethical business practices where industry non-exhibitors attempt to gain access to trade show attendees. Suitcasing refers to those non-exhibiting companies or persons who go to shows as an attendee but “work the aisles” to solicit business in the aisles or the lobby area. Outboarding refers to non-exhibiting companies that set-up exhibits at off-site locations (hotel hospitality suites or restaurants) at TRANSACT during set-up days or show days and encourage show attendees to leave the show floor and spend time with them.

This hurts the show and undercuts the huge investment of time, money, personnel and overall support that companies make in TRANSACT. Without their participation, TRANSACT would not be the industry hub that it is. TRANSACT exhibiting companies are encouraged to protect their investment by reporting any outboarding they witness to ETA.

ETA is a nonprofit organization. The funds from TRANSACT help us advocate on behalf our members, educate the industry, and produce world-class events.

As a reminder, the Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center has a policy to only allow TRANSACT exhibitors or sponsors to book a hotel suite or meeting room during TRANSACT. Those found violating this policy will be subject to a severe penalty. In addition, ETA monitors the housing bookings at the Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center, and if any companies go around this policy, and book outside of the TRANSACT housing block, Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center can revoke event privileges.