2010 PCATS Annual Conference

2010 PCATS Annual Conference
January 18–21, 2010
New Orleans, Louisiana

The PCATS Annual Conference is the ONLY industry event that specifically addresses technology standards to improve business processes, reduce costs and increase productivity in the convenience and petroleum retail sector. The four-day gathering of PCATS Business and Technical Committees features informative conversations, distinguished luncheon speakers and quality interaction with fellow industry professionals through valuable education and networking opportunities. Registration for the PCATS Annual Conference is now available. Click here to view the conference fees. 

Held in January, the PCATS Annual Conference is open to all industry professionals regardless of their PCATS membership status. Association personnel, convenience store operators, media representatives, petroleum marketers, solution providers, State lottery agents and suppliers gather to openly discuss industry challenges and learn about the latest industry technology standards development and implementation efforts underway.

This year, the conference offers a Data Security and PCI Update Track which includes a Survivor’s Guide to Data Security which will be repeated on Wednesday, January 20, at 2p.m. The description is as follows:

Small merchants are facing a dramatic rise in data compromise incidents.  NACS and PCATS has created a ‘Survival Guide’ session that leverages the new online EZ PCI Compliance Program.  This 2-hour session goes beyond PCI 1.0 and addresses the specific compliance requirements for level-4 merchants.  Attendees will learn how to define their cardholder environment, collect evidence for control testing, and complete the 12 sections of the PCI Self Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ).  At the end of the session, you’ll have the tools and background to launch or complete a PCI compliance report with the confidence that the compliance criteria at your stores are reasonably satisfied. Be sure to bring your laptop!

Industry members may also register for a special CIO Data Security Boot Camp held during the conference. Registrants for the CIO Data Security Boot Camp may attend the Annual Conference sessions. The price for boot camp attendees is $799 for PCATS members and $899 for non-members until December 31. The cost after December 31 will be $899 for members and $999 for non-members.

Accommodations

The 2010 PCATS Annual Conference will be held at the Loews New Orleans Hotel. PCATS has secured a special room rate of $129/night with no resort fee through January 6. Click here to reserve a room and obtain the PCATS discounted room rate. In-room hotel amenities include 24-hour room service and high-speed Internet access. The hotel has full concierge service and complimentary shoe shine. This luxurious hotel is located across from Harrah’s Casino and adjacent to the Arts District. It is only three blocks from the famed French Quarter and Aquarium of the Americas. It has a full-service fitness center and spa with indoor swimming pool, whirlpool and sauna. Its two distinctive restaurants, Café Adelaide and The Swizzle Stick Bar, is operated by the Commander’s Palace Family of Restaurants. The flat-rate cab fare from MSY to the Loews New Orleans Hotel is $30.

Tuesday Networking Event

Registrants for the 2010 PCATS Annual Conference are invited to the group outing at the Crescent City Brewhouse located at 527 Decatur Street in the French Quarter in New Orleans from 6:30-8:30 p.m. This event is made possible by our PCATS transportation and Tuesday Evening Netorking Event member sponsors.

In addition to networking with retailer and supplier profesionals, attendees will enjoy cajun appetizers such as fried Louisiana oysters and New Orleans crab beignets. There will be a Prime Rib au Jus carving station as well as a mashed potato bar to include a selection of Chef's choice potatoes accompanied by toppings of assorted imported cheeses, chives, sour cream and bacon. The dessert station offers an assorted fruit display with chocolate fondue.

The Crescent City Brewhouse provides New Orleans Style Jazz until 9:00 p.m. Beverages for PCATS Annual Conference attendees include beer, Silver Stone wines, soft drinks and liquor (Crown Royal, Wild Turkey, Chivas Regal Scotch, Grey Goose Vodka, Bombay Sapphire, Mt. Gay Rum, Herradura Gold Tequila and Amaretto DiSerrano).

There will be a reduction in organized evening group activities to allow for full enjoyment of exceptional Cajun cuisine, entertainment and attractions offered by the Crescent City. Start planning your trip to New Orleans now!

Sponsorship Opportunities

PCATS is soliciting sponsors for the upcoming 2010 PCATS Annual Conference. Sponsorship at the Annual Conference is the most effective way to demonstrate your support of PCATS while ensuring maximum exposure for your organization within the c-store industry. You will have the opportunity to:

• Customize a sponsorship to match your goals and budget
• Enhance your organization’s name recognition
• Introduce your products/services to key decision makers in the c-store industry

All sponsors will receive:

• Mentioning in pre- and post-conference marketing collateral
• Recognition on the Annual Conference sponsorship page of the PCATS Conference website along with a hyperlink to the sponsoring company’s website
• Acknowledgment on the official on-site Conference Schedule distributed to all conference attendees
• Verbal recognition by the PCATS Chairman during the Opening General Session of the Conference

PCATS Sponsorships are available on a first-come, first-served, basis. Opportunities to co-sponsor with another company are only available for the refreshment break, breakfast, lunch and reception sponsorship offerings. If you are interested in learning more about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Susan Hilaski or call 703-942-8841.

Be sure to visit the 2009 PCATS Annual Conference Photo Gallery.

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