Atlanta Spotlight | Kasim Reed

By Staff Writer Atlanta Trend

• May 01, 2014

The American Transaction Processors Coalition (ATPC) held its state of Georgia launch on Wednesday, April 16^th at member InComm. The program featured Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed; Congressman Tom Price (R-GA); ATPC Executive Director H. West Richards; InComm COO and CFO Scott Meyerhoff; and a panel with ATPC Chairman and WorldPay, US CEO Tony Catalfano, FIS Chief Administrative Officer Susan Lorenz, and Raymond James Analyst Wayne Johnson.

“The ATPC launched to fill a void in protecting, promoting and preserving the interests of Georgia’s transaction processing industry through proactive public relations and government affairs activities at the federal, state and local levels,” said Catalfano. “Our goal in working with elected officials, industry leaders, universities and chambers of commerce is to create a fertile environment for corporate growth and workforce development that benefits all of Georgia.”

The launch was conducted before an audience of 400-plus industry employees, chamber of commerce executives, university leadership and elected officials from Congress, the Georgia General Assembly and local governments across metro Atlanta. More than 40,000 employees work directly for 70-plus Georgia-based transaction processing companies within an area known as Transaction Alley. These companies generated more than $30 billion last year, far exceeding other well-known Georgia industries like life sciences ($17 billion) or film ($3 billion). Transaction Alley revenues equal that of the entire U.S. movie industry, and is dominated by Atlanta, just as L.A. dominates films.

“We were proud to host the ATPC town hall to ensure that decision makers understand the pivotal role Transaction Alley companies play in developing products and providing technology services for the world’s finance industry,” said InComm’s Scott Meyerhoff. “Together these Georgia companies processed 85 billion, or more than 70 percent of U.S. credit card swipes, debit payments and gift card purchases last year for 15 million-plus restaurants, dry cleaners and other merchants around the world.”

Experts provided insight that future financial transaction industry growth will be driven by U.S. and European product innovation and consumer demand in countries with low credit card penetration. Members of Georgia’s Transaction Alley are all moving aggressively into global markets, especially as usage of cash and checks continues to decline.

“Transaction Alley is positioned to continue its dominance in this global marketplace,” said ATPC’s H. West Richards. “It is imperative that the industry come together to ensure Transaction Alley’s story is told locally and nationally so that the environment is right and the resources are available for this dominance to continue.”

The ATPC is housed within the Atlanta offices of law firm Hunton & Williams, which is the founding sponsor of the organization.