Welcome to The Paycast Network, the show dedicated to informing, educating, and elevating the payments and fintech world. In our latest episode, we were joined by a titan of the industry, John McCormick, the founder of the Southeast Acquirers Association (SEAA) and VP/Owner of General Credit Forms.
If you missed the audio version, here is your definitive, deep-dive guide to the upcoming SEAA 2026 conference in Miami Beach and the incredible story of how it all began.
The SEAA 2026 Experience: Celebrating 25 Years
This year, SEAA is celebrating its 25th anniversary at the legendary Fontainebleau Miami Beach from June 8th to June 10th. The resort itself is a piece of history—once the East Coast home to icons like Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley—offering a stunning Art Deco backdrop for a fully packed show featuring over 20 new exhibitors.
The 2026 Schedule & Programming:
- Official Kickoff: The event begins at noon on Monday, June 8th, with the RSPA taking the stage to discuss AI, ISOs, and ISVs.
- General Sessions: Following the kickoff, Monday afternoon features high-impact presentations from Visa and the ETA.
- Advanced Educational Tracks: Tuesday’s sessions provide deep dives into AI implementations for fraud prevention, BIN ownership, and global expansion strategies for payment facilitators.
- Industry Debate: One of the most anticipated segments is the ISO-led forum titled “Agnostic or Antagonistic: What is the Future of Payments?”, which focuses on independent, processor-agnostic solutions.
- Strategic Growth Sessions: Programming also covers navigating regulatory complexities in high-risk sectors like cannabis and leveraging data analytics for merchant retention.
- Demo Day (“Payments Connection”): This year features a “speed-dating” style format where 10 exhibitors are split into rooms to showcase innovations in fast-paced, 5-minute rotations.
- The “Hallway Track”: A core SEAA philosophy emphasizing the unplanned networking and deals that happen in the hallways between official sessions.
- The Grand Finale: The conference officially wraps up with a departures breakfast on Wednesday, June 10th.
Networking & Social Events:
- Poolside Cabanas: For those arriving early, SEAA will have cabanas set up by the Fontainebleau’s famous pools on Sunday, June 7th.
- Monday Nightcap: Sponsored by Global, this event encourages attendees to enjoy a night out on Miami Beach before returning for cocktails and live music.
- House Band: Renowned performer Pat Dowling, who was originally discovered at an NEAA event in Boston, returns to play guitar throughout the conference.
- 25th Anniversary Bash: A massive, high-profile celebration will take place at the Fontainebleau’s LIV Nightclub on Tuesday night—the very spot where the phrase “Elvis has left the building” was coined.
Important Security Note: To avoid common industry scams, always book your hotel and registration directly through the official website: southeastacquirers.com. SEAA does not use third-party “housing bureaus” or cold-callers.
A History of Resilience: From 9/11 to Katrina
John McCormick shared the “crazy” origin story of SEAA, which was born out of a desire to make industry information more accessible and engaging than the dry “industry rags” of the 1990s.
Early Years & Crisis Management:
- The 2001 Debut: SEAA’s first show was scheduled for October 2001 in St. Pete Beach. Following the tragedy of 9/11, the team chose to proceed to support the local tourist community and provide a space for the industry to rally together.
- Technology Evolution: In the early days, exhibitors like Verifone and Hypercom required physical telephone lines to demonstrate equipment; today, the show is powered entirely by high-speed Wi-Fi.
- The Hurricane Streak: For a period, SEAA was famously plagued by weather. Four out of five consecutive shows were impacted by hurricanes, including Hurricane Katrina, which forced a move from New Orleans and prompted the permanent shift from fall to spring/summer dates.
The Heart of SEAA: A Volunteer-Driven Mission
Unlike many corporate-run events, SEAA is organized entirely by volunteers who work in the payments space every day. Because the organizers are not paid, they can keep the focus on providing 2.5 days of expert-led education for ISOs, VARs, and ISVs.
The agenda itself is crowdsourced; SEAA puts out a “call for speakers” and allows their advisory committee—made up of processors, ISOs, and equipment vendors—to select the eight most relevant topics they want to hear.
For John McCormick, the motivation to lead this effort for a quarter-century is rooted in gratitude.
“This industry has been tremendous for me and my family… it’s a way I can give back and say thank you to the industry and try to make it better and more successful.”
Connect with the Community
Ready to join the conversation and celebrate 25 years of payments innovation?
- Registration: Visit southeastacquirers.com to secure your spot and book your room at the Fontainebleau.
- Inquiries: Reach out via email at info@southeastacquirers.com.
- Stay Informed: Listen to the SEAA podcast hosted by Bill Glass and watch for a guest appearance from The Paycast Network coming soon.
See you in Miami!
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