Build momentum with every moment

12:00pm - 8:00pm
12:00pm - 8:00pm
Check in with Checkout.com
Check in with Checkout.com
Registration

Pick up your badge and get ready for an exciting event.

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12:45pm or 2:45pm
12:45pm or 2:45pm
Discover Barcelona: Old town tour and tapas
Discover Barcelona: Old town tour and tapas
Activities

Join us for an immersive tour of Barcelona's historic Old Town, followed by a tasting of delicious local tapas. Explore the rich culture and history of the city while savoring its culinary delights. Perfect for mingling and making new connections. 

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6:00PM – 8:00pm
6:00PM – 8:00pm
Welcome reception and networking
Welcome reception and networking
Networking

Join us for canapes, drinks and networking on the rooftop restaurant at Torre Melina Gran Meliá with stunning panoramic views of Barcelona.

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7:00AM – 8:00AM
7:00AM – 8:00AM
Fitness activities
Fitness activities
Activities

Kickstart your day with invigorating fitness activities designed to energize you and boost a performance mindset for the day ahead.

Join us for Sunrise Stretch or our Pick up the Pace guided run.

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8:00AM – 9:00AM
8:00AM – 9:00AM
Payments Studio and meeting hub opens
Payments Studio and meeting hub opens
Networking

Visit the Payments Studio and Meeting Hub to explore the latest in payments innovations through interactive demos and connect 1:1 over food and beverages.

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9:00am-9:30am
9:00am-9:30am
The art of performance
The art of performance
Keynote

Kick off Thrive with us on the main stage with our opening keynote and welcome. Hear more about the digital economy, the challenges and opportunities it presents, and what we at Checkout.com are doing to ensure merchants are well-equipped to thrive.

  • Guillaume Pousaz Founder & CEO, Checkout.com
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9:30am - 10:30am
9:30am - 10:30am
The science of performance
The science of performance
Keynote

In this session, we’ll take you under the hood to explore our latest product advancements and the tech that powers them. From global expansion to enhanced security and performance, see how we’re redefining payment experiences and where we’re headed next. This is where strategy meets innovation—don't miss it.

  • Mariano Albera Chief Technology Officer, Checkout.com
  • Meron Colbeci Chief Product Officer, Checkout.com
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10:30am – 11:00am
10:30am – 11:00am
Coffee break
Coffee break
Networking
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11:00AM – 11:30Am
11:00AM – 11:30Am
The future of payments
The future of payments
Keynote

Join a leading analyst as they unpack the current payments ecosystem, revealing key trends, consumer preferences, and emerging technologies. Gain actionable insights on how merchants can adapt and stay ahead in this rapidly evolving landscape.

  • Lily Varon Principal Analyst, Forrester
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11:30AM – 12:00pm
11:30AM – 12:00pm
Performance: measuring and winning
Performance: measuring and winning
Panel Discussion

We're obsessed with performance—but how do we truly measure it? Learn more about how we define performance and how global leaders achieve top results. We'll explore the powerful blend of technology, people, and expertise driving real change, equipping you with insights to refine your approach and make a meaningful impact.

  • Dejan Rikic Director, Global Payments, PlayStation
  • Daniel Linder Senior Director Product, Checkout.com
  • Guillaume Mérindol Senior Engineering Director, Checkout.com
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12:00pM – 12:30Pm
12:00pM – 12:30Pm
The role of AI in supercharging performance
The role of AI in supercharging performance
Panel Discussion

AI is transforming payments—but how exactly? Beyond the buzzwords, this session unpacks real use cases with insights from diverse leaders. Discover how AI is impacting the payment flow, the broader customer journey, and where it will head tomorrow. Expect straight talk, real examples, and a fresh take on what AI can do today—and beyond.

  • Alla Gancz Partner, FS Technology Consulting, Payments, EY
  • Arjun Muralidharan Director of Product, GetYourGuide
  • Claudio Di Nella SVP, Head of Visa Consulting & Analytics, Visa
  • Karen Bolda SVP B2B Product & Technology, Expedia
  • Mariano Albera Chief Technology Officer, Checkout.com
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12:30pm – 2:00pm
12:30pm – 2:00pm
Networking lunch
Networking lunch
Networking

Network with peers from your industry, explore mutual challenges, and discover new ways to collaborate and grow.
The L'Amaranta restaurant is located in the Hotel. Follow the garden walk back towards the hotel lobby. Our Event Team will be along the path to guide you.

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2:00pM – 3:15pm
2:00pM – 3:15pm
Problem-solving breakout sessions
Problem-solving breakout sessions
Breakout Sessions
  1. Unlock optimization experimentation Continue the performance conversation in this breakout session, where we’ll get under the hood of the most successful optimization strategies. Building on the keynote insights, we'll dive deep into real-world experiments from industry leaders. Engage directly with experts and peers to uncover practical, actionable strategies to boost your payments performance.
    Kam Kular Senior Manager, Global Payment Operations, PlayStation
    Maxime Merabet
    Principal Engieer Product, Checkout.com
  2. Launch and scale card programs Can issuing be the game-changer in your business strategy? In this session, we’ll dive into how launching and scaling card programs can redefine customer relationships and drive serious revenue growth. Hear from industry leaders as we tackle tough questions: How do you launch and scale effectively? How do you navigate regulatory hurdles? What real impact can a successful card program have on your business?

    Karim Bekdache Partner Payments Lead, Fintech Partnerships, Booking.com
    Szymon Zeslawski
    Senior Director, Fintech & Risk, Glovo
    Rowland Camrass
    Head of Commercial, Issuing, Checkout.com
  3. Navigate data security and compliance with tokenization Join us for an engaging breakout discussion on the challenges and opportunities presented by tokenization. Hear from industry experts on how they are tackling the increased complexity and new costs that tokenization has brought to the payments industry. And how they have set a winning strategy for tokenization in their businesses.

    Matteo Gamba Head of Product, Global Payments & Fraud, Wayfair
    Rami Josef
    Director, Product, Checkout.com
  4. Streamline global expansion Ready to conquer global markets? In this session, we’ll tackle common challenges: integrating local payment methods, boosting conversion rates, setting up local entities, and customizing for local markets. How do you navigate these complexities? What strategies work best? Join our interactive roadmap activity to identify and learn how to overcome these pain points.
    Umang Sota
    Group Product Manager, Checkout.com

    Emily Renny Senior Director, Product, Checkout.com
  5. Improve funds management In this breakout session, we’ll kick off with a brief overview of the key challenges and opportunities in fund management and share some exciting developments happening at Checkout.com We’ll then open the floor for some lively discussion, encouraging you all to share your own experiences and perspectives. Join us to collaborate on finding practical solutions together.

    Mark Fernandes Director, Product, Checkout.com
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3:15pm – 5:00pm
3:15pm – 5:00pm
Networking and meetings in the Payments Studio
Networking and meetings in the Payments Studio
Networking

Visit the Payments Studio and Meeting Hub to explore the latest in payments innovations through interactive demos and connect 1:1 over food and beverages.

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7:00PM – 10:00PM
7:00PM – 10:00PM
The Celebration
The Celebration
Networking

Join us for an unforgettable evening filled with networking, entertainment, and memorable moments to cap off an incredible day.

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7:00AM – 09:00AM
7:00AM – 09:00AM
Fitness activities
Fitness activities
Activities

Kickstart your day with invigorating fitness activities designed to energize you and boost a performance mindset for the day ahead.

Join us for Sunrise Stretch or our Pick up the Pace guided run.

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8:00AM – 10:00AM
8:00AM – 10:00AM
Payments Studio and meeting hub opens
Payments Studio and meeting hub opens
Networking

Visit the Payments Studio and Meeting Hub to explore the latest in payments innovations through interactive demos and connect 1:1 over food and beverages.

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8:30am-10:00am
8:30am-10:00am
Empower Her
Empower Her
Breakout Session & Networking

Join us for an intimate networking breakfast and panel discussion celebrating the journeys, successes, and experiences of some of the most prominent women in our industry. Engage with female leaders, share insights, and forge meaningful connections. Let’s celebrate and empower each other to thrive together.

  • Alicia Vasquez Payments & Strategy Manager, Pinterest
  • Ebony Morczinek Chief Financial Officer, Blacklane
  • Lily Varon Principal Analyst, Forrester
  • Iryna Agieieva Head of Product, Mollie
  • Jenny Hadlow Chief Operating Officer, Checkout.com
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10:00am - 10:15am
10:00am - 10:15am
Power Up
Power Up
Keynote

Time to power up! Kick off the final day with us, featuring unmissable highlights.

  • Rory O'Neill Chief Marketing Officer, Checkout.com
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10:15am - 10:45am
10:15am - 10:45am
Power dynamics in digital economy: who are the trendsetters?
Power dynamics in digital economy: who are the trendsetters?
Panel Discussion

Today’s shoppers are reshaping the market with every swipe. Are you keeping up? Join us to explore new research on shifting economic power in the digital economy and its impact on payments infrastructure. Discover how Millennials and Gen Z are driving e-commerce trends like subscriptions and BNPL, and what their influence means for future payment systems. Hear insights from leaders on navigating this evolving landscape.

  • Mike Komor VP Payments & Partnerships, SeQura
  • Tania Ziegler Senior Partnership Manager, Booking.com
  • Vivin Ramamurthy Global Head of Business Development & Strategic Partnerships, eBay
  • Rory O'Neill Chief Marketing Officer, Checkout.com
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10:45am-11:15am
10:45am-11:15am
Payments in the C-suite: do you need payments expertise in the boardroom?
Payments in the C-suite: do you need payments expertise in the boardroom?
Panel Discussion

Is your boardroom missing a key player? As payments become increasingly strategic, should there be a Chief Payments Officer? Join us to explore how payments are evolving into a critical business driver. Hear from experts who challenge conventional thinking—how do you convince C-levels of the true value of payments? Are payments just a function, or the next big strategic advantage? This session will provoke thought and spark new ideas on elevating payments to the C-suite.

  • Arslan Naaem CEO, Ace Transfers
  • Christan Rau Senior Vice President Crypto and Fintech Enablement Europe, Mastercard
  • Clayton Foster Director, Product Management, eCommerce Platform, Expedia
  • Vidya Laxman Technology Director, Tesco
  • Adel Naamneh Head of Commercial and Product Partnership, Checkout.com
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11:15AM – 11:45Am
11:15AM – 11:45Am
Coffee break
Coffee break
Networking
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11:45AM – 1:00pm
11:45AM – 1:00pm
Breakout sessions
Breakout sessions
Breakout Sessions
  1. Beyond 3DS: The next evolution of Authentication When PSD2 rolled out, it promised stronger security for the digital age, but the reality hasn't been painless. Multi-factor authentication has frustrated customers and cost merchants revenue. In this breakout session, we'll dive into how cutting-edge technology—like machine learning and biometrics—is changing the game, offering secure authentication without the hassle. With insights from industry giants, we'll uncover how the next wave of authentication is giving top businesses a competitive edge.

    Cindy Fashingbauer Director, Payments & Fraud GTM, Ticketmaster

    Hemen Chhatbar Senior Product Manager, Google

    Rami Josef
    Director, Product, Checkout.com
  2. Mastering payments in APAC Asia Pacific's diversity and fragmentation demand a nuanced payment approach. In this session, we’ll explore how to tailor experiences to the region’s unique needs. Discover strategies to leverage digital wallets, navigate regulatory landscapes, and tap into local expertise to optimize your payments foundation and unlock growth.

    Saad Saif Senior Manager Global Payments Acceptance, Delivery Hero

    Brian Sze
    General Manager, APAC, Checkout.com
  3. Mastering payments in NORAM How can digital wallets, network tokens, and PINless debit technology optimize costs, streamline payments, and give you a competitive edge in North America? In this high-impact session, we’ll reveal strategies for cost savings and revenue growth while exploring key differences between the U.S. and Canadian markets.

    Gus Jacobs Director of Payments, New York Times

    Jim Cho
    Head of Commercial, North America, Checkout.com

    Shaun Puckrin VP, Product Management, Checkout.com
  4. Mastering payments in MENA Unlock the secrets of the Middle East and North Africa payments landscape in this interactive session. We'll kick off with a look at key trends and consumer behaviors, then dive into a lively discussion. Engage with experts and peers to uncover strategies that can help you optimize your payment processes in this diverse and rapidly expanding market.

    Muzzammil Ahussain CEO, AI Mosafer (Seera Group)
    Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo
    General Manager, MENA, Checkout.com
  5. Identity verification in action As identity theft surges, how can you effectively embed identity verification into your payment flow? In this session, we’ll dive into real fraud scenarios—can you spot the red flags?—and discuss strategies to tackle these challenges head-on. Hear from merchants on the impact of ID verification in eCommerce, and participate in an interactive Q&A to deepen your understanding of how to use ID verification effectively.

    Christoph Emminger Head of Transaction Products, Chrono24
    Benjamin Hugonet
    Director, Sales, Checkout.com
  6. Mastering payments in the UK and Europe Ready to master your operations in the UK and Europe? Join this session to hear firsthand from successful merchants who have conquered the market. We’ll dive into key trends, unpack best practices, and explore how to achieve economies of scale catering for local customer preferences.

    Great Atminaitė Strategic Partnerships, Payments, Vinted

    Patricia Fernandez Hermida Opereations Director, Fever
    Matthieu Barral
    Head of Commercial, UK&I, Checkout.com

    Wilco Slabbekoorn Head of Commercial, Europe, Checkout.com
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1:00pm – 2:30pm
1:00pm – 2:30pm
Lunch
Lunch
Networking

Refuel with lunch in the Payments Studio. Connect with peers, explore cutting-edge products, and boost your performance.

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2:30PM – 3:00PM
2:30PM – 3:00PM
The Grand Finale
The Grand Finale
Keynote

Everything leads to this moment. Get ready for the final showdown.

  • Guillaume Pousaz Founder & CEO, Checkout.com
  • Emilie Mathieu General Counsel, Checkout.com
  • Rory O'Neill Chief Marketing Officer, Checkout.com
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3:00pm - 5:00pm
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Padel Party, powered by the Payments Community
Padel Party, powered by the Payments Community
Networking

Serve up the perfect finish to Thrive Barcelona! Who’s smashing their way to the Padel Tournament title? Join the Payments Community for the tournament finale, tapas, drinks, and celebration at the Padel Courts at the Real Club de Polo de Barcelona - a short walk from the hotel grounds.

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