MRC San Diego 2025 | 8-10 September 2025

CALL FOR SPEAKERS

MRC San Diego is an exclusive gathering for MRC members, designed to foster meaningful connections and open, honest discussions. This intimate event offers expert insights into the latest industry developments, along with a strong sense of community among fraud prevention and payments professionals.

We’re looking for dynamic speakers and compelling content to make this event a success. Do you have valuable insights to share? Submit your proposal today!

*New log-in credentials are required for each MRC Call for Speakers. After you create your log-in, click begin submission to continue the process.

**Solution Provider restrictions apply, please see FAQs for more details

SUBMISSION DEADLINE

30 APRIL 2025

Who Should Apply?

MRC San Diego is an intimate, member-exclusive event designed to tackle key merchant pain points through a highly curated agenda. Due to limited speaking slots, we encourage submissions that present fresh insights or unique perspectives on the target topics.

We welcome applications from MRC members with expertise in payments, fraud prevention, security, and law enforcement.

• Merchants are invited to submit proposals for individual sessions or express interest in joining a panel. All merchants must be MRC members.
• Solution provider submissions must include a confirmed merchant co-speaker.
• We are committed to fostering diverse perspectives and inclusive discussions. We strongly encourage speaker submissions from individuals of different backgrounds, experiences, and expertise to enrich the conversation.

Why apply to speak at MRC San Diego 2025?

Are you ready to bring fresh and engaging content to the table?

Here is a list of suggested topics. Submissions on others will be considered but these will be given priority by the Conference Committee.

*New log-in credentials are required for each MRC Call for Speakers. After you create your log-in, click begin submission to continue the process.

Still have questions?

Review our list of Frequently Asked Questions and if you don’t find the answers you need, send an email to: speaking@merchantriskcouncil.org

FAQ:

Q: What is the difference between the Member Only Events and the Flagship Events?

• Space on the agenda is very limited  
• Targeted list of topics  
• Only two submissions per company allowed.  If more than 2 are submitted, only the first two submitted will be considered by the conference committee.
• Strict deadline to submit  
• Non-member submissions will not be accepted. Both the submitter and any merchant co-presenters must be MRC members. Submit your membership application or contact the MRC Membership Team at membership@merchanriskcouncil.org

Q: Can you confirm what the registration options are for me as an MRC member?

• Solution Providers have the opportunity to purchase one registration per company, speakers will count against this limit. 
• Board Members can purchase an additional registration but cannot transfer their registration to someone else.
• Some sponsorships include complimentary passes, but all sponsorships also come with the ability to purchase 2 additional registrations.
• There are no limits on the number of Merchant member registrations. 

Q: Can I present virtually?

All selected speakers will need to be on-site in San Diego 8-10 September 2025, to deliver their presentation in person at their allocated time and date. 

Q: Does the MRC pay for my travel to speak? 

MRC is not responsible for any travel or accommodation costs 

Q: What kind of formats can I submit for?

• Panel (3-4 speakers: moderator with merchants and solution providers, 3-4 slides are required and should include key takeaways) 
• Presentation (1-2 speakers; presenting a report or findings and include key takeaways)
• Interview/Fireside chat (2 speakers in a question-and-answer format, 3-4 slides are required and should include key takeaways)

Q: What is your best advice to help me get my session selected?

 Here are some suggested best practices for your submission: 

• Tailor your content to an advanced payments and fraud prevention audience  
• Provide educational material that dives into problem-solving and technology  
• Strictly no sales pitches or marketing content  
• Original content only  
• Include key takeaways 
• Include a named merchant speaker in all solution provider submissions 

Q: What is the Conference Committee’s selection criteria?

Speaker selections are made based on the following criteria: 

• Strength of the topic  
• Speaker credentials – Subject matter expertise, seniority, job role, etc. 
• Solution providers must have a merchant co-speaker 
• Fresh, interesting, or differentiated perspective on a topic 
• Content perceived to be salesy or biased towards products or services will be rejected 

Q: What else do I need to know?

• Sales pitches will not be accepted  
• Speaking proposal acceptance is not linked to sponsorship 
• The Conference Committee reserves the right to narrow down or expand the topics, taking into consideration the quality of submissions and current industry developments. 
• The Conference Committee may request that you change your format or include or remove some of the proposed material as needed.   

Q: What important dates do I need to know? 

• The submission deadline is 30 April 2025
• Conference registration opens 
  • San Diego 5 May 2025 
• Decision notification target date 
  • San Diego 1 June 2025

Q: When will I know when the decision of the Conference Committee?

An email will be sent to the submission contact once a decision is made 

Q: How do I start my submission?

• All users will need to create new login credentials to review our suggested topics and submit a speaking proposal.   
• If you need assistance with the submission, please reach out to speaking@merchantriskcouncil.org.

Q: Do I get a discount for speaking?

• Up to two merchant speakers per company in a single session will be eligible to receive a complimentary registration.  
• Solution Provider speakers do not receive a discounted registration rate for the Member Only conferences.  

Q: What deadlines must I agree to before submitting

• All sessions must have key takeaways listed in their submission as well as in their slide deck.
• Deadlines for speaker registration, slide deck submission, and agenda updates must be adhered to in order to ensure quality and relevant content.

OVERALL SPONSOR

*New log-in credentials are required for each MRC Call for Speakers. After you create your log-in, click begin submission to continue the process.