As the payments and FinTech sectors continue to evolve, industry professionals are constantly navigating new challenges and opportunities. With more than 2,000 attendees, 400+ speakers and 150+ exhibitors, Seamless Europe grants an yearly opportunity to network, discover cutting-edge solutions, and stay ahead of emerging industry trends. Jeroen van Dijk and Oriane Zandvliet, respectively MD and Senior Recruitment Consultant at PaymentGenes, attended Seamless Europe 2024 at Messe Munich on September 10-11 and brought back key insights for experts in the field. Their takeaways delve into the latest developments in risk management, fraud prevention, and regulatory compliance—critical areas for anyone involved in the payments world. Here’s what happened during this year’s event, why to attend, and how these trends could shape the future of the industry.
Seamless Europe 2024 tackled some of the most pressing issues in Payments and Fintech, with a particular focus on:
These discussions reflect the growing importance of security and trust as businesses navigate increasingly stringent regulatory frameworks across Europe. The ever-changing nature of European regulations makes compliance not just a necessity but a competitive advantage for businesses that can adapt swiftly and efficiently.
Another topic that gained much attention in recent years is that of financial inclusion. During Seamless Europe 2024, Thomas Courtois (CEO of Nickel) gave a presentation on the importance of financial inclusion in modern banking. Other companies that attended the event, such as Voibilly, specifically focus their work on equal access to modern banking. The importance given to this topic during Seamless Europe highlights the common efforts that FinTech companies are taking towards building a more inclusive industry.
Among different speakers, a key lecture on in-car payments delivered by a former student of the PaymentGenes Academy was seen as a standout by the audience.
''It was amazing to see a former student of our Payments Foundation course rock it on the stage, giving a best-in-class lecture on in-car payments!'' - Jeroen Van Dijk, MD at PaymentGenes
One of the aspects that Jeroen and Oriane appreciated the most about Seamless Europe is the opportunity to connect beyond the business world. The event offers networking dinners and social functions, where professionals can get to know the people behind the job titles. Jeroen highlighted a memorable dinner party organized by industry leaders Enfuce, Endava and Giesecke+Devrient, which provided an excellent opportunity to strengthen bonds with key partners and new contacts in a more personal setting.
Both Jeroen and Oriane emphasized how these informal gatherings enhanced their experience by fostering a collaborative environment where trust and relationships could thrive beyond the boardroom. Jeroen mentioned that running into an old colleague from Amsterdam during breakfast was a highlight, underscoring the value of organic interactions at the event.
’'Seamless Europe brings together a highly targeted audience, ensuring that every conversation has the potential for meaningful collaboration'’ - Oriane Zandvliet, Senior Recruitment Consultant at PaymentGenes
Seamless Europe is more than just an industry event; it’s a platform for real human connection. Both Jeroen and Oriane observed that the smaller, intimate nature of the event allowed for meaningful conversations with industry leaders, partners, and clients. The ability to connect in person—whether over a formal dinner or a chance meeting at the hotel—plays a crucial role in fostering deeper business relationships.
Jeroen reflected on the importance of networking in a relaxed setting, saying that the event’s size and structure enabled their team to have more impactful interactions. These connections led to concrete opportunities for their business, making the trip to Munich not only productive but personally enriching.
Seamless Europe 2024 solidified itself as a must-attend event for professionals in payments, fintech, and e-commerce. With high-quality networking opportunities, invaluable industry insights, and an intimate setting perfect for relationship-building, the event has proven its worth. Jeroen and Oriane’s experience exemplifies why attending Seamless Europe is critical for staying competitive in this fast-evolving industry.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the connections made and knowledge gained at Seamless Europe will be crucial for navigating future challenges and opportunities.
"We have to stop talking about innovation and start looking at creation". - Peter Pernot-Day, Head of Strategic and Corporate Affairs at SHEIN, on the technological future of retail and e-commerce in Europe.
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The Adyen Experience event showcased how leading brands like JET, Rituals, and Adyen are pioneering new approaches in payments. JET shared its recent replatforming to a unified payments system, accelerating new payment method launches and adapting to regional differences like tipping. Rituals focused on enhancing in-store customer journeys with tap-to-pay and tailored recognition features, while Adyen unveiled “Adyen Uplift,” an AI-driven initiative for conversion optimization, alongside practical advice on adopting AI solutions incrementally. This event underscored the importance of strategic, adaptable approaches in payments, inspiring businesses to explore similar advancements.
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At Visa’s Issuer Enabler Open House, industry leaders highlighted key advancements in payments. Revolut is advancing a global retail banking model to overcome traditional barriers, while B2B payments in Europe remain an underutilized growth opportunity. Europe stands out with low fraud rates, driven by secure technologies like 3DS and tokenization, and Visa has enhanced A2A payment security to combat APP fraud. Visa’s partnerships with over 100 EU fintechs and the launch of Visa Flex, a single-credential solution for streamlined card management, reflect its commitment to innovation, integration, and robust security in payments across the region.
