The Prepaid Press Expo 2008 was the largest gathering of prepaid industry leaders from all segments of prepaid. There were over 1,200 executives, managers, analysts, consultants and researchers from calling card, wireless, gift and debit cards and other prepaid sectors, in attendance at the Expo. For three days, they met in conferences and in the exhibit hall to review trends and events, and talk about the industry. Convergence was a major theme; a trend that is bringing together the diverse elements of the prepaid industry. For the first time, prepaid calling cards, gift cards, wireless cards, prepaid debit cards are all sitting together on the same racks. They are expanding from national retail chains to c-stores, bodegas and small independent grocery stores.

The editorial staff of TPP had a unique opportunity to learn from those most involved with the currents flowing through the industry. In this issue, we present three pieces, each focused on a broad segment of prepaid. In these, you will find the comments and ideas we found to be the most compelling. It is not comprehensive. There were too many people and too much information being covered for that to be a reality. The material presented at the conference alone would fill several volumes. But, what follows is a sampling of what we heard and what we learned.

 

. Prepaid Wireless

. Payments

. Calling Cards