Profile picture for user viali.munteanu
Posted By
Viali
Munteanu
viali.munteanu@cognitomedia.com

There’s no better place than the stage at Money20/20 Europe to stand in the company of the fintech industry’s rockstars.

But too many companies miss their chance in the spotlight for one simple reason – they don’t understand what it actually means to speak at the conference.

I’m here to help.

I’m not going to tell you more about the show – we all know it’s the place to be if you’re in payments, fintech or generally financial services. Instead, let’s start with a quick summary of the themes of this year’s show:

Smooth interactions – all about how clients are increasingly demanding faster, smoother and more detailed interactions. Got a UX project in the works? This is your opportunity to share what you’ve learned – the good and the bad.

Strategic decisions – highlights pivotal moments in business, how to prepare for an exit or what that valuation fluctuation really means – all in the backdrop of economic and geopolitical instability the scale of which we haven’t seen in a decade. Here, the content team is looking to source advice from seasoned professionals who’ve done it all.

Unexpected finance – showcases the innovations taking place in the payments universe, highlighting key trends and up-and-coming sectors. If you want to share your take on the metaverse, emerging markets, BNPL 2.0 and everything else buzz-worthy, this is the right theme for you.

The socio-economic impact – from quiet quitting to the average tenure of a worker in fintech decreasing, diversity and inclusion or what fintech for good really means, this theme is about addressing the softer challenges facing the industry, which are increasingly becoming more important.

With these four themes, the show promises to cover all the big fintech stories of 2023. But it wouldn’t be Money20/20 without a twist, and this year, the content team is promising formats unlike anything you have ever seen at a fintech show. By working together with the speakers not only on the content but also on the delivery itself, Money20/20 Europe will deliver interactive, informative and memorable sessions. I hope to see a flash mob on stage.

What it takes to be a speaker

Ok, so you’ve made it this far, you’re excited and want to take part. How to secure a speaking slot?!

In a nutshell, it’s all about what you’re saying and who’s delivering that message.

In 2023, the show will lean heavily into two trends, now and next – what challenges is the industry facing now and what are the solutions? But equally, how will things play out? Get your crystal ball out.

Think about what you want to say and how it will play into the themes above. And remember, all content must be original and created for Money20/20 Europe.

It’s not the time to sell a product or service, but to share your expertise with the industry. Seek to understand the audience you’re addressing: the bankers, the merchants, the PSPs – what will they take away from your session that they can immediately apply to their businesses? What aspect of PSD3 has everyone missed? What’s the next wave of BNPL? What’s the easy fix to the cost of living crisis we have all missed?

Who’s delivering the message also plays an important part. This is less about putting forward the CEO of the largest company in the world (though, that would help) and more about the right fit. The expertise of the person taking on the stage is what counts – and if they’re also charismatic and have plenty of experience, you’re almost there.

It’s important to note that Money20/20 believes that women, minorities, and underrepresented professionals should have a louder voice and more seats at the table in financial services. This is why, over the years, the contented team paid special attention to diversity and inclusion, and worked towards a 50:50 ratio of men to women on the main stages, for example.

Sharing your personal story

But if addressing inequality is precisely what you want to discuss, then you can get involved with the show’s Do.Better.Together. initiative, which is comprised of RiseUp and Amplify.

RiseUp was launched in 2018 to champion more women in the ecosystem – since then hundreds of women from all across the world participated in the programme, shared their experiences and created a network.

Following this success, Money20/20 also launched Amplify, aiming to raise visibility and cultivate connections for minorities and underrepresented groups in the industry. You can register your interest in both of these programmes here.

Making announcements

Money20/20 has become the place where high-profile players make announcements that stand out in the industry. And why wouldn’t they when the show brings together journalists, VCs and the industry’s crème de la crème all in one week? All eyes on you.

Mind-blowing partnerships, new product demonstrations or hot-off-the-press mergers and acquisitions can all find a place on the announcements stage. More details on how to apply will become available in the lead-up to the show.

In the meantime, the Call for Content is only open for two weeks, kicking off today and closing on Friday, 27 January. This is the time to brainstorm your big ideas and get ready to make your mark at the show in June.