LAS VEGAS - Before the doors opened to the BAI Retail Delivery Expo last night, thousands of banking, ATM and financial services professionals were keeping the BAI Conference in full swing. The Conference and Expo continues through Thursday at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.
The opening day of the BAI Conference featured speeches and forums including Dr. Alan Greenspan, former chairman of the Federal Reserve, and Steve Forbes, Jr., president and CEO of Forbes, Inc. Though held in the massive Grand Ballroom, both lectures quickly became standing room only.
Forbes offered his commentary on the current American economy, reassuring attendees that though the next few quarters may be rocky, the economy's current condition is not as bad as it may seem.
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| Steve Forbes, Jr. adresses attendees at BAI Retail Delivery 2007. |
He also pointed out that one of the economy's issues has been excessive liquidity produced by the Federal Reserve, and that the fluctuation could be seen in the price of commodities like oil and gold.
The Expo opened yesterday evening as Forbes' panel discussion let out, releasing a steady stream of attendees into the hall for a preview of the Expo's highlights. A feeling among attendees was that the show seems to be bigger than last year's Conference and Expo, and that exhibitors are expecting more quality attendees to visit their booths.
Inside those booths, conversations focused on developing trends in the industry, such as Check 21 maturation and remote capture, as well as emerging technologies such as mobile banking.
(Read also: Mobile connections are key to banking future)
"Cell phones are the technology that has the most promise, but are waiting for the market demand," said Leslie Berger of Discover Networks, who pilot tested mobile banking applications earlier this year. "Contactless terminals in place now are cell phone ready, the industry just needs a set of standards."
Be sure to check ATM Marketplace this week for more coverage of BAI Retail Delivery 2007 from Las Vegas.
