Show boat

It didn't take long for the ATM Industry Associationto realize it had a hit on its hands with the ATMIA Conference.

The first show, held last February in Orlando, Fla., drew 300 guests -- more than double the 125 attendees the group anticipated. The ATMIA was forced to put both potential exhibitors and attendees on a waiting list.

Encouraged by the success of the first conference, ATMIA decided to host two shows next year, in the Eastern and Western U.S.

ATMIA's "The New World of ATMs" conference at the Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort in Clearwater, Fla., is scheduled for Feb. 27-March 1. ATMIA Conference West 2001 will take place at the Flamingo Hilton in Las Vegas Oct. 10-11.

"Our members are concentrated on both coasts," said Tom Harper, founding director of the association. "We thought they'd appreciate knowing there would always be an ATMIA conference nearby."

Not only is the ATMIA planning to head West next year, the association will host its first event across the pond.

ATMIA Europe is scheduled for September 2001 at the Royal Lancaster in London. Michael Lee, executive director of ATMIA Europe, joined the association recently to build its European chapter and launch the organization's inaugural conference.

A nonprofit organization, ATMIA is dedicated to the growth and advancement of the ATM industry. Members include ATM deployers, private owners, ISOs and financial institutions.