The U.S. Payments Forum has seven classes of membership.

• Global Payments Network Membership
• Principal PLUS Membership
• Principal Membership
• General Membership
• Industry Association Membership
• Government Membership
• Associate Membership

U.S. Payments Forum membership runs for 12 months, beginning with the first day of the month that the application is received. Membership expires one year after the start date. Organizations who are current members of the Smart Card Alliance will receive a 20% discount off the annual U.S. Payments Forum membership fee.

Global Payments Network $25,000

This membership level is open to any global payment network.

Global Payments Network member benefits:

• Entitled to designate an individual to serve on the Forum’s Steering Committee
• Eligible to vote for representatives for Forum Steering Committee reserved for Principal members
• Eligible to serve as an officer of the Steering Committee (if elected) and chairperson for any working committee
• Entitled to be represented at all member meetings, including working committees
• Entitled to up to six (6) representatives attending each in-person Forum or working committee meeting at no charge. Additional individuals may attend in-person Forum or working committee meetings for a fee.
• Entitled to an unlimited number of individuals joining and participating in Forum working committees
• Full access to all working committee documents, including Steering Committee and working committee meeting minutes
• Full membership status in the Smart Card Alliance and all associated membership rights at the Leadership Council membership level in the Alliance
• Able to be nominated and serve in an elected position in the Smart Card Alliance
• Dual membership recognition comes with a payment of a single membership fee

Principal PLUS Membership $18,000

This membership level is open to any firm, partnership, incorporated industry association, or governmental body Principal PLUS Membership has equal standing to Principal Membership within the U.S. Payments Forum with one exception: Principal PLUS Members have cross-organizational membership rights in the Smart Card Alliance that are not available to Principal Members. Individuals may not join at this level.

Principal PLUS Network member benefits:

• Eligible to designate an individual to be elected to serve as a representative on the U.S. Payments Forum Steering Committee
• Eligible to vote for representatives for Forum Steering Committee reserved for Principal members
• Eligible to serve as an officer of the Steering Committee (if elected) and chairperson for any working committee
• Entitled to be represented at all member meetings, including working committees
• Entitled to up to four (4) representatives attending each in-person Forum or working committee meeting at no charge. Additional individuals may attend in-person Forum or working committee meetings for a fee.
• Entitled to an unlimited number of individuals joining and participating in Forum working committees
• Full access to all working committee documents and meeting minutes
• Full membership status in the Smart Card Alliance and all associated membership rights at the Leadership Council membership level of the Alliance
• Able to be nominated and serve in an elected position in the Smart Card Alliance
• Dual membership recognition comes with a payment of a single membership fee

Principal Membership $12,000

This membership level is open to any firm, partnership, incorporated industry association, or governmental body. Individuals may not join at this level.

Principal member benefits:

• Entitled to designate an individual to be elected to serve as a representative on the U.S. Payments Forum Steering Committee
• Eligible to vote for representatives for Forum Steering Committee reserved for Principal members
• Eligible to serve as an officer of the Steering Committee (if elected) and chairperson for any working committee
• Entitled to be represented at all member meetings, including working committee meetings
• Entitled to up to four (4) representatives attending each in-person Forum or working committee meeting at no charge. Additional individuals may attend in-person Forum or working committee meetings for a fee.
• Entitled to an unlimited number of individuals joining and participating in Forum working committees
• Full access to all working committee documents and meeting minutes
• Ability to participate in cross-organizational activities in the Smart Card Alliance, including industry councils
• Opportunity to attend Smart Card Alliance in-person conferences and activities at the Smart Card Alliance member rate

General Membership $5,000

This membership level is open to any firm, partnership, incorporated industry association, and governmental bodies. Individuals may not join at this level.

General member benefits:

• Eligible to designate an individual to be elected to the two (2) seats on the Forum Steering Committee that have been reserved for General Members

• Entitled to one vote in electing the two U.S. Payments Forum Steering Committee representatives to represent the interests of all General Members on the Forum Steering Committee.
• Eligible to serve as an officer of the Steering Committee (if elected) and chairperson for any working committee
• Entitled to be represented at all member meetings, including working committee meetings
• Entitled to up to two (2) representatives attending each in-person Forum or working committee meeting at no charge. Additional individuals may attend in-person Forum or working committee meetings for a fee
• Participation in all U.S. Payments Forum working committees. Entitled to up to two (2) individuals joining and participating in Forum working committees.
• Opportunity to request to participate – or be invited by a Smart Card Alliance industry council member to participate – in any Smart Card Alliance council activity
• Opportunity to attend Smart Card Alliance in-person conferences and activities at the Smart Card Alliance member rate

Industry Association Membership $1,750

This membership level is open to any incorporated industry association whose membership includes payments industry participants relevant to U.S. Payments Forum activities. Firms, partnerships, and individuals are not eligible at this level.

Industry Association member benefits:

• Entitled to designate one individual who will be an active member of the U.S. Payments Forum representatives
• Entitled to be represented at all member meetings, including working committee meetings
• Entitled to one (1) representative attending each in-person Forum or working committee meeting at no charge. Additional individuals may attend in-person Forum or working committee meetings for a fee.
• Participation in all U.S. Payments Forum working committees
• Eligible to serve as chairperson for any working committee
• Opportunity to request to participate – or be invited by a Smart Card Alliance industry council member to participate – in any Smart Card Alliance council activity
• Opportunity to attend Smart Card Alliance in-person conferences and activities at the Smart Card Alliance member rate

Government Membership $1,750

This membership level is open to local, federal or state governmental agencies that meet the overall criteria for membership.

Government member benefits:

• Entitled to be represented at all member meetings, including working committee meetings
• Entitled to one (1) representative attending each in-person Forum or working committee meeting at no charge
• Participation in all U.S. Payments Forum working committees.
• Entitled to one (1) individual joining and participating in Forum working committees. Additional individuals may attend in-person Forum or working committee meetings for a fee.
• Eligible to serve as chairperson for any working committee
• Opportunity to request to participate – or be invited by a Smart Card Alliance industry council member to participate – in any council activity
• Ability to attend Smart Card Alliance in-person conferences and activities at the Smart Card Alliance member rate

Associate Membership $1,200

This membership level is open to individuals, including consultants, contractors, or other professionals, who are not full or part-time employees of any organization that qualifies for membership under existing categories of the U.S. Payments Forum.

Associate member benefits:

• Entitled to be represented at all member meetings, including working committee meetings
• Entitled to one (1) representative attending each in-person Forum or working committee meeting at no charge. Additional individuals may attend in-person Forum or working committee meetings for a fee
• Participation in all U.S. Payments Forum working committees
• Entitled to one (1) individual joining and participating in Forum working committees
• Eligible to serve as chairperson for any working committee
• Opportunity to request to participate – or be invited by a Smart Card Alliance industry council member to participate – in any council activity
• Ability to attend Smart Card Alliance in-person conferences and activities at the Smart Card Alliance member rate

Become a Member / Submit an Application

If you have questions about your company’s membership level, please contact Randy Vanderhoof, Director, U.S. Payments Forum, [email protected].