“TPI is the unconference,” declared Peter Tapling, APRP. “There’s no exhibit hall, there’s no dress code. This is all about the education. It’s about going to classes, hearing from experts, learning from your peers, and understanding the topics that you’re talking about.”

Tapling knows what he’s talking about. Along with being Managing Director of PTap Advisory, he’s a longtime professor at The Payments Institute (TPI), who will return to the head of the class for TPI On Campus, July 14-17.

Speaking on Nacha’s Payments SmartCast podcast, Tapling said to “make sure that you come with questions.” That was seconded by Katie Penoyer, AAP, CTP, Vice President, Treasury Services at CNB Bank, who took it a step further.

“Ask the dumb question,” said Penoyer.

“It is amazing to me how reassuring it is to ask the questions and hear at least one other person say, ‘I was wondering the same thing.’ And then you have the nation’s best experts in the room to answer it,” said Penoyer.

Lisa Coffey, Chief Innovation Officer, Corporate America Credit Union, and Dean of the TPI Board of Regents—which oversees the educational standards and strategic direction TPI On Campus, the Nacha Risk Retreat, and TPI Home School--said TPI is for everyone, from newbies to veterans.

“No matter where you’re at in your journey in the payments industry, Nacha and The Payments Institute welcome you,” said Coffey.

“You can definitely hone in on specifics that you want to educate yourself on for your career. Or you can pick a specific track if you’re preparing for your AAP test or APRP,” said Coffey.

The Nacha Risk Retreat begins right after TPI On Campus at the same location. Stephanie Prebish, AAP, APRP, CTP, Nacha Senior Managing Director, Association Services, said one area of focus will be the recently approved risk related changes to the Nacha Rules.

“We’re really concentrating on those topics,” said Prebish, adding that Nacha is “bringing in our own Rules expert, who’s going to be available all the time” to answer Rules questions.

For those who cannot attend TPI On Campus, Nacha offers TPI Home School--an educational program designed to provide tailored, individualized instruction for students learning at their home or office.

Much more was discussed, and you can listen to the entire podcast here.

Visit the TPI website to learn more about TPI On Campus, July 14-17, and the Nacha Risk Retreat, July 17-18, both in Atlanta. TPI Home School will take place September 18-20.