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As the year winds down, the real momentum is just beginning: trade show season. These industry gatherings are prime territory for forging new relationships, uncovering fresh business opportunities and gaining firsthand insight into the trends and technologies redefining financial services. Last year offered a packed calendar of can’t-miss events – and this year is shaping up to be even bigger.

One of the must-attend events of the year for me is the Ole Miss Banking Symposium, held every November on a Friday, adjacent to a home football game. By the numbers, this year’s event drew nearly 400 attendees, 47 of whom were bank CEOS and raised more than $300,000 in sponsorships, which benefits the banking school.

We have a passion for facilitating connections here at William Mills Agency, and that’s part of what makes Venture Tech an appealing event. Now in its 8^th year, co-founders CUNA Strategic Services and Curql have fostered open, honest and deeply engaging conversations about progress in credit union technology. It’s marketed as an intimate event, and I agree; Venture Tech felt like a family reunion, especially after coming from Money20/20. The credit union and fintech representatives attending were relationship driven above all else. This is how you facilitate change.

This year’s Money20/20 reminded us why it’s arguably the most important event in the world of financial technology. The energy in Las Vegas was electric as thousands of innovators, bankers, investors, and storytellers gathered to discuss not just what’s new in fintech, but what’s next.

LinkedIn has become the go-to platform for professionals to connect, share insights, and build credibility. In fact, more than half of PR professionals (56%) consider LinkedIn their most valuable social platform in 2025, underscoring its importance for brand visibility.

As a long-time attendee, judge, and trusted voice at Finovate conferences, William Mills conducts on-site interviews with fintech’s most influential leaders. At this year’s FinovateFall in New York, he sat down with Mary Joseph, Senior Vice President of Strategic Investments at Citi, for an insightful conversation on the future of fintech.

Mary shared her expert views on the evolution of compliance technologies, the challenges and opportunities in emerging markets, and how to identify resilient investment opportunities during times of economic uncertainty. She also discussed how niche fintechs can grow into successful platform companies and offered a global perspective on where fintech is headed.

Stay tuned for more exclusive interviews and highlights from FinovateFall.

Watch the full interview below.

In today’s competitive fintech landscape, having cutting-edge technology is only part of the equation. Without strong visibility, even the most innovative companies can struggle to gain traction. That’s where a strategic public relations program becomes essential, not just for awareness, but for driving real business outcomes.

Just a few weeks ago, on September 17, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter-point, constituting the first rate cut of the year. In its wake, a deluge of commentary and punditry overtook print, broadcast and social media, as subject matter experts across a wide range of industries got their takes in about the Fed. This is far from new or surprising, of course. Nearly all Fed decisions are accompanied by a bevy of coverage and commentary, even when the Fed decides to do nothing. When the Fed does something like cutting rates, the aftermath is fertile ground for public relations professionals to get their clients’ opinions published. 

AI-driven search has significantly altered the way people seek information – and the way brands show up in digital channels. As a result, fintechs are being challenged to navigate this new normal and enhance how their organizations are represented in AI-generated results across platforms such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google’s AI overviews and more. In this new landscape, Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) has become a critical imperative.

What is Finovate? Why and how is it different from other events? How do we maximize event participation? What do I need to know to have a great Finovate demo?