Press Kit

This press kit is for the convenience of journalists and others interested in learning more about the Direct Response Forum. It includes information on our leadership, history, and other facts of interest.  If you have any questions feel free to contact us at 1-800-373-6503 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Recent Press Releases

• DRF Press Release 8-31-10 - DRF Survey Reveals Top Three Concerns of Payment Professionals.pdf
• DRF Press Release 3-18-10 - Payment Passion Rocks in Memphis at the 21st Annual DRF.pdf

Mission

The Direct Response Forum serves Customer not Present (CNP) professionals by providing knowledge of best practices, networking opportunities, advocacy for merchants, and access to the leaders shaping the CNP processes and regulations.

We are an organization created by and committed to helping merchant organizations that process CNP transactions.  The DRF provides an exclusive venue for payment industry peers to meet, and to share practical solutions that address the unique challenges facing this industry.

Leadership

Our board is composed of 12 members that serve up to three 3 year terms.

Past Chairs

2009 Fred Rodriguez Affinion Group
2008 Fred Rodriguez Affinion Group
2007 Fred Rodriguez Affinion Group
2006 Katie Maher Voice Systems Engineering, Inc.
2005 Katie Maher Voice Systems Engineering, Inc.
2004 Katie Maher Voice Systems Engineering, Inc.
2003 Paul Larsen Synapse
2002 Ann Faustini Educational Testing Services
2001 Ann Faustini Educational Testing Services
2000 David Short NSA
1999 David Short NSA
1998 Maria Esway Victoria’s Secret Catalog
1998 Kevin Haag Lands End
1997 Lisa Plummer LL Bean
1996 Ron Eike Omaha Steaks
1995 Kim Plaghn Damark
1994 Mary Ellen Reser Victoria’s Secret Catalog
1993 Roland Tufts LL Bean
1992 Roland Tufts LL Bean
1991 Polly Bauer Home Shopping Network
1990 Polly Bauer Home Shopping Network

Founded: 1989

Our Founders

The Direct Response Forum would like to acknowledge and thank the founding Board of Directors and their companies for their contribution & leadership to the CNP payments industry.

Founding Merchant Board Members

Cosmo Corigliano, CUC International, Inc.
Debra Daniels-Frisch, Damark
Tim Ford, Gander Mountain, Inc.
Polly Bauer, Home Shopping Network
Roland Tufts, L.L. Bean
A. William Johnston, QVC Network
Jim Kimbro, Service Merchandise
Kent Kleeberger, Victoria’s Secret Catalogue
Mary Ellen Reser, Victoria’s Secret Catalogue
Ron Eike, Omaha Steaks International

Founding Advisory Board Members

Bob Buoniconti, Nabanco
Mike Richardson, C.F.C. Financial Services
Eric Turille, First National Bank of Omaha
Janet Morris, Litle & Co.

21 YEARS OF FORUM HISTORY

From our first forum hosted by Victoria Secret in 1990, to more recent forums hosted by Microsoft and JC Whitney, the largest merchant firms and the leaders in the industry have been actively involved in DRF activities.  We count among our members 20 of the top ten Internet retailers, the major financial services firms, and dozens of Fortune 500 companies.

2010

Payment Passion Rocked in Memphis" when 420 CNP professionals met at the historic Peabody Hotel to focus on new and existing credit card challenges and strategies.

2009

“Celebrating 20 Years of Educating Merchants on Payment Processing Profitability” was the theme of the 20th annual DRF, held in Tampa, FL. In response to the turbulent economic times that CNP merchants faced in the sessions concentrated on giving practical ideas to cut costs and improve profits.

2008

The 19th Forum was held in sunny San Diego at the Sheraton Marina Hotel.

The theme was “Chart a Course to Successful Payment Processing”. 480 attendees were educated on international payments, recurring payments, alternate and emerging payments, and on many other credit card processing issues.

2007

Microsoft hosted the 18th Forum “What’s Brewing in Payments” at the Westin Seattle. There were 524 attendees representing 144 merchant and 62 nonmerchant companies. Popular topics this year were alternative payments, going international, recurring payment issues, and urban myths of credit card processing.

2006

“Power of the Forum”, the 17th Direct Response Forum was held at the Sheraton Boston. Sessions covered authentification, data security, payment processing fundamentals, fraud, legal & regulatory updates, alternative and emerging payments, and international topics. Our 545 attendees represented 221 CNP industry companies including 160 merchants.

2005

JC Whitney hosted the 2005 Forum “Navigating the Winds of Change” at the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago. Over 500 attendees represented 133 merchant and 55 non-merchant companies.

2004

The 15th Anniversary Forum was held at the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco. In attendance were 422 attendees comprised of 111 merchant and 46 non-merchant companies.

2003

Bill Matrix Corporation hosted the “Wild, Wild World of Payment Processing” at the Fairmont Hotel in Dallas. Frank Abagnale, author of “Catch Me If You Can” and noted expert in check fraud provided insights into the latest in check fraud and employee theft. 102 merchant and 37 non-merchant companies attended for a total of 374 attendees.

2002

National Safely Associates (NSA) of Memphis invited DRF members to enjoy the elegance of the historic Peabody Hotel. A total of 269 payment professionals attended. The major card companies (American Express, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, MasterCard, & Visa) joined the DRF Board of Directors as advisors.

2001

Earthlink, Inc. hosted “Survive and Thrive in the New Millennium” in Atlanta.

The agenda focused on payment processing survival skills. There were 246 CNP professionals at the Forum representing 72 merchant and 26 nonmerchant companies.

2000

“Catch the Fire; the Heat is On” was the theme of this forum hosted by Insight Direct in Scottsdale. Building upon the successes of the last decade, this forum offered an inspiring range of educational sessions and speakers. There were 63 merchant and 22 non-merchant companies in attendance.

1999

The 10th anniversary Direct Response forum, hosted by American Online, Inc. took place in Washington, D.C. This forum provided attendees to participate in informal question and answer sessions with representatives of the major card associations, and much more. There were 62 merchants and 18 nonmerchant companies.

1998

Lands’ End hosted this forum in Madison, WI. 48 merchant and 18 nonmerchant companies attended.

1997

National Safety Associates in Memphis hosted the 8th DRF with 43 merchants and 13 non-merchants.

1996

The 7th DRF was hosted by CUC International in Boston. 47 merchant and 18 non-merchants companies attended.

1995

QVC hosted the DRF in Philadelphia.

1994

Damark International hosted the DRF in Minneapolis.

1993

Omaha Steaks International in Omaha hosted the 4th DRF. This marked the first year attendance for Japan’s largest card issuer, JCB.

1992

This DRF was hosted by Home Shopping Network in Clearwater, FL.

1991

L.L. Bean in Freeport, Maine hosted this DRF. American Express, Visa, MasterCard, and Novus Services participated.

1990

The 1st Direct Response Forum was hosted by Victoria’s Secret Catalogue in Columbus, OH. Topics centered primarily on interchange rates, rules and regulations, and loss prevention methods. American Express, MasterCard, and Visa were the first card associations in attendance.