It’s always interesting to check out a conference for the first time, and it’s always fun to come to Las Vegas. (Though I’ve also found it’s even more fun to leave Las Vegas.)

So I was happy to be covering the Merchant Risk Council’s E-Commerce Payments & Risk Conference on March 16-18. The only problem?

There are enough distractions in Vegas on any given day. But this week we had the perfect storm of unseasonably warm, sunny weather, March Madness and St. Patrick’s Day. How is anybody supposed to get any work done?

Well, I did manage to avoid all—okay, most—temptation. (It helps that I don’t follow basketball, I lost my sunglasses on the second day, and I had already celebrated St. Patrick’s Day last weekend.)

What did I get out of the show? Here are the best and worst of my observations.

Best new term I learned: “Unbanked/underbanked.” Who knew there was a proper name for folks who keep their money in their mattresses?

Worst way to start on a positive note: The MRC had Visa’s chief economist do the opening keynote address. He was a great speaker, but he included a list of things that keep him up at night. Thanks for sharing, but I already have enough keeping me up at night.

Best deflection of question from a session attendee: The director of payments from Overstock.com, who when posed with a tough and lengthy query deadpanned: “This is Payments 101. That’s covered in Advanced Payments, which is down the hall…”

Worst attendee ring tone, courtesy of the guy in the front row who didn’t turn off his cell: “Barbara Ann,” by the Beach Boys.

Best indicator that the recession is fading: The sold-out conference and jammed-packed exhibit hall. My apologies to anyone I ran into with my rolling bag there—I’m not used to seeing so many people at a show.

Worst excuse for ducking out of sessions or meals early: “I have to get to the sports book to place a bet on the game for my brother and/or my friend.” We all know you’re placing your own bets, and we’re not here to judge.

Best way to honor St. Patrick: Corned beef and cabbage in the exhibit hall. (I’m not sure he would have cared for the green Corona, though.)

Worst way to honor St. Patrick: Not having the luck of the Irish at the casinos. Even on St. Patrick’s Day, the house always wins. Damn you, Steve Wynn…

It’s always interesting to check out a conference for the first time, and it’s always fun to come to Las Vegas. (Though I’ve also found it’s even more fun to leave Las Vegas.)

So I was happy to be covering the Merchant Risk Council’s E-Commerce Payments & Risk Conference on March 16-18. The only problem?

There are enough distractions in Vegas on any given day. But this week we had the perfect storm of unseasonably warm, sunny weather, March Madness and St. Patrick’s Day. How is anybody supposed to get any work done?

Well, I did manage to avoid all—okay, most—temptation. (It helps that I don’t follow basketball, I lost my sunglasses on the second day, and I had already celebrated St. Patrick’s Day last weekend.)

What did I get out of the show? Here are the best and worst of my observations.

Best new term I learned: “Unbanked/underbanked.” Who knew there was a proper name for folks who keep their money in their mattresses?

Worst way to start on a positive note: The MRC had Visa’s chief economist do the opening keynote address. He was a great speaker, but he included a list of things that keep him up at night. Thanks for sharing, but I already have enough keeping me up at night.

Best deflection of question from a session attendee: The director of payments from Overstock.com, who when posed with a tough and lengthy query deadpanned: “This is Payments 101. That’s covered in Advanced Payments, which is down the hall…”

Worst attendee ring tone, courtesy of the guy in the front row who didn’t turn off his cell: “Barbara Ann,” by the Beach Boys.

Best indicator that the recession is fading: The sold-out conference and jammed-packed exhibit hall. My apologies to anyone I ran into with my rolling bag there—I’m not used to seeing so many people at a show.

Worst excuse for ducking out of sessions or meals early: “I have to get to the sports book to place a bet on the game for my brother and/or my friend.” We all know you’re placing your own bets, and we’re not here to judge.

Best way to honor St. Patrick: Corned beef and cabbage in the exhibit hall. (I’m not sure he would have cared for the green Corona, though.)

Worst way to honor St. Patrick: Not having the luck of the Irish at the casinos. Even on St. Patrick’s Day, the house always wins. Damn you, Steve Wynn…