INSIGHTS
GT’s survival guide to SIBOS: How to stand out at the world’s payments conference
With over 12,000 delegates expected to converge on Frankfurt, Sibos 2025 is set to be bigger than ever.
Sibos is an unparalleled networking opportunity for the payments industry, with all the top banks, data providers, fintechs, and market infrastructure firms sending senior teams. It’s also a significant cost outlay.
GT boasts some seasoned Sibos veterans. Here’s our guide to getting the most bang for your buck.
Beyond the Booth
Perhaps you have a booth, or even a speaking slot. But visibility doesn’t start and end at the venue. Your communications strategy should be amping up your presence well in advance.
That means a proactive PR and content pipeline: blogs, media engagement, or LinkedIn activity that positions your brand as an expert voice before anyone has boarded their flight to Frankfurt. You want to demonstrate that you understand your industry, particularly your own niche within it, and are part of the conversation.
Understand the topics and take a position on them
To develop that strategy, you need to have clear, informed opinions on the most pressing topics.
Sibos is a payments conference, yes, but “payments” means everything from cross-border infrastructure to compliance, standards, and financial crime across securities and foreign exchange.
After a volatile year where geopolitical risk roiled markets, panellists will tackle urgent topics like artificial intelligence, Europe’s T+1 migration, tokenisation, and FX settlement risk, as well as perennial concerns around standards, regulation, and data.
Get your executives clear on the issues that matter most to your business. Work with them to sharpen their positions and prep them to articulate these views confidently. That way, whether they’re cornered by a reporter or chatting with a prospect, they’ll have compelling, media-ready opinions at their fingertips.
Measure what matters
Before the conference, decide what success looks like. And don’t just count leads scanned at the booth.
Tie your Sibos activity to strategic objectives. For example: Did you secure positive media mentions? What was your social engagement and share of voice during the event? How many meaningful conversations moved to pipeline opportunities?
By defining ROI in advance, you’ll have clear metrics to bring back to the boardroom, and a stronger case for next year’s budget.
Bonus survival
tips:
01
Whether you’re in loafers, Oxfords, or dress sneakers (don’t even think about heels), removable inner soles are your friend.
02
Skip the stiff, posed booth pics – LinkedIn loves casual, smiling selfies.
03
Most of all, enjoy yourself. Sibos is a chance to reconnect with peers, experience a new city, and generate leads. A relaxed smile will win you more conversations than any sales script.
Meet us at Sibos!
We would love to discuss your communications strategy.
Get in touch with Indre Hessant to arrange a coffee.
