Türkiye Learning Festival
Join us in Istanbul, Türkiye from 9-10 February 2026 for an unparalleled learning experience at our first-ever Türkiye Learning Festival. This immersive two-day event is designed to equip you with the latest insights, trends and skills you need to succeed in your payments career.
In this unique event, which is comprised of expert-led sessions with ample time for discussion and networking, you’ll expand your knowledge of the payments landscape, operations, dispute resolution and fraud and will return to your role ready to make an impact within your organization.
Gain critical insights into the payments industry and relevant skills for your role
Learn from experts
Sessions are led by Visa experts who have extensive payments experience and excel in simplifying complex payment topics and delivering impactful training sessions.
Enhance your expertise
Explore crucial subjects like agentic AI, dispute management, data-driven insights, global payment innovations and regional bank initiatives. Our comprehensive curriculum ensures you are well-versed in current and future industry dynamics.
Engage with peers
Join a vibrant community of dedicated peers and professionals. Participate in interactive group activities and discussions designed to maximize your learning and build valuable connections within the industry.
Program information
Venue: The Grand Tarabya
Haydar Aliyev Caddesi No:154,
Tarabya, Istanbul, 34457, Türkiye
Phone: +90 212 363 33 00
Website
It features modern five‑star amenities while preserving its legacy as one of Istanbul’s iconic shoreline hotels.
Agenda
- Welcome and introduction to program themes and objectives
- Keynote: Agentic AI and The Future of Commerce
- What is Agentic AI and what happens when agentic commerce happens?
- Keynote: Data-Driven Insights and Analytics
- Visa Analytics Platform for decision making
- AI integration and tokenization projects
- Lunch
- Keynote: Dispute Management and Best Practices
- Key stages and timelines of the dispute cycle
- Common dispute codes and documentation essentials
- Coffee break
- Keynote: Operational Excellence in Payments
- Card and POS lifecycle steps
- Merchant onboarding processes
- Day 1 wrap-up and key takeaways
- Networking and group dinner
- Debrief on learnings
- Introduction to Day 2
- Keynote: Global Payment Innovations
- Digital wallets and Tap2Phone
- Visa x Google collaboration highlights
- Keynote: Fraud Trends and Risk Mitigation
- Emerging fraud threats and detection tools
- Cross-border and tourism-related risks
- Lunch
- Keynote: Regional Payment Behaviors
- Segment-based payment preferences
- Local bank initiatives in Türkiye
- Coffee break
- Day 2 wrap-up and key takeaways
- Program conclusion
Upon completion of the program, you’ll receive a digital badge which can be displayed on social media, email signatures and more.
After you receive a badge, look for an email from Credly and be sure to share your badge on LinkedIn to showcase your achievement.
Meet our experts
Konstantina Kapetanidi
VP, Head of Data Solutions, Europe Intelligence and Data Solutions, Visa
Konstantina leads the teams
that turn Visa’s data and AI capabilities into commercial value. She has 17
years of experience in data, analytics, data science, customer relationship
management and AI, shaping intelligence‑driven transformation in
complex global environments. She is also a board member, mentor and advocate
known for building inclusive, high‑performance data
communities and translating complex concepts into clear, commercially grounded
strategies.
Julian De Los Reyes Garrido
Senior Technical Solutions
Consultant, Visa
With more than ten years of experience in the financial
sector, Julian has built his career in customer-facing roles that blend
deep technical expertise with a strong client orientation. Recognized for
pairing rigorous technical knowledge with strong interpersonal skills, he
consistently delivers high‑quality solutions and exceptional client
experiences. As a committed advocate for his clients, he focuses on
understanding their needs, guiding them toward the best possible outcomes and
ensuring that complex challenges are resolved with clarity, precision and
impact.
Shelly Tadjer
Senior Director, VCA Strategy, Planning and Operations and Go To Market, Visa
As Head of Strategy and Commercial Operations for Visa Consulting & Analytics in Europe, Shelly is an expert in digital transformation, operating model design and digital strategy for banking and financial services institutions. She leads initiatives that drive growth through commercialization of new products and offerings, enabling clients to capitalize on key trends in the payment industry and shifting consumer behaviors. Her approach is rooted in using a human-centered lens to create digital products and services informed by deep customer insights.
Taija Thomas
Senior Dispute Consultant,
Dispute Resolution Management, Visa
With over two decades of expertise in the payments industry, Taija combines extensive knowledge of Visa disputes with a passion for delivering precise and effective solutions. Known for bringing energy, strategic insight and an unwavering commitment to excellence to her role, Taija ensures that every challenge is met with accuracy and results — because in the world of disputes, details matter and solutions count.
FAQ
Business casual attire is appropriate for all days of the week (including the evening social event). The average outside temperature for Istanbul in February is 5-12°C. We recommend bringing a light coat or sweater for inside the hotel, as the temperatures in hotel meeting rooms may vary.
Yes! We will offer welcome breakfast with light accompaniments to start the day. Lunch will be provided on both days, and we’ll have a coffee break in the afternoon.
Internet access will be available in all meeting rooms during the program. Please make sure to bring a laptop, tablet/notebook and/or mobile device.