
MSPA EA Conference (AGM) | 19-21 May 2026 | Alicante, Spain
LIVE (pdf version)- Preliminary DELEGATE LIST
LIVE (html version)- Preliminary DELEGATE LIST
ELEVATE YOUR BUSINESS - Step Up and Lead the Way
The MSPA EA conference team are happy to share that the 2026 conference planning is well underway!
Our conference in Tallinn for 2025 was a resounding success and the programme was again highly rated, so a hard act to follow so our plan is to prepare the best ever event we can; ensuring inspirational, relevant and authentic content, great networking and above all a focus on our theme for 2026.
Our MSPA focus and theme for 2026 - ELEVATE YOUR BUSINESS - Step Up and Lead the Way - recognises the three main opportunities and challenges for us all:
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Help us extend the conversation beyond CX to recognise product, placement, promotion, price, premises, people, prevention…
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…and take the lead with our services supporting Operational Excellence in all its forms for our clients…
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…and finally demonstrate pride in the best examples of our work.
These opportunities demonstrate an ever increasing and divergent use of Professional Mystery Shopping and Auditing – with more and more focus on speed, connectivity, accuracy, cost efficiency and the measurement and motivation of the issues that matter most to our clients, as they strive for Operational Excellence and Commercial Impact.
The list of issues gets ever longer, we help identify and improve everything from a great customer experience to the price and availability of products, the compliance with legislation to the promotion of brand in a competitive marketplace.
We know all of our delegates will have a tale to tell, to connect, learn and share from our collective experiences – Step up and Lead the Way!
Join us 19-21 May in Alicante, Spain!
MSPA EA Board of Directors.
Why attend the MSPA Conference (AGM)
The MSPA is at the centre of the Mystery Shopping & Customer Experience industry. With over 475 member companies worldwide we measure the quality of customer service given by more than 100.000 companies around the globe. The MSPA is the association of professional companies whose goal is to improve and stimulate the acceptance, performance, reputation and use of mystery shopping and associated services. Our Europe/Africa conference is "The Event" for all our MSPA professionals in the industry to attend each year!
- Welcoming +175 delegates from Europe, Africa and the rest of the World.
- Key-note speakers, case studies, dynamic sessions & discussions.
- All in connection to the Annual General Meeting sessions and topics.
- Social activities on Wednesday afternoon again included in the conference programme!
- Associate members providing you with interesting insight into the latest industry technologies and services.
- Plenty of time for networking and socialising is built into the conference programme.
- 2 Dinners, 2 lunches, refreshments during the main conference days, access to the mobile event app and digital copies of the presentations aftwards are included in the 2-days attendance fees.
YOUR ACTIONS
- REGISTER today, it only takes 3 minutes! (available soon!!)
- Arrange your HOTEL RESERVATION; room availability is limited, we strongly recommend you to make your hotel reservations as soon as possible. Please click the tab HOTEL how to reserve your hotel room at the Hotel Alicante Golf.
- and finally...FOLLOW US on LinkedIn, FB and Instagram to stay up to date!
Andy Firth
President MSPA EA
Head of Advisory and Analytics / Ipsos Channel Performance
United Kingdom
Emma Harte
CEO – Customer Perceptions/Optimum Results, Ireland
Read more
Antonio Galiano and Pepe Galiano
CEO Sales | CEO Operations
El Cliente Indescreto
Spain
Maria Antică
Head of 4Service Romania at 4Service Group
Read more
Monica Luciani
Vice-President MSPA EA
Founder, Mebius - Italy
Tamsin Palmer
Managing Director, Customerwise Ltd, United Kingdom
Read more
Lê Thị Thương
Deputy Director General, SYCA (SOI.Pro), Vietnam
Read more
Kate Rand
CEO, Serve Legal, United Kingdom
Read more
Jenni Garratt
Sales and Marketing Director, Serve Legal, United Kingdom
Read more
Cristiani Oliveira
Past President MSPA EA and CX Channel Co Host, Portugal
Read more
Gül Özbek
Senior Customer & Marketing Insight Manager, Yves Rocher, Turkey
Read more
Barbara González Lasuén
CEO - Qualimetrie, España
David Butruille
Managing Director, Qualimetrie Group - France
Read more
Stefaan Vandroogenbroeck
CEO, Multi-Value, Belgium
Read more18 May, 2026 - Monday (NEW this year)
09:00 - 16:30 hrs
Masterclass - "Attract, Retain and Grow". (pre-registration required)
Masterclass - "Attract, Retain and Grow"
Monday May 18th, 2026 at the Alicante Golf Hotel.
Check full details, programme and online registration HERE! Please note
Don’t miss out! This is a great opportunity for Business Owners, Sales Leaders and Key Account Holders in member companies!
Who should attend? This workshop is aimed at Business Owners, Sales Leaders and Key Account Holders in member companies
Why Attend? In this Masterclass leaders from MSPA will help you define a business growth strategy, attract new business grow with clients and create winning business cases.
- 3 pillars of Success
- Attract with your Value Proposition
- Retaining Through Key Account Management
- Growing Through Insights
- ....and plenty of time for interactive discussions.

19 May, 2026 - Tuesday
10:00 - 16:00
Client meeting Research Metrics at the Alicante Golf Hotel (by invitation only)
Client meeting Research Metrics at the Alicante Golf Hotel (by invitation only)

Please contact Research Metrics directly concerning invitations and program details.
12:30 - 16:30
Client meeting LiveShopper/Sassie at the Alicante Golf Hotel (by invitation only)
Client meeting LiveShopper/Sassie at the Alicante Golf Hotel (by invitation only)

Please contact LiveShopper/Sassie directly concerning invitations and program details.
17:30 - 18:45
New to MSPA EA Session (by invitation only)
New Members / First time attendants Session (By invitation only)
Hosted by the MSPA EA Board of Directors

19:00 - 21:30
Welcome Reception & Dinner at the Alicante Golf Hotel
Registration and WELCOME reception/dinner at the Alicante Golf Hotel.
Dinner will be served around 19.30 hrs. (Pre registration via the registration form is required)

20 May, 2026 - Wednesday
09:00 - 09:30
Registration
SESSION ONE - WELCOME
09:30 - 10:10
Elevate Your Business | Conference Opening Address from our President
Andy opens our conference with the latest news from MSPA EA and an introduction to the full programme. A chance for all delegates to understand our theme - ELEVATE YOUR BUSINESS! A real opportunity for our members to meet in person for 3 days to Connect, Learn and Share in person!
10:10 - 10:30
Welcome to España! | From Big Picture to the Little Details...
Welcome to España! | From Big Picture to the Little Details...
Antonio and Pepe from El Cliente Indiscreto will take us on a journey through Spain, Valencia, Alicante and Elche, the home of their business that delivers the detail that makes their clients effective, elevating better experiences and higher returns. Antonio will Introduce a case study from a client that showcases the value of mystery shopping in their business.
10:30 - 11:15
Coffee Break...
SESSION TWO
THE CASE STUDY HOUR
11:15 - 11:35
Circle of Relevance and Excellence | Using Consumer Perception to Drive Operational Excellence
11:35 - 11:55
Elevating the Conversation | From Insight to Impact
Elevating the Conversation | From Insight to Impact
This session will explore how Mystery Shopping Providers can move beyond reporting to become strategic partners in operational excellence. While most organisations are rich in data, insight alone does not change behaviour. The real opportunity lies in translating insight into clear priorities, building capability through training and driving consistent execution. Drawing on real experience, this session shows how to extend the conversation beyond mystery shopping and CX measurement by using AI, integrated insight and training to deliver meaningful results. Emma will discuss how they close the gap between knowing and doing, elevate client relationships and unlock greater commercial impact from the services they already provide.
11:55 - 12:15
From Mystery to Mastery | Precision in Data, Perfection in Experience
From Mystery to Mastery | Precision in Data, Perfection in Experience
This is the story of a retail revolution. By leveraging Mystery Shopping insights as a strategic catalyst, Yves Rocher has transitioned from traditional service to "Customer Mastery.” Not just change; real evolution, sculpting a retail journey where data meets the botanical soul of Yves Rocher - positioned as the Premium One in customers’ minds!
Today, Gul presents the new face of Yves Rocher. This metamorphosis proves that when insights are cultivated with precision, the retail experience doesn't just improve; it blooms. This consistent growth reflects a profound transformation, turning touchpoints into an emotional connection. Are you ready to harness this transformation for your own success?
12:15 - 12:35
Moving from Internal to External Operational Excellence | Sharing excellence and helping our Clients to Win!
Moving from Internal to External Operational Excellence
Sharing excellence and helping our Clients to Win!
Work in mystery shopping and auditing programmes is not made in vain or for profit only. We all share a strong belief that what we do for our clients helps them improve the quality of their services and the performance of their channels and employees, all leading ultimately to higher customer satisfaction and loyalty, great experiences for their clients and ultimately business growth and increased revenue. 4Service Group will show you how improving internal operational processes leads not only to their own markets and projects expansion, but how their clients directly benefited from it. Shared wisdom and practices from real clients and their success stories.
12:35 - 14:00
Lunch
SESSION THREE
INTERACTIVE SESSIONS
14:00 - 15:15
Roses, Thorns and Buds | What goes well, challenges us and are our new opportunities?
Roses, Thorns and Buds | What goes well, challenges us and are our new opportunities?
A chance for all delegates to work together and understand what goes well – so we learn what we can all do more of as businesses in our market. Conversely, a chance to share what needs improvement, so we can remove barriers and concentrate on improvement. Finally, what is new! What emerges as opportunities that we can all take advantage from! This easy to use “Rose – Good, Thorn – Bad, Bud – Emerging” format will help us individually and collectively work better to keep elevating our market.
Facilitated by MSPA EA Board Members
14:00- 15:45
Vendor Show & Networking | A chance to catch up and learn more
15:45 - 18:30
Social activity; exploring beautiful Alicante!
Are you joining us!
On request of many we have included a social activity to this years program; while you are exploring the beautiful city Alicante by foot and guided by english speaking guides; several famous local tastings will be offered to you when passing by the harbor, the old castle and of course the city centre,.
The conference program will end before the tour starts, leaving by foot. Around 18:30/19:00 hrs the tour ends at the hotel!
A fantastic experience which we hope most delegates will attend!

19:30 - 21:30
Informal Dinner at the Alicante Golf Hotel
After a whole day of activities you might want to relax by not having to search the city looking for a restaurant... Considering that, and also because we know you want to make the most of network opportunities, we have organized an informal buffet dinner right here at the restaurant of the Alicante Golf Hotel between 19.30-21.30 hrs This event is included in the 2-days full conference package, pre-registration is required and extra tickets for guests need to be pre-booked during registration.
21 May, 2026 - Thursday
09:00 - 09:15
Registration
SESSION FOUR
NEW! FROM YOUR ASSOCIATION
09:15 - 09:30
Official AGM and MSPA Updates | Updates from Our President and Board
Day Two starts with our AGM and essential updates for all members on AGM items, opportunities, Elite and membership recognition.
09:30 - 09:45
MSPA Insights | New Initiative
MSPA Insights | New Initiative
David and the MSPA Insights team will present a unique opportunity for all members to contribute to a multi-market, multi-sector benchmarking study with the MSPA EA. Featured in our last conference, we are now at the stage of operational delivery - a real chance to step up and add value to your clients.
09:50 - 10:10
MSPA Membership Recognition Programmes and ELITE Awards | New Initiatives
MSPA Membership Recognition Programmes and ELITE Awards | New Initiatives
Monica, our Vice President and leader of our membership team will update on all the interesting developments in our membership programmes, including Membership levels, Elite programme eligibility and winners and new opportunities to recognise success with MSPA! NOT TO BE MISSED! Have your winning speeches ready, the red carpet awaits…
10:30 - 11:15
Responsible AI: Leadership & Governance | Scaling Intelligence Without Scaling Risk
Responsible AI: Leadership & Governance | Scaling Intelligence Without Scaling Risk
Artificial Intelligence is reshaping operational excellence across the CX and Mystery Shopping industry — accelerating automation, enhancing insight generation, and expanding analytical capability. Yet as intelligence scales, so does exposure. Responsible AI is no longer a technical consideration; it is a leadership and governance challenge. This keynote explores how business owners can strengthen accountability, protect trust, and embed ethical discipline into their operating models — not as compliance theatre, but as strategic advantage. By examining both the opportunities and the blind spots of AI adoption, it offers a practical perspective on how to scale intelligence without scaling risk.
SESSION FIVE
EMERGING IDEAS
10:30 - 11:15
Coffee Break & Networking
11:15 - 11:35
Panel Discussion | Technology, Now, Next and The Future
Panel Discussion | Technology, Now, Next and The Future
Returning to our stage every year! Our technology landscape changes every day, what gives us opportunity and concern accelerate with increasing velocity. Time to step back and listen to experts from the market, as software providers, power users and legislation experts take the floor to explain their vision on now, next and the future.
11:35 - 11:55
Elevate Our Profession | Moving from cost per visit to value per decision
Elevate Our Profession | Moving from cost per visit to value per decision
Tamsin will show how professional mystery shopping can move beyond reporting scores to become a strategic driver of operational excellence and commercial impact, especially for time-poor organisations overwhelmed by feedback.
She will share a practical model for designing consultative programmes that drive action and deliver stronger outcomes for clients, while strengthening the value narrative for providers. Key points include: reframing client conversations from price to outcomes; defining ‘quality’ as credible, actionable insight; helping clients prioritise action over more data; using modern tools to reduce noise and accelerate improvement; and positioning mystery shopping as central to operational performance across the organisation.
12:25 - 12:30
The Re-Experience Score | The Missing Link Between Operational Delivery, Experience and Behaviour
The Re-Experience Score | The Missing Link Between Operational Delivery, Experience and Behaviour
Many organisations achieve high Customer Satisfaction and NPS (stated advocacy) scores, yet still struggle with repeat custom, true advocacy, and financial return. The problem is not measurement in itself, but what and how we choose to measure.
This session introduces The Re-experience Score (RXS), a new measurement approach grounded in behavioural psychology and memory science. RXS explains why customer behaviour is driven not by satisfaction in the moment, but by how operational events are remembered, emotionally encoded, and re-experienced over time.
By connecting operational delivery, customer perception, and real behavioural outcomes, RXS offers a practical framework for Mystery Shopping and CX programmes to move beyond perception and start predicting what customers actually do next.
12:15- 12:35
A Curious Age | Understanding, Engaging and Supporting the Youth of Today
A Curious Age | Understanding, Engaging and Supporting the Youth of Today
Now more than ever before, we need to support our Mystery Shopper community. Jenni and Kate will be exploring how to attract and mobilise 16 to 25 year-olds for both compliance auditing and mystery shopping work. They will explain how Serve Legal have built a community of 10,000+ young people in the UK and Ireland to facilitate age-verification and youth-focused mystery shopping programmes. Their focus is on engaged and motivated shoppers to ensure they high quality actionable reporting and 100% delivery for clients.
SESSION
SIX CLOSING SESSION
12:45 - 14.15
Lunch
14:15 - 14:40
From Greet to Great | Turning Mystery Shopping into a Movement for Operational Excellence
From Greet to Great | Turning Mystery Shopping into a Movement for Operational Excellence
Many mystery shopping programmes measure performance. But how do you turn measurement into motivation and real improvement? Stefaan shows how mystery shopping can evolve from reporting to driving operational excellence by engaging employees before, during and after the programme.
By involving key stakeholders from the very start, from the client project team to district managers, team leaders, frontline staff and other employees influencing the customer journey, you can create ownership, meaningful dialogue and concrete actions for improvement.
You will discover how to engage employees in the mystery shopping journey, transform results into constructive conversations, and use training and coaching to turn insights into lasting change.
Because the real value of mystery shopping is not in the reports, it is in the actions it creates.
14:40 - 15:00
Closing Address | The Year Ahead…
Our President wraps up our conference, with thanks to all those onstage, offstage and backstage. Providing a vision for the year ahead as more events to connect, learn and share are available to the whole MSPA community. And finally the reveal of our destination for Conference 2027, be in the room!
15:00 - 15:30
Vendor Show & Networking
19:00 - 23:00
Official Closing DINNER
Dinner at an amazing place - pre registration is required.
You do not want to miss this evening!!! Excellent food, wines and network possibilities in an informal atmosphere. Dinner and a limited number of drinks are included to the dinner fee. Starting at 19.00 hrs and around 22:30/23:00 hrs the dinner will end.
... in case you’re not quite ready to end your evening yet, you are most welcome to join us at one of the clubs that is located nearby!

Online Registration is available!
EARLY BIRD HOTEL RATES until MARCH 19th, 2026...
📩 Start Your Registration
Just click here or the above orange button to register, altenatively scan the QR code!
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CONTRIBUTION FEE & DETAILS
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BEFORE EARLY BIRD |
AFTER
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| FULL TWO-day Attendance AGM - 2 lunches & 2 dinners |
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| MSPA member - 1st person from your company | € 595,- | € 720,- |
| MSPA member - 2nd person from your company | € 550,- | € 685,- |
| MSPA member - 3 and more persons | € 525,- | € 650,- |
| NON-MSPA member - participant | € 795,- | € 920,- |
| CLIENT - participant | € 595,- | € 720,- |
| ONE-day Attendance AGM (Wednesday or Thursday) - 1 lunch & Wednesday Dinner |
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| MSPA Members & Clients | € 450,- | € 575,- |
| Optional Networking Events (limited places available) | ||
| Masterclass - Monday May 18th | € 375,- | € 425,- |
| Social Activity – Wednesday May 20th | € 65,- | € 65,- |
| Closing Dinner EVENT – Thursday May 21st | € 165,- | € 165,- |
Booking Terms and Conditions |
Do you like to attend the MSPA EA conference and your company is not a member yet? Apply here for MSPA EA membership and reach out to Nikky Alkemade, Executive Director MSPA EA, to discuss your options and start your application procedure!

Hotel Information
The Hotel Alicante Golf in Alicante, Spain is our official conference venue for the MSPA Europe/Africa conference 2026.
The hotel has a perfect location, looking overe a beautiful golf course, only 800 meters far from the San Juan beach, perfect connections with the city center and Alicante Airport is about 20 minutes away.
Update March 12th, 2026 - the Alicante Golf hotel is about to be FULLY BOOKED - please find below the information how you can check with the hotel if there is still availability - there always be cancellations and changes in the upcoming weeks and checking with them might be all you need to do
- No hotel rooms available anymore for the night of May 16th, 2026
Please find at the bottom of this page several alternative hotels in the near area - MSPA does not have any agreements with these hotels, they are only suggestions for you.
Hotel Reservations - Alicante Golf Hotel
A limited number of rooms have been blocked for MSPA guests at the Hotel Alicante Golf until March 19th, 2026 at a special hotel rate, until the room block is finished: only available via the below booking instructions.
- Single room rate - Euro 135 / Double/Twin room rate - Euro 151
Room rates are per night, including breakfast, vat and excluding city tax. Rates will only be available to MSPA member delegates.
The Hotel Alicante Golf manages all hotel reservations directly, please contact the hotel in case you have any questions; reservations department; reservas@hotelalicantegolf.com | +34 687 09 18 54.
Follow the below instructions to secure your hotel room - Alicante Golf Hotel:
Old fashion way to make your hotel reservations this year – by simply sending an email!
- Send an email to the reservations department of Hotel Alicante Golf at reservas@hotelalicantegolf.com.
- Feel free to copy nikky@mspa-ea.org in if you like MSPA to keep an eye on your reservation.
- Subject - Include MSPA EA 2026 as subject and your name.
- Example subject : MSPA EA hotel reservation 2026 – Nikky Alkemade.
- Details - Copy the below table to your email or email the details in a message, include your reservation details and send your email to reservas@hotelalicantegolf.com.
- In the event you like to reserve multiple rooms, please copy the table again and include the details for the 2nd room, 3rd room and further to your email – in case you do not know the guest names yet include separately the number of rooms you like to reserve.
| MSPA Conference 2026 | Room Request |
| Guest name | |
| Address Details | |
| Email address (for confirmation and secure payment link) | |
| Telephone nr. | |
| Number of persons in this room | |
| Single/Double/Twin | |
| Arrival Date | |
| Departure Date | |
| Special wishes or requirements |
General Information - Alicante Golf Hotel
- After your email is received the hotel will send you a confirmation email of your reservation, including your details and rates.
- Generally, within 48 hours however during the weekend it can take slightly longer.
- In case there is no availability the hotel will inform you as well and try to assist you to a nearby hotel.
- Rooms are appointed as “run of the house” which means that the hotel appoints the room category and will appoint them on arrival time of your reservation.
- After the Early Bird deadline rooms are only available on request and the special MSPA rate is not guaranteed!
- Payment & final confirmation:
- No credit card details are asked or needed when you make your reservation.
- Important - 7 to 14 days before your arrival at the Hotel Alicante Golf, the MSPA Congress attendees will receive a secure payment link to arrange payment by credit card (the hotel does not store or maintain any information about guests' personal card details).
- Once your payment has been made correctly, your reservation is firm, and you as guest will receive a final confirmation including your reservation number.
- Cancellation conditions:
- Cancellation until 14 days prior to arrival date is without charge;
- if cancelled between 14 and 7 days prior to arrival, 1 night will be charged as cancellation fees;
- from 6 days to arrival/or no show: cancellation fee is 100% of the entire stay
- Alicante Golf Hotel - Hotel booking and cancellation conditions.
Alternative hotel in Alicante
Please find at the bottom of this page several alternative hotels in the near area - MSPA does not have any agreements with these hotels, they are only suggestions for you. Conditions and rates are the ones presented by the hotels via their website.
- Hotel Castilla Alicante ***
- Hotel Almirante Alicante ****
- Hotel Port Alicante City & Beach ****
- Hotel Boutique Calas de Alicante ***

Alicante, Spain
Discover the vibrant city of Alicante, a Mediterranean gem on Spain’s sunny Costa Blanca. Stroll through its charming old town and explore highlights such as the impressive Santa Bárbara Castle, the colorful Explanada de España, and the bustling Mercado Central.
Alicante’s rich culture comes alive in its festivals, historic architecture, and warm, welcoming atmosphere. Enjoy the city’s beautiful golden beaches, perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and relaxing by crystal-clear waters.
And of course—taste the best of the region with delicious Mediterranean cuisine, from fresh seafood to traditional paella and tapas.
Alicante is the perfect blend of culture, relaxation, and unforgettable flavors. Come and experience it for yourself! To find out more about Tallinn check out the city’s official tourism portal, https://alicanteturismo.com/en/alicante/.
Alicante Airport
Alicante Airport is approximately a 15/20 minutes taxidrive from the MSPA venue the Alicante Golf Hotel. Direct flights available from Rome, Milan, Nice, Amsterdam, Paris, Brussels, Prague, London, Munich, Frankfurt, Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga, Vienna, Warsaw, Dubrovnik and many more cities.
Flight Connections is an easy tool to check out flights and airline companies. Stay flexible and arrange your travel to Alicante with a flexible ticket for your travel!
Transfer from and to the Airport
By Taxi - taxi stand is available right in front of the airport; easy and enough taxis available; it is only as 15/20 drive and will cost around Euro 25.
By Bus - from the airport take Bus Line C6 to Plaza de Luceros, then Tram Line 3 to the Golf Stop.


Welcome SPONSORS
PATRON sponsor
VENDOR sponsor
SUPPORTER sponsor
Support Your Association and become a SPONSOR
Download all details of the sponsor packages 2026 and an order form here!
The MSPA is at the centre of the Mystery Shopping & Customer Experience industry. With over 475 member companies worldwide we measure the quality of customer service given by more than 100.000 companies around the globe.
As a sponsor of the MSPA Europe/Africa conference in Alicante, Spain you would receive a unique opportunity to demonstrate your dedication to improving customer service levels and to show your support and engagement in the mystery shopping industry. We expect around 200 mystery shopping & customer experience providers presidents, CEOs and executives from multi-national companies to be present.
The opportunity that we offer is for you to raise your corporate profile as an MSPA conference sponsor. Apart from a wide variety of valuable benefits including recognition and participation at the MSPA conference and events, you will have a chance to network directly with the leading names in the mystery shopping industry. You may select from different levels of sponsorship participation, all providing enhanced exposure of your products and services, and choose the one that's right for you.
Why not gain the most exposure for your marketing by completing the corporate sponsorship form and sending it to us? You will not regret it!
If you need any additional information regarding sponsorship, please contact Nikky Alkemade, Executive Director MSPA, at nikky@mspa-ea.org.






















