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ICMA Members to Explore “An Open Window for Opportunities” at the 2009 EXPO in San Juan March 31 – April 3

PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ – December 15, 2008 – The International Card Manufacturers Association (ICMA) will hold its Annual Card Manufacturing and Personalization EXPO March 31 through April 3, 2009 at the Caribe Hilton in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This year’s agenda features numerous timely seminar topics ranging from advanced security, emerging markets, personalization and production issues, industry statistics and trends, to global/environmental issues affecting card manufacturing.  

“The card manufacturing industry still has many untapped areas with the potential for growth, despite the worldwide economic downturn,” said Jeffrey Barnhart, Executive Director of ICMA. “This year’s EXPO will address the many challenges of managing a business in today’s economy, as well as the opportunities to refresh corporate strategies,” he further stated.

This year’s EXPO will be chaired by Bud Kronenberg, CEO of Keystone Plastics, an ABnote company, who also serves on the ICMA Board of Directors. Special guest speakers include keynote speaker Don Reynolds, a world economist and speaker James Hewitt, SVP of International Cards at Citibank, as well as other speakers representing member companies.
Keynote speaker Don Reynolds will give attendees a “Global Economic Tour” on Day One of the EXPO. Don is a real world economist who founded 21st Century Forecasting in 1986, a research company focusing on long term global, economic, demographic, and technology trends. He has lived 14 years overseas, visited over 50 countries, has lectured on Free Market Systems at the University of Moscow, spoken about the Global Economy for the Saudi Arabian Central Bank, keynoted the Australian IT Summit, spoken for the US Department of Commerce, advised the Heavy Equipment Industry in Santiago, Chile, counseled Inupiat Indians about energy development on the Arctic Slope.

“It is our hope that ICMA members walk away from this EXPO energized with what the speakers have to say and remain open to taking advantage of new opportunities that exist in this marketplace,” said Kronenberg.

The Annual EXPO also serves as the venue for presenting the association’s annual Élan Awards for Card Manufacturing Excellence, which are given out in multiple categories for outstanding card design and innovation; and the Spiritus Award, which goes to one member company that has implemented noteworthy, community-based programs designed for the betterment of society.  In addition to the main conference program, on March 31, ICMA will hold the third meeting of the Green Task Force, a group of members and industry stakeholders that has been meeting since November in order to determine a standard for environmentally responsible practices within the industry. Also, ACE-M Accreditation exams for registered member applicants will take place on April 3.  

Providing additional company exposure and enhanced networking opportunities, the ICMA EXPO will once again feature an exhibition of suppliers of card manufacturing and personalization equipment, materials, components and services.  

The following companies are exhibiting at the 2009 EXPO: 509 Technologies, Advanced Card Systems & Solutions, Apollo Colors, Associated Pacific Machine Corp., Atlantic Zeiser, Barnes International Ltd., Bayer Films Americas, Blumer AG, Boltaron, Bowe Bell & Howell, Burkle North America, Card Solutions Group, CFC International, Crown Roll Leaf, Datacard, Dynetics, Gans Ink, GOEX Corportation, Ineos Films, JDSU Authentication Solutions, Kappus Plastic Company, KBA-Metronic AG, Klockner Pentaplast, Kora Packmat, Kurz Transfer Products, LaserCard Corp., Lauffer Pressen, Melzer, MGI, Oasys, Pittsburgh Embossing Services, Inc., Q-Card Company, SICPA, Spartanics, Sylvester International and Telles.  
For more information on the ICMA Annual EXPO, including exhibiting, sponsorships, full speaker line-up and online registration, go to www.icma.com. 

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