ICMA’s ANNUAL CARD MANUFACTURING EXPO TO ADDRESS
GLOBAL INDUSTRY ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES
PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ, February 12, 2008— The International Card Manufacturers Association’s (ICMA) Annual EXPO promises to deliver an impressive educational event with seminar topics ranging from advanced security, emerging markets, personalization and production issues, industry statistics and trends, to global/environmental issues affecting card manufacturing. It will be held April 6-9, 2008, at the Loews Royal Pacific Resort in Orlando, Florida USA.
“The card manufacturing industry is tasked with addressing the rising levels of security concerns and environmental issues,” said Jeffrey Barnhart, executive director of ICMA. “This year’s EXPO will address industry and business security, environmental issues affecting card manufacturing, as well as challenges and strategies of managing a business in today’s economy,” he further states.
This year’s EXPO will be chaired by ICMA board member Eric Blank, executive vice president of Arthur Blank & Company, an ABNote Company. Special guest speakers will include keynote Louie Gravance of the Disney Institute, Henry Dreifus, Founder and CEO of Dreifus & Associates and Dr. Jerry Haar, Associate Dean for International Programs and Projects at Florida International University.
Day one keynote, Louie Gravance is changing the consciousness of business in America through his speaking and consulting skills. A premiere example of the work he has done is his contribution to helping Bank of America navigate what he calls a “culture shift.” Money magazine credits these efforts with “making the banking experience more pleasurable with changes that have improved customer satisfaction.” Gravance will share the skills learned and honed during his tenure at The Walt Disney Company in Orlando, Florida. Day one guest speaker, Henry Dreifus has over 25 years experience in secure identification and smart card solutions and will address the future of contactless and NFC. Day two keynote, Dr. Haar will address the changing economic landscape in his presentation titled What’s in Store for the Card Industry – Climate and Economy.
“The high caliber of speakers at this year’s ICMA EXPO demonstrates ICMA’s predominant position in the card manufacturing arena,” said Eric Blank.
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, ICMA will also hold an ACE Accreditation exam for registered member applicants, which will take place on April 9.
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.
Exhibiting companies include 509 Technologies, American Bank Note Holographics, Associated Pacific Machine Corp., Atlantic Zeiser GmbH, Barnes International Limited, Bayer Films Americas, Blumer Maschinenbau, Boltaron Performance Products "Luccabolt", Böwe Bell & Howell, Burkle North America, Inc., Cardel Ltd., China Lucky Film Co., CFC International Inc., an ITW Company, Crown Roll Leaf, Inc., Datacard Group, Dynetics, Functional Materials Inc., Gans Ink & Supply Co., GOEX Corporation, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, INEOS Films, Kappus Plastic Company, Inc., Kurz Group, LaserCard Corporation, Leibinger, Linxx LLC / Advanced Card Systems, Mirel Biobased Plastics (Metabolix Inc.), MGI USA, Oasys Technologies Ltd., Pittsburgh Embossing Services, Q-Card Company, SICPA, Spartanics Ltd., SunChemical, and Zhongka Card Base New Material Co., Ltd.
For more information on the ICMA Annual EXPO – exhibiting, sponsorships, full speaker line-up and online registration, go to www.icma.com.
|