Press Releases

International Card Manufacturers Association Announces Keynote Speaker, Noted Futurist Ed Barlow, for Annual Card Manufacturing Expo in Athens, Greece

EXPO Theme: 2006 –Lighting the Torch for Global Card Growth

PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ – May 17, 2006 – The International Card Manufacturers Association’s (ICMA) Annual Card Manufacturing EXPO 2006 – the world’s only manufacturing-focused global card conference and EXPO – will be held October 8-11, 2006 at the Athenaeum Inter-Continental Hotel, Athens, Greece. This year’s keynote speaker, motivational futurist Ed Barlow, will share his understanding of the future and the influences that will affect personal, professional, organizational, and community settings.

Ed Barlow is President of Creating the Future, Inc., a management consulting firm, and is a professional speaker on the influences which will affect industry, organizational, professional and community settings. He has held executive positions in healthcare, business and higher education. He is dedicated to enhancing an understanding of the future and the influences that will affect personal, professional, organizational, and community settings. Ed has spoken for Six Sigma Academy of Europe, The Society of Manufacturing Engineers, and many others, to rave reviews. His presentation at this year’s event, Aligning with a Continuum of Change, will explore the dynamic nature of the global card environment and consider ways to take advantage of that which is ahead.

“We are very excited about having secured Ed Barlow as our keynote speaker. He delivers meaningful information about the future in a dynamic and entertaining manner,” said Jeffrey Barnhart, ICMA’s founder and executive director. “His well-organized and thought-provoking presentations affirm his reputation as a top motivational futurist.”

The ICMA EXPO, now in its 16 th year, will feature a high level of expert speakers who will lead delegates towards the EXPOs theme and ultimate goal: “Lighting the Torch for Global Card Growth”. The exhibition will consist of the leading global plastic card industry suppliers of card manufacturing equipment, materials and components.

For ICMA Annual EXPO exhibiting, registration or sponsorship information, or to learn more about becoming a member of ICMA, please visit the ICMA website at www.icma.com or contact Lori Nasatka, at phone 1-609-799-4900 or e-mail: Lnasatka@icma.com.

###

About ICMA
Based in Princeton Junction, NJ USA, ICMA is a non-profit association comprised of plastic card manufacturers, personalizers and related industry participants. With more than 220 members globally, representing more than 35 countries, ICMA acts as a clearinghouse for industry issues, including the production, technology, application, security and environmental issues of plastic cards. Visit the ICMA website at www.icma.com.