ICMA's 2019 EXPO Focuses on How the World Transacts Everyday

PRINCETON JUNCTION, N.J., July 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Card Manufacturers Association (ICMA), a global trade association for card manufacturers, personalizers, issuers and suppliers will host its 2019 ICMA Card Manufacturing & Personalization EXPO March 31-April 3, 2019 at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate in Florida.

The upcoming EXPO?which will return to its roots as a stand-alone, card-centric event ? will focus on how the world transacts, bringing together the pioneers and trendsetters of the card industry to provide attendees from around the world with a truly unique and valuable experience. The global event will showcase new and exciting ways to apply science, engineering, tools, methods and knowledge to the development of materials, equipment, products and services that will launch the card industry into a new era of innovation.

"With the future in mind, our card industry audience will again have diverse, contemporary, and unique opportunities to explore in Orlando," said Jeffrey Barnhart, executive director and founder of ICMA. "Industry leaders provide essential market forecasts while attendees learn and network, gaining valuable insight on card manufacturing and issuing trends, as well as new technologies in security and payments."

The comprehensive conference program will have dedicated exhibition hours in addition to the invaluable programming provided by leading association members. Winners of the 2019 ICMA Élan Awards that celebrate the pinnacle of design innovation, security and technical achievements in the card industry will be announced at the conference.

Sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities are now available for the 2019 ICMA Card Manufacturing & Personalization EXPO. For more information, visit icmaexpo.com.

Invaluable Networking and Industry Connection 

Since 1990, the annual ICMA Card Manufacturing & Personalization EXPO has served as the world's only manufacturing-focused global card conference and exhibition. A global meeting of leading card industry professionals, the EXPO is replete with information sharing and networking opportunities.

Geared to prepare attendees for the changing future of the card industry, presentations feature valuable insight on trends and new technologies, as well as market forecasts. EXPOs regularly features more than 50 exhibitors, made up of global industry leaders who manufacture and supply materials and services to the card manufacturing and personalization industry.

In addition to its annual EXPO, ICMA offers its members two other important events through the year. CardTREX North America and CardTREX Europe are geographic-specific conferences that focus on regional trends, challenges, opportunities and emerging technologies for card manufacturers, personalizers and suppliers. Each one-and-a-half days long, the conferences are geared to technical and production staff, as well as executives and business owners in the transaction card industry. The conferences also feature tours of local members' plants.

To provide more membership value, ICMA also hosts live webcasts featuring experts from card manufacturers, personalizers and issuers delivering virtual presentations about the transaction card industry. Webcasts are archived and members may access them on ICMA's website. Sample topics include, "European Card Market Statistics," "Developments in the Gift Card Marketplace" and "Effectively Designing and Introducing New Trends in Card Design."

Cutting-Edge Training, Education
ICMA maintains several industry-leading training and education programs about card manufacturing for members. These include the Advanced Card Education (ACE) designation, which provides information on key areas of the industry, as well as online tutorials and webinars on specific topics from card industry experts and leading industry suppliers.

The ACE training program is the global standard of recognition for advanced knowledge of the card manufacturing industry. Offered in manufacturing, personalization and advanced technologies, the ACE designations are designed to offer companies an edge in an intensely competitive field. As the demand for experts grows, continual training and expertise are crucial for individuals?and companies?to stay ahead of the crowd.

ACE training and exams are given at ICMA events, such as the upcoming 2019 EXPO and CardTREX conferences. ICMA member companies may also host private training sessions and ACE exams at their locations, proctored by ICMA personnel.

ICMA continues to invest in education for its members, keeping them knowledgeable and current on new innovation in the marketplace.

• CITE
  The Card Industry Training & Education (CITE) program provides a basic overview of the industry, it's history and manufacturing processes. It provides a basic education for individuals new to the card industry or who otherwise want a better understanding of the industry. The self-led online course covers general card manufacturing, personalization and applications.
  
  Key sections of the CITE curriculum include card history, card markets, industry scope, card product categories, card manufacturing, materials, components, card-based financial transactions, industry trade associations, basic concepts of card personalization, data recording technologies, machine-readable recording technologies and the card personalization process. There are self-tests at the end of each section.
  
• Card Manufacturing Magazine
  Published six times a year globally, Card Manufacturing is the flagship publication of ICMA. The magazine outlines industry news and trends, member news, product releases, standards updates and member/ACE spotlights.
  
• Technical Standards Reports
  ICMA officially participates in two major standards organizations, the International Standards Organization (ISO) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). An ICMA representative attends ANSI and ISO meetings, offering card manufacturing and personalization perspectives to the standard-making bodies and providing guidance to members about forthcoming changes to standards.
  
  ICMA maintains representation on both of these committees through its official standards representative, David Tushie of Magellan Consulting. Tushie is at the forefront of current and emerging standards for all types of cards and related devices.
  
  ICMA maintains a library of reports published by Tushie detailing outcomes of ISO and ANSI meetings from 2011 to present that impact the card manufacturing process.
  
• Global Market and Personalization Statistics Reports
  ICMA publishes two annual reports that analyze the industry and assess the industry's present environment and future. Designed to assist ICMA member companies with strategic planning, the reports are segmented by global views, industry verticals and geographic regions and they cover trends in manufacturing, personalization, and fulfillment statistics. The reports are free to members.

About ICMA
For nearly 30 years, ICMA has been a nonprofit association of card manufacturers, personalizers, suppliers and related industry participants. With 225 members globally, ICMA acts as a resource for industry issues, including the production, technology, application, security and environmental issues of cards. More information is available at icma.com.

Media Contacts:
Vikki Hurley-Schubert, ICMA Public Relations Manager
1-609-269-2388, [email protected]

SOURCE ICMA