ICMA Announces New Virtual Event for Card Manufacturers

PRINCETON JUNCTION, N.J., Sept. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Card Manufacturers Association (ICMA), a global trade association for card manufacturers, personalizers, issuers and suppliers, will host a historic event, ICMA Connect: A Global Virtual Forum & Trade Show on November 4-5, 2020.

Registration is now open for the online event, which will offer a dynamic lineup of interactive experiences, including educational opportunities, networking sessions and roundtable discussions. The "main stage" will feature speakers and panelists, who will discuss trends, technology, the "green" movement, COVID-19's impact on the card market, sustainability trends in the global card market, biometric smart cards and the future of the card industry. Participants will be invited to post questions, take part in polls and chat live with attendees and exhibitors.

Bernard Baumohl, chief global economist at The Economic Outlook Group LLC, will deliver the keynote address, "The Global Economic Outlook," in which he will discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economic and business landscape, forecasts for consumer and business spending, as well as how the outcome of the presidential election could impact the economy in 2021 and 2022.

"Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with travel restrictions and social distancing protocols in place, virtual events have become necessary," said Jeffrey Barnhart, executive director and founder of ICMA. "We are excited to unveil the lineup of highly engaging speakers and presentations for ICMA's inaugural virtual event, ICMA Connect. As the leading global trade association for the card industry, it was critical for ICMA to continue to deliver the cutting-edge education and networking opportunities that our members expect."

Winners of the 2020 ICMA Élan Awards of Excellence, which celebrate the pinnacle of design innovation, security and technical achievements in the card industry, will be announced at ICMA Connect. The seven award categories include: Secure Payment Cards, Loyalty, Promotional and Gift Cards, ID and Access Control Cards, Unique Innovation, Personalization & Fulfillment (Product, Service or Project) and Best Supplier or Vendor for a New Product, Service or Innovation.

Earlier this year, ICMA cancelled its 2020 Card Manufacturing and Personalization EXPO amid COVID-19 uncertainties. ICMA's 2021 EXPO will take place on May 17-20, 2021 at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida.

Sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities for ICMA Connect are now available. For more information and to register, visit icma.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 feature 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.

Throughout the year, ICMA hosts live webcasts featuring expert tips from card manufacturers, personalizers and issuers about the card industry. Webcasts are archived and members may access them on ICMA's website. Sample topics include, "European Card Market Statistics," "Card Security: Ink Solutions and Trends in Security Features" 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. These include the Advanced Card Education (ACE) program, 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 program is the global standard of recognition for advanced knowledge of the card manufacturing industry. There is a certification level curriculum and designations offered in manufacturing, personalization and advanced technologies. The newest addition to the program is ACE-Commercial, a virtual training series, which offers education to various segments of member companies. The ACE program is designed to offer companies an edge in an intensely competitive field. As the demand for experts grows, continual training and expertise is crucial for individuals—and companies—to stay ahead of the crowd.

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

• CITE
  The Card Industry Training & Education (CITE) program provides a basic overview of the industry, its 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
Celebrating its 30^th anniversary in 2020, ICMA is a nonprofit association of card manufacturers, personalizers, suppliers and related industry participants. With more than 200 members globally, ICMA is a resource for industry issues, including the production, technology, application, security and environmental issues of cards. More information is available at icma.com.

Media Contact:
Kimberly Tjoumakaris, public relations manager
(609) 297-7845
[email protected]

SOURCE ICMA

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