News
ICMA Regional Workshops Repositioned For More Effective Focus
The International Card Manufacturers Association (ICMA) announced its annual Workshop events for 2010 will address each global region’s specific trends and business challenges. Previously titled the ICMA Fall Academy Workshops in both the United States and Europe, the events will now be called the North American Academy Workshop, to be held October 14-15, 2010 at the Renaissance Schaumburg in Schaumburg, Illinois, USA and the EuroForum which will be held October 28-29, 2010 at the Prague Hilton Old Town in Prague, Czech Republic.
The names of each event reflect ICMA’s effort to specifically meet the educational and networking needs of each region’s member base. The North American Academy Workshop, with a scope now more inclusive of Canada, will feature presentations on topics such as optical security measures, quality control, high speed encoding, lamination and green practices in the card industry. Bill Crawford of Waytek Corporation will chair the North American Academy Workshop.
The EuroForum will focus specifically on Europe’s card industry needs, opportunities and trends while exploring regional strategies and solutions for growing business. Axel Liebetrau, an innovative speaker with 20 years of professional experience who has managed over 200 international projects as a banker, trainer, management consultant and entrepreneur, will deliver the event’s first-ever keynote speech titled “Shaping the Future: Trend Knowledge for Tomorrow’s Business.” This will explore why financial crises can bring you progress and why diversity can be the solution for bringing in more opportunities. Other sessions will focus on such topics as dual interface, NFC, holographic microsystems and loyalty cards. The EuroForum will be chaired by Thies Janczek of COCASO and Claudia Hoell of Giesecke & Devrient.
“ICMA recognizes that card markets and trends vary around the world. We hope to provide a higher level of education tailored specifically to the regional audience so attendees can apply new skills in their daily lives,” said Al Vrancart, ICMA Industry Advisor and Founder Emeritus.
“As an organization, this year’s events are about more than just a name change,” said Jeffrey Barnhart, ICMA Executive Director. “It’s about providing members with the tools and knowledge to help them increase their value to their respective organizations, and network with their peers to grow within the card industry.”
The Workshop and EuroForum are suitable for card manufacturing professionals from around the world who are members of the association including personalizers, issuers, card manufacturers and other industry stakeholders. As in previous years, the events will feature table top displays, which allow suppliers to gain exposure to potential clients, as they can feature company product literature, materials and other information. The sessions will also include a networking dinner, enabling members to interact with each other and exchange ideas.
To register for ICMA’s North American Academy Workshop or EuroForum, or to learn more about becoming a member of the association, visit www.icma.com, contact Lynn McCullough at LMccullough@icma.com or call (609) 799-4900.
About the International Card Manufacturers Association (ICMA)
Based in Princeton Junction, NJ, USA, ICMA is a non-profit association of card manufacturers, personalizers, issuers and related industry participants. With more than 240 members globally, ICMA acts as a clearinghouse for industry issues, including the production, technology, application, security and environmental issues of transaction, identification and other cards.