Keynote Speaker Terry Jones of Travelocity.com to Discuss Industry Transformation
PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ – February 21, 2012 – Offering the latest dynamic opportunities of both networking and education from leading suppliers, the International Card Manufacturers Association (ICMA) will hold its Annual Card Manufacturing and Personalization EXPO, April 15-18, 2012 at the Turnberry Isle Miami Hotel & Resort in Aventura (Miami), Florida, USA.
The EXPO will feature keynote speaker Terry Jones, founder of Travelocity.com and will introduce a special presentation track focusing on personalization and fulfillment. Themed “Where the Card Manufacturing Industry Meets,” the EXPO will provide its attendees with not only the knowledge and tools for the present day, but with innovative industry practices for the future.
Founder of Travelocity.com, Chairman of Kayak.com and e-Commerce Pioneer, Jones has a proven track record of using not only progressive techniques, but innovations that have led to major industry changes in today’s rapidly evolving world. Jones will educate ICMA attendees on the benefits of thinking in a digital mind set, while adapting to coming advancements.
For the first time ever, ICMA has introduced a Personalization and Fulfillment Track to the speaking agenda. With years of experience in the industry, Larry Brown of Pittsburgh Embossing Services will serve as the Personalization and Fulfillment Track Chair. Presentation topics will include secure and non-secure service bureaus, in-house and third-party bureaus, issuers who supply bureaus with their data, equipment suppliers and manufacturers, and software providers.
The inclusion of the Personalization and Fulfillment Track will benefit many attendees that are involved within this niche of card production,” said Brown. “Catering to certain industry segments is exactly what the ICMA EXPO is geared to do.”
As EXPO attendees have come to expect, the event will also continue to feature presentations on cutting-edge card manufacturing issues and interactive networking opportunities. Other seminar topics include management and technical matters, current industry trends, personalization and production issues, as well as innovative applications and marketing techniques.
Particularly this year as other events have emerged, our goal is to provide new experiences and opportunities for our members, while tailoring our program to focus on the most current industry trends,” said Jeffrey Barnhart, Executive Director of ICMA.
Kazim Awan, Chief Executive Officer of Cupola Group Middle East Africa, will chair the event. Kazim has extensive experience in strategic planning, project development and business operations, which has led to the success of his many roles, including being a member of the ICMA Board of Directors.
It is a highly valuable experience for every attendee, when professionals from the various segments come together during one event to share their knowledge,” said Awan.
In addition, the EXPO will recognize card design innovation and technical achievement in various categories at the Annual Élan Awards Dinner on April 17. The Élan Awards honor card manufacturers and vendors for their achievements, while distinguishing them before their peers and customers as industry leaders.
Also, based on feedback from last year’s EXPO, ICMA will feature an expanded format of exhibitor Speed Networking sessions. Sessions will provide scheduled one-on-one time with key industry suppliers whose target customers are card manufacturers and personalizers.
Encompassing all industry sectors, the EXPO provides an exhibition of suppliers of card manufacturing and personalization equipment, materials, components and services. Confirmed exhibitors as of February 16, 2012 include:
- 3M
- Advanced Card Systems and Solutions
- Atlantic Zeiser
- Barnes International
- Bayer MaterialScience
- Bell Howell
- Bilcare Research
- Burkle North America
- Custom Polymers, Inc.
- De La Rue Holographics
- Digital Identification Solutions/Matica Systems
- Folienwerk Wolfen GmbH
- Gans Ink
- H.W. Sands Corp.
- ITW Card Technologies
- Kern
- KBA North America
- Klöckner Pentaplast
- KURZ
- LUX-IDent
- Melzer maschinenbau GmbH
- MGI
- New Wave Trading, LLC
- Oasys Technologies Ltd.
- P.A.T. Products, Inc.
- Pineberry Manufacturing, Inc.
- Pittsburgh Embossing Services
- Prime Factors, Inc.
- Q-Card Company
- Ruhlamat GmbH
- SICPA Securink Corp
- Spartanics
- TMP Inc., A Division of French
- VTT GmbH
For more information on the ICMA 2012 EXPO, including exhibiting, sponsorships, full speaker line-up and online registration, go to www.icma.com.
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About the International Card Manufacturers Association (ICMA)
Based in Princeton Junction, NJ, ICMA is a non-profit association of plastic card manufacturers, personalizers and related industry participants. ICMA celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2010. With more than 240 members globally, ICMA acts as a clearinghouse for industry issues, including the production, technology, application, security and environmental issues of plastic cards. More information is available at www.icma.com.