As global card industry professionals face the dual challenge of staying up to date with fast-evolving trends and understanding the shifting preferences in how the world transacts, effective marketing becomes a key component in driving business success.
Reaching target audiences, building brand awareness and optimizing lead generation are all critical components for business growth in today’s competitive landscape.
Salesforce’s latest State of Marketing report highlights that building customer trust is a key priority for CMOs today. A crucial aspect of earning that trust is crafting a narrative that resonates with customers—one that authentically defines your brand.
In partnership with the International Card Manufacturers Association (ICMA), the global leader in secure and non-secure card manufacturing and personalization for more than 35 years, this challenge is directly addressed. ICMA offers a wide range of established solutions designed to amplify your marketing efforts and grow your business.
Marketing Resources for ICMA Members
ICMA provides numerous opportunities for its members to market their brands, products and services, while also increasing their global industry visibility.
By engaging with ICMA’s marketing solutions, members can ensure that their message reaches a targeted audience across multiple channels, ultimately contributing to increased brand recognition and industry influence.
“ICMA provides essential marketing services that deliver measurable results,” said ICMA Marketing Manager Ashleigh Aiken. “Our wide range of marketing solutions covers everything from digital advertising and public relations to social media campaigns and event promotions. We make it simple for members to boost brand visibility and engage with the right audience.”
Moreover, ICMA provides additional exposure by promoting members across its own channels, including social media, blogs, email promotions and digital advertising. This extended visibility helps to further elevate member companies in the marketplace.
Marketing Solutions Available to ICMA Members
ICMA offers both free and paid marketing opportunities, catering to companies of all sizes and budgets. Here’s a breakdown of the key marketing programs available to members:
1. Content Marketing, Public Relations and Advertising
- Card Manufacturing magazine: As the official publication of ICMA, Card Manufacturing offers global visibility for the card industry. Members have the opportunity to place ads, submit press releases or contribute feature articles that highlight their expertise. The April/May issue is printed and distributed at the ICMA EXPO. Additionally, the magazine has a companion e-newsletter that announces the launch of each issue and includes banner advertising space.
- ICMA InBrief: A weekly resource for industry news, ICMA InBrief is the go-to platform for the latest insights and trends. Members can participate by submitting company news or securing a banner ad.
- Banner Advertisements: Showcase your brand to thousands of readers through INSIDE ICMA and ICMA.com. With more than 1,500 monthly visitors to the ICMA website, banner ads offer excellent visibility.
- ICMA Blogs: Member companies can be featured in ICMA’s blogs, positioning them as thought leaders in their field.
2. Event Exhibition, Sponsorships and Facility Tour Hosting
- ICMA EXPO Exhibition Booths: The ICMA EXPO is the industry’s largest annual event, bringing together card manufacturers, issuers, suppliers and other industry innovators. Members can reserve exhibition booths to showcase their products and services.
- Sponsorship Opportunities: ICMA offers various sponsorship options that help members stand out, elevate brand awareness and increase sales. Sponsorships are available to suit all budgets and come with additional perks like free registrations when applicable.
3. Industry Award Recognition and Promotion
- Élan Awards of Excellence: The Élan Awards recognize innovation, design and technical excellence in the global card industry. Winning an Élan Award not only brings prestige, but also post-promotion through ICMA’s marketing channels.
4. Digital Marketing
- ICMA Member Directory: The member directory is the second most visited page on the ICMA website, following the homepage. It enables companies to create profiles that drive traffic and generate leads. This free feature provides a direct link to member websites and serves as a great platform to promote a brand. ICMA also offers paid banner advertising on this page.
- ICMA Webcasts and Tutorials: ICMA hosts webcasts that offer members the chance to present their expertise to a global audience. Members can also create tutorials to further establish themselves as thought leaders. Submit abstracts to jkohlhepp@icma.com.
5. Social Media Marketing
- ICMA’s Social Media Channels: Participating members are promoted across ICMA’s social media platforms. This exposure not only extends the reach of member companies but also helps them connect with new business prospects.
6. Integrated Marketing Services for Suppliers
Distinguished Partner Program: ICMA’s Distinguished Partner Program offers a unique way for members who make significant investments in the association to gain added visibility within the global card industry. Members who achieve Diamond, Platinum or Gold level recognition enjoy exceptional promotional benefits throughout the year. By combining advertising, exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities, members can maximize their exposure and drive new business opportunities.
Why ICMA Membership Matters
As ICMA celebrates 35 years in 2025, the association remains committed to supporting the card manufacturing industry by providing members with the tools they need to thrive.
Beyond marketing solutions, ICMA also offers valuable educational opportunities, including Advanced Card Education (ACE) training, and the Card Manufacturing & Personalization EXPO, the association’s largest event.
By participating in ICMA’s many programs, members gain the ability to shape the future of the industry while enhancing their brand’s presence across multiple channels.
Whether it’s contributing articles to Card Manufacturing, presenting at a webinar or attending a high-profile industry event, ICMA membership offers unparalleled opportunities to network, learn and grow.
For card industry professionals looking to stay ahead in 2025, leveraging the marketing resources and industry recognition offered by ICMA is a proven strategy for success.
Learn more about the benefits of ICMA membership.