By Jennifer Kohlhepp, Managing Editor, ICMA
The 2025 ICMA Card Manufacturing & Personalization EXPO was more than just a gathering of industry professionals—it was a milestone celebration of ICMA’s 35th anniversary. Held May 12–15 at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld in Florida, the event brought together hundreds of forward-thinking professionals committed to advancing the global card industry. With this year’s theme, Next-Gen Cards: Innovating for the Future, the EXPO showcased not only where the industry is heading, but how far it has come over the past three and a half decades.
More than 50 exhibits, dozens of expert-led educational sessions and countless networking opportunities created an electric atmosphere throughout the three-day event. From new materials and technologies to sustainability strategies and fraud prevention, the EXPO reflected ICMA’s enduring mission to lead the card industry into the future.
“ICMA’s annual Card Manufacturing & Personalization EXPO is where the boldest minds and industry power players converge,” said Jeffrey Barnhart, ICMA founder and executive director. “Celebrating our 35th anniversary this year made it even more special—it was a reminder of the legacy we’ve built and the bright future ahead.”
A Program Packed with Insight and Impact
The event kicked off with a welcome reception in the exhibit hall on May 12, setting the stage for a vibrant week of learning and connection. On May 13, following Barnhart’s opening remarks, Keynote Speaker Lauren Saidel-Baker, CFA, of ITR Economics, delivered a data-driven and forward-looking address on the economic conditions expected to shape the card industry in the years ahead. Saidel-Baker emphasized the urgency for businesses to prepare for inflation, rising interest rates and tightening labor markets—all while navigating global demand and cost increases.
The educational sessions that followed covered a wide range of topics:
- Card design as a brand builder with Siegel+Gale’s Steffanie L. Haase
- Eco-friendly fraud prevention with Ellipse CEO Cyril Lalo
- Quantum computing and card security with IDEMIA’s Antoine Kelman
- Material innovation and storytelling with CPI’s Megan Bogard
- Interactive adhesive knowledge with Lohmann’s Christoph Krämer and Jan Eller
A high-energy Speed Networking session rounded out the day, connecting manufacturers, suppliers, issuers and affiliates in fast-paced, meaningful exchanges.
Honoring Innovation and Community
Day two featured deep dives into payment design, sustainable business strategies, and evolving fraud prevention tactics. Presenters included leaders from IDEMIA, CPI Card Group, InComm, McDonald’s, Best Buy, Pack-Smart, Karta, Klöckner Pentaplast, CARDSource and TDK. The evening culminated in the Élan Awards of Excellence Ceremony and Caribbean Nights-themed dinner, where ICMA celebrated the year’s most groundbreaking card innovations—and honored ICMA board members Karen Brooker and Dori Rombola with Member Appreciation Awards.
Closing with Perspective and Vision
On the final day, Jonathan Zielinski of Cassidy Levy Kent shared critical insights into international trade and smart card regulations, followed by presentations from CompoSecure’s Nazar Kovch and Monadnock Paper Mills’ Lisa Taylor, who explored the evolving future of gift and loyalty cards through the lens of sustainable innovation.
Looking Ahead
ICMA extends its sincere thanks to everyone who helped make the 2025 EXPO—and our 35th anniversary celebration—a resounding success. Special thanks go to this year’s sponsors, including Ellipse (lanyards) and Giesecke+Devrient ePayments Ltd. (badges) and to our event co-chairs: Megan Bogard, Ike Vander Horst and Dori Rombola.
We’re already planning for the 2026 ICMA EXPO, taking place April 19–22 once again at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld. Until then, stay connected with us at ICMAEXPO.com for the latest updates.
Here’s to 35 years of card industry leadership—and the next 35 of innovation, connection and growth.
Industry Voices: Perspectives on the 2025 ICMA EXPO
The 2025 ICMA EXPO in Orlando was a celebration of innovation, collaboration and community — a standout event that attendees hailed as one of the most dynamic and forward-thinking in recent years.
Pietro Parmeggiani, general manager of SPICA, has been attending the ICMA EXPO since 1995, and this year’s event left a lasting impression.
“Over the years, I’ve witnessed the industry evolve through technological innovation, market shifts and new applications, and this year’s EXPO truly stood out as one of the most vibrant and future-oriented,” said Parmeggiani. “The energy on the show floor was remarkable, with a strong presence of both established leaders and emerging players. The sessions offered valuable insights into trends like sustainable card manufacturing, digital transformation and security advancements, all of which are shaping the future of our industry.”
As always, the ICMA EXPO was more than just an exhibition; it was a meeting place for meaningful conversations, new collaborations and the chance to reconnect with long-time colleagues and partners, according to Parmeggiani. “It’s inspiring to be part of a community that continues to innovate, adapt and push boundaries year after year,” he said. “The ICMA EXPO remains a cornerstone event for anyone serious about driving progress in the cards and payments space.”
As one piece of the overall value chain, Klöckner Pentaplast was honored to have the opportunity to discuss the impact of material selection on sustainability at this year’s EXPO, according to Carrie A. Hill, product manager, cards & graphics, Americas, Klöckner Pentaplast. “Our world is ever-changing, and we must all do our part to have a positive impact on combatting global warming,” Hill said. “It was apparent with those in attendance that the way we get to a greener place can look different for each of us.”
Christoph Krämer, senior market manager, Cards & Security, Smart Bonding Solutions for Secure Documents, Lohmann GmbH & Co., said the ICMA EXPO remains a key event for the card industry, thanks to its excellent networking opportunities and access to potential customers and co-suppliers.
“We are thrilled that smart bonding solutions for cards remains a topic of interest for the card manufacturing industry and that so many interested people joined our talk during the ICMA EXPO,” Krämer said.
He added that it was a pleasure to be part of the ICMA EXPO in 2025 and Lohmann looks forward to 2026. “At the same time, we hope that the ICMA team continues to make the event more attractive for visitors from all parts of the global card industry,” Krämer said.
ICMA Board Member Dori Rombola, global account manager at Infineon Technologies, said the annual EXPO is a great way to connect with business colleagues from the past who she does not talk to on a regular basis. “It’s like connecting with long lost friends,” she said.
“I am excited that we have started to create programming that creates opportunities for our members, and future members, to diversify their businesses in a way that is understandable,” Rombola added.
Rombola’s favorite part of the event is the Élan Awards of Excellence. “I am honored to be a judge and the obvious fierce competition that happens every year shows that our members feel this is important industry recognition,” Rombola said.
She also noted that with the addition of the Innovation Pop-Up Day, ICMA provided a cost-effective way for exhibitors to showcase new and/or unique products and services to the global card industry.
For long-time participants and new members alike, this year’s EXPO reaffirmed why ICMA remains the premier global network for professionals in the card manufacturing industry.