Every attendee at ICMA EXPO wears a badge. For most, it is simply part of the event experience, a practical credential that grants access and helps spark introductions. But for Giesecke+Devrient, the badge represented something more. 

When G+D sponsored the 2026 ICMA EXPO badge program, the company saw an opportunity to turn an everyday object into a meaningful statement about the future of physical credentials, inclusive design and the enduring role of the card. 

As Thomas Tarantino, ICMA President and Technology Director at Giesecke+Devrient, explained, “Every attendee at ICMA EXPO wears a badge. Most barely think about it—it’s a practical necessity, a pass to get through the door, a conversation starter at best. But when G+D chose to sponsor the ICMA EXPO badge program this year, we saw something different. We saw a canvas. Not for a logo. For a statement.” 

That statement begins with a belief G+D holds strongly: the physical card still matters. 

In a marketplace shaped by digital wallets, wearable payments and biometric authentication, many are quick to assume the traditional payment card is losing relevance. Tarantino sees the opposite.  

“The payment card remains the single most tangible, personal point of contact between a financial institution and its customer,” he said. “It is handed over at moments of trust. It is chosen, designed and branded with care. It sits in a pocket, is pulled out dozens of times a week, and is recognized instantly as an extension of a bank’s identity and a customer’s financial life. That physical bond is not a legacy artifact—it is an asset.” 

For G+D, that philosophy has shaped decades of innovation in cards, credentials and secure identity solutions. The company’s work spans chip technology, embedded security, sustainable materials and advanced manufacturing, all with the understanding that physical products are not just functional tools, but highly personal objects that carry meaning. 

That same thinking made the 2026 ICMA EXPO badge a natural platform for demonstrating what next-generation credentialing can look like. At its core, the badge is much like a payment card: it grants access, establishes identity and travels with its holder throughout the experience. That overlap made it an ideal place for G+D to explore how design can elevate even the most familiar credential. 

This year’s badge stands apart because it was designed with accessibility at its core. For Tarantino, that decision reflects a larger principle. “Accessibility is not a constraint. It’s a design principle,” he said. 

Rather than treating accessibility as a secondary feature or a compliance exercise, G+D approaches it as fundamental to good design. Tarantino emphasized that “inclusive design is not a compliance checkbox. It is a competitive advantage and, more importantly, a moral obligation.” 

That perspective is especially important in payments, where products and interfaces must serve a broad range of users. “The payments industry serves everyone,” Tarantino said. “Not just the digitally fluent early adopter, not just the urban professional with a premium metal card. It serves the visually impaired individual navigating an ATM. It serves the elderly customer who relies on tactile cues to identify their card. It serves the person with cognitive or motor differences who needs interfaces to be intuitive, not just technically functional.” 

That is why G+D incorporates features such as tactile indicators, high-contrast elements and assistive-friendly design from the very beginning of product development. These are not enhancements added after the fact, but core considerations built into the design process from the first sketch forward. 

The ICMA EXPO badge reflects that same commitment. By bringing accessible design to an event credential used by every attendee, G+D is making a broader point about the industry’s responsibility and opportunity. As Tarantino put it, “By bringing accessible design to a conference credential—an object that every single attendee interacts with—we are making the case that no product is too small, too simple or too ‘standard’ to be made more inclusive.” 

Ultimately, the badge is more than a conference pass. It is a physical expression of a belief. “A badge. A belief. A beginning,” Tarantino said. “What you wear at ICMA EXPO this year is more than a conference pass. It is a small but sincere argument that the card industry—at its best—designs for everyone.” 

G+D is proud to bring that argument to life in a form attendees can see, touch and use throughout the event. And the company intends to keep making that case through every card, credential and identity solution it brings to market. 

Because, as Tarantino said, “when you hold something well-designed in your hand—something that was made with care for every kind of hand—you feel the difference. That feeling is what we’re in the business of creating.” 

Why ICMA Membership Matters  

ICMA remains committed to empowering the global card manufacturing community by helping members lead, innovate and grow. Through a strategic combination of industry marketing support and professional development, ICMA equips organizations and individuals with the tools they need to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving marketplace. 

ICMA’s professional development programs are designed to strengthen both technical expertise and leadership capability. Offerings such as on-demand Advanced Card Education (ACE) and the Card Industry Training & Education (CITE) initiative help professionals deepen their knowledge, while flagship events like the EXPO and CardTREX bring together industry leaders to learn, connect and explore emerging innovations. 

Members who engage in ICMA’s education programs and events don’t just keep pace with change—they help shape it. From contributing thought leadership to Card Manufacturing magazine to earning industry recognition through the Élan Awards of Excellence, ICMA provides meaningful opportunities for members to elevate their visibility and influence. 

For card industry professionals seeking to stay informed, connected and future-ready, ICMA offers a clear path forward through education, exposure and community. 

Discover the full value of ICMA membership and join a global network of professionals advancing the card industry.