By Jennifer Kohlhepp, Managing Editor, ICMA 

The International Card Manufacturers Association (ICMA), the global trade association dedicated to advancing the card manufacturing and personalization industry, celebrated the 2026 Élan Awards of Excellence on April 21 during the ICMA EXPO in Orlando, Florida. 

Recognizing the very best in physical card manufacturing, the Élan Awards spotlight outstanding achievement in design, technology, craftsmanship and market innovation. This year’s competition drew 181 entries across multiple categories, underscoring the strength, creativity and technical excellence shaping today’s card industry. Entries were evaluated by an esteemed panel of judges, including Brian Summerhayes of Barnes International, Dori Rombola of Infineon Technologies and Joël Besnier of BG INGENIERIE. 

“The 2026 Élan Awards reflect the extraordinary level of innovation and creativity taking place across our industry,” said Jeff Barnhart, executive director and founder of ICMA. “With 181 entries, the highest number ICMA has ever received, this year’s competition is a powerful testament to the continued evolution of physical cards and the talent, ingenuity and technical excellence of the companies behind them.” 

Élan Award Winners & Finalists  

Best Fulfilment Product, Service or Project  

Winner: Placard Pty Ltd for the Emerge Personal Prepaid Debit MasterCard for Emerge 

Finalists: Chutian Dragon Co., Ltd. for the Swift Rise Digital Currency Hardware Wallet for the Bank of China; Giesecke+Devrient (China) Technologies Co., Ltd. for the Pet Them Theme Credit Card for China Minsheng Bank  

Best Personalization Product, Service or Project 

Winner: CompoSecure, Inc. for XRP for ARCULUS HOLDINGS, LLC 

Finalists: CPI Card Group for Street Charity for Street Charity; CPI Card Group for Zift Prepaid Card for InComm 

Loyalty, Promotional and Gift Cards 

Winner (tie): Giesecke+Devrient (China) Technologies Co., Ltd. for The NFC Real Card for Digital Collection – Ancient Egyptian Mural Series for the Shanghai Museum; Hengbao Co., Ltd. for the Jin Hui Laojiao Customized Liquor Card for Jinhui Liquor Co., Ltd. 

Finalist: Giesecke+Devrient (China) Technologies Co., Ltd. for the Starbucks Sicily Lemon Gift Card for Starbucks 

ID Cards 

Winner: Canadian Bank Note Co. Ltd. for the South Carolina U21 Identification Card for the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles 

Finalists: Thomas Greg & Sons for the Dominican Republic Driver’s License for MIDAS DOMINICANA; IDEMIA Civil Identity for the Texas 2025 Driver License for the Texas Department of Public Safety 

Access Control Cards 

Winner: Goldpac Limited for the Custom-designed NFC Car Access Key for GAC Group 

Finalists: Hengbao Co., Ltd. for the ICBC – Shanghai Branch CIIE 8th Anniversary Commemorative Visual Hardware Wallet for Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Shanghai Municipal Branch; Hengbao Co., Ltd for the Bank of China 2025 CIFTIS Hardware Wallet for Bank of China Limited 

Unique Innovation 

Winner: CompoSecure, Inc. for BILT for BILT 

Finalists: Giesecke+Devrient (China) Technologies Co., Ltd. for the Car Owner Card for Industrial Bank; Goldpac Limited for the Bank of Communications Zhejian Tourism (Shaoxing) Theme Credit Card for the Bank of Communications  

Best Secure Payment Card 

Winner: Giesecke+Devrient (China) Technologies Co., Ltd. for the Ceramic Card for ICBC Asia 

Finalists: CompoSecure, Inc. for MGM Rewards for MGM; Hengbao Co.,Ltd for Jilin Bank AuroraThemed DIY Card for Jilin Bank Co., Ltd.; CompoSecure, Inc. for HY10 for ORBITAL  

Unique Innovation Prototype 

Winner: CompoSecure, Inc. for THE JADE CARD 

Finalists: Giesecke+Devrient (China) Technologies Co., Ltd. for the Blossom Way Irregular-Shaped Chip Eco Card; FEITIAN Technologies US Inc. for the FEITIAN UniPass BioCard 

Biometric Cards 

Winner: IDEMIA Secure Transactions for the sAxess Card x Neiro for Serenity 

Metal Cards 

Winner: CompoSecure, Inc. for Citi Strata Elite for Citi  

Finalists: CompoSecure, Inc. for MULTIPUNTOS for BANCO CUSCATLAN HONDURAS; Giesecke+Devrient (China) Technologies Co., Ltd. for American Express ICON for Huaxia Bank 

Eco-Focused Cards 

Winner: Giesecke+Devrient (China) Technologies Co., Ltd. for the Lucid waters and lush mountains Card for Postal Savings Bank of China 

Finalists: Goldpac Limited for the China Construction Bank Dragon Card Family Preferred Card (Premium Edition) for China Construction Bank; Giesecke+Devrient for Bank Australia 100% Recycled for Bank Australia 

Best Regional Cards – North America, Europe and Asia Pacific 

Winner (North America): CompoSecure, Inc. for BILT for BILT 

Winner (Europe): IDEMIA Secure Transactions for the sAxess Card x Neiro for Serenity 

Winner (Asia Pacific): Giesecke+Devrient (China) Technologies Co., Ltd. for the Ceramic Card for ICBC Asia 

People’s Choice Award 

Winner: Hengbao Co., Ltd for the ZheshangBank “Zhefu” Card for Zheshang Bank Co., Ltd 

Finalists: Chutian Dragon Co., Ltd for the Fine Trail Navigator Card – Concept Card; EastCompeace Technology Co. for the CIB Silk Road Themed Debit Card for Industrial Bank 

“Each year, the Élan Awards remind us that innovation in card manufacturing is not standing still—it is advancing in exciting and meaningful ways,” said Barnhart. “We congratulate all of this year’s winners and entrants for helping raise the bar for excellence and for continuing to demonstrate the enduring value, creativity and technical sophistication of the physical card.” 

To learn more about ICMA and how to enter the 2027 Élan Awards of Excellence, visit icma.com.