Global Excellence in Card Design: ICMA Announces Best Overall Card by Region Winners
The ICMA Élan Awards of Excellence continue to celebrate the creativity, craftsmanship and technical innovation that define the global card manufacturing industry. For the second year in Élan Awards history,…
Securing Gift Card Activation for the Era of Organized Fraud
Gift card fraud has evolved far beyond opportunistic tampering. Today, organized fraud schemes are exploiting structural weaknesses in how many gift cards are activated at the point of…
Navigating the Sustainability Maze: A More Informed Approach to Card Body Materials
Sustainability is one of the most important conversations shaping the future of card manufacturing. But as more material options enter the market, from recycled polymers to biobased alternatives and compostable substrates,…
Hengbao Wins ICMA People’s Choice Award for Zheshang Bank ‘Zhefu’ Card
ICMA’s Élan Awards of Excellence celebrate the innovation, craftsmanship and technical excellence shaping the global card manufacturing and personalization industry. Each year, ICMA members from around the world submit entries into a variety of categories, with most…
Metal for All: How Personalization Is Expanding the Metal Card Market
Metal cards have long been associated with premium banking products, exclusive customer segments and high-status payment experiences. But at the 2026 ICMA EXPO, ICMA member Daniel Calio, NORAM Sales at IDEMIA Secure Transactions,…
2026 ICMA EXPO Showcased the Ideas, Innovative Tech and Connections Driving the Future of Cards
By Jennifer Kohlhepp, Managing Editor, ICMA The 2026 ICMA EXPO brought the global card industry to Orlando, where card manufacturers, personalizers, issuers, suppliers and technology leaders gathered for three days of education, innovation and meaningful connection. Held…
ACE Builds the Technical Expertise Powering the Global Card Industry
As the card industry continues to evolve, technical knowledge and proven expertise matter more than ever. That is why ICMA’s Advanced Card Education (ACE) program remains such an important professional development resource for the…
Advancing Sustainable Card Manufacturing with Recycled PVC Magnetic Stripe Overlays
By Jennifer Kohlhepp, Managing Editor, ICMA As sustainability moves from aspiration to expectation in the global card industry, manufacturers are under increasing pressure to reduce reliance on virgin…
Shaping AI’s Role in the Future of Cards
By Jennifer Kohlhepp, Managing Editor, ICMA Artificial intelligence (AI) is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about technologies in the global card industry, but at the ICMA EXPO AI Roundtable…
ICMA Board Leadership Transitions Mark New Chapter for Association
The International Card Manufacturers Association (ICMA) is entering a new chapter in its board leadership as Thomas Tarantino of Giesecke + Devrient GmbH steps down as president of the ICMA…