ICMA Expo - ICMA

The Global Card Ecosystem.
One Premier Event.

May 16–19, 2027 | Hilton Tampa Downtown | Tampa, Florida

The card industry is more connected—and more innovative—than ever.

From payments and identity to security, personalization, manufacturing, loyalty, transportation and emerging technologies, every part of the card ecosystem plays a role in shaping what comes next.

The ICMA EXPO brings the entire global card ecosystem together.

Join more than 300 card industry professionals from around the world for cutting-edge presentations, technology discovery, business development, networking and industry celebration.

The Entire Card Ecosystem Comes Together Here

The ICMA EXPO connects the organizations, and professionals designing, manufacturing, personalizing, issuing, securing and advancing today's card technologies.

PAYMENTS

Financial cards, payment technologies, issuance, personalization and the evolving payments landscape.

Identity & Access

Government credentials, employee IDs, access control, authentication, biometrics and digital identity solutions.

Security & Authentication

Fraud prevention, card security, authentication, encryption, compliance and emerging security technologies.

Gift, Loyalty & Retail

Gift and stored-value cards, loyalty programs, retail engagement and innovative consumer experiences.

Card Manufacturing & Personalization

Card production, materials, equipment, printing, personalization, fulfillment and supply chain innovation.

Transit & Mobility

Transit credentials, ticketing, mobility solutions and technologies connecting physical and digital journeys.

Government & Healthcare Credentials

Secure identification, access, benefits and verification credentials for government agencies and healthcare organizations.

Materials, Sustainability & Innovation

Sustainable substrates, recycled and recyclable cards, eco-friendly components, waste reduction, circularity and emerging technologies.

Where the Global Card Industry Connects. The 2026 EXPO welcomed and celebrated with:

300+ Industry Professionals

20+ Countries Represented

35+ Leading Industry Exhibitors

181 Élan Award Entries in 2026, A Record High.

3 Days of Education, Exhibits and Networking

More Than a Conference. The Industry's Meeting Place.

The ICMA EXPO is where conversations become partnerships, emerging technologies become business opportunities and industry relationships grow stronger.

Discover What's Next.

Explore new equipment, materials, technologies, services and solutions from leading suppliers across the card ecosystem.

Gain Industry Intelligence.

Hear from experts addressing the trends, challenges and opportunities affecting your business today—and those coming next.

Build Valuable Connections.

Connect face-to-face with manufacturers, personalizers, issuers, suppliers, technology providers and other industry leaders from around the world.

Experience Innovation

See technologies and solutions firsthand throughout an exhibit hall built for discovery, conversation and business development.

Celebrate Excellence

Experience one of EXPO's most anticipated traditions—the ICMA Élan Awards of Excellence, recognizing the creativity, innovation and technical achievements advancing the global card industry.

Call for Speakers: Share Your Expertise at ICMA EXPO 2027

Bring your expertise to the stage and help shape the conversations driving the global card industry forward.

ICMA is now accepting proposals for speakers, panelists and presentations.

ICMA EXPO brings together card manufacturers, personalizers, suppliers, issuers and industry innovators from around the world to exchange ideas, explore new technologies and address the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of the global card ecosystem.

We are looking for timely, relevant and thought-provoking presentations that provide attendees with practical insights, technical expertise, real-world applications and forward-looking perspectives.

Topics may include

Manufacturing innovation and advanced production technologies
New materials and sustainable solutions
Security, authentication and secure credentials
Personalization technologies and strategies
Artificial intelligence, automation and emerging technologies
Supply chain trends and resilience
Operational efficiency, quality and process improvement
Card design, functionality and the customer experience
Physical and digital credential convergence
Market trends and evolving card applications
Other developments impacting the global card ecosystem

What Makes a Strong EXPO Session?

The strongest proposals are educational rather than promotional and give attendees information they can apply within their own organizations. Case studies, technical applications, lessons learned, collaborative presentations and sessions featuring multiple industry perspectives are encouraged.

See what set the stage in 2026.

View the 2026 EXPO agenda for a look at the topics and speakers that helped drive the conversation—and then help us raise the bar for 2027.

Ready to Take the Stage?

Submit your abstract and bring your ideas, expertise and leadership to the global card community at ICMA EXPO 2027.

For more information or to contribute, contact Jennifer Kohlhepp at jkohlhepp@icma.com.

Have a different idea?

We welcome proposals that introduce emerging issues, new perspectives or innovative approaches that can help ICMA members anticipate what is next for the industry.

Explore the EXPO Show Floor

The EXPO exhibit hall is where innovation comes to life. Meet leading industry suppliers showcasing equipment, materials, card components, technologies and services designed to help your organization improve performance, solve challenges and prepare for what's next. Come with questions. Leave with new ideas, new contacts and new opportunities.

EXPLORE EXHIBITORS

Celebrate the Best in the Global Card Industry

ICMA Élan Awards of Excellence

Innovation deserves to be recognized. The prestigious ICMA Élan Awards of Excellence celebrate the creativity, innovation and technical achievements of the global card industry.

The 2026 competition received 181 entries, the highest number in ICMA history, a powerful testament to the continued evolution of physical cards and the talent, ingenuity and technical excellence of the companies behind them.

At EXPO 2027, the global card community will come together once again to celebrate this year's achievements and reveal the newest Élan Award winners.

It's one of the most anticipated moments of EXPO, a celebration of the companies, people and innovations continuing to raise the bar for the global card industry.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ÉLAN AWARDS

Experience the
ICMA EXPO

What happens when the global card ecosystem comes together? Ideas are shared. Technologies are discovered. Connections are made. Partnerships grow. Get a glimpse of the people, conversations and experiences that make ICMA EXPO the industry's premier gathering through highlights from EXPO 2026.

EXPERIENCE EXPO

Your Industry. Your Connections. Your EXPO.

Whether you're looking to discover new technology, solve a business challenge, strengthen an existing partnership, meet your next customer or supplier, or simply understand where the industry is heading, EXPO puts the people, knowledge and solutions you need in one place.

JOIN THE GLOBAL CARD ECOSYSTEM IN TAMPA

May 16–19, 2027

Hilton Tampa Downtown | Tampa, Florida

INNOVATION | EDUCATION | CONNECTION | RECOGNITION

The Global Card Ecosystem.
One Premier Event.

May 16–19, 2027 | Hilton Tampa Downtown | Tampa, Florida