ICMA 2011 EXPO to Help Attendees Plan for the Future of Card Manufacturing

Continuing to provide an open forum for its members to discuss best practices and exchange ideas, the International Card Manufacturers Association (ICMA) will hold its Annual Card Manufacturing and Personalization EXPO, May 1-4, 2011 at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood, Florida, USA.

The EXPO offers a comprehensive program filled with educational sessions and panel discussions on a variety of current industry topics including card market segments and trends, dual interface, card quality management, DOD imaging, virtual cards and receptor coatings. Themed "A New Horizon for Card Manufacturing: Moving Forward. Looking Ahead," the EXPO will provide attendees with the tools and knowledge needed to move their company's forward and look toward the future of the card manufacturing industry. Keith Yeates, president of Bristol ID Technologies and ICMA Board member, will chair the event.

"We hope attendees will walk away from the EXPO with the knowledge and skills needed to innovate and take their companies to the next level," said Jeffrey Barnhart, executive director of ICMA.

ICMA has chosen two dynamic keynote speakers for its event. The first keynote speaker, John Amatt, has led mountain climbing expeditions to remote regions of Northern Norway, Peru, Nepal, China and Greenland for over 30 years. John established One Step Beyond WorldWide in 1984. His mission is to encourage people to push beyond their self-imposed limitations, to be more personally accountable for their own actions, and to embrace effective teamwork by valuing the contribution of others.

The second keynote speaker, Dr. Jerry Haar, is returning for his third EXPO speech to educate ICMA members on future challenges and opportunities in the global market. Dr. Haar's areas of expertise include: corporate strategy, regional economic integration, competitiveness, innovation, entrepreneurship, business-government relations and marketing in the Latin American and US Hispanic markets.

"Both speakers will help attendees understand the challenges that lie ahead, but also energize them to turn those challenges into opportunities to help grow their businesses," said EXPO Chair, Keith Yeates.

The EXPO will honor the best in card design and technological innovation during its Élan Awards Gala on May 3. An ACE Accreditation exam will also be held on May 4 for registered member applicants wishing to test their card industry knowledge.

In addition to its educational opportunities, the EXPO provides an exhibition of suppliers of card manufacturing and personalization equipment, materials, components and services. Confirmed exhibitors include: