ICMA’S GREEN SUMMIT II CONTINUES TO EDUCATE THE CARD MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY

 Card Manufacturing Professionals To Learn About Environmental Issues And Opportunities Pertaining To The Operations of Manufacturing Facilities

PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ – June 4, 2009 – Having launched one of the industry’s first successful green educational events in 2008, the International Card Manufacturers Association (ICMA) will hold its Green Summit II: Greening the Factory at the Renaissance Schaumburg on September 16, 2009 in Schaumburg, Illinois. Additionally, ICMA members will continue to work toward a system of eco-labeling through its Green Task Force initiative for the remainder of 2009.

The Green Summit II will provide attendees with techniques needed to reduce their carbon footprint and ultimately reduce operational costs. Topics will include the carbon footprint of cards, authentic sustainability, recycling solutions, energy efficiency and secondary packaging. Attendees will also have the opportunity to hear from a card manufacturers panel featuring speakers from Travel Tags, Oberthur, Plantaplast, PSA and Arthur Blank and Company (ABN).

Following the success of last year’s Green Summit, the association formed a Green Task Force to continue the discussion on environmental issues affecting the card manufacturing industry. The Task Force was launched on November 18, 2008 in Philadelphia, PA to address concerns and objectives in an effort to eventually come to a consensus on measuring the environmental impact of the global card manufacturing industry. The Task Force is comprised of card manufacturing professionals from around the world who aim to develop an industry-specific system of eco-labeling by the end of 2009. Several Task Force meetings have already been held in Europe and the U.S.

The Task Force is comprised of industry stakeholders such as issuers, manufacturers, material suppliers and personalizers. To date, more than 75 industry leaders have participated in the Task Force meetings. The next meeting will be held September 15, 2009 at the Renaissance Schaumburg in Chicago, Illinois.

“By creating initiatives such as the Green Summit and the Green Task Force, we continue to provide our members with an open forum for which they can learn, grow and drive their individual businesses, and ultimately help the card manufacturing industry evolve,” said Al Vrancart, ICMA Industry Advisor.

The Green Summit II is open to non-members and all industry stakeholders are encouraged to attend. The Green Task Force is only open to members of the association.

To learn more about the Green Summit II and the Green Task Force, visit www.icma.com, contact Lynn McCullough at LMccullough@icma.com or call (609) 799-4900.

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About the International Card Manufacturers Association (ICMA)

Based in Princeton Junction, NJ, USA, ICMA is a non-profit association of card manufacturers, personalizers, issuers and related industry participants.  With more than 240 members globally, ICMA acts as a clearinghouse for industry issues, including the production, technology, application, security and environmental issues of transaction, identification and other cards.