Back to Top

_______________________________________________________________________________________

SPONSORS

Honorary Sponsor
STÁTNÍ TISKÁRNA CENIN

Premier Sponsor
Security Papers UK

Gold Sponsors
HID Global

Silver Sponsors
Gemalto
Digital Identification Solutions
Drent Goebel
Oberthur Technologies

Back to Top

_______________________________________________________________________________________

REVIEW

INTRODUCTION
Everything nowadays is bigger, faster, brighter, higher, and Cross Conferences is no exception. The 5th Pan European High Security Printing Conference held in Prague attracted more companies, from a wider range of countries and supported a larger Exhibition than any of the previous Cross Conferences held in Europe or Asia.

Prague has the reputation of being one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, and this might have contributed to the numbers of delegates registering for the Conference, at over 300 people. The Conference was held in the 5-Star Corinthia Towers Hotel located in the centre of this historic city. However due to the large number of delegates, some people had to stay at the nearby hotel, the Corinthia Panorama Hotel.

Delegates from 36 countries attended the Conference, with 26 presentations made by specialists in the High Security Printing fields, together with two parallel Workshops dealing with E-Passports Interoperability and High Security Holograms. At the associated Exhibition, in total there where 43 exhibitors including American Banknote Corp., ASK, Axode, Authentication News, BN International, Centro Grafico, DEMAX PLC, Digital Identification Solutions, Drent Goebel, Ecological Fibers, Foster + Freeman, FO Print, FractureCode, Gemalto, HID Global, Hologram Industries, ICG-Holliston, InterCrim-press, IRIS CORPORATION BERHAD, Keesing Reference Systems, Lake Image Systems, LaserCard Corporation, Melzer, Mühlbauer, Oberthur Technologies, Optaglio, Petrel, Pitagora, PWPW, Regula, Roymal, SAFE ID Solutions, Security Paks International, Security Papers UK, Security Printing Alliance (Parvis/Jura/OeBS), Smart Packaging Solutions, Trautwein, TSSI Systems, Vision Box and Watermark.

CONFERENCE PROGRAMME
At the Welcome Cocktail Reception the evening before the opening of the Conference delegates were given the opportunity to visit the exhibition and discover the range and size of the Exhibition.

On Wednesday morning the Conference was officially opened by Mr František Maleč, Technical Director, Státní Tiskárna Cenin, who welcomed delegates to historic Prague. Mr Maleč illustrated the scope and breadth of the security products produced by Státní Tiskárna Cenin by way of an introduction to the Conference that over the next two days covered the following areas: Regional High Security Printing and Papermaking, Central Banks and Governmental Issues, Technical Progress in Materials and Methods, E-Passport and E-ID Innovations.

WORKSHOPS
On the first day a parallel E-Passport Interoperability Workshop was led by a Panel consisting of representatives from Osterreichische Staatsdruckerei and panel members from MaskTec, UK Immigration Service and De La Rue.

On the second day, a similar Workshop to discuss "A New Generation High Security Holograms to Confound the Counterfeiter" was arranged with the Panel Leader from the International Hologram Manufacturers Association and Panel Members from Hologram Industries, Optaglio and DEMAX PLC.

Both Workshops attracted about 40 delegates with lively debate between the Panel members and delegates. All concerned considered the Workshops a worthwhile addition to the Conference Programme and requested that they become a permanent feature of future Conferences.

EXHIBITION
The Exhibition and Conference Hall were linked via the Sponsor Area, allowing easy interchange and all important access to coffee and refreshments. The Exhibition area featured displays and literature from 45 companies representing the full spectrum of the High Security Paper and Printing Industry and provided excellent opportunities for suppliers and end-users to network.

SOCIAL EVENTS
On Wednesday evening the Gala Dinner, sponsored by HID Global was held at the art nouveau styled Obecni Dum (The Municipal House) in the centre of old Prague. After welcome drinks, entered the stylish restaurant for an elegant dinner. Half way through the dinner, delegates were entertained by a fashion show provided by Optaglio. Both delegates and their social partners were equally impressed by the daring costume designs, and dare we say it, some by the models themselves!

TOUR OF NEOGRAPH PAPER MILL, AND VISIT TO LITOMERICE
Neograph Papermill kindly offered to host a tour of their Papermill, as the only Security Papermill in the Czech Republic. Delegates saw the manufacture of security paper on Neograph's fourdrinier papermachine capable of making some the highest grades of Security Paper, including some proprietary security features unique to Neograph.

After visiting the Papermill, delegates were taken on a tour of Litomerice where the history of the city was explained by an American guide who now lives in the city. This was followed by a traditional lunch at a local restaurant specialising in local Budvar beers.

With little negative feedback from either delegates or exhibitors during and after the event it is hoped that Cross Conferences have now found the right recipe for a successful conference for all concerned. Early registrations taken during the Prague Conference for the November 2008 Conference in Bangkok indicate this event may prove to be at least as successful as Prague, difficult as that may be.