Counting On Currency has been a long and proud supporter of the ICCOS events. It is our pleasure to assist Currency Research in their efforts to promote these events. We are not paid to do so, but promote them because we feel they offer unique value to currency handling professionals that is unavaialble in any other event. In this spirit, we asked Currency Research to provide us with some background and history of ICCOS, as well as a few sneak peaks at what we can expect to experience later this year in Manila.

Currency Research (CR) is pleased to announce two up-coming International Commercial Cash Operation Seminars (ICCOS) in Manila on October 15-17 2012 and Warsaw on November 5-7 2012. CR is an international organization that believes education and communication are fundamental to the growth and innovation within the currency and cash handling industries. They are the organizers of the Currency Conference, Coin Conference, ICCOS, and Review Seminars.

ICCOS has grown tremendously since its first seminar in the U.S. in 1995, and is now considered the premier seminar for commercial cash management, distribution and circulation.  With regional seminars in the Americas, Asia and EMEA regions, all stakeholders in the cash cycle, including Central Banks, Commercial/Retail Banks, CMCs (Cash Management Companies including CiTs), Retailers, Casinos, Post Offices and Industry Suppliers, have an opportunity to learn, network and engage with colleagues and peers from different countries.  The unique and quality programs include the most relevant educational presentations and specialized breakout sessions conducted by the leading industry suppliers.

ICCOS Asia in Manila is quickly shaping up to be the highest attended event yet, with delegates from 70 organizations and 28 countries already registered. Currency Research is confident that they will surpass ICCOS Asia 2011 in Hong Kong last November where they welcomed 175 delegates from 34 countries.  This year, ICCOS ASIA has enrolled their largest group ever of leading industry suppliers as sponsors, so the exhibition area will certainly provide an engaging atmosphere, where meaningful discussions, negotiations and effective networking usually take place. The sponsoring organizations include Giesecke & Devrient, Talaris, Toshiba, Intelligent Currency Solutions, Komori, Lucid Imaging, Ampac, Glory, Transoft International, Transtrack International, Fiserv, GRG Banking, Loomis, Lufthansa Cargo Charter, Technical Panels, St. Clair Security & Investigation Agency, Spinnaker, and CTS Cashpro.

CR believe ICCOS EMEA in Warsaw will exceed all expectations for attendance and sponsorship. The last ICCOS EMEA was held in March 2011 in Barcelona and welcomed 187 delegates from 31 countries. ICCOS EMEA already has a strong agenda with relevant and top issues within the currency industry, such as insourcing versus outsourcing, retail cash management strategies, efficiencies in the cash cycle, and many more. The General Sessions will provide both educational and innovative challenges and topics for the delegates. With 15 top industry suppliers sponsoring, including Global Cash Solutions, Toshiba, CTS Cashpro, Transoft International, Transtrack International, CaptureTech, De La Rue, Intelligent Currency Solutions, CI Tech, Konsalnet, Fiserv, Giesecke & Devrient, GRG Banking, Anton Debatin and IMX Software, the exhibition area and Breakout Meetings will include all the latest technology and information.

ICCOS offers their delegates a unique program format which includes a variety of educational opportunities. Both EMEA and Asia are offering two Pre-ICCOS workshops (Asia – Monday, 15 October and EMEA – Monday, 5 November):

Workshop I:        The Impact of Central Bank Recirculation Policies on the Commercial Sector, by Secura Monde International

Workshop II:       Optimized Cash Management: Steps to Identify and Realize Potential Cost Savings, by Secura Monde International

These workshops provide delegates with an intimate group setting where they can talk through in-depth aspects of the topics presented.

ICCOS Asia also has available a Central Banking Tour and Workshop, hosted by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, which includes a tour of their printing and minting facilities and the workshop topic of “Efficient and Secure Cash handling – from Design to Destruction”. This tour and workshop is offered to Central Bank delegates only and is complimentary.

ICCOS has established itself as an educational platform for all in the currency industry and provides a key role within the industry. These events help shape and inform policy, provide innovative problem-solving techniques and introduce new technologies. If you are interested in learning more about ICCOS, or registering to attend, the website is: http://www.iccos.com/