IBDA Announce ‘The Developers Lounge’ & ‘Cash Innovation Zone’ at the 6th IBDC

The primary focus of the 6th IBDC taking place in Dubrovnik, Croatia from 24-27 October 2022 is ‘Design Community Reconnect’. A fundamental component in this process will involve showcasing how the forces and dynamics influencing banknote demand and use have evolved.

Banknote technology, substrate and process developers have been working hard and collaborating with each other during the COVID-19 pandemic to bring an incredible amount of innovation to the banknote designer, says Mark Stevenson, President of the IBDA (International Banknote Designers Association), which is organising the event.

But what are these new developments? What can they do? How can they make banknotes better and how can I incorporate them into my banknote design activity?

The answers can be found at the 6th IBDC Developers Lounge – a dedicated space for the design community to reconnect in-person with technology developers and discover what’s new. During the full course of the 6th IBDC, delegates will be able to directly interface with the people behind these new developments, see the technologies in action and learn how to use them.

‘This new addition to the 6th IBDC format will allow you to get up to speed on industry innovation and deep-dive into some of the fascinating new technologies that will become part of your future’, said Mark.

He adds that banknote designers must also be plugged into the accelerated rate of change and innovation taking place in how cash is actually used, moved and accessed. The banknote, as a product, depends on an efficient product support system, commonly referred to as the cash cycle, in order to meet the demands of all community stakeholders. This system is rapidly changing and will be a key factor in determining a sustainable future for cash.

Most innovation in this space has taken place independently of the design community. This emerging body of actors, frequently referred to as CashTechs, are developing and deploying disruptive technologies, processes and models that will make cash more efficient, accessible and sustainable.

‘Design simply cannot afford to engage with the wider cash community and play our part in enabling innovation. The products you create do not function on their own. They are part of a system and as the system changes, design holds the key to quantum improvements in how cash is used, moved and accessed, he said. ‘The 6th IBDC Cash innovation Zone is a dedicated space for you to learn more about how collaboration with the wider cash ecosystem is truly the key to building a sustainable future for cash’.

More information can be found at ibd-association.com/6th-ibdc/.