January 15, 2013 – The dates for the 2nd Coin Conference, originally scheduled to take place March 12-13 in Berlin, have been changed to October 28-30. According to the organisers Currency Publications (publishers of Currency News), the success of the inaugural Coin Conference in London in 2011 generated a very high level of interest and support for the second conference. However, due to a heavily-congested industry conference calendar in the first part of 2013, a number of central banks, mints and suppliers suggested that the event be moved to later in the year, when there will be fewer scheduling conflicts.
The decision to move the dates was also prompted by feedback that the programme would benefit by being expanded to incorporate break-out sessions or workshops, with a more in-depth focus, in addition to the presentations.
The conference will take place at the same venue – the Palace Hotel in Berlin – but will now be over three, rather than two, days. Other than the inclusion of the additional day for workshops, however, the format and programme will be the same as previously advertised. And the conference will still provide the location for the presentation of the Best New Coin or Coin Series Award, part of IACA’s Excellence in Currency Awards for 2013.
The topics of the workshop are currently being finalised, but one will relate to the coin/note boundary and the other will focus on coin materials. An optional tour for central banks and coin issuers will take place on October 31 of the facilities of platinum sponsor Saxonia Mint of Finland in Halsbrücke.
The Coin Conference is the only specialist event for circulation coins, focusing on design, security and cost-effective production, as well as handling, distribution and management in circulation. It is aimed at the government bodies responsible for coin issue – central banks and treasury departments – as well as mints and suppliers of materials and equipment for production, handling, processing, verification, counting, distribution and reclamation.
Commenting on the decision, the conference chairman Richard Haycock said: ‘we apologise for any inconvenience caused by the change. But we are also delighted both by the positive response to the Coin Conference, and to the even more positive reaction to moving the event to a less-crowded time of the year for coin professionals. Furthermore, expanding the programme was a particular request of those from further afield than Europe, and moving the dates has enabled us to meet their requirements. The result will be a larger and more comprehensive event for the benefit of all.’
More information about this event can be found at the website of The Coin Conference.