June 15, 2017 – The World Banknote Summit, which took place in Basel from 27 February – 1 March 2017, attracted delegates from Central Banks, state printing works, and industry suppliers from around the globe. Beat Attinger, Managing Director of the World Banknote Summit and instigator of this new style of conference was very satisfied with the event: “We are very pleased with the positive response obtained from delegates during and after the World Banknote Summit. It confirms that there is a demand for a small, content-driven, high-quality event in the industry.”
International media attention
In his insightful keynote address entitled “Cash – tried and tested, and with a future,” Dr. Fritz Zurbrügg, Vice Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank (SNB), said that “The SNB has no plans whatsoever to do away with cash.” He also confirmed that the SNB had no compelling reason to remove their Swiss (CHF) 1000-franc banknote (one of the world’s largest denominations) from circulation; a strong message that resonated in the news worldwide.
CNBC, a US news channel dedicated to U.S. and international financial markets, rated the World Banknote Summit as a “Top Economic Event” in their listing.
Several “firsts”
The World Banknote Summit is a new approach to conferences, adding new dimensions to the discussion, and facilitating the sharing of industry expertise.
- Understanding the Bigger Picture: With a series of thoughtfully planned and selected speeches and workshops, the delegates were treated to a veritable 360 degree view of banknotes. The specific and targeted inclusion of experts from inside and outside the banknote printing industry provided the necessary perspective to view the industry and its products from all angles. This was a key element for Beat Attinger; “we consider it imperative that at industry forums like the World Banknote Summit, banknotes are looked at not only from a technical or circulation management point of view, but that they are instead viewed from a holistic standpoint.”
- Exclusive and Experienced Insight: 4 Central Banks and 2 state printing works exclusively shared their experiences in creating and producing a new banknote or an entire new banknote series, incl. in large quantities and under a lot of time pressure. By sharing the highs and lows of these technical operations, the speakers revealed the challenges they faced, and how they were overcome.
World Banknote Summit 2018 in Frankfurt
The next World Banknote Summit will take place in Frankfurt from 24 – 26 September 2018. “Europe is a driving force in the global banknote printing industry” says Beat Attinger, “so it makes sense to host the next World Banknote Summit in Frankfurt, one of Europe’s main financial capitals. The city is well located with good international connections, so that once again, conference delegates can combine their participation at the World Banknote Summit with visits to other European National Banks or suppliers before or after the event.”
Independent organizers
The World Banknote Summit is organized by Lighthouse Communications, a fully independent company based in Switzerland. Beat Attinger, the founder of the company, acquired a profound knowledge of banknotes as a result of working in the industry for many years.
For more information on Lighthouse Communications, visit the company’s website.
And to access the website of the World Banknote Summit, please click here.