For participation in the ceremony of the award, where I was honoured to be a member of the jury, and presentation in the conference, last week, I visited Hong Kong. The venue, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre is vibrant as always. There were three big events around the same time.

The event, CARTES Asia is the leading smart technologies event in Asia Pacific. CARTES Asia has brought together innovative solution providers and market leaders from the card manufacturing, payment, security, identification and mobility industries. Some 3,000+ visitors in the banking, telecom, transportation and security sectors have a unique opportunity, not only to discover international exhibitors’ innovative technologies, but also to enhance their knowledge through the conferences and round-tables, which present the latest trends. I gave a presentation for the Cards & Payments session entitled "Payment Systems Trends in Japan."

The Asian SESAMES Awards aim to reward the most innovative technological applications developed for the Asian Pacific market in the field of smart cards, digital security, identification, secure transactions, and contactless technology. The Awards reward the best projects in 3 categories: Advanced Payment and Mobile Money; Card manufacturing & Personalization; and Secure Identity. As a juror, I evaluated the submissions independently and impartially.

Through the examination of this award, innovation, was proved to happen in places where new markets and new technology meet. Award winners all developed the frontiers of both technology and market. And the priority in technology and market was SoLoMo (Social, Local, and Mobile) once again. We are in the midst of ongoing technological changes and evolution, i.e. a new payment industrial revolution in this SoLoMo era.

About CARTES Asia: http://www.cartes-asia.com/