The Smart Card Alliance’s Annual Smart Cards in Government Conference continued its growth trend in 2008, reflecting the rapid expansion of government identity and security initiatives. These initiatives have lead to the current and growing interest in the strategies and technologies that help speed the adoption of homeland security identification and access programs like HSPD 12, US VISIT, REAL ID and other key government initiatives. With almost 800 registrants and 50 exhibitors and sponsors, the conference is the largest annual event for the government smart card sector. Plans for 2009 are underway, with an expanding online social network, new features for conference and exhibit floor attendees, and comprehensive conference coverage of the evolution of ID security efforts under the new administration