On May 24, AeA submitted comments to the Department of Homeland Security criticizing the draft report, “The Use of RFID for Human Identification.”   AeA has strong concerns with the approach the Draft Report takes in generalizing both the capabilities and uses of “RFID technology” as there are many sweeping, unsubstantiated and incorrect generalizations made without pointing to scientific data, field tests, or published reports.  More specifically, AeA finds that the Draft Report:

• Disparages RF-enabled technologies through conclusory statements without the support of quantitative data;

• Uses generic definitions of “RFID,” which are detrimental to evaluating technologies and creating best practices;

• Misstates the fact that “tracking of human beings” is endemic to “RFID.” In fact, technology by itself is neutral – only those who control the data may track people; and

• Fails to note that certain RF-enabled technologies actually enhance the security and privacy of American’s personal information and data.

Although the high-tech industry takes great exception to the tenor and tone of the Draft Report, AeA nevertheless applauds DHS’s efforts to establish a solid policy foundation and strong best practices when implementing any technology for use in identification credentials.  Any policy statement should reinforce the belief, 'don't ban technology, ban bad behavior.'

As RFID applications continue to emerge, it has become very clear that there are too many audiences – including legislators, public policy professionals and the private sector – to whom the full reach of RFID technology remains an enigma.  The AeA RFID Initiative was developed to explain the value, purpose and applications of RFID technology to key audiences in both the public and private sector.  It also addresses the key policy issues that are emerging from the widespread application of RFID technology.

For more information on AeA's comments or to become involved with the AeA RFID Initiative, contact Marc-Anthony Signorino at 202.682.4428 or at msignorino@aeanet.org.

Marc-Anthony Signorino (bio)
Director/Counsel, Technology & Environmental Policy

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Members heard speeches from:

• Senate Minority Leader Dick Ackerman (R-CA 33rd);
• Assemblyman Joe Canciamilla (D-CA 11th);
• Marty Wilson from Governor Schwarzenegger's re-election campaign; and
• Roger Salazar from Controller Steve Westly's gubernatorial campaign.  

During lunch the delegation was joined by members of the Latino Caucus to discuss the priorities of California's high-tech companies.  In addition to having an opportunity to hear several elected officials speak to the group, attendees were split into small groups to meet with individual Assemblymembers and Senators to discuss AeA priorities in California.  This succesful event was capped off with a well-attended reception in the State Capitol Basement.

AeA would like to thank all the representatives who attended this year's Tech Summit.   Additional, thanks goes to AMD, Apple, Dell, Intel, Philips, QUALCOMM, and Texas Instruments for sponsoring this event.

Roxanne Gould (bio)
Senior Vice President, California Public Policy and Legislative Affairs

AeA delegation meets with Senate Minority Leader Dick Ackerman (R-CA 33rd)

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Daniel Watt, Director of Operations at Boeing recently shared that, "All Boeing's senior leaders complete an internal Boeing leadership development program which is great, but while we bring in outstanding faculty to teach it, its completely homogeneous and insular - meaning everyone who attends talks only about Boeing for two weeks.  We send senior leaders to the AeA/Stanford Executive Institute each year because it gives our leaders a vital cross industry perspective on how to play and advance in competitive international technology markets."

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2006 AeA Micro Cap Conference Draws 500+ Attendees to Monterey

The 2006 AeA Micro Cap Financial Conference for public high-tech companies, held May 7-9 in Monterey, CA, provided an invaluable networking opportunity between the executives from 103 presenting companies and nearly 300 investors in attendance.  Conference attendees found the two days valuable, and an efficient use of time.  The top 25 companies saw an average increase of 8% in their stock prices the week following the conference.  Click here to read more about the conference and view archived webcasts of company presentations.

	The General Session provided investors with the opportunity to hear from attending companies during their 6 minute presentations.	Presenting companies hosted 30-minute breakout sessions in their own private meeting rooms for investors.		Company executives networked with the financial community during informal receptions and breaks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hold the Date:
AeA Classic - November 5-8, 2006

Registration for the 36th Annual AeA Classic, taking place at the Monterey Conference Center November 5-8, is now open.  The conference is limited to AeA member companies with a market cap or revenues of $100 million to $4 billion.  Contact Melissa La Vigna at 408.987.4236 to guarantee your spot.  Visit www.aeanet.org/classic for more information.

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Florida Is the Fastest Growing Tech Export State Nationwide
Minnesota Ranked 2nd by High-Tech Export Growth

Fastest Growing Cyberstates by Tech Exports
2004 - 2005
(in millions of current U.S. dollars)

Thirty-five cyberstates saw their technology merchandise exports grow in 2005, with the largest growth in Florida, jumping by $1.5 billion for a total of $11 billion. Minnesota was the second fastest growing cyberstate with an increase of nearly $1 billion, for a total of $6.1 billion in tech exports in 2005.

For more details on the technology industry in your state, see AeA's recently released report, Cyberstates 2006: A Complete State-by-State Overview of the High-Technology Industry.  This ninth annual edition provides comprehensive information on the high-tech industry nationally and state-by-state by:

• high-tech employment
• high-tech wages
• high-tech payroll
• high-tech establishments
• technology exports
• venture capital investments
• research and development expenditures 

Source:  Cyberstates 2006

For more information on Industry Data and AeA Publications visit
www.aeanet.org/research

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