AeANET : AeA Monthly News, September 2008

Access 500+ Investors in November at the 38th Annual AeA Classic Financial Conference

On November 2-5, AeA will be hosting our industry�s premier financial conference to showcase publicly traded high-tech companies with a market cap or revenues between $100 million - $4 billion. Since 1971, more than 1,600 member companies and 6,000+ investors have leveraged the AeA Classic Financial Conference to identify successful business relationships.

I invite you to join us in San Diego at the Manchester Grand Hyatt if your company would like to gain access to 500+ investors and senior executives from 150 technology companies, in one location.

For the first time in this conference�s history, AeA will introduce new industry segments at the Classic; alternative energy and greentech, social networking and medical technology. These new additions were based on feedback that we received from investors and the success of the new segments at the AeA Micro Cap Financial Conference in May.

Registrations are now being accepted for companies traded on U.S. or foreign exchanges.*

For more information, visit www.aeanet.org/Classic or contact AeA's Financial Conferences Team at 408.987.4236.

Sincerely,

Christopher Hansen
President and CEO
AeA, Advancing the Business of Technology

* No OTC or OTCBB companies will be eligible to present. Other qualifications, including AeA membership, may be required to present.

AeA Strengthens International Environment Effort with Hire of New Director, International Environment Policy

In response to increasing AeA member company interest in international environmental policies that will impact the high-tech industry, AeA has restructured its staffing to establish a full-time position focused on international environment policy. The new Director, International Environment Policy will enhance our work with the AeA China RoHS Steering Committee, expand the activities of the AeA International Environment Committee, and identify new initiatives and programs to address emerging international issues.

We are pleased to announce that AeA has hired Mark Plagens to fill this new position as Director, International Environment Policy.

Mark has worked for Honeywell as a Senior Program Manager over the past four years with a focus on international environment issues including EU regulations for WEEE, RoHS and REACH. He also represented Honeywell on the AeA China RoHS Steering Committee. Mark has experience with product stewardship, supply chain management, and international standards. His experience advocating industry views on environment policy and dealing with environmental compliance challenges from the company perspective will bring a new dimension to AeA�s international work on environment issues.

Before Honeywell, Mark worked for Tyco and Gfe Energy Management. He is a Professional Engineer in Texas and Canada and has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University.

Mark will begin work with AeA on September 2. He will be working from Houston, TX but will be traveling to Washington, DC regularly. In addition, he will be coordinating closely with AeA environmental consultant, Holly Evans, who has long experience in Washington.

Rob Mulligan (bio)
Senior Vice President International

For more information on the International Issues affecting your company, visit:

AeA Pushes Congress for Health IT Legislation

With one month to go in this year�s congressional calendar, time is running short to pass any kind of legislation promoting the transition to electronic medical records and greater use of health IT.

AeA has supported two important pieces of legislation that have included important health IT provisions. The Dingell/Barton bill in the House of Representatives and the Kennedy/Enzi bill in the Senate have both stalled because of the press of other business. AeA is asking our member companies to sign on to a broad coalition letter asking Congress to pass these or similar bills that will speed up the use of information technology in the health care arena.

The business coalition letter asks for the passage of any legislation that includes the following:

A public-private process to determine standards for interoperability, product certification, quality measures and an accelerated process for standards improvement;
Financial Incentives for health care providers to adopt and use health IT;
A focus on consumer empowerment through patient and provider education about electronic health records; and
Appropriate privacy and security protections, such as inclusion of entities that are not currently covered under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 or HIPAA.

If you�re company would like to sign on, please follow this link http://www3.aeanet.org/WWW/webquestions.nsf/HealthIT?OpenForm
to the entire letter and add your company�s name along with AeA and other national organizations.

We want to do all that we can to pass Health IT legislation now before the overall health care reform debate starts next year.

John Palafoutas (bio)
Senior Vice President for Domestic Policy & Congressional Affairs

Reaction to Governor Schwarzenegger's 2009 Budget Proposal

AeA is encouraged that Governor Schwarzenegger continues to work towards a budget solution with substantive spending reform and economic stimulus as two of its central components.

We are especially pleased to see that part of the Governor's plan for invigorating the California economy includes the necessary clarification for determining overtime for highly-compensated software engineers, analysts and programmers. This bright-line will allow California's high-tech companies to grow and expand their operations in California by removing the uncertainty that currently exists. AeA believes that the Governor's compromise appropriately recognizes the need for budget reform in concert with an overall net sales tax reduction and budget cuts.

It is our hope that this most recent version of the budget can serve as a starting point to renew earnest negotiations and compromise and that the Governor and our legislative leaders can develop a budget that will bring stability to our states finances. We applaud the Governor's effort to propose a budget that is in the best interest of California, as opposed to choosing political sides at the expense of its citizens.

AeA believes that the Governor's recent proposal is a positive step toward working with both Republicans and Democrats to work together and pass a responsible budget that includes a fix to California's broken budget system.

Furthermore, as the high-tech industry continues to play an integral role in bringing the state up and out of the current economic downturn, we find it reassuring that the Governor continues to rely on revenue raising solutions that avoids diminishing or eliminating California's R&D tax credit.

Roxanne Gould (bio)
Senior Vice President, State Government Affairs

For more information on State Government Affairs (SGA) issues affecting your company, visit:

Attend AeA's Next Government-Industry Executive Interchange on Green IT

On Wednesday, September 24, Chief Information Officers, Program Managers, and procurement officials from the Federal Government will meet with leaders of the high-tech industry at the quarterly AeA Government-Industry Executive Interchange to discuss and share best practices on Green IT -- Virtualization and Mobility Solutions.

This senior level forum will be held at AeA's Washington, DC, office. Confirmed speakers include:


Nigel Ballard Government Marketing Manager Intel Americas	John Garing Chief Information Officer Defense Information Systems Agency	Noah Nason Chief, Information Services Division Office of Science and Technology Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives


Mike Williams Chief Information Officer Defense Contract Management Agency	Gary Galloway Deputy Director Department of State	Richard Russell Chief Information Officer of the Director of National Intelligence. Office of the Director of National Intelligence

Learn How Your HR Team Can Access
High-Tech Industry Specific Salary Data For FREE

Offering pay information from a database of over 18,000 incumbents representing over 190 job titles found in the high-tech industry today, AeA's Salary Survey is designed with you in mind.

Your company's bottom line is dependent upon every decision you make in today's economy, including those related to your ability to retain key talent. AeA's Salary Survey provides you with the information you need to retain valuable employees and ensure you are compensating them at the current market value. The Survey offers online, subscription-based access to job data on over 190 high-tech positions. Unlike other products on the market, you are able to access fresh data anytime, day or night.

Current Data - Updated daily, year-round access the most up-to-date data available

Custom Reports - Refine searches based on region, industry or company type at no extra cost

Free Access - AeA Members receive a complimentary annual subscription, just for participating

Your company's active participation in the AeA Salary Survey is critical to maintaining dynamic reports for you and your industry peers. All data submissions are kept strictly confidential.

Want to learn more?
Join us for an online orientation that walks you through the process of how to participate and access reports.

Date: Thursday, September 11, 2008
Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Pacific / 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Eastern
Location: On-line Webinar
Cost: No Charge

For more information, visit http://survey.aeanet.org. Or, contact AeA's Survey Support at SurveyInfo@aeanet.org or 1.800.542.9078.

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Controlling and Managing Health Care Costs with AeAHealth

Controlling and managing health care costs is top of mind for most high tech executives these days. AeA understands the critical role insurance costs and healthy employees both play on your bottom line. We invite you to evaluate the AeAHealth program at your upcoming anniversary. For AeA member companies, UnitedHealthcare offers a comprehensive variety of medical and specialty benefit plans, value-added services and a free customized wellness program. When you bundle, you save!

We realize every company is different. The AeAHealth program allows you to customize your company�s plan. When you purchase UnitedHealthcare�s medical and specialty products � dental, vision, life and disability � you are eligible for a comprehensive portfolio of medical and specialty products. To list just a few benefits:

Dental � 30% national average PPO network discounts;

Vision � Covered-in-full contact lens benefit includes evaluation, contacts from covered selection and up to two follow-up visits covered-in-full. An allowance is provided for contacts outside of the covered-in-full section;

Life and Disability � Flexible funding options offers plans that can be fully insured, employer paid or employee-pay-all.

The AeAHealth insurance program provides customizable benefit options to best serve the needs of your employees as well as your company budget. Call your local broker and mention the AeAHealth Program (franchise code 6500000) or 1-800-809-9831 to request a quote today!

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Continuing Green: Programs Coming to CA, DC, OR, & WA

AeA�s �Going for Green� kicked-off with a bang in March and has been exploding throughout our councils ever since. Our first green event occurred March 20th in Los Angeles and our eighth green event took place in Dallas on August 27th.

Seattle, Atlanta, Chicago, Albany, Orlando, and San Diego have additionally hosted AeA green events this year. A vast cross-section of state representatives, high-tech members, and academics have all learned exactly what kind of effect going green can have on their bottom line.

Echoing feedback is that our members felt the events were extremely informative and they want more! Therefore, we highly encourage you to attend:

September 24: Washington, DC � AeA�s Quarterly Government Industry Executive Interchange (discussing best practices on Green IT � Virtualization and Mobility Solutions)

October 1 - 2: Orange County - AeA Orange County Innovation & Globalization In Green

October 7: Oregon - Details TBA, email Kari Naone for more information.

October 8: Washington - Smart Energy Opportunities Luncheon

For more information on this event and other green activities, visit:
http://www.aeanet.org/greentech

160+ attend AeA's San Diego Green 2 Gold Program on August 21

AeA Members Receive a $495 Discount to Attend & Network at the Inc 500 Conference in Washington, DC

Inc. has assembled the best of America�s business leaders, experts, and entrepreneurs for three days of learning, networking, and celebrating with a community of your peers. AeA members and friends will receive a special discount when registering for this unprecedented gathering of the Most Influential Business Club in America.

Reserve Now. Space is Limited.
Register now as a Partner using the special AeA promotional code IncPtnr908 to receive a $495 discount off of the non-member price.

For the first time ever, this powerful networking event is open to all.
For more information or to register, visit www.Inc500Conference.com or call us at
877.211.0489.

September 18-20, 2008
Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center
Washington, D.C.

Meet and hear from:

Acclaimed Expert and New York Times Business Bestselling Authors:
Jim Collins Good to Great and Built to Last
Frans Johansson The Medici Effect
Keith McFarland The Breakthrough Company
Bill George True North: Discover Your Authentic Leadership
Timothy Ferriss The 4-Hour Workweek
Chester Elton The Carrot Principle
Michael Gerber E-Myth Mastery
Rod Beckstrom The Starfish and the Spider
Bo Burlingham Small Giants
Michael Port Book Yourself Solid AND Beyond Booked Solid
Jack Stack The Great Game of Business
Michael Abrashoff It's Your Ship

Innovative Leaders of Dynamic Companies, such as:
Newman�s Own Co-founder, A.E. Hotchner
Google Vice President of Research and Special Initiatives, Alfred Spector
Mainstream Holdings founder and Former Chairman and CEO of E*TRADE, Christos Cotsakos, Ph.d
IDEO Chief Creative Officer, Paul Bennett
Crispin, Porter + Bogusky Co-Chairman, Alex Bogusky
CitiStorage Founder, Norm Brodsky
And more�

Space is limited, so please visit www.Inc500Conference.com to make your reservation or call us at 877.211.0489.

About Inc. 500|Inc. 5000 Conference. Each year, Inc. magazine and Inc.com celebrate the remarkable achievements of today�s entrepreneurial superstars. The Inc. 500 | Inc. 5000 Conference brings together members of the Inc. 5000 community�both a new class of Inc. 5000 honorees and the list�s alumni�for three days of powerful networking, inspired learning, and momentous celebration.

Other Upcoming Events Around the Country and World

September Trends in Executive Compensation (September 11 - Chicago, IL)
AeA Midwest Council webinar covering the latest trends in executive compensation packages

From U.S. GAAP to IFRS: Not if, but When (September 16 - Santa Clara, CA)
Hear from Bob Bunting, Deputy President of IFAC, past chair of the AICPA and former CEO of Moss Adams LLP on the anticipated changes to accounting standards and practices and how it translates to your company.

2008 Southeast Spirit of Endeavor Awards Banquet (September 18 - Atlanta, GA)
Honoring individuals and companies in the Southeast technology community.

2nd Annual AeA Global Trade Compliance: Best Practices Conference (September 18 - Sunnyvale, CA)
Register to attend this 2nd annual conference in Silicon Valley, which will provide up-to-date information on company best practices from industry experts while discussing the changing world of doing business in international markets.

Quarterly Government Industry Executive Interchange (September 24 - Washington, DC)
DC's premier executive networking event that brings Federal CIO's Program Managers and Procurement Officials together with the leaders of the high tech industry.

October Washington State Gubernatorial Race -- Gregoire & Rossi: Meet the Candidates (October 10 - Bellevue, WA)
Join AeA for our Executive Leader Forum and meet the Gubernatorial Candidates, Incumbent Chris Gregoire and Challenger Dino Rossi, who will discuss their vision for Washington's Technology Industry.