AeANET Home
About AeA
AeA Member Directory
Business Services & Savings
Education & Training
Events
Financial Conferences
Government Affairs
Gov't & Commercial Markets
Industry Reports & Surveys
Insurance Programs
Press Room & Newsletters
Regional Offices & Councils
Unlock the power of AeANET
The keys () indicate exclusive features available to AeA Members.

Membership Benefits Join AeA Get Involved Policy Priorities Contact Us Site Map
Press Room & Newsletters >> Newsletters >> Regional Newsletters >> New England

AeA New England News
October  2006

In this Issue:
From the Executive Director
AeA Government Conference Helps Companies Understand Market Opportunities
Special Networking Dinner with AeA President & CEO, Bill Archey
China Breakfast Tackles IP Protection, Taxes, Expansion and Best Practices
AeA to Hold ITAR Webinar and Seminar
Roundtable on Background Checks Scheduled
New England Companies Featured Prominently at AeA Classic
Broaden Your Knowledge and Contacts with AeA's Network
Get the Most Out of Your AeA Membership
Calendar of Events
AeA New England Contacts

From the Executive Director

AeA listened carefully to what AeA members want to achieve through their employee benefit programs. We heard repeatedly that high-tech companies like yours are concerned about the cost of health insurance in this global competitive environment.

After nearly three decades of offering competitive health care options for the technology industry, we are pleased to announce AeA's NEW and enhanced nationwide Healthcare Program, in partnership with UnitedHealthcare. Effective immediately, AeA has endorsed UnitedHealthcare as its preferred national health care insurer for participating AeA member companies.

The new program has been designed with the specific needs of growing technology companies in mind. After one year of intense evaluation and design with UHC, AeA's new program will offer comprehensive medical coverage with numerous proprietary features, benefits, and services. UnitedHealthcare is ranked 1st in Fortune Magazine’s 2006 list of the nation’s best performing health care companies and we are excited to offer this new program to our members. We look forward to rolling out this program to AeA members and invite you to review this programs to see if it is a good fit for your company. Learn more about the program.  Please contact me to learn how you can participate.

Finally, as we begin a new fiscal year for AeA, we want to make sure we are doing all we can to serve your needs.  What is your biggest challenge for 2007?  AeA is your association.  Help us serve you better by letting us know what is on your mind.  Please contact me with your comments at Anne_Doherty_Johnson@aeanet.org or 781.938.1925, x105.


AeA Government Market Conference Helps Companies Understand State
and Federal Market Opportunities

AeA New England hosted yet another successful Technology for Government Conference, What, Why & How the Government is Buying, on Friday, September 15, 2006 at the Volpe Center in Cambridge, MA.  The morning portion of the event focused on the federal government marketplace while the afternoon portion focused on state and local.  Sponsored by Donoghue, Barrett & Singal, LLP, this year's event featured Mr. Vernon M. Bettencourt, Jr., Deputy CIO of the U.S. Army, who spoke about Technology Trends, Challenges and Priorities within the U.S. Army.  Mr. Bettencourt was joined by Louis Gutierrez, ITD and CIO for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, who gave an informative presentation on Massachusetts IT Architecture Standards and their Governance.  View event summary.  If your technology company is interested in increasing government sales, find out how AeA can help by contacting AeA's Anne Doherty Johnson.


Special Networking Dinner with AeA President & CEO, Bill Archey

Prior to the government market conference, AeA held a private dinner for senior level executives, sponsored by Donoghue, Barret and Singal.   Following a networking reception, guests heard from AeA's President and CEO, Bill Archey, on current developments in Congress and their potential impact on high tech, including the R&D tax credit, U.S. global  competitiveness and H1B Visa legislation.  View event summary and photos.  If you are interested in attending or hosting our next private dinner, please call AeA's Anne Doherty Johnson.  View event summary.


China Breakfast Tackles IP Protection, Taxes, Expansion and Best Practices

From left to right:  Anne Doherty Johnson, AeA NE; Yang Guohua, Chinese Embassy; Alvin Chan, Nair and Co.; Greg Shea, AeA Beijing; Anna George, Nair and Co.; event host, Paul van der Wansem, CEO, BTU; Balaji Krishnamurthy, CEO, Logistyle, Norbert Mendlicki, President and CEO, MCS and Gary Pavlik, Nair & Company.

On July 20, 2006, AeA New England held it's fifth annual high-tech update, Practical Insights on China.  The event, hosted by AeA member, BTU and sponsored by AeA member Nair & Co., was attended by some 50 members of the New England high tech community.  Attendees had the opportunity to hear from individuals such as Greg Shea of AeA's Beijing office, on the topic of How China is Changing as well as two company CEOs, who shared stories about their experiences operating and investing in China.  Yang Guohua of the Chinese Embassy gave an update on what the Chinese government is doing to protect IP and two speakers from Nair & Co., gave the audience practical guidance and advice on entering China. 

Another very informative section of the program featured CEOs sharing their experiences. Three executives with solid experience in the China market were on hand, namely Paul van der Wansem, BTU, Balaji Krishnamurthy, CEO, Logistyle, Norbert Mendlicki, President and CEO, MCS.  Each offered varying perspectives, from tips on entering the market to how to position and sell your product in China, to how to set up and expand manufacturing and other operations.  View event summary.  

AeA will hold our annual China breakfast again in July 2007, so mark your calendar now so you won't miss what is always an interesting and useful exchange of information and tips on China.


AeA to Hold ITAR Webinar and Seminar

AeA New England will hold a webinar and seminar on ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) and US export regulations that could impact your company.  With the U.S. government's focus on homeland security and its increasing reliance on local companies for the development and production of defense-related products and services, new government regulations could impact your company.  Technology companies need to understand the ITAR and how these regulations could  impact your business. 

ITAR impacts many more companies than are currently aware of its ramifications, and applies to a wide variety of wholly benign (non-lethal) products and services? Items originally designed, developed or manufactured to military specifications, or packaged for a military use, are likely subject to the ITAR, even if they are sold for a civilian use and, if an item is subject to the ITAR, you are required to register with the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls -- even if you are not engaged in export transactions.  Recent fines levied against some tech companies shows that ignorance of the law is no defense -- and can prove a very expensive lesson.  Call AeA New England to learn more or visit our website for details on the webinar on October 31 and the  seminar on December 7.

Roundtable on Background Checks Scheduled

By popular demand, AeA will again offer a breakfast roundtable on the topic of using background checks with new and existing staff.  Scheduled for December 14th, Background Checks that Work: Avoiding the Bad Hire promises to provide a wealth of information and best practices that is not be missed.  Come learn about legal requirements and how to use this tool to protect your company and employees, and discuss best practices with your peers.  View event details or call Diane Donaghey, AeA Events Coordinator, at 781.938.1925, x104 to register.


Keeping Up to Date on Key Issues and Trends Impacting High Tech

Stay in the know on the top issues of the day. To keep members up to date on key issues and trends, AeA's government affairs and research staff regularly publish report and issues briefs on a host of topics to help educate stakeholders and shape the debate.

View our latest research report on The Case for Preserving Network Neutrality. This report makes the case for promoting innovation and competition by upholding the principles of network neutrality that have governed the Internet since its inception.

View issue briefs on such topics as Data Security, Smartcard Policy, Broadband, IP and E-Waste.  View a complete list of AeA staff Government Affairs contacts working on your behalf.


New England Companies Featured Prominently at AeA Classic

Fifteen New England companies will be among some 200 leading high tech companies to present at this year’s upcoming AeA Financial Classic  The event will be held from November 5-8, 2006 at the Monterey Conference Center in Monterey, CA.

In its 36th year, The Classic continues to provide public technology companies with an environment in which to showcase their companies to key technology investors. Keynoting this year will be Commissioner Paul S. Atkins, Securities and Exchange Commission.  Executives from some 200 companies are expected to present their technologies, strategic missions, trend analysis and other significant information to a focused group of over 700 investors. The conference is divided into two sessions. Each company is assigned their own private meeting room where they conduct multiple 45-minute meetings with investors. Participating companies must have a market cap or annual revenues over $100 million.

Participating from New England will be:

  • Aware, Inc.
  • Bottomline Technologies, Inc.
  • BTU International, Inc.
  • Candela Corporation
  • Gerber Scientific, Inc.
  • Kopin Corporation
  • Lionbridge Technologies, Inc.
  • Mercury Computer Systems
  • MKS Instruments, Inc.
  • Moldflow Corporation.
  • Palomar Medical Technologies
  • Progress Software Corporation
  • SeaChange International, Inc.
  • TranSwitch Corporation

View more information on each of these companies by visiting AeA's online Member Directory.
View a complete list of all presenting companies
For more information on the AeA Financial Classic, please contact Anne Doherty Johnson at 781.938.1925, x105.


Broaden Your Knowledge and Contacts with AeA's Network

Maximize AeA's vast national and international network by attending an upcoming event here or in other major high tech markets across the country.  Get the knowledge you need and the contacts you want -- anywhere in the country.  AeA's technology industry focused programs allow you to meet your industry peers, customers, partners and high tech leaders at focused events designed to connect you with the information and business contacts you need to succeed.  View our upcoming calendar of AeA New England Events and Supported Events. Broaden your contacts by attending events in major high tech centers all over the country where you do business or maintain offices. AeA's website, AeAnet, allows you to view events by date, region or major subject area.  Questions?  Call AeA at 781.938.1925.


Get Involved and Get the Most Out of Your AeA Membership

How can you get the most out of your AeA membership?  One way is to join other high-caliber technology executives working on topics important to you or your company.  AeA committees are working every day on just these key issues.  Is your company's voice being heard?

AeA committees exist for the purpose of improving the industry, helping to shape public policy to protect member interests, enhancing the business climate for high tech and raising the visibility of AeA and its member companies.  They exist to serve you and are made up of your peers.  Committee members are committed to voicing the concerns of their company and the industry with the end goal of creating a stronger, more vibrant high tech marketplace. 

There are many committees to choose from, depending on your industry sector and interests.  AeA committees are activist in nature, working to shape pending legislative and regulatory proposals and to make sure the interests of AeA members and the high tech industry are considered and understood by legislators, the public and the press.  These committees provide committee members with a steady flow of information on key legislative and regulatory developments and provide a useful mechanism to stay up to date on key developments as they occur.  A partial list of the major issue areas being addressed by AeA committees includes:  Tax, E-waste and Environmental Regulations, RFID, Homeland Security, Broadband, Privacy/Security, Exports, Customs, China, India and Government Procurement and International Trade.

Some AeA committees have more of a business development focus, ensuring that AeA provides valuable forums to put members in touch with valuable business connections to fuel company growth.  These committees work to develop local networking and professional development events that put you face to face with potential customers and partners.

AeA committees are organized at both the local, national and international levels and meet via conference call and in person.  Participation is open to any AeA member company, and there is no limit to the number of employees per company who sign up.

To learn more, contact AeA's Anne Doherty Johnson.  We will connect you with the right committee according to your needs and goals.  View a partial list of AeA national committees  or AeA New England regional committees.

Calendar of Events

Visit our list of AeA and AeA-supported local events.
View our complete national
calendar of events.

AeA New England Contacts

AeA New England Council
444 Washington Street, Woburn, MA 01801
Phone: 781.938.1925    Fax:  781.938.0091
Anne Doherty Johnson
, Executive Director, x105
Diane Donaghey, Events Coordinator, x104

  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AeA New England News is a publication of AeA New England designed for AeA members and others interested in hearing about current issues affecting the high-tech industry. For more information, please contact Anne Doherty Johnson, Executive Director, at 781.938.1925, x105. 
Visit our websiteJoin our mailing list

 

This page was last updated on 10/25/06.  
Copyright © 2006 American Electronics Association.  All rights reserved.aea logo

Printer Friendly Version
Email This Document
Subscribe / Unsubscribe to AeA Newsletters Update My Interests

Related Information





Contact Us  ||  Newsletters  ||  Privacy Policy  ||  Search  ||  Site Map  ||  Help
Advertise on AeANET

AeA Customer Service 1.800.284.4232 ext. 0 CSC@aeanet.org

Copyright © 2008 American Electronics Association. All rights reserved.