AeA Celebrates 22nd Annual Tech Summit and
Lobby Day in Sacramento

Sacramento, CA (April 25, 2008) – Over 50 representatives from 35 California companies convened in Sacramento this week to review the high-tech industry’s policy agenda for 2008 at AeA’s 22nd Annual Tech Summit. The two-day event kicked-off on Tuesday evening, and continued through Wednesday. High-tech industry leaders and several government officials were present, including Teri Takai, California’s first Cabinet-level State CIO, who gave a keynote address.

"This was AeA's 22nd Annual Tech Summit and again this year the event was a great success," said AeA's Roxanne Gould, Senior Vice President for State Government Affairs. ”AeA's Annual Tech Summit was even more crucial this year due to California's current fiscal crisis. The state legislature is being forced to consider all ways to address our budget deficit. Our member companies spent the day explaining to elected officials and other key government officials how important high-tech is to the state."

AeA’s Tech Summit is an annual event hosted in Sacramento to give AeA’s member companies both large and small an opportunity to travel to Sacramento to interface with key decision makers in California and discuss the relationship between the high tech industry and the state. AeA covers the high priority issues that impact the high tech industry in California. This week, AeA's member companies joined AeA staff to lobby and explain the how these issues impact tech. This year Tech Summit was focused on Keeping California Competitive and the issues that were covered were Tax, Environment, Education and Workforce, Procurement, and E-Commerce.

On Tuesday evening, AeA presented the Legislator of the Year award at a dinner honoring Senator Lou Correa and Assemblymember Cathleen Galgiani for their continued support and advocacy of high-tech issues. AeA also recognized regional legislators from across California as 2007 Technology Leaders. These legislators include: Assemblymember Martin Garrick; Senator Tom Harman; Assemblymember Guy Houston; Assemblymember Ted Lieu; and Assemblymember Nicole Parra.

On Wednesday, the day started with a keynote address given by Teri Takai, and continued into a full day of meetings between member companies and key legislators. In her address, Ms. Takai emphasized the key role between the technology industry and the state in addressing technology solutions.

“By using technology in a well-coordinated and efficient way, the state can greatly enhance the services provided to California citizens and businesses,” said Ms. Takai.

During lunch, member companies were briefed by Senator Denise Ducheny and Assemblymember Ted Gaines on California’s current budget situation. California is facing a fiscal crisis and the state legislature is faced and finding ways to close the budget deficit. As one of California’s leading industries, high-tech will play a key role in finding these solutions.

Christopher Hansen, AeA’s President and CEO, attended this year’s summit and gave an overview of AeA’s 11th annual Cyberstates report to member company representatives. The report, Cyberstates 2008: A Complete State-by-State Overview of the High-Technology Industry, details national and state trends in high-tech employment, wages, and other key economic factors for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

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About AeA
AeA, the nation’s largest technology trade association representing all segments of the high-tech industry, is dedicated solely to helping our members’ top line and bottom line. We do this in partnership with our small, medium, and large member companies by lobbying governments at the state, federal, and international levels, providing access to capital and business opportunities, and offering select business services and networking programs. For more information, please visit www.aeanet.org.

This page was last updated on 04/30/08.