AeA 2008 Classic Financial Conference to Focus on Attracting Institutional Investors...

AeA 2008 Classic Financial Conference to Focus on Attracting Institutional
Investors in a Challenging Environment

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Now in its 38th year,
the AeA Classic Financial Conference continues to provide public technology
companies with a time and cost effective venue to showcase their business
models to key technology investors. This year, AeA is introducing a special
segment to showcase a select group of 10 privately-held technology companies.
Company executives gain visibility to investors, as well as corporate
executives, with the potential to identify new business partners, merger or
acquisition opportunities. AeA will host the conference, showcasing public
companies with a market cap or revenues of $100 million to $3 billion, on
November 2-5 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego.

"Given the current financial climate, it is especially important for
technology company executives to meet with investors and maximize their
visibility. Investors want to hear from company executives during these
uncertain times," said Elaine Sanders, AeA's Senior Vice President for
Financial Conferences, Executive Education, and Affinity Programs. "The AeA
Classic has survived the downturns in the market for nearly four decades and
AeA will continue to provide this premier event that supports member companies
through the good times and bad," she added.

Attracting institutional investors in a challenging environment is a very
timely topic, and one of key importance to AeA member companies and the
high-tech industry at large. Rich Arnold, COO and CFO of Phoenix
Technologies, stressed the importance of financial conferences in today's
turbulent market. He said, "The AeA Classic is the best conference I do every
year because of the intimacy of the meetings with investors. I can't
understand why any high tech company would not attend this conference."

On September 23, the AeA Silicon Valley/Northern California Council hosted an
event for high tech CFOs and investor relations professionals in Silicon
Valley which featured a panel, Attracting Institutional Investors in a
Challenging Environment, moderated by Jim Fanucchi, Co-Founder, The Summit IR
Group. Several panelists added how valuable the AeA Classic Financial
Conference is in building successful business relationships for leading
high-tech companies and investors.

"With the markets in turmoil, now is an excellent time for companies to focus
internally on crisp execution relative to realistic plans for 2009 and beyond
while developing strategies to proactively engage an investment community,
especially as regards traditional sell side research, undergoing dramatic
changes," said Tim Savageaux, an independent research analyst with Terrapin
Research.

Doug Whitman, Portfolio Manager at Whitman Capital said, "The current market
conditions afford investors a good entry point to buy stocks they could not
buy previously, giving companies the opportunity to broaden their shareholder
base."

Since the Classic began in 1971, 1,600 high-tech companies have presented to
over 18,000 cumulative investors. Over the past three years, the top 10% of
presenting companies have seen their stock price increase by an average of 10%
during the week of the Classic conference. Many companies have picked up
additional analyst coverage so crucial to building visibility in the financial
markets.

For more information about AeA's Classic Financial Conference, please visit
www.aeanet.org/classic.

About AeA
Founded in 1943 by David Packard, 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.

For more information, please contact:
Anne Caliguiri
Director of Communications, AeA
202.682.4443
anne_caliguiri@aeanet.org

Elaine Sanders
Senior Vice President, Financial Conferences, Executive Education & Affinity
Programs, AeA
408.987.4222
elaine_sanders@aeanet.org

SOURCE AeA

Anne Caliguiri, Director of Communications of AeA, +1-202-682-4443,
anne_caliguiri@aeanet.org; or Elaine Sanders, Senior Vice President, Financial
Conferences, Executive Education & Affinity Programs of AeA, +1-408-987-4222,
elaine_sanders@aeanet.org