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Contact: Alan Fogg, Communications Director, afogg@fceda.org
703-790-0600 (o) or 571-213-5065 (m)
Fairfax County conference spotlights U.S.
homeland security needs and Israeli technology
Jan. 16-18 event highlights technology
needs of government and prime contractors, investment goals
of venture capitalists, lessons for entering the U.S. market
Fairfax County, Virginia USA, January 8, 2007 – Advanced
security technology will be the focus of the United States – Israel
HLS Technologies Conference in Fairfax County on January 16-18.
The event will bring together leading U.S. technology firms,
government contractors, federal officials and venture capitalists
with some of Israel’s most innovative homeland security
technology companies.
Seventeen Israeli companies will participate in the event
that will give them a chance to meet U.S. contractors and systems
integrators to assess the federal market place, present business
plans to leading investors, and highlight Fairfax County’s
strong homeland defense industry. The Fairfax County Economic
Development Authority (FCEDA) and the Israeli Export and International
Cooperation Institute organized the event at the Center for
Innovative Technology in Herndon, Virginia.
U.S. companies interested in partnering with Israeli firms
are invited to attend the event. The agenda is available at www.fairfaxcountyeda.org/israel_event_0107.htm.
Highlights include:
- “The Technologies We Need to Prevent Weapons
of Mass Destruction and Other Terror Attacks on the U.S.
and Our Allies,” an address by James S.
Gilmore III, former governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia,
chairman of the Advisory Panel to Assess Domestic Response
Capabilities for Terrorism Involving Weapons of Mass Destruction
(the Gilmore Commission), and partner, Kelley Drye Collier
Shannon.
- “Security Technologies Needed by the U.S.
Government, Prime Contractors, and the Commercial Sector,” a
panel discussion with government contractors.
- “What You Need to Know Before Entering the
U.S. Security Market – Tips and Lessons Learned,” apanel
discussion with experts in security regulations, export
controls, financial structure, marketing and mergers and
acquisitions.
- “The Investment Climate in Israel,” an
address by Yair Shiran, Economic Minister to North America,
Government of Israel Economic Mission.
- “What Venture Capitalists and Strategic
Investors are Looking for in Security Technologies,” a
panel discussion with venture capitalists and investment
bankers.
Organizations supporting the event are the Embassy of Israel
in Washington, D.C., the Northern Virginia Technology Council,
the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Virginia
Israel Advisory Board. Convergent Security Group, a division
of New York investment bank Legend Merchant Group Inc., is
a special event sponsor.
The FCEDA has a permanent representative in Tel Aviv, Ronen
Kenan, who works with Israeli companies interested in expanding
in the U.S. market. The FCEDA works closely with the Virginia-Israel
Advisory Board, part of the office of governor of Virginia,
which has an office co-located with the FCEDA headquarters
in Virginia.
“Our strong technology business community and our proximity
to the federal government makes us an attractive location for
overseas firms generally, but the expertise that Israeli firms
have with homeland security technologies is especially compatible
with Fairfax County,” said Gerald L. Gordon, Ph.D., president
and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority.
In fall 2006, four Israeli companies established offices
in the county or expanded existing facilities, bringing to
20 the number of companies in Fairfax County that are based
in Israel or have roots there.
- Arocon (www.arocon-inc.com)
provides consulting and business strategy services in the
security, defense, and related technology fields for both
government and private clients. The firm opened a two-person
office in Reston.
- Camero, Inc. (www.camero-tech.com)
has developed a real-time 3D ‘Through-Wall Vision’ product
that allows users to observe stationary and moving objects
concealed by walls. The company opened an office in Tysons
Corner and intends to hire four people.
- Magal-Senstar, Inc. (www.magalsenstarinc.com)
is a leading provider of perimeter security technology worldwide.
The company recently opened a Fairfax County office in Herndon
and intends to create 50 jobs.
- NICE Systems (www.nice.com)
provides audio and visual surveillance systems for private
and government clients. The company recently added 15 employees
to its office in Reston.
Both Magal-Senstral and NICE Systems are taking part in the
mid-January conference. In addition, two Israeli firms specializing
in network security have increased their Fairfax County staff
in the past year. Vigilon (www.vigilon.com)
said it would create 50 jobs while Beyond Security (www.beyondsecurity.com)
has created two jobs in McLean.
“Any company that is developing an expertise in homeland
security programs has to have a presence in the Washington
area – you can’t just fly in every month or two
and hope to build relationships,” said Rob Welton, director
of homeland security for Magal-Senstar. “I considered
a number of factors that made northern Virginia an easy decision.
The proximity to Dulles Airport gives us convenient access
to U.S. and international connections. We are close to technology
firms, close to the integrators, and it also is important to
be near the end-user, and we have absolutely no problem getting
top talent.”
Business growth helps Fairfax County fund public services,
such as the nation’s top-rated school system and library,
park, public safety and human services, which contribute to
the quality of life of residents. Fairfax County offers businesses
a state-of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure, access
to domestic and international markets through Washington Dulles
International Airport, and a well-educated workforce.
The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (www.FairfaxCountyEDA.org)
promotes Fairfax County as a business and technology center.
The FCEDA maintains offices in Silicon Valley, Bangalore, Frankfurt,
London, Seoul and Tel Aviv.
Note to media: Rob Welton of Magal-Senstar can be reached
at 703-463-3081 and rwelton@magalsenstarinc.com.
Ralph Robbins of the Virginia-Israel Advisory Board can be
reached at 703-288-1414 and robbins@viab.org.
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