When I talk to companies about the upcoming Israeli Homeland Security event (see article below), I get the same reaction form both Virginia and Israeli companies:  Nice, but what’s in it for me?
 
Click below for the answer. (and if you’re not convinced, call or email me: 703-288-1414 (office); 703-966-6178 (mobile); robbins@viab.org

Virginia Homeland Security Industry will have a front-row opportunity to examine technologies of over 50 Israeli companies participating in the Israel Export Institute (IEI) Homeland Security Symposium that will take place in Washington DC on October 28 – 29, 2004.  The VIAB is working with American Business Development Group (ABDG) of Arlington, Virginia, to arrange face-to-face meetings between Virginia companies and the Israeli participants.

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Updated as of October 21, 2004:
List of Participating Israeli Companies
List of Participating American Companies
Agenda of the October 28-29 Symposium
Virginia Company “Request for meeting” Form
Israeli Company Participation Form
October 24, 2004 Article in Washinton Times
Click here to Contact ABDG
Click here to Contact the IEI
Click here to Contact the VIAB

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Editor's Note: This article is a reprint from Globes, June 21, 2004
As of June, 2004, there were no fewer than 210 Israeli companies active in the Homeland Security sector. Until recently, this has been one of the most closely guarded secrets in this small country.  A conference held at Tel-Aviv University in June, brought together  members of the armed forces, Government officials, individual investors, foreign visitors, venture capitalists and technologists.

On second thought, the number of companies laboring in the field should not be a surprise. Israel, in recent years, has acquired a solid reputation for security innovation. El-Al, for one example, as of this month will have its fleet of 30 planes outfitted with the FlightGuard system, aimed at protecting from missiles fired from hand held rocket propellers.