Bethesda, MD -- Corporate and education leaders in satellite technology, computing, telecommunications, and engineering recently announced their sponsorship of the 2005 Mid-Atlantic All Hazards Forum (or AHF).

The AHF is the first of its kind meeting of regional emergency management, first response leadership, policy makers and homeland security officials from New Jersey to North Carolina. Scheduled for October 25-28, 2005 at the Baltimore Convention Center, AHF is marking its second year in existence, and has already attracted big name industry sponsors like Motorola, Sun Microsystems, and M/A-COM. The University of Maryland will also play a key role in the conference and exhibit.

The conference was designed to meet a growing need for cooperation and communication among officials concerned with addressing hazards that occur beyond geographic boundaries. Topics discussed during the conference include environmental hazards like floods and hurricanes, homeland security threats and best practices, and the growing importance of emergency management and intelligence sharing on the state and local level. Over 450 people are expected to attend this year's event.

Sun Microsystems specializes in creating protected communication channels for mission critical information. Allowing for interoperability without the risk of computer hackers or information loss. Called the Sun Infrastructure Solution for Secure Network Access Platform for Defense, Intelligence, and Homeland Security Agencies, the system is at once secure and accessible.

"We are pleased to participate as a lead sponsor at the 2005 Mid-Atlantic All Hazards Forum," said Clark Masters, President of Sun Microsystems Federal, Inc. "AHF offers Sun a unique opportunity to meet with customers from a specific region of the country, who, by virtue of their location, are in the forefront of the homeland security and emergency management field. At AHF, we learn as much about our customers and the needs of the industry as our customers learn about Sun solutions and technology."

Motorola, a corporate sponsor for the event, is a leader in mission critical communication technology for first responders. With a full portfolio of solutions including wireless communications, integrated software and mobile applications, and command and control technology, Motorola is uniquely situated to exhibit the latest innovations to attendees at AHF this year.

"We consider AHF one of the most important conferences of its kind for our customers in the Mid-Atlantic region. We are excited to share our mission critical solutions with attendees and take the lead as a technology exhibitor at the conference. We learn as much, if not more, than our customers at meetings like the All Hazards Forum," said Kelly Kirwan, MCEI Vice President and Eastern Regional Director of Sales.

M/A-COM, Inc., a business unit of Tyco Electronics, is the recognized technology leader in bringing IP-based network innovation to two-way radio communications. M/A-COM's end-to-end IP networks and products provide reliable, feature-rich, cost-effective radio communications for Public Safety, Homeland Security, Utility and Business markets worldwide. M/A-COM's VIDA (Voice, Interoperability, Data, Access) network architecture enables the most comprehensive multi-agency interoperability available in radio communications today.

"M/A-COM enjoys a large customer base in the Mid-Atlantic region. We joined the AHF because it is a great opportunity for us to share our technology with the critical mass of leadership in emergency response services for the Mid-Atlantic. AHF has proven to be an effective way to keep in touch with many of our customers in the area," said Mary Doherty, Northeast Area Director, M/A-COM.

The University of Maryland plans to display capabilities in training, public policy analysis and education, and life sciences at the conference. Recently recognized as one of four national centers of excellence by the Department of Homeland Security for their START Center (Center for the Study of Terrorism and Response to Terrorism), the University offers everything from applied training to first responders to forward-thinking research on fire protection engineering and bio-chemical disasters.

Brian Darmody, Assistant Vice President for Research and Economic Development at the University endorsed the conference as an opportunity to display the wide range of capabilities and interests available at Maryland to conference attendees saying, "AHF is a great way to showcase our resources in a wholesale, rather than retail, fashion. We have the opportunity to integrate our strengths and reach out to first responders, public policy officials, and engineers who are looking for the kind of knowledge and training we provide."

Coverage: Media interested in attending should contact Addy Kennedy at 301-493-5500, or kennedy@ejkrause.com to pre-register. Press credentials can be picked up at the press room, located near the entrance to the exhibition floor in Hall C. To schedule one-on-one interviews or live feeds from the event, please contact Susan Muma at 301/651-4916. For additional information about the 2005 AHF, Forum topics and exhibiting opportunities please visit www.allhazardsforum.com.

About E.J. Krause & Associates, Inc.: Founded in 1984, E.J. Krause (EJK) is one of the largest privately held exhibition management companies in the world. With 16 offices on four continents, EJK produces over 80 events in 16 different industries. EJK's reputation is based on its resolute commitment to excellence in service to its clients.