Monday, March 27, 6:30pm-10pm, Prince William Ballroom

The 2006 IEEE Sarnoff Symposium Opening Ceremony will start at 6:30pm in the Senior Room followed by the Symposium Dinner at 7pm. Network with top researchers and business executives from the telecommunications industry and enjoy the elegance of the Prince William Ballroom. Your full conference registration includes the reception and dinner. Additional tickets are available through the on-line registration or at the Registration Desk.

Dinner Speakers:

Frank De Fina, President, Panasonic System Solutions Company

Business and Technical Convergence of Broadcasting and Communications Functions

Dr. Paul Liao, CTO, Panasonic Corporation of North America

ViEra, the New Visual Era

Frank DeFina

Frank DeFina is the President of Panasonic System Solutions Company (PSSA), which is a leading supplier of video security and surveillance systems products; iris recognition systems for access control and identity management; industrial and medical imaging products; point of sale and wireless audio systems for the restaurant and hospitality industry; retailTVT digital signage solutions and Astrovision® large screen display systems. By stimulating and promoting the convergence of these technologies, Mr. DeFina continues to create new opportunities for the continued growth and success of PSSA across a wide range of application platforms.

For 2006, Mr. DeFina will continue to develop this strategy through the continued integration of Panasonic's core technologies, and by establishing relationships with select companies that offer complementary solutions based on their specific areas of expertise. This "open infrastructure" initiative allows Mr. DeFina to expand PSSA's role as an integrated system solution provider, while allowing the company to concentrate product development strategies in its specific areas of expertise.

In addition, Mr. DeFina continues to drive PSSA's security networking solutions for industry-wide applications that employ the latest developments in digital camera, recording, iris recognition, transmission and control technologies. Mr. DeFina is also redirecting the focus of Panasonic Medical Vision to capitalize on the growing demand for high performance video systems specifically designed for advanced medical applications, such as robotic based surgical systems and miniaturized medical devices for less obtrusive internal examinations and procedures. Additionally, Mr. DeFina is expanding the company's role in the hospitality industry with the addition of new systems products designed to increase efficiency and profitability for quick service and table service establishments.

Mr. DeFina maintains a high profile in the professional electronics industry through participation in associations dedicated to supporting various markets. He retains positions on the Executive Board of the Security Industry Association (SIA) and the International Biometrics Industry Association (IBIA). Additionally, Mr. DeFina is a Board Member of the Museum of Television and Radio which is located in New York City.

Since joining the company in 1982, Mr. DeFina has played an integral role in the introduction of numerous professional products and technologies marketed under the Panasonic brand name. Prior to his appointment as President, Mr. DeFina's numerous management positions at Panasonic include: President, Panasonic Broadcast & Television Systems Company; Vice President, Panasonic Industrial/Medical Company; National Sales Manager, Panasonic Professional Video Division; and Product Marketing Manager, Professional CCD Cameras.

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Dr. Paul Liao

Dr. Liao holds the positions of Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for the Panasonic Corporation of North America, and is the President of its Panasonic R&D Company of America. In these positions, Dr. Liao is responsible for technology direction and R&D for the Panasonic Group in North America and for its relationship with Panasonic's global technology direction. Dr. Liao serves on the Board of numerous Panasonic companies, is a member of the FCC's Technological Advisory Council, and serves on the Consumer Electronics Association's Technology Advisory Group.

Prior to joining Panasonic, he held a number of positions at Bell Communications Research, Inc. (Bellcore) and Bell Laboratories including as the Vice President for Emerging Networks, Assistant Vice President of the Solid State Research Laboratory, the Network Systems Research Laboratory, and the Network Architecture and Foundations Center.

He is a past President of the IEEE Lasers and Electro-Optics Society, and a recipient of the IEEE Millennium Medal. Dr. Liao is a former editor of the Journal of the Optical Society of America B: Optical Physics, and has been Co-Editor for the Academic Press Series entitled Quantum Electronics. He has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Internet Home Alliance, and of the Board of Trustees of Brookdale Community College located in Lincroft, New Jersey.

Dr. Liao is a fellow of the IEEE, the American Physical Society, and the Optical Society of America and was part of the Leadership New Jersey Class of 1989.

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