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From the AEN President ...
Dear AEN members and guests,
Greetings! It is hard to believe that 2007 has come and gone already! I hope everyone spent their holidays with their loved ones and started 2008 rested and poised for a GREAT year!
For AEN, 2008 will be a remarkable year! The board of directors held our annual retreat in early January, and there are so many exciting things to share with you. Last October, members received a survey from the board. The purpose of the survey was to assess the members’ needs and ensure we were meeting and exceeding your expectations. We took your suggestions seriously and have taken action!
In 2007, due to construction at the Sheraton Colony Square, AEN lost our permanent monthly meeting location. While this was out of our control, feedback from the survey let us know that finding a new home was top on the priority list. We are proud to report that we are currently in the final stage of negotiations with the Sheraton Atlanta to secure a permanent home for our monthly business meetings.
Members also reaffirmed the dual-focus of our mission statement – providing networking opportunities (both business and social) and coordinating relevant speakers. Let me take this opportunity to give you a sneak peak of our programming line-up in 2008!
 Wednesday, January 23
Kristin Bernert
Vice President
Team Business Development
Women's National Basketball Association
Atlanta Marriott
Suites Midtown
35 14th St NE
Atlanta GA 30309
Doors open at 5:45 p.m.
- February – Political panel discussion w/ LGBT political leaders
- March – Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell revisited – In an election year, AEN will be hosting a review of the policy we’ve all come to know with our special guest speaker, Aubrey Sarvis, Executive Director of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN)
- April – Ernst & Young executive business panel discussion
- May – Summer 2008 Swimsuit Fashion Show co-hosted by David Atlanta Magazine and a very special AEN announcement!
- June – Special Pride Event*
- July – AEN Summer Networking Party
- August – Tracy Elliott, Executive Director, AID Atlanta
- September – Business Fair (Details TBA)
Many have also inquired about our networking luncheons and Iteration. We have recently added new luncheons to our schedule and Iteration will be starting up shortly. In addition to the Allen Jones luncheons in Midtown, there will also be lunches at Windy Hill (Marietta) and a new regular venue at Villa Christina near Perimeter Mall. As always, you can reserve your spot at www.aen.org.
AEN has always been an organization for its members and guests. If you ever have any suggestions, questions or comments, we welcome you to contact any member of our board directly. You can find contact information at www.aen.org/board.shtml.
Best always,
Justin Ziegler, President
AEN Board of Directors
404-822-7967 (Wireless)
www.aen.org
www.myspace.com/aenatlanta
*Note – because of recent events relating to Piedmont Park, our special Pride event may be moved to coincide with the actual dates provided by the Atlanta Pride Committee
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