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RECENT EVENTS
Past Events with the FACC WDC
Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Managing Director of the IMF, "Disparities in Worldwide Recovery from the Economic Crisis - January 15, 2010 at the University Club
For full coverage of the conference by C-SPAN, please click here.
Introduce your Innovative Venture to France & Europe- December 7, 2009 in the offices of Arlington Economic Development
A panel discussion with representatives from leading bilateral and European trade organizations and agencies brought to the fore new resources for introducing technology-based innovative enterprises to French and European markets. Moderator: Rob Atkinson, The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. Panelists: Sven Oehme - European-American Business Organization, Julie LeBlanc -Invest in France Agency, Geraldine Quetin - Young Entrepreneurs Initiative, Bill Fanjoy - U.S. Export Assistance Center, Franck Roy - French Consulate to the United States.
Beaujolais Nouveau Celebration at the Maison Francaise - November 19, 2009 at the Maison Francaise
More than 300 wine afficionados and French food enthusiasts gathered for the annual Beaujolais Nouveau fete.
FACC WDC Annual Member Meeting held in the offices of Arnold & Porter, LLC - November 2, 2009
Chamber members were welcomed by the partners from the law firm's international practice: Jeffrey Smith, John Bellinger, Gaela Gehring Flores and Philippe Oudinot. Presentations included a review of 2009, an overview of what is planned for 2010, a finance report and an overview of the amendments to the bylaws. The amended by-laws were passed and ten FACC WDC members were voted in as Board Directors. Following the meeting, a lovely reception was held in the law firm's Garden Room.
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Mireille Guiliano presented her latest book - Women, Work and the Art of Savoir Faire - at the National Museum of Women in the Arts - October 21, 2009
The evening began with an interview of Mireille Guiliano by Leslie Milk of the Washingtonian. A lively discussion ensued with the audience, followed by a book-signing session with the author and a cocktail reception.
Pierre Hessler on the Media and Corporate Scandales at the Washington Club - September 17, 2009
The FACC WDC and The Washington Club welcomed Pierre Hessler, author of The Media and Corporate Scandals - Medias et Scandales des Entreprises" - for a conference on the subject of his 2006 book. Mr. Hessler regaled us with factual tales and shrewd insight into the causes behind modern-day corporate scandals and the role of the media. Pierre Hessler provides advice and guidance for key consulting projects with the Cap Gemini consulting group. He is also Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Bureau Veritas SA.
Speed Networking Dinner & Wine-tasting at the Bistr
o d'Oc - June 16, 2009
A dynamic group of 22 professionals joined together at the Bistro d'Oc for an hour and a half of accelerated networking, followed by a delicious French meal. Antoine Songy, President of Robert Kacher Selections regaled us with a choice of 12 rosé, white and red wines.
A Panel Discussion with Jacques Attali - May 18, 2009Moises Naim, Editor-in-Chief of Foreign Policy Magazine joined Jacques Attali, economic advisor to President Nicolas Sarkozy and President and Founder of A&A and PlaNet Finance. Andres Martinez, New America Foundation adeptly moderated the discussion which was followed by a networking reception. J. Attali signed his new book, A Brief History of the Future.
Eric O'Neill - April 30, 2009
Eric O'Neill, the real-life hero of the 2007 movie, "Breach", played an instrumental role in uncovering and caputring the most notorious spy in marican History, Robert Hanssen. Eric O'Neill regaled the audience with personal anecdotes and keen insight into making decision that will have major consequences, navigating one's way through uncertainty and the closely related concepts of trust and diligence. This event took place at the Maison Francaise.
Me the Media Conference - March 26, 2009
Erik van Ommeren of the VINT Institute (Vision - Inspiration - Navigation - Trends) is coauthor of "Open for Business – Open Source Inspiration for Innovation". He presented the Rise of the Conversation society: new media, web 2.0, the conversation economy, 'digital natives', new generations, virtual and augmented reality. This event took place at the Willard Intercontinental.
General Meeting & Reception
February 5, 2009
The Honorable Pierre Vimont, Ambassador of France to the United States, opened the meeting, followed by a keynote address from Serge Bellanger, the National President of the French-American Chambers of Commerce. Chapter President, Jean-Marc Gaultier, presented the new strategy for the Chamber. A networking cocktail followed, accompanied by French wines and cheeses. On this joyous occasion, the FACC of Washington DC officially launched the 2009 membership and programming year. This event took place at the Sofitel Lafayette.
Serge Bellanger, President of the FACC has departed
It is with great sadness and sense of loss that the French-American Chamber of Commerce of DC announces the death of, Serge Bellanger longstanding President of the French-American Chamber of Commerce. Serge was a great supporter of the reconstruction of the chapter of Washington DC, and he will be greatly missed in DC.
Mr. Bellanger was a pillar of the French-American community, a dedicated ambassador for strong French-American relations and a consummate professional, whose tireless work ethic, guiding wisdom and commitment to all of the many professional and philanthropic causes he supported will be sorely missed.
For thirty years, Serge Bellanger brought boundless energy to his positions as Executive Vice President and General Manager of Crédit Industriel et Commercial (CIC) in New York, President of the French-American Chamber of Commerce, the Union of French Chambers of Commerce and Industry Abroad as well as to the Conseillers du Commerce Extérieur, the Maison Française at Columbia University, the Grand Marnier Foundation and a variety of other volunteer positions. Mr. Bellanger was a Commander in the French Legion of Honor and National Order of Merit. To view Mr. Bellanger's complete biography, please click here.
Christine Lagarde, French Minister of the Economy, Industry and Employment, and Anne-Marie Idrac, Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, have issued statements mourning the loss of Serge Bellanger and saluting his contributions to French-American relations. During his hospitalization, Mr. Bellanger asked FACC Vice President Stephen L. Dreyfuss to serve as acting President in his absence. The Executive Committee has asked Mr. Dreyfuss to continue in that role until the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors have designated Mr. Bellanger's permanent successor. The officers, directors, members and staff of the French-American Chamber of Commerce express their profound sympathy to Mr. Bellanger's wife, Danielle Bellanger, and pledge to continue his work to advance the cause of French-American cooperation.