| Quick Links |
|
|
|
|
| Greetings! |
|
The FACC actively promotes investment and trade with France and presents programs of importance to our members, including networking mixers and events featuring experts in French-American business.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the FACC, please feel free to contact us.
In our monthly e-newsletter, you will find the latest news of the Chamber. Please, feel free to forward this email to a colleague or friend. |
| Member Company Profile: Babolat USA |
|
 Founded in Lyon, France, in 1875, Babolat is the first company to have specialized in racquet sports and the world leader in the production of natural gut strings. Easily recognized by its trademark "double-line" (two stripes on the racquet frame and black on the stringing bed), Babolat is still family-owned. Today, with U.S. operations in Boulder, Colorado, the company also manufactures synthetic strings, shoes, a full range of accessories for all racquet sports as well as a best-selling line of racquets used by some of the most renowned names in tennis.
Rafael Nadal, winner of 4 French Open Titles, Wimbledon and the current #1 player in the world plays with Babolat Racquets.
To find out where Babolat products are sold, log on to www.babolat.com or call (877) 316-9435. | |
|
| Interview with a Professional: Bob Snyder, President of FACC |
|
 Background: Bob Snyder is the current board president of FACC. He began his career working with Ernst & Young, LLP an international accounting firm where he made partner. Not wanting to limit himself to California where he had been living, Bob bounced around for fifteen years abroad - in Holland, Germany and France. For Ernst and Young, he also served in New York as National Director, International Inbound Investor Services. His innovation and drive led him to found the Philadelphia French-American Chamber of Commerce and act as their president for ten years. Now retired, he spends his time with FACC's energetic staff and board of directors to promote their partnership with the Rhône-Alps Region, among others, to the French-American community.
HC: What are the pros and cons of living and working in a foreign country?
BS: The pros are that it is very a very exciting way to learn other cultures - other ways of living - and the personal side as well, discovering a country and a culture: it opens your eyes in a way that is simply impossible otherwise. And the cons are that you are a long way from your company's headquarters, so maintaining contact and staying relevant is always a challenge.
HC: Do you think Colorado has a lot to offer in terms of business abroad?
BS: Colorado is going to be a very dynamic state in terms of international investment - once [other countries] get the message. The governor and his staff have done a great job taking this message to Denmark and Spain for example. [However], Colorado's not getting its share of the investment; it's having some great success but there's more to be had.
HC: What advice do you have for young people interested in the international community?
BS: Dream about what you want to do. Have a vision and don't let anything stop you. Be passionate about what you do, [and] don't take too much advice. There's a lot of risk in that approach but when you're young you can take a lot of risk and I don't know too many people who have taken that approach that have failed.
HC: How do you evaluate success?
BS: Decide what you want to do and don't give up. Tenacity is number one: just don't give up! Take risks, take the unmanageable risks. Step back and ask yourself, if you're doing what you want to do or what you have to do.
 Hilary Crawford is a volunteer with FACC. She will be conducting a series of interviews with our members that will be showcased in this section of our E-Newsletter. She is a student at the University of Colorado Denver, majoring in International Business and French. She enjoys traveling, watching independent films, and talking with interesting people.
|
| Upcoming FACC Events |
Meet our Members Networking & Reception
with White Toque
Tuesday, October 14
(SE corner of I-25 & Hampden)
Denver, CO 80222
White Toque, Inc. is the leading importer of European specialty products to the food service trade in the United States. They currently sell to 150 distributors and wholesalers nationwide and offer a wide selection of frozen goods products. They also offer an extensive line of frozen specialty food online.
Guests will enjoy appetizers, a drink and networking while learning more about one of FACC's Corporate members. A representative from White Toque will be giving a brief presentation about their company followed by a tasting of their products.
6:00pm: Registration & Networking
6:30pm: Welcome & Presentation
7:00pm: Tasting & Networking
Cost: $12 members, $18 non-members
RSVP: 303-695-7818 or online. |
|
|
| Volunteer Corner |
|
Current Volunteer Opportunities With FACC
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Angela. You can also visit the Volunteer Section of our website to find out about current opportunities.
Beaujolais & Beyond Festival:
Description: 20-30 responsible volunteers to help the night of the event. Set-up (noon-5), check-in (5-9), silent auction monitoring (5-9), check-out (8:30-11:00), clean-up (10-11). Volunteer shifts will be assigned based on preference and need.
Time: 4-6 hours
Date/ Location: November 20, 2008 / Mile High Station in Denver (I-25 & Colfax)
Benefit: Receive 1 free admission to the Beaujolais & Beyond Festival
|
| Members' Corner |
 French Wine Tasting Dinner
The wine reception will begin at 6:30pm with a four-course dinner and paired with wines to follow. Cost is $55 plus tax/gratuity. For menu & information, visit our website or call 719-632-4887.
It's time to plan for your holiday party. Would you like to do something different this year? Hold a wine tasting dinner party at La Petite Maison. Chef Henri will work with you to select entrees and wines of your choosing. Groups of 20+ will receive free hors d'oeuvres. Call 719-632-4887.
 White Toque Introduces French Baguettes
White Toque is now introducing imported all-natural French Baguettes in three distinct varieties into their gourmet frozen food line. These prebaked French breads can be easily prepared in minutes allowing anyone to simply integrate gourmet taste into their home cooked meals. White Toque's French Baguettes possess their signature crunchy and crispy crust complemented by a satisfyingly light tasting inside. They can be purchased in many local retail stores or directly through White Toque at www.whitetoque.com.
White Toque Retail LLC.
Contact: Anne Dominique Funkleder
Phone: 201 863 2885 #240
Fax: 201 863 2886
www.whitetoque.com
Loujan Bas Armagnac Takes the Gold...Twice!
 Laura & Robert Hill received top honors at an international competition in San Francisco, where judges declared their Armagnac brandy to be the best in the United States, if not the world. Their 1979 Loujan Bas Armagnac received a double gold medal at the annual World Spirits Competition in San Francisco earlier this year.
Double gold medals, or "best in show," are given only when the judges vote unanimously for one brand. Four categories are judged: best white spirits, best whiskey, best liquor and best brandy, which includes all cognacs as well.
Read the full article here.
|
|
Community News |
|
Celebrate Auguste in November: A Grand Escoffier Soiree
 Michel Escoffierpresents the culinary legend of his great-grandfather
Auguste Escoffier
November 9, 2008
The University of Denver Hotel School
Tuscan Ballroom
Dinner prepared by Colorado's finest chefs. Event presented by The American Institute of Wine & Food, Colorado Chapter. Black Tie Optional.
Participating Chefs: Radek Cerny - L'Atelier, Boulder, Jason DeBacker - Le Central, David Scott - Vail Associates, Chef Smith - Mesa State College, Jeremy Thomas - French 250, Jean-Luc Voegele - Westin, Chef William Wahl - Indulge French Bistro by William Wahl
For more information contact 303-333-2378 and press Option 1.
1st Annual BACC Golf Tournament
Friday, October 3
Golf Tournament 2pm, Social Event 4:30pm
Wellshire GC, Hampden & Colorado
$30 includes cart & 9 holes
The format will be a Scramble and players will compete in teams of four. Basically after each shot the best ball is selected and the other three players move theirs and hit from there - balls must be placed within half a clubs length from the chosen ball (except for when on the green when balls must be hit from the same spot!). Each player must have at least one shot from the Tee box that is taken by the team.
There will be a prize for the team with the lowest score as well as prizes for Closest to the Pin and Longest Drive on two of the holes.
Players are limited to 36 and availability will be given to first come first served. Members are welcome to invite guests and where possible they will play with you. However, in the spirit of the day, we do want to split up the scratch golfers. Non-players are also invited to walk or socialize in the bar.
Les Miserables at the Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities
Now Through October 12, 2008
 After 16 amazing years on Broadway, Les Misérables makes its way to the Arvada Center's main stage. This Tony Award®-winning musical is an epic saga of one man's escape from social injustice. After Jean Valjean's parole from prison for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his family, he is haunted by a constant cloud of suspicion and distrust. Les Misérables, a musical of love, courage and redemption, is truly an inspirational journey. The largest production to ever grace an Arvada Center stage is a must see.
For tickets please visit us online at www.arvadacenter.org/on-stage or call the box office at 720-898-7200.
Les Cles de l'Amerique: Le Guide Pratique de l'Expatriation discount de 20%!!
Il s'agit d'un guide pratique destiné aux futurs et aux actuels expatriés français et francophones aux Etats-Unis.
MEMBRES de FACC: Pour beneficier du discount de 20%, appelez-nous au bureau
303-695-7818 pour connaitre le promo code.
|
| Alliance Francaise Events |
|
 Les Idees Heureuses: A Guide to Enjoying Music of the French Baroque
Thursday, October 16
6:00pm
In France, the Baroque era in music (roughly 1600-1750) was a period of tremendous flowering - with the development of a distinctive French national style of music and the creation of musical masterpieces that are being rediscovered and enjoyed anew in the present day. Frank Nowell, artistic director of the Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado, will provide an informative and entertaining overview, with hints on what to listen for in French Baroque music - from the intimacy of genre pieces for the solo viol to the splendor of large-scale theatrical works. The overview will include recorded excerpts from music by Jean-Baptiste Lully, François Couperin, Jean-Philippe Rameau, and Marin Marais. The presentation will be followed by a reception. Presentation in English followed by a glass of wine.
Cost: $8 AF & FACC members, $10 nonmembers RSVP: Call 303.831.0304 or online.
A Little France.....A Little Fielder
Wednesday, October 22
5:30-8:30pm
 Spend an evening exploring the contrasts and distinctions of French and Colorado wines in the ReedPhotoArtGallery and John Fielder's Colorado. Join Alliance Française members and friends ~ old and new ~ as we stroll through the gallery of Colorado's own John Fielder with an exciting mix of photographic fine art and other traditional artistic mediums. Enjoy a showcase of local and national photographers as well as artists who embrace the full spectrum of artistic expression.
In addition to a surprise or two, the evening will include a book signing by Claudia Cangilla McAdam whose narrative blends beautifully with the camera art of John Fielder in their books "Do You See What I See?" and "Maria's Mysterious Mission" (a 2008 Colorado Book Award finalist).
Location: Reed Photo Gallery and John Fielder's Colorado, 833 Santa Fe Dr.
Cost: $26 Af & FACC members, $31 non-members
RSVP: Call 303-831-0304 or sign-up online
|
The Rocky Mountain French-American Chamber of Commerce aims to promote the local French American business community as well as to support local French and American companies with their trade needs.
| |
