| CORA News |
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CORA Events in March
 CORA, the Colorado-Rhone-Alpes Economic Development Network, is an initiative of the FACC that officially launched operations on January 1, 2009. Over the past several months, CORA has developed a close working relationship with one it its members, AEPI, the Economic Development Agency for the Grenoble-Isere region. Arising from this collaboration was a decision to invite a high-level delegation from that region to Colorado in March. CORA and AEPI had previously decided that the sector offering the most opportunity for developing investment along with business and research alliance dealt with all areas of energy, such as renewable energy, cleantech, smartgrid, conversion, management, and efficiency.
 The delegation was led by Claude Graff, Executive Vice-President for the Renewable Energy Group for Schneider Electric, a French global company with $25 billion in sales and which employees 28,000 people in the U.S. M. Graff is also President of TENERRDIS, the French national renewable energy cluster which is based in Grenoble. Other organizations represented in the delegation were Veolia Energy North America, the Director of a major nano/micro-electronics cluster in Grenoble, the director of the tech transfer office of one of Europe's premier engineering schools and the founder and President of a fast -growing company specialized in a patented process for recycling lithium-ion batteries. ( See a video testimonial from Claude Graff here)
 The delegates attended the Sustainable Opportunities Summit (March 17-19) organized by FACC member CORE. A pre-summit presentation was held on March 17 and featured three members of the delegation who spoke about the Grenoble-Isere region and sustainable technologies in that area. In addition, a schedule of appointments was customized for each delegate, and included presentations by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, meetings with prospective customers, alliance partners and heads of tech transfer offices at major Colorado universities.
The visit also included a reception on March 18 that featured remarks by Governor Bill Ritter and was attended by over 100 business and community leaders.
Plans are already in the making for a delegation in September 2009 to Grenoble, that will include potential investors in the sectors and research organizations interested in developing alliances.
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| Member Company Profile: Holland & Hart LLP |
Holland & Hart LLP is the largest law firm based in the Mountain West, providing a complete range of legal services to a diverse group of commercial and individual clients. Since its inception in 1947, Holland & Hart has grown to a firm of nearly 450 lawyers in 15 offices in Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and the District of Columbia. It is the largest law firm based in the Mountain West ranked on The American Lawyer's list of the top 200 firms in the United States. The firm offers an extensive network of legal talent and resources equipped to assist businesses in every stage of development, and in virtually all facets of the law. With firm-wide resources, local presence, and coordinated efforts, Holland & Hart delivers integrated legal solutions to regional, national, and international clients of all sizes, from emerging businesses to Fortune 500 corporations.
For more information:
555 Seventeenth St., Suite 3200
Denver, CO 80202
Tel: 303-295-8000
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Upcoming Events |
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 Labor & Employment Law in the US & France: Practical Tips for US & French Businesses
Thursday, April 9
5:00-6:30pm
 Join the FACC and Davis, Graham & Stubbs at an informative and practical presentation highlighting some of the differences and similarities between labor and employment law in the United States and Europe, particularly France. Sybil Kisken and Christelle Bousquet Wu will share some legal insights during a presentation.
Light hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be served. Please bring your business cards to network.
Where: Davis, Graham & Stubbs, 1550 17th St., Suite 500, Denver, 80202 Cost: Free for FACC members, $10 non-members RSVP by Thursday, April 2 to 303-695-7818 or online.
Sybil Kisken, of Counsel
Sybil Kisken is of counsel to Davis, Graham & Stubbs focusing on employment and labor law, including all phases of trial and appellate litigation. Ms. Kisken has handled cases at all levels, including cases before Colorado's state and federal district courts, the Colorado Court of Appeals, the Colorado Supreme Court, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth  Circuit. She also has filed briefs with the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition to her litigation experience, she also advises clients regarding employment-related matters, including those involving allegations of discrimination, harassment and retaliation, and medical-related issues.
Christelle Bousquet Wu, Attorney
Christelle Bousquet Wu is a member of both the Paris Bar and the Colorado Bar. She worked as an associate doing corporate law and business litigation for medium to larger size law firms in Paris and Denver for four years before opening her own practice in 2004. Her current practice includes international issues involving Colorado and French laws both for individuals (estate planning and probate, family law, nationality) and companies (distribution contracts, finder's fee and service agreements).
 This event is sponsored by Davis, Graham & Stubbs
Euro Networking at Infinity Park
Thursday, April 23
6:00-8:00pm
Join the British-American, French-American, German-American & Swedish-American Chambers of Commerce as well as the World Trade Center for an animated evening of networking. Don't forget to bring your business cards!
Where: Infinity Park, 4599 E Tennessee Ave., Glendale, 80246 (between Kentucky & Mississippi, just east of Colorado Blvd.)
Cost: $12 members, $18 non-members. Appetizers included. There will be a cash bar.
RSVP to 303-695-7818 or online by Monday, April 20.
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| Economic News |
They Chose France... A Success Story
Microsoft, The American Giant
Microsoft currently employs 1,400 people in France at 10 sites, including 4 in Ile-de-France region. In Spring 2009, these 4 sites will be merged into a single building in Issy-les-Moulineaux, just outside Paris, at the High Tech Arc-de-Seine cluster. This building, known as EOS, will benefit from the latest construction techniques ensuring thermal and sound insulation.
Creating a European Technology Center
In October 2008, the CEO of Microsoft, Steve Ballmer, announced the creation of a European Technology Center dedicated to the search engine Live Search, employing around a hundred people. The Issy-les- Moulineaux center's mission will be to bring innovation to internet searches in three ways, allowing Microsoft to:
- Conduct more relevant searches by developing the search mechanism around linguistic specificities, and by using European developers who are familiar with the local markets;
- Make the search experience more rich, more personal and more dynamic by introducing functionalities which go beyond displaying 10 links, e.g. images, videos, sounds and services specific to the geographical location of the user
- Bring innovation to the advertising models used by search sites.
This European center will also be based in two other cities: London and Munich.
Why France? Jordi Ribas, Managing Director of Search Technology, explains why Microsoft decided to select France: "The main reasons why Microsoft selected France to host part of our Search Technology Center were the availability of top talents in the industry, top universities, and the maturity of the search market. In addition, another important factor was the fact that there was a significant tax credit available for our R&D investment."
Article Courtesy of Invest in France Agency
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Members' Corner |
Watch your best Belgian programs on DISH Network!
 Enjoy the RTBF news, hit series like Septième Ciel and Melting Pot Café and recent award-winning movies - upcoming movies include Miss Montigny, Dennis van Rita, Man zkt vrouw and En marge des jours. In the coming months, you can also enjoy interviews of the actors and directors of Elève Libre and Moscow Belgium.
DISH Network offers the most French channels at the best value - 5 French-language channels for only $19.99/mo!
Special Offer for FACC Members - 10% discount off Kompass!
 Kompass helps you grow your business through two services: our database and our advertising system
Contact potential customers through our reliable and in-depth database.
Be contacted by buyers searching for your products.
 You will enjoy a 10% discount if you subscribe through the FACC Rocky Mountain, start today!
20% off Cover Price for FACC Members
FACC members can receive a special 20% off rate when you subscribe to France-Amerique or France Today. Click to find out more:
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| Job Postings |
Visit our Job Board or click on the links below to see complete details about the following positions:
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| Past Event Reflection |
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Small Business Roundtable
On Wednesday, March 11 we held our second Small Business Roundtable event at the Alliance Francaise. Several members who had attended the first Roundtable in January came back to share success stories about how they used knowledge gained from the first session to better their businesses. Yolanda Duperret of Action Coach facilitated the event once again and explained how each Small Business Owner could increase their bottom line by using the Five-Way Formula. Owners also shared challenges, thoughts and ideas with each other to help get the brainstorming wheels in motion for the uncertain times that lay ahead. We would like to thank Katherine's French Bakery for sponsoring this event by providing breakfast pastries and coffee.
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| Alliance Francaise Events |
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 5 a 7 French Conversation Happy Hour
Thursday, April 2, 5:00-7:00pm
571 Galapago St., Denver 80204 Sip a glass of wine with a slice of cheese, practice your French, enjoy our latest art exhibit, and meet other Francophiles from the Denver area. All levels of French speakers are encouraged to join us.
Cost: $5 AF & FACC members, $10 non-members RSVP 303-831-0304 or online.
Cine-Club
Wednesday, April 15, 7:00pm
 Come be part of the Ciné-Club - for French and film lovers alike. Every third Wednesday of the month for just $9 you can enjoy a French film, a French reception with wine and hors-d'oeuvres afterward, as well as the opportunity to speak French. This month, the ciné-club presents Les Lutins du Court-Métrage Part 2
Cost: $7 AF & FACC members, $9 non-members, includes film and reception.
RSVP: Call 303-831-0304 or sign-up online
Location: Starz FilmCenter, 900 Auraria Pkwy
In Search of "In Search of Lost Time"
Lecture by Jacques Geraud
Monday, April 20, 5:30pm
In Search of Lost Time is the greatest registered monument - somewhat X-rated - or rather unclassifiable monument of French literature. Jacques Géraud has published fiction, including novels, short stories, and tales. Two of his books are series of short comic and fantasy fiction, based on Proust's work. The lecture will be conducted in French. Click here for more information.
Organized with the Délégation Générale de l'Alliance Française aux Etats-Unis and the Department of French and Italian of the University of Colorado in Boulder.
Cost: Free
Location: University of Colorado in Boulder, 1610 Pleasant St., Eaton Humanities Building, Room TBD
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| Community News & Events |
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Tournees Free French Film Festival
Colorado Film School, Community College of Aurora
9075 E Lowry Blvd., Building 965, Denver, 80230
A total of six films will be shown at 6:30 pm on Thursday and Friday evenings in April in the film school's state-of-the-art theater. Friday evening films include some of the most popular and award-winning French films in recent years. Thursday evening films introduce viewers to cultural issues in French-speaking African countries. A short French language commentary will precede each viewing.
 April 9: Bamako April 10: Persepolis (image at right)
April 16: Reves de Poussiere
April 17: Le Scaphandre et Le Papillon
April 23: La Petite Jerusalem
April 24: La Vie en Rose
Reserve your seat at this no-cost festival: www.coloradofilmschool.net/frenchfilm
Want to go deeper into the content of the films? A Special Topics "French Film" class is available in conjunction with the festival for college credit through the Community College of Aurora, Arapahoe Community College, and Red Rocks Community College.
The festival is sponsored by a growing list of organizations including: The Community College of Aurora's: CCA Foundation, Global Initiatives Committee, World Languages Program, and Aurora Language Center; Alliance Française de Denver ; Arapahoe Community College ; and Red Rocks Community College.
The Tournées Festival was made possible with the support of the Cultural Services of the French Embassy and the French Ministry of Culture (CNC).
Colorado Symphony Orchestra Offers 20% Discount to FACC
 FACC Members receive a 20% discount off tickets to the following performances by the Colorado Symphony Orchestra.
APR 17-18 (FRI & SAT 7:30) - FRENCH COMPOSERS Jean-Marie Zeitouni, conductor
Daniel Mueller-Schott, cello | CSO Chorus
Berlioz - Overture to Le corsaire
Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto No. 1
Debussy - Nocturnes
Ravel - La valse
MAY 15-17 (FRI & SAT 7:30, SUN 2:30) - FRENCH GUEST ARTIST
James Gaffigan, conductor | Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano
Mozart - Eine kleine Nachtmusik
Ravel - Piano Concerto in G major
Beethoven - Symphony No. 2
Tickets may be purchased by calling the CSO Box Office at 303.623.7876 or visiting the box office located inside Boettcher Concert Hall in the Denver Performing Arts Complex at 14th & Curtis Streets, downtown Denver. The CSO Box Office is open from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday,, and 1 1/2 hours prior to performance. Please mention the Promotional Code FRENCH to receive the discount. |
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.
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Claude Graff, an EVP at Schneider Electric and Chairman of the Tenerrdis Competitive Cluster of New Energy in the Grenoble Region of France, offered an international perspective at the Sustainable Opportunities Summit in Denver on March 18 & 19 during a lunchtime speech. 
