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Upcoming Events |
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September Roundtable
Strategic Marketing Solutions that
Track, Measure and Improve your Marketing Efforts
When: Wednesday, September 16
Where: Alliance Française de Denver
571 Galapago Street, Denver, CO 80204
Details: Yolanda Duperret of Action Coach and special guest Sid Sena will facilitate this roundtable discussion. Mr. Sena has over 17 years of digital imaging, sales and marketing experience.
Program:
8:30-8:55 - Registration and Breakfast
8:55-9:55 - Presentation and Discussion
9:55-10:30 - Questions and Networking
Cost: Free for FACC members. $10 all others.
RSVP: by Friday, September 11 to 303-695-7818 or online
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| CORA News |
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Our Strategy:
We have an in-depth knowledge of both Colorado and the Rhône-Alpes region because we maintain both an inbound and outbound focus with our operations. Because of this,we are effective in identifying and facilitating opportunities for investment and value-creating alliances in both markets.
We also understand that our success is greatly founded upon the relationships forged across a broad spectrum of businesses, research organizations and economic development agencies.
CORA along, with its members, now has the capability of providing industry specific market overviews and personal introductions to virtually any business or research organization in either market.
Join us at one of our upcoming events this fall! See below for details.
Outlook on Innovation & Trends in Software and IT in France:
The Rhône-Alpes Perspective
When: Tuesday, September 22
 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Where: CSIA
1625 Broadway, 9th Floor
Denver, CO 80202
Details: Presentations will feature the following speakers: Sharon Rehbinder, AEPI, Director North America Regis Pourchet, Sogeti USA, Geographic Vice President Josh Peterson, Hewlett Packard, Worldwide Manager,
HP Workstation Product Marketing
Come join us to learn about innovation and trends in the software and IT industry in France, particularly in the Rhône-Alpes region. The Rhône-Alpes region boasts France's second largest economy. Grenoble's ecosystem is renowned in the renewable energy, micro-nano technologies and software industries. We will provide an overview of the major industry players, clusters, research centers and universities. The presentations of two global companies, Sogeti (group Cap Gemini) and Hewlett Packard, both with operations in the US and in Grenoble (Rhône-Alpes), will help you to understand the remarkable similarities of the two regions in terms of innovation and technology.
Sponsored by: Invest in France AgencyPresented by: CSIA - Colorado's Technology Association
and CORA - Colorado Rhône-Alpes Economic Development Partnership
Cost: Free for CSIA, CORA and FACC members. $15 all others by September 15. $20 after September 15.
RSVP: Must enroll by Friday, September 18 at 303-695-7818x102 or online
Click Here for more details on this event and its featured speakers.
French CEO will be a speaker at DEMOGala on October 8, 2009
In collaboration with the Colorado Technology Association (CSIA), CORA was instrumental in attracting Dominique Lahaix, CEO of eCairn, to speak at the DEMOGala Conferences.
Dominique Lahaix is the Founder and Ceo of eCairn, software (SaaS) company specializing in social media marketing, founded in 2007 in Silicon Valley with software development activity done in Grenoble (France - Rhône Alpes). eCairn is delivering an innovative social media marketing platform to marketing agencies and marketing groups.
This year's DEMOgala Denver technology conference features over 100 speakers on 25 different panels discussing the newest trends in technology. Topics include everything from cloud computing, software development, SEO, crowdsourcing, mobile applications, web commerce, open source, social networking, APIs, transparency, and much more.
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Interview with a Professional |
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 Sharon Rehbinder, AEPI
Sharon Rehbinder joined AEPI (the Grenoble-Isère, France, Economic Development Agency) as its Director for North America in 2001. Based in Los Angeles, she is responsible for providing U.S. and Canadian companies with complimentary information, introductions and services to assist them in the exploration of business opportunities in the Grenoble-Isère area; the "Silicon Valley" of France. Within the framework of the CORA (Colorado Rhone-Alpes) network, AEPI is also active in promoting international trade between Colorado and the Rhone-Alps region in France.
FACC: What is France/Grenoble looking for from U.S. companies wanting to expand into France?
SR: It is not really that we are looking for a particular company or technology, but we do recognize that a firm must see a strategic advantage in activities in the Grenoble region over other sites in Europe. I know that key to any successful implementation is the people,  and the talent in our area is a main asset and attraction. We have over 60,000 students in our small county alone with many engineering and other schools turning out workers and researchers needed in the technology industries. The historic synergy in Grenoble between private industry, public research and academia/university is extremely instrumental in our current and future successes.
We can facilitate involvement with micro/nano and miniature intelligent solutions, solar energy, hydrogen and fuel cells, micro energy sources, nano materials and smart energy management. AEPI works closely with these competitive technology clusters to offer opportunities to leverage funding for collaborative projects.
FACC: Are there any common threads you can identify relative to expansions?
SR: A common thread in all of these decisions is innovation. It is key to finding ways to speed up new product development and reduce time-to-market processes; thereby enhancing the competitiveness of that particular technology. I have also noticed that innovative companies begin to incorporate international discussions and agreements earlier and earlier in their strategic roadmaps. It is never too soon to explore options or open up dialogue to get things in motion.
FACC: What have AEPI's activities in Colorado involved?
SR: Previously, our activities involved renewable energies with delegations in July 2008 for the Nano Renewable Energy Summit and a larger group in March 2009 for CORA's Sustainable Energy Summit. A few of our upcoming activities will involve a collaborative event with the Colorado Software Industry Association (CSIA) along with organized meetings in Rhone-Alpes focusing on energy - mostly smart grid and solar energy.
FACC: Any other thoughts you can pass along as a guidepost for expansion purposes?
SR: I would highly encourage companies to accomplish their due diligence via organizations like AEPI and the FACC. So much can be learned by a company who would otherwise have to knock on doors and gather information on their own or pay hefty fees. We can help with strategic introductions to a network of contacts for innovative projects and companies, solutions to identify effective technology transfer options, collaboration with start-ups implementing break-through technologies, access to European R&D programs, assistance with hiring highly educated engineers and other initiatives.
Interview conducted by Jeanne Gabres, FACC volunteer.
Sharon Rehbinder will be speaking at the September 22 CORA luncheon.
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| Economic News |
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Colorado Export Development Grant
The Colorado International Trade Office (ITO) is pleased to announce that it will award grant funds of between $500-$2000 per company for Colorado exporters wanting to increase their international sales to a new export market.
The mission of the Colorado Export Development Grant is to increase Colorado companies' abilities to export products and services to global markets. The grant funds will help small Colorado companies develop new export sales by offsetting a portion of the cost for them to travel to an international market and meet with potential buyers, distributors, and/or sales agents. Companies receiving the award may apply the funds towards travel expenses, trade show exhibition or attendance, business match-making services, and/or for other direct costs associated with developing new export markets.
To qualify, the applicant company must have a presence in Colorado, have 200 or fewer employees and be export-ready. The program is open to manufacturers and service providers in all industry sectors, excluding agricultural commodities and food products. Applicants should focus on a single export market for purposes of this grant.
Applicants will have the opportunity to meet with ITO representatives to discuss export goals and strategies prior to any travel. The ITO will work with companies to identify the best organization with which to coordinate match-making services.
The ITO encourages interested companies to contact our office at 303-892-3850 with any questions they may have about the grant program.
The application deadline is September 30, 2009.
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| Past Event Reflection |
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The State of Smart Grid Research in the European Union
On Friday, July 31,  the CORA Economic Development Partnership held a luncheon at the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. Dr Nouredine Hadjsaid, director of IDEA, a research collaboration in Grenoble, and a internationally recognized expert on Smart Grid research, visited Colorado to develop conduits for international collaboration with Colorado companies and NREL.
Dr Hadjsaid provided the attendees with an overview of the state of smart grid research in Europe and in particular in France. The topics covered were distributed intelligence in critical infrastructure, integration of the renewable energy in distribution networks and self-healing capacities of the grid. Co-sponsors for this event were CCIA (Colorado Cleantech Industry Association), Colorado Office of International Trade and the World Trade Center Denver.
3rd Euro Networking of 2009
 On Tuesday, August 18, nearly 100 people attended the 3rd Euro Networking event of 2009 at Indulge French Bistro in the historic Highlands neighborhood. Delicious arrays of passed hors d'oeuvres were enjoyed throughout the evening both inside the restaurant and on the patio outside. As usual, there was an eclectic mix of international attendees from the French-American, German-American and Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce as well as from the British-American Club.
Boulder Chamber's 501 Club
Bob Snyder, President of CORA, gave a presentation on "Technology and Innovation in the European Union, Rhone-Alpes Perspective" on Thursday, August 27 at the 501 Club in Boulder. This was a free event geared for business owners and their employees currently involved in international trade. The gathering offered a venue for attendees to share ideas, contacts and resources with other internationally involved business people.
For more information on the CORA initiative and to be informed of similar upcoming events, please visit the CORA website or contact Virginie Ganivet at 303-695-7818 x101. |
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Members' Corner |
Lafuma Moves U.S. Headquarters to Lafayette, CO
LAFAYETTE - A French outdoor clothing and gear manufacturing firm is moving its U.S. headquarters from Broomfield to Lafayette. Lafuma America Inc. signed a lease for 5,000 square feet of office space at 140 Old Laramie Trail, Suite 3. The new space will house the company's American sales and marketing operations for its group of outdoor brands including Lafuma, Millet, Le Chameau, Eider, Oxbow and Killy.
 Lafuma also signed a lease for 18,000 square feet of new warehouse space in Broomfield at 226 Commerce St. The company previously had about 15,000 square feet of office and warehouse space at 8835 W. 116th Circle in Broomfield. Lafuma General Manager Guillaume Linossier said the moves allow Lafuma to increase its warehouse space in Broomfield and provide more functional office and showroom space in Lafayette. The company is growing its local presence - recently adding the Eider and Killy brands, and overall increasing U.S. sales, he said. Lafuma now employs 12 people in Lafayette and four people in Broomfield. The company also operates a subcontracted warehouse in Virginia for its camping furniture category.
Worldwide, Lafuma reported 262 million euro, or about $360 million, in revenue for its 2007-08 fiscal year.
Dish Network's French Bouquet
French Bouquet, the best of television in French only on DISH Network, includes the popular TV5Monde, Eurochannel, famous for European movies, euronews with news from Europe, 3atelesud/Afrotainment for African programming and TRACE TV with urban music - everything for only $19.99/month.
And now, take the French Bouquet with local American channels ($9.99/month), and benefit from a free Standard Professional Installation, no equipment to buy, free DVR upgrade and get Cinemax for a penny for a year!
For more information on how to enjoy our French channels, call us at 1-888-262-2735.
Palais Casablanca
Authentic Moroccan Cuisine
Attention all FACC Members:
Palais Casablanca is offering a 4 course meal special for FACC members during the month of September. This will also include mint tea and a glass of wine per person. Be sure to show your Carte Privilèges. $65 = dinner for two!
Cater Your Next Business Luncheon with AmiCuisine
 AmiCuisine is a catering business that offers fine French and American traditional cuisine, as well as an international gourmet menu that features exotic flavors from around the world.
We offer the finest cuisine with impeccable and elegant services for coorporate and social events. We can accomodate a corporate event, company dinners, a business meeting, or a social event buffet style or sit-down table service for two or up to one hundred people. Our chef will meet with you in order to design a custom menu that fits your needs.
Upcoming ActionCoach Seminars with Yolanda Duperret
"Focus on YOUR Economy" Lunch-n-Learn Workshop
sponsored by Swick & Associates & Advanced Benefits Advisors
Date: Thurs, Sept. 10, 2009
Time: 11-1pm
Place: Swick & Associates
7550 W. Yale Ave, Suite A-140
Denver CO 80227
No charge. Lunch Provided.
Welcome to Growth Club
Date: September 25, 2009
Time: 8am-4pm
Location: Maggianos Downtown Denver
500 16th St
Denver, CO 80202
Investment: $295; FACC member discount $195 Includes workbook, breakfast and lunch!
**CPE CREDITS AVAILABLE FOR CPA'S**
720-266-4063
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Job Opportunity |
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French Bilingual Wind Technician
Company: Earthstream Global
Description: Bilingual French/English Wind Tower Technician for expanding wind energy company based in Montreal, Quebec. Projects are developing - MUST be willing to travel.
Location: Based in Montreal, QC, Canada and report to the Colorado office.
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Community News & Events |
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2nd Annual European Festival
 When: Sunday, September 26, 10:00 a.m - 10:00 p.m.
Where: Civic Green Park, 9370 Ridge Line Blvd.
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
Cost: Free Admission
Representatives of European Chambers are invited to set up booths at the event. It would be a great opportunity to inform Colorado about your activities as well as to introduce European culture. We will not charge for booths representing Chambers (possible sale activities at those booths are permitted. The only requirement is to take care of your own sale taxes - one day event sale tax license for Douglas County could be obtained on Sherman street in Denver downtown). We encourage you to sell t-shirts, souvenirs or membership to benefit your organizations. All we need is to get you application faxed to us, marked FREE for price but signed for a legal matters. Please provide your own tents, table, and chairs.
For more information visit www.EuroFestival.org or call 720-663-7275
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Alliance Française Events |
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5 à 7 French Conversation
When: Thursday, September 3, 5-7pm
Where: 571 Galapago St., Denver, 80204
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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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