September
21: Immigration 101

 
October
20: TBD

November
18: Beaujolais & Beyond Food and Wine Festival

Traveling this year?  Check out the FACC National Network Calendar of events and attend an event in another state!

 

 

Please update your records:
French-American Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 370527
Denver, CO  80237

 

With 90 branch banking locations in Colorado and more than 60 branches in metropolitan Denver, Bank of the West is a full-service commercial bank serving 1.6 million individuals, small businesses, middle market and larger companies in 19 states.

Bank of the West is an affiliate of Paris-based BNP Paribas, the largest bank in France and the Eurozone and among the six strongest banks in the world, according to Standard & Poor's. In 2010, we proudly celebrate our 30th anniversary as a member of the BNP Paribas Group. As part of a group of companies that is more than 200,000 employees strong and operates globally in more than 80 countries, we provide our customers the benefit of the strength and expertise of one of the world's most respected financial services companies, delivered with the award-winning service and a relationship orientation that has been Bank of the West's hallmark for more than 135 years.

Since 1874, Bank of the West has served the financial needs of customers and Western communities with a steady commitment to superior customer service. As one of the leading commercial banks in Colorado, we have the financial resources and industry-specific expertise to provide business and individual customers with balanced
financial solutions both domestically and internationally.


For more information, visit us online at www.bankofthewest.com

Companies and individuals doing business in France or who seek to expand into European markets may find the linked French-language website and French-speaking contacts helpful: https://www.bankofthewest.com/francais.html

 

Dear Members and Friends,

It is with some sadness that I announce to you that Angela Bruns,
our Event Coordinator and Assistant Director, has resigned to take on the role of full time stay at home mom.  Although her presence here will be missed, Angela states "I am leaving the FACC to focus more time on my growing family. We will be welcoming a little girl in late December! I have greatly enjoyed my time with the FACC. We've made a lot of progress the past few years with with a new website and database as well as an increase in our event program offerings. I am confident that the hard work I have done over the past three years will be continued by my colleague Katie Mendel. I appreciate all the great business partnerships, lively discussions and good times and I look forward to this next chapter in my life."   Angela has been a strong and capable event coordinator since January 2008 and she has created significant changes during her time here, positioning us well to better serve the needs of our members and the French-American business community.  Her implementation of numerous monthly events, successful fundraisers and professional websites has strengthened our operations.  Angela has been a wonderful colleague and I wish her good luck in her new endeavors.

I am happy to announce, however, that Katie Mendel will succeed Angela
as my new Assistant Director and Event Coordinator. Katie has been the
Event Coordinator and then Executive Director of the Greater Englewood
Chamber of Commerce. She holds a bachelor degree in International
Relations and French from the University of Wisconsin.  "I am thrilled to join the French-American Chamber of Commerce" says Katie.  "It seems like the perfect fit for me! Ever since graduating from college with a degree in French and International Relations, I've been dreaming about finding a position like this. I'm looking
forward to meeting our members and planning some great events."

Please join us in welcoming Katie to our team!  katie@rmfacc.org

 

Join the FACC for an informative and educational program presented and sponsored by Phil Alterman of Elkind, Alterman, Harston, PC.  Immigration is constantly in the news and we are always reading about how the system is broken.  But how many people really know how the current
system works, and doesn't work?  Come learn the ABC's of our immigration system.
You will get an overview of:
1. The different kinds of visas our country issues
2. Common paths to green cards
3. Deportation
4. How citizenship fits into the system

 
Click here for more details on this event >>>

Register online by September 19 >>>

The FACC has implemented a new membership policy that will include a one-time registration fee for all new members.  This same fee will be applied to any late renewals (30 days or more past renewal date) for processing involved to reactivate the expired membership account. 

A $10 one-time registration fee will be assessed for all new members at levels Non-profit, Associate and Small Business, and $25 registration fee for Corporate levels and above.  All members up for renewal will be notified approximately 30 days in advance of their expiration date.  Renewals received later than a 30 day grace period will assess the above listed fees for processing involved in reactivating the membership account.

 

 

Colorado Rhône-Alpes Economic Development Partnership.

Mission: To facilitate crossborder investment between Colorado and the Rhône-Alpes region.  No other European region and US state have as much in common! 

Learn more about this FACC initiative >>>

Since January 2009, all nationals or citizens of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) traveling to the United  States for temporary business or tourism under the VWP have been required to receive an electronic travel authorization prior to boarding a U.S.-bound airplane or ship.

Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) registration must be completed no later than 72 hours before departure for an American port of entry.  Travelers with visas (such as our J-1 participants) do not need to register through ESTA, though it is important for them to know about it for family and friends who may be visiting the UnitedStates.  Starting on September 8, 2010, Department of Homeland Security
regulations will require all ESTA registrants to pay a $14 fee for this procedure.  All ESTA payments must be made by credit card or debit card when applying for or renewing an ESTA authorization.  More information is available on the CBP website, by clicking here.

For any questions, please contact the ICDP department at 212-867-0123 or by e-mail at icdp@faccnyc.org.

 

Millions of American citizens and other visitors safely visit Mexico every year.  However, due to recent violence, the U.S. State Department has issued a travel warning for Americans to Mexico.  Even though resort areas and tourist destinations are generally safe for foreign visitors, we encourage all of our FACC-sponsored
J-1 visa participants to read the State Department briefing, by clicking here.  In addition, a travel advisory on Mexico issued by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs can be found, in French, on their website by clicking here.

As always, FACC-sponsored interns and trainees should exercise caution when traveling abroad and consider registering with the local consulate of their home country.

For any questions on the above matters, please contact the ICDP department at 212-867-0123 or by e-mail at icdp@faccnyc.org.

 

If you are looking for a job, want to submit your resume or have a job opportunity to post, please visit our Job Board.  FACC members may post jobs and candidatures at no cost.

August 12: Taking your Innovative Venture to France
Click here for a review of the event >>>
Click here to view photos from this event >>>

August 26: Euro Networking
Click here for a recap of the event >>>

 

The French American Chamber of Commerce partnered with Ubifrance, the trade office of the French Embassy, to host in Denver a delegation of French companies in the aerospace industry.  The delegates attended the UAVSI's Unmanned Systems North America trade show at the Colorado Convention Center. This trade show is the premiere forum for reviewing, assessing and discussing the successes and shortcomings of current unmanned systems. The conferences had a record turnout with over 5,000 attendees from 30+ countries and brought the key leaders and decision-makers in the industry.  Read more >>>

 

Our showroom houses some of the most professional ski, hike & climb supplies in the industry. You will find brands such as: Stöckli, Patagonia, Mountain Hardware, Skins, POC, Grivel, G3 to name a few. 

We invite you to celebrate our grand opening with us at 12567 West Cedar Drive, Lakewood, CO 80228.  Call (303) 984-4649 to schedule an appointment or just drop by.  If you cannot find the item you are looking for in our showroom, we can pull it up on our website at www.123Mountain.com and special order it just for you.

We are offering 2 hours free in the showroom by appointment, and a Free Standard Membership to all FACC members.  Please contact 123Mountain directly for details at the phone number listed above.

 

All-inclusive animal care. Available days, nights, weekends, and holidays.  Services include: dog walking, pet sitting, overnight stays, transportation, dog/cat massage, treats.

Planning a getaway?  We are available during the holidays to care for your pets!  
Book early and save!  
 
FACC members receive a 15% discount!Contact:
Johnna DiStefano-VanDyke
Tel: 303-241-3236
Email: bringabiscuit@gmail.com
Website: www.bringabiscuit.com

 

Clifford Chance US LLP, USA Engage, the National Foreign Trade Council,  the British and Canadian Consulates in Colorado, and Schuchat, Herzog & Brenman LLC invite you to join them for a discussion on International Trade Compliance Challenges in Emerging Markets:
The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Export Controls and Economic Sanctions. The presentation will be followed by networking and refreshments at the Great American Beer Festival at the Convention Center.  
 
For complete program information, please visit the Rocky Mountain World Trade Center's website.

 

The Colorado International Trade Office (ITO) has launched an export development grant program with the mission of increasing Colorado companies' ability to export their products and services to global markets.

Grant award: Grantees will receive between $500-$2,000 to apply towards travel expenses, trade show exhibition or attendance, business match-making services with potential buyers, distributors and/or sales agents, and/or other direct expenses related to developing a new target market for exports.

Who may apply: The grant is open to companies of all industry sectors, including services, with the exception of agricultural commodities and food products. Applicants should be Colorado companies with 200 or fewer employees. Grantees may apply the award to a new target market of their choosing, and should be export-ready.

To Apply: Application materials are available at:  www.colorado.gov/trade or by calling to 303-892-3850

 

The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association is pleased to announce the inaugural Colorado Cleantech Awards Celebration. This celebratory luncheon will honor the companies and entrepreneurs driving Colorado's thriving
cleantech industry.

 
Visit www.coloradocleantech.com for more information and to nominate yourself, your company, colleagues, clients, or anyone you think has made a difference in Colorado's cleantech community.

HB 09-1105 created the Colorado Innovation Investment Tax Credit (CIITC).  CIITC provides an income tax credit (against Colorado income taxes) for investing entities that make investments during calendar year 2010 in small, innovative Colorado companies that are involved in research and development or manufacturing of new technologies, processes, and/or products.  Note that the investing entity cannot be a C Corporation.

The tax credit is equal to 15% of the investment up to a maximum tax credit of $20,000 for investments in any one business. The $20,000 credit is limited to each investor for each small business. (In no event can an individual/investing entity receive more than $20,000 worth of tax credits for investments made in the same business.) The maximum tax credit amount for the entire program for the 2010 tax year is $750,000.  


 Learn more >>>

Come be part of the Ciné-Club - for French and film lovers alike. Every third Wednesday of the month for just $7 you can enjoy a French film followed by a reception with wine and hors-d'oeuvres.

Learn more at www.afdenver.org