FACC DALLAS/FORT WORTH NEWS BULLETIN

• "La Vie en Roses" Champagne Gala
• Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of D-Day in Houston
• Upcoming FACC Events
• The Tales of Bun E. Boniface
• Office Space For Rent At The FACC
• VAT Refund
• Employment Opportunities
• International Career Development Program
• Trade Mission to Besançon, France

"LA VIE EN ROSES" CHAMPAGNE GALA:

The Gala is only two weeks away, if you have not made your reservations yet for this fabulous evening we encourage you to do so by registering online, as seating is limited. His excellency Jean-David Levitte, Ambassador of France to the United States will be the guest of honor at this years Gala. We have put together an incredible silent auction featuring airline tickets, hotel packages both local and in France, an official game jersey signed by Zinedine Zidane, an autographed copy of Lance Armstrong's autobiography, rare bottles of wine and much more. You may preview the entire silent auction online. We'd also like to extend a very special "Thank You" to all of our Gala Sponsors for their continued support. 

• For Reservations: http://www.faccdallas.com/EVENTS/Gala04.htm
• Silent Auction Preview: http://www.faccdallas.com/EVENTS/Gala04_auction.htm
• "Merci" To Our Sponsors: http://www.faccdallas.com/EVENTS/Gala04_sponsor.htm

CELEBRATION OF THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY IN HOUSTON:

• Sunday, June 6th from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Hotel Sofitel located at 425 North Sam Houston Parkway East, Houston 77060
• Individual tickets are $35
• Please make your reservations by calling (713) 960-0575 no later than June 2, 2004

We would like to congratulate two FACC members who have been selected to accompany US veterans on their trip to France: Astrid Harris, President of Polyglot-Network as official translator and Dr. Jim Gilmore as medical doctor. We look forward to hearing their comments about this historical celebration when they return to Dallas.

UPCOMING FACC EVENTS:

• June 9th         FACC Luncheon Sponsored by Jackson Walker L.L.P. at Mercury Grill
• July 14th        Bastille Day Celebration at Lavendou Bistro Provencal
• Other Events: http://www.faccdallas.com/EVENTS/events.htm

THE TALES OF BUN E. BONIFACE:

FACC member Cynthia Wildridge invites you to attend a book signing of the new hardcover book/audio CD, Bun E. Learns to Count in French /Bun E. apprend a compter! This is the first book/CD in the new bilingual children's series, THE TALES OF BUN E. BONIFACE..."Your child's first step in French... through story, art, and song!".  

• Saturday, May 29, 2004 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• The Science Place at Fair Park
• For more information, please visit http://www.bunetales.com

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT AT THE FACC:

If you are interested in renting a fully furnished office with DSL connection please contact Isabelle De Wulf at 972-241-0111.

VAT REFUND:

• If your business exhibited in Europe last year or had other business travel to the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands etc., substantial refunds are yours for the asking!
• Most European trade show expenses include the country's VAT (value added tax).
• VAT paid on most bills is fully refundable upon proper demand.
• To meet the JUNE 30th DEADLINE for the 2003 VAT REFUND APPLICATION companies may contact Mr. Pinsonnault at (802)860-0250 or email: martin@taxport-usa.com

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES:

• Positions currently available at Rexel, Inc., Oneworld Language Solutions, NCH Corporation, and more
• We encourage Councillor and Corporate members to submit job openings to the Chamber
• We invite you to visit the FACC "Employment Services" at http://www.faccdallas.com/SERVICES/services.htm

INTERNATIONAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM:

• The New York Chapter of the FACC has provided training visas and work authorizations for young professionals and students throughout the United States and France since 1971.
• If you are an American or foreign national between the ages of 18-35, you may be eligible for an internship or traineeship for up to 18 months.
• This valuable program has far-reaching benefits for all participants, nurturing global management teams of the future as it infuses operations with international business expertise.
• For additional information click on the following link http://www.faccnyc.org/intern.html

TRADE MISSION TO BESANCON FRANCE:

The Cincinnati Chapter of the FACC in collaboration with the Boston Chapter of the FACC, Invest in France Agency and the French Trade Commission (French Embassy) in Chicago invite you to join them on a trade mission to Besançon to attend Micronora an International Trade Show focusing on Microtechnologies.

MULTI-TECHNOLOGIES FOR MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS

• Micronora is the largest micro-technologies fair in Europe and occurs every other year (www.micronora.com). It will attract more than 850 exhibitors and 15,000 visitors from all over Europe.
• Activities featured at the fair:
  Automation, Tooling, Machining, Stamping, Assembly, Turning, Plastics Technology, Processing, Foundry, Engineering,
• Markets with high technological value:
  Automotive, Micro-electronics, Electromechanical Systems, Data Processing, Aerospace, Nuclear Energy, Biomedical Equipment, Telecommunications.

Besançon is the European Microtechnology Center. The city is located in eastern France, and ideally situated close to European markets, mainly Switzerland, Germany and Italy.

Besides the fair, the FACC will help attendees in arranging one-on-one meetings with key experts, potential partners or distributors as well as to organize visits of centers like: The Microtechniques Transfer Center (conceptual work in microtechnology, realization of prototypes, technology transfer to industry) and The Microtechnology Institute (dedicated to the coordination for the activity of Research lab in microtechnology).

BENEFITS OF ATTENDING THIS TRADE MISSION:

• Establish contacts or develop a network at a European level
• Join the main actors of innovation in this industry
• Become involved in transverse technological events
• Increase business opportunities with Europe

In addition to establishing important new international contacts, you will experience new technological innovations being developed by start-ups, incubators, research centers and major corporations in these industries. It will provide opportunities for you to show your products or services, and vice-versa. You and your company will benefit from this international exchange for years to come!

We will also spend one and a half days in Paris prior and after the trip to Besançon. An economical briefing on the French economy and Franco-American business relationships will be offered by the US Embassy in Paris.

The FACC will propose a package of $2,000 including: 

• Hotel and breakfasts (3 nights in Paris and 3 nights in Besançon)
• Transportation to Besançon
• Entry to Micronora
• Assistance in organizing one-on-one meetings or visits of companies
• A $200 non-refundable registration fee that will apply to every application
• Optional ($800): Round-trip ticket from Cincinnati to Paris (Economy).

If you are interested or have questions, please contact us at: 513-852-6510 or facc@france-cincinnati.com. You can also get more details or fill out an application form on our website: www.france-cincinnati.com go to “Trade Mission to France”

French-American Chamber of Commerce
Dallas/Fort Worth
(972) 241-0111
www.faccdallas.com
info@faccdallas.com