ALL EVENTS HELD AT THE

RITZ-CARLTON HOTEL (Downtown), 181 Peachtree St., N.E., ATLANTA, GEORGIA

Organized by

The Georgia Tech Center for International Business Education & Research

Le Comité National et la Section Sud-Est/EUA des Conseillers du Commerce Extérieur de la France

The French-American Chamber of Commerce, Atlanta Chapter

Gean Overseas Inc.

7:00-9:00        Welcome Dinner and Keynote Addresses:

M. Gérard Laviec, CEO and President, CFM, Cincinnati, Ohio,

"Why Joint Ventures Often Work as Well as Mergers: The Franco-American Case of SNECMA and GE Aircraft Engines," and

Mr. Joseph Boyle, Executive Vice President, United Water Services (An Affiliate of Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux),

"Water Service in the United States: The ‘New’ French Partnering Approach"

7:15-8:15   Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:15-8:25   Welcoming Remarks:

Hon. Jean-Paul Monchau, Consul-General of France and Conseiller Commercial, Atlanta and Mr. Jean Moreau, Esq., President, French American Chamber of Commerce of Atlanta

8:25-8:30   Topic Introduction and Program Overview

Dr. John R. McIntyre, CCE, Executive Director, Georgia Tech CIBER

8:30-9:00   Morning Keynote:

Dr. André Teissier DuCros, Gean Overseas Inc., and President, French Trade Advisors in the Southeastern United States, Atlanta, Georgia,

"A Diagnosis of Twenty Years of French Investment in the US: Issues and Prescriptions"

9:00-10:30

Morning Panel 1:

The Macro Environment of French Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in North America

Moderator: Dr. Robert G. Hawkins, Professor of Management, DuPree College of Management, Georgia Tech; past President, Academy of International Business

•Dr. John H. Dunning, State of New Jersey Professor of International Business, Rutgers University, USA and Reading University, UK

"Globalization and Changing Characteristics of FDI in the United States for European Firms"

• M. Louis Michel Morris, Conseiller Commercial & French Trade Commissioner, New York

"French Investments in the United States: A Statistical and Historical Portrait"

• Dr. John R. Lombard, President, Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance, and Research Professor, Old Dominion University, Virginia

"Locational Patterns of French FDI in the United States: A Comparative and Industry-specific Approach,"

•Dr. Jean-Louis Mucchielli, Professor & Director, Centre d'Etudes des Spécialisations et Stratégies Economiques et Financières Internationales, Université Panthéon-Sorbonne, Paris I 

"French FDI in the US: Export and Employment Impacts for the French Economy"

10:45-12:15 Morning Panel 2:

Competitive Sectors and Niches: An Industry Approach to French FDI in the US

Moderator: Mr. François Bouan, CCE, President, Parex Inc., Georgia

• Ms. Margaretha Haeussler, Partner, Arthur Andersen LLP, New York, Mr. Alain Briottet, Arthur Andersen, Lyon, and Dr. John W. Clarry, Montclair State University

"French Foreign Investment in the U.S. Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industries: A Technology Seeking Analysis,"

• Dr. Laurent Guinand, Alliance Consulting Group Inc. , Boston

"Industrial Organization of the American Food Manufacturing Sector and Strategies of French Firms in the U.S."

•Mr. Frédéric Veyssiere, Vice President, Business Development, France Télécom North America, New York

"The French Approach to the Telecommunications Market in the United States"

•Mr. Lionel Zajde, Vice President, Marketing, VITEC Multimedia, Paris and Sunnyvale, CA

"French High Tech Entrepreneurial Firms in Silicon Valley"

Hon. Jean-François Boittin, Economic Minister Counselor, Chef des Services de l’Expansion Economique aux Etats-Unis, Embassy of France, Washington, D.C., and

Mr. Michel de Rosen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Rhône-Poulenc Rorer Inc. and Chairman, Rhône-Poulenc Pharma

2:00-3:15 Afternoon Panel III:

Management Control of the U.S. Subsidiary--French Cases and Approaches

Moderator: Mr. Jean Marchand, Publisher, Réussir à l’Etranger and former Editor in Chief, Le Moci, Paris

•Mr. Alain Dutheil, Vice President, Corporate Human Resources & Strategic Planning, ST Microelectronics

"An Integrated Growth Strategy in a Global High Tech Industry: Unique Management Features"

• Prof. Guillaume Franck, HEC, Paris and former Chairman of the Board, Courvoisier, Inc.

"The French Approach to U.S. Corporate Acquisitions: The Case of Schneider Electronic and Square D"

• Prof. Ludovic Cailluet, Graduate School of Management, University of Toulouse, France,

"Pechiney/HoweSound and RVI/Mack Trucks: French Investments in a 20-Year Perspective --Management or Strategic Failures?"

• Mr. Paul Chatelus, President, Du Parc, Lyons & Associates, Inc., New York

"Managing Human Assets Effectively in Franco-American Business Partnerships"

3:45-5:20 Concluding Roundtable:

Where Do We Go from Here: Lessons for the Future?

Moderator: Mr. Thierry Arnaud, Economic Reporter, La Tribune, New York Office

•Mr. Michel de Rosen, Chairman and CEO, Rhône-Poulenc Rorer, Inc.

•Mr. Gérard Laviec, President and Chief Executive Officer, CFM, Cincinnati

•Mr. Joseph Boyle, Executive Vice President, United Water Service

•Mr. Alain Dutheil, Vice President, Corporate, ST Microelectronics

•Mr. Michael McMurphy, President, COGEMA Inc., Bethesda, Maryland (invited)

•Prof. Guillaume Franck, HEC, Paris

•Mr. Paul Chatelus, President, Du Parc, Lyons &Associates, Inc., New York

5:20-5:35 Closing Remarks:

Mr. Alain Dutheil, Vice President, ST Microelectronics, Paris

"Globalization, Technology, and Cross-Border Investments: A Practitioner’s Perspective"

OBJECTIVES:

"France-America 2000" addresses the direct investment presence of France in the United States. Over the past twenty years, French firms have experienced growing success on this side of the Atlanta: over 1,200 companies have invested in the U.S., creating approximately 500,000 jobs and over $80 billion in revenues, contributing to the wealth of local communities. This unique conference considers past errors, present successes, and is designed to:

-avoid the pitfalls of managerial cross-cultural differences

-improve communications among investment project partners

-optimize blending of varying management methods

-appreciate the unique strengths of the French approach

-develop effective partnering strategies

-consider the role of globalization, technology, and finance

-assess the economic impacts for both economies

-enhance mutually beneficial Franco-American economic relations

THE CONFERENCE:

Presentations by leading French and American executives, seasoned corporate strategists as well as top government economic officials and academic experts in panel and roundtable format with four high profile keynoters.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Corporate managers and entrepreneurs, strategic planners, executive teams, management consultants, investment bankers, business lawyers, academics, economic development officials, diplomats, individuals interested in the area.

"PASSPORT TO FRANCE" GALA:

Organized, on the same day, by the Atlanta Chapter of the French-American Chamber of Commerce, this evening annual gala event is devoted to the celebration of France, its culture, and to Franco-American economic relations. Highlights will include a live and silent auction, French delicacies and wine, an art exhibit, live entertainment/dancing, and a fashion show. (Black-tie optional).

LOCATION: The Ritz-Carlton Atlanta Hotel (Downtown), 181 Peachtree St., N.E., Atlanta, (404) 659-0400

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

-For Registration Information: Call the French-American Chamber of Commerce, Atlanta Chapter: (404) 874-2602 or fax: (404) 875-9452, email: faccatl@mindspring.com

-For Conference Information: Call GT CIBER, Mr. Mark Ballam: (404) 894-4370, or fax: (404) 894-6625, email: mark.ballam@mgt.gatech.edu

COST:

-Thursday Keynote Dinner: $65

-Friday All-Day Conference*: $145 (includes Keynote Luncheon)

-"Passport to France," Evening Gala: $65 (FACC members), $75 (non FACC members)

-Three-event Package: $285

*academic rate av.