(July 13, 2023 - Blue Ash)
The Cincinnati Chapter of the European American Chamber of Commerce coordinated a business development and networking trip to France in June that included Blue Ash Economic Development Director Dan Johnson. The delegation also included representatives from REDI, Alloy, the City of Mason, the City of Hamilton, BeNKY, Horan, Barnes Dennig, Miller Valentine, Altix Consulting, and EssilorLoxottica.
The group held information and networking events with the EACC Chapters in both Paris and Lyon, which is the second most populous city in France (similar in size to the Greater Cincinnati metropolitan region).
Both events included sessions and panel discussions meant to provide French companies with information about doing business in the U.S. Johnson participated as a panelist and talked specifically about the importance of connecting with the local government as early as possible to better understand the local business environment, identify any potential opportunities or pitfalls, and connect the company with local professional resources that will be necessary for setting up local offices and hiring local staff.
In Paris, the group attended a Business France event at the residence of the U.S. Ambassador. Business France is a French agency that seeks to expand opportunities for French companies abroad and for international companies that operate in France. This event focused on Ohio and four other states and featured representatives with JobsOhio and a representative of a French company with an office and manufacturing facility in Ohio. The EACC delegation had the opportunity to talk with dozens of French companies that are considering expanding to the U.S., but that have not yet identified a specific location. The Cincinnati EACC was the only regional delegation that was represented (other than the statewide representatives).
The delegation also visited the headquarters of FIVES in Paris. FIVES has a machine tool division located in Northern Kentucky and also owns AddUp in partnership with Michelin Tire Company (also French). AddUp specializes in 3D printing using metals and has its North American Solution Center in Blue Ash.