As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, business, diplomatic and government leaders from Utah and France will gather at the Utah State Capitol to discuss how a historic alliance can produce new economic and educational opportunities.

The French American Chamber of Commerce of the Rocky Mountain will host the USA 250 Franco-American Leadership Business Reception on Thursday, Sept. 24, in the Capitol Rotunda. The event will commemorate the cooperation between France and the United States while bringing together people working in business, education, culture, government and industry.

“The best way to honor a historic alliance is to continue building it,” said Victor Ducoulombier, president of the French-American Chamber of Commerce–Rocky Mountain. “Yorktown reminds us what French-American cooperation made possible in the past, and this gathering is about what that partnership can make possible today through business, investment, innovation, education and industry.”

The Battle of Yorktown provides the historical foundation for the evening. Organizers see a connection between the leadership, strategy and logistics involved in military cooperation and the skills required to build successful international business relationships.

Two years ago, Vanessa Galjaardt, a board director of the French American Chamber of Commerce of the Rocky Mountain, and Priscilla Blanchot began laying the foundation for the Utah chapter. They had a simple but ambitious goal: to build a strong French-American business community in Utah where companies and professionals from both countries could connect, collaborate and grow together.

According to the chamber, its role is not to build companies for entrepreneurs. Instead, it creates networks, visibility and professional relationships that can help businesses identify opportunities they might not otherwise encounter.

One example is Christophe Gilliot, a French-American entrepreneur who founded BZB Sewing and BlackJack Sportswear in Utah. Gilliot has built a Utah manufacturing business while maintaining strong connections with the French-American business community. Through his involvement with the chamber, he has joined a broader network that includes French companies, diplomatic representatives, Utah business leaders and international economic-development organizations.

Gilliot now serves as a Utah board director for the Rocky Mountain French American Chamber and will participate in the reception as a speaker and sponsor.

Boccard, the event’s presenting sponsor, provides another example of the growing economic connection between France and Utah. The century-old French industrial group selected Utah in 2021 as the home of its North American life-sciences operations and established a presence in Riverton. Guillaume Marty of Boccard North America will be among the leaders participating in the event.

Organizers said Utah attracts French companies because of its growing economy, skilled workforce, innovative environment and business-friendly climate. They view the state as a potential gateway to the American West. France, in turn, can provide Utah businesses with access to talent, research, infrastructure and the larger European market.

“The opportunity, honestly, goes both ways,” the chamber said in written responses to Utah Stories.

Two featured discussions will examine education, talent, innovation and Utah-France cooperation, followed by a conversation about business investment and Utah’s attractiveness to French companies.

Valérie Brisset, consul general of France in San Francisco, will represent France at the event. She is expected to address the continuing relationship between France and the United States, France’s connections with Utah and opportunities to strengthen cooperation in business, education and culture.

Other scheduled participants include Utah Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla; Anne Lair, honorary consul of France in Utah; Jean-Luc Palayer of Orano USA; Jonathan Freedman of World Trade Center Utah; César Sanchez of the David Eccles School of Business; Paul Sheives of bioMérieux; Joseph Maillard of Edward Jones; and Gilliot and Marty.

The chamber hopes the gathering produces more than one evening of presentations and networking. Its broader goal is to establish an ongoing network connecting companies, public and private institutions, and cultural and educational organizations. Organizers believe those relationships could lead to additional programs, investments and business partnerships between Utah and France.

The event is open to business professionals, entrepreneurs, executives, investors, public-sector leaders, students, emerging professionals, members of the international community and others interested in the Franco-American business relationship.

A private VIP reception will take place from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. General admission arrival and networking begin at 5:30 p.m., with the official program expected to start at approximately 6:20 p.m. The reception and networking will continue through 9 p.m.

Tickets cost $60 for French American Chamber members and $80 for general admission. Registration and additional information are available at FrenchAmericanUtah.com.

Event information

What: USA 250 Franco-American Leadership Business Reception
When: Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026; general admission begins at 5:30 p.m.
Where: The Rotunda at the Utah State Capitol
Tickets: $60 for chamber members; $80 for general admission
Registration: FrenchAmericanUtah.com