QLD | SOLD OUT | 2024 European End of Year Celebration sponsored by TGI Cargo | French-Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry on Glue Up

Past Event

The French-Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry Queensland Chapter was delighted to welcome guests to its 2024 European End of Year Celebration on Thursday 28 November at Flight Center HQ's amazing rooftop venue.

As is the tradition each year, this special networking evening aimed to celebrate the strong bond between Australia and the European Union, as well as marking the end of a fantastic year at FACCI.

Over 230 FACCI members, along with friends from our European network, joined us to forge new business connections.

We were honoured to welcome the European Ambassador to Australia, 𝗛.𝗘. 𝗚𝗮𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻, the French Ambassador to Australia, 𝗛.𝗘. 𝗣𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗲-𝗔𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲́ 𝗜𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁, the Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training, 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗻. 𝗥𝗼𝘀 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 and the CEO of Trade and Investment Queensland, 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗰𝗚𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗻 among our distinguished guests.

Looking forward to seeing you again next year! Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season!

Our VIPs and Speakers

H.E. Mr Gabriele Visentin

Ambassador, Head of Delegation at European Embassy to Australia

H.E Pierre-André Imbert

Ambassador of France to Australia at French Embassy in Australia

The Hon. Rosslyn Bates

Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training at Queensland Government

Justin McGowan

CEO of Trade & Investment Queensland (TIQ)

Alain Etchegaray

Honorary Consul of France in Brisbane / VP FACCI

Charlotte De Crescenzo

Business Development Manager at TGI Cargo

Murray Graham

Partner - Taxation at Pitcher Partners

Mr. Imbert has worked with the President of the Republic since May 2017, initially as Social Advisor. In 2020, he was appointed as Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, in charge of the public policy division.

From 2012 to 2017, he was successively Advisor and then Chief of Staff to several ministers of Labor and Employment.

General Inspector of Finance, an economist by training (Master in economics and MBA from ESCP Europe), he worked in the private sector from 2003 to 2012, first with the consulting firm Altedia, where he was heading the social engineering, restructuring and economic development department, then by becoming a founding partner of the consulting firm Alixio.

He initially began his professional career in research and education at the University of Paris Sorbonne, before being appointed from 1997 until 2002 as Counselor of the President of the Finance Commission of the National Assembly.

Ros Bates MP is the Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training. She has represented the state electorate of Mudgeeraba since 2009.

As a member of the government’s leadership team, Ros is responsible for the management of government owned enterprises, insurance, investment facilitation, trade development, employment, vocation education and training, skills and workforce development and the marketing and promotion of international education and training.

Before entering Parliament, she spent over 25 years in the health sector as a nurse and health administration, receiving several awards for her dedication and service, as well as being a Queensland Telstra Businesswoman of the Year.

Visit the Directory of Queensland Ministers and Portfolio for more information about Cabinet.

Honorary Consul of France in Brisbane, Alain Etchegaray has had a long and deep involvement with the French and Australian business communities over many years.

Within these communities, Alain holds numerous key roles, facilitating and supporting trade and bi-lateral relationships and connecting companies and individuals on many levels. He is the President of a French association assisting French people living abroad – Union des Français de l’Etranger Queensland (UFE Queensland), Federal Board member and Vice-President of the French Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FACCI Queensland), as well as a Board member of the Australia Pacific Islands Business Council (APIBC).

Alain was also appointed by the French Prime Minister as a French Foreign Trade Advisor. In this capacity, Alain shares industry knowledge and his experience working for the development of France and carrying out concrete actions in partnership with public and private players who have a role in promoting and supporting the internationalisation of French companies.

More broadly, as a well-connected leader, business owner, and senior executive specialising in learning and development and ISO certification, Alain’s exposure to, expertise in, and knowledge of the service industries in Europe, America, Asia, and the Pacific region have shaped his strong interest in international, cross-cultural, and diversified management.

Alain has operated as a HR consultant, ISO auditor and manager of companies in cultural environments such as the United States, Japan, France, Germany, New Caledonia and Australia. He currently runs an ISO certification body, Sci Qual, as well as an HR consulting company Pacific, People Solutions – both are successful businesses based in Brisbane.

Alain holds a Master of Management from an International Business School in Paris (France). His passion for learning and development has lead him to complete post-graduate studies in Human Resources at the University of California in Los Angeles and in Organisational Development at Macquarie University in Sydney.