
BY THE FRENCH AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Midwest Chicago
celebrating
the Power of Connection
with a keynote insight from
Cécile Béliot, CEO of Bel Group
Artwork by Floriane Roussel
Evening Program and HighlightS
6:00 PM – Cocktail Reception
Raise a glass in the elegant ambiance of the Ivy Room garden
• A lively moment to connect, reconnect and enjoy personalized introductions across the French-American business community7:00 PM – Seated Dinner
A curated dining experience paired with inspiring voices and shared success
• Featured speaker: Cécile Béliot, CEO of Bel Group
• Remarks from:
- Benjamin Dubertret, Minister - Counselor for Economic Affairs · Embassy of France in the United States
- Charlotte Montel, Consul General of France in Chicago
• 2026 French-American Business Awards Ceremony10:00 PM – Live Music
Keep the evening going with live gypsy jazz by Chat Méchant, post-dinner drinks, and continued networking, a vibrant close to the night.
Cécile Beliot is the CEO of Bel Group, maker of The Laughing Cow®, Babybel®, Boursin®, Pom'Potes®/GoGo squeeZ®, Kiri®) since May 2022.As the first woman, and the second executive who is not a member of the shareholder family to lead Bel, Cécile Beliot is in charge of deploying the Group’s vision and steering its strategy and performance, in line with its ambition to become the leader in healthy snacking and delivering on its mission to champion healthier and more sustainable food, for all, for good.In leading the Executive Committee, she is furthering the transformation of the Group and activating its new sustainable growth levers, including accelerating innovation, strengthening Bel’s positions internationally (USA, China) and through new distribution channels (e-commerce, out-of-home channels, etc.).Cécile Beliot joined the Bel Group in 2018 as Deputy CEO in charge of Strategy, Worldwide Markets and Growth. Alongside Antoine Fiévet, she led the Group's transformation towards a sustainable and responsible performance model. In this role, she defined the pillars of the Group's strategy for a sustainable growth model that fully integrates its financial and non-financial challenges.With her background and international experience, she embodies a generation of leaders committed to inventing the future of the food industry. Previously, Cécile Beliot worked for 17 years at Danone where she held several marketing and management positions, including General Manager of Danone Eaux France & Benelux, and General Manager of One Danone. She started her career at Kraft Foods (Mondelez) after obtaining an MBA at Essec Business School.

Minister - Counselor for Economic Affairs · Embassy of France in the United States
Benjamin Dubertret is the Minister-Counselor for Economic Affairs at the French Embassy in the United States since September 2025.
A graduate of HEC Paris, Sciences Po Paris, and the École Nationale d'Administration (ENA), he joined the Inspection Générale des Finances in 2001. He then served as Economic and Commercial Counselor at the French Embassy in Beijing, China, before returning to France to join the Caisse des Dépôts group, where he served as Director of the Savings Fund (Fonds d'Épargne).
In 2013, he was appointed Ambassador of France to Singapore, a post he held until 2017, where he focused on strengthening bilateral economic and cultural ties between France and one of Asia's most dynamic business hubs. He subsequently moved to the private sector, serving as Vice-President for Transformation at CMA CGM, and later as Director of Financial and Merchant Services at Carrefour from 2020.
Benjamin Dubertret brings to his current role a rare combination of senior public finance experience, diplomatic leadership, and international private sector expertise.
Consul General of France in Chicago
Charlotte Montel is the French Consul General in Chicago since September 2025.
She is a career diplomat who joined the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs in 2005.
Prior to her current role, Charlotte served as Cultural and Scientific Counselor at the French Embassy in Ottawa, Canada, from 2021 to 2025.
Earlier Charlotte was also Deputy Ambassador in Pretoria, South Africa, from 2013 to 2017, and worked on sustainable development negotiations at the French Mission to the United Nations in New York between 2010 and 2013.
In Paris, she held key positions at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including Deputy Director General for Security Cooperation from 2019 to 2021, and Deputy Director of Communication from 2017 to 2019. Her early career in diplomacy includes roles as an analyst and advisor on African affairs at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Charlotte Montel is a former student of the École normale supérieure de Lyon in Letters and Human Sciences. She holds a DEA in English-speaking civilization, an agrégation in English, a university diploma in Swahili language (DULCO) from the National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations (INALCO), and a Master’s degree in Public Affairs from the Institute of Political Studies of Paris.
She is the mother of two boys and the partner of the French Consul General in Houston, Texas.
The French-American Chamber of Commerce Midwest Chicago is celebrating businesses that embrace change, drive growth, and lead in international expansion. This year’s theme:THE POWER OF CONNECTIONWhether it’s geographic expansion, new business acquisitions, building coalitions for a greater purpose, sparking innovation, or driving cultural change, the power of connection accelerates businesses and unlocks careers.Winners gain valuable recognition within the Midwest business community, are honored at the annual gala, featured in FACC communication throughout the year 2026 and become nominees for the CCI France International Awards—competing among 120 CCI France International chambers worldwide, representing over 35,000 companies.Three of the 2025 laureates are now in competition for the 2026 CCI FI International Trophies on June 22nd, at the Pavillon d'Armenonville.


& TICKETING
This prestigious event provides a unique opportunity for businesses to showcase their brand, engage with industry leaders, and support the French-American business community.
Seize this moment to celebrate your company’s success, strengthen relationships with your teams, clients, and key partners, and unlock new opportunities for growth.We invite you to explore our sponsorship packages and discover how your company can gain visibility, connect with key decision-makers, and be part of this exclusive celebration.
Designed for organizations seeking strong visibility and a role in the evening’s program. Gold sponsors receive 10 tickets with champagne at their table, logo placement on the event website, digital communications, and step-and-repeat banner, LinkedIn recognition with a dedicated post, and the opportunity to serve on the Business Awards jury and present an award during the ceremony.Sponsorship: $ 6,900
An excellent option for companies looking to host guests while increasing their visibility. Silver sponsors receive 10 tickets, logo placement on the event website, digital communications, and step-and-repeat banner, LinkedIn recognition, and a dedicated LinkedIn post highlighting their support.Sponsorship: $ 4,700
A great way to support the event while gaining visibility within the French-American business community. Bronze sponsors receive 4 tickets to the Gala, logo placement on the event website, digital communications, and step-and-repeat banner, as well as LinkedIn recognition.Sponsorship: $ 1,800
FACC member pricing:
Enjoy early bird pricing until April 5th.
Individual Ticket: $ 370
Couple Ticket: $ 690
Regular Pricing
Individual Ticket : $ 470
Couple Ticket : $ 890Non-Member Individual Ticket: $ 500
GROWING STRONG

EVENT PARTNERS

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STEPHANIE BODAK
Executive Director
[email protected]DELPHINE BRILLANT
Events Director
[email protected]