The Consul General of France Visits Utah: Strengthening Transatlantic Business Ties

The French American Chamber of Commerce – Rocky Mountain Chapter (RMFACC) was honored to welcome Florian Cardinaux, Consul General of France in San Francisco, for a special business reception with our members on Wednesday, September 24, in Utah.

This event marked a milestone in fostering stronger French-American connections across the Rocky Mountain region, bringing together business leaders, innovators, and community members for an evening of dialogue and collaboration.

A Warm Welcome in Utah

We extend our sincere gratitude to Thibaut Godard, CFO of Gerflor USA, for generously hosting the reception at their remarkable facility. Special thanks also go to Priscilla Blanchot and Vanessa Galjaardt for their leadership in planning this event and their ongoing dedication to building our RMFACC Utah network.

This gathering underscored RMFACC’s mission to connect, promote, and develop the French-American business ecosystem across Utah and the broader Rocky Mountain region.

Lt. Governor Deidre M. Henderson and Consul General Florian Cardinaux

Advancing Economic and Cultural Collaboration

During his visit, Consul General Florian Cardinaux highlighted the growing presence of the French community in Utah—home to nearly 1,000 registered French nationals and over 5,000 students enrolled in French immersion programs.

His meetings with Lt. Governor Deidre M. Henderson and the Salt Lake City Council explored opportunities for cooperation in clean energy (including nuclear) and potential partnerships tied to the Winter Olympics 2030–2034, in collaboration with Région Sud – Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.

At the RMFACC reception hosted by Gerflor USA, he met with representatives of French companies thriving in Utah, especially in the AI, biotech, and sports industries, emphasizing the dynamic and expanding economic footprint of France in the state.

Building the French-American Future in the Rockies

RMFACC is proud to continue building bridges between France, Utah, and the wider Rocky Mountain region, creating new opportunities for collaboration in business, education, and technology. We thank all attendees and partners who made this event a success and look forward to welcoming you to future gatherings as our network continues to grow.

Learn more about our mission and membership opportunities: Join the French-American Chamber of Commerce – Rocky Mountain Chapter