While I’ve long been aware of Quebec’s many cultural treasures and business opportunities, it’s only recently that I’ve become better acquainted with the sophisticated approach taken by the province of Quebec in cultivating economic development and other ties with the United States.  The province has long maintained six regional offices in the U.S.  — in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C. — each of which (other than the D.C. office) is responsible for coordinating relations with a large group of surrounding states.

The leadership of the Quebec Office in Atlanta includes: Ginette Chenard, Delegate of the Quebec Government, who is also the Head of Mission; Andrée Tremblay, Govermental and Public Affairs Attaché; Louise Fortin, Head of Economic Affairs Services; and Liliane Laverdière, Business Development Manager for Investissiment Quebec, which combines the strengths of both a financial institution and an economic development agency.

Over the past year, I’ve encountered the staff of this Office on several occasions.  In one of these meetings, I  attended a  masterful presentation on investing in Quebec, which the Quebec Office organized in conjunction with the always superb Canadian Consulate in Atlanta, that opened my eyes to aspects of the province about which I was unaware.    More recently, I visited with some of the Office’s representatives at a multi-national trade showcase held at a nearby convention center.  In each of these and other instances I’ve been impressed with how engaging and talented the staff is in presenting a positive impression for the province.

If each of the other five Quebec offices in the U.S. do anywhere near as professional a job as does the Atlanta Office then many useful benefits should continue to accrue between Quebec and the U.S.   Mai beaucoup de bonnes choses continuent de se développer entre nous!

Link to Quebec Office in Atlanta:  http://www.gouv.qc.ca/portail/quebec/international/usa/accueil/atlanta/