French Ambassador to Visit Milwaukee’s Global Water Center & Sign MOU
MILWAUKEE – The Water Council announced today that they will host French Ambassador to the US Francois Delattre at Milwaukee’s Global Water Center, during his visit to Milwaukee for a speaking engagement at the Rotary Club of Milwaukee. Ambassador Delattre, who was not originally scheduled to visit the Center, located in Historic Walker’s Point, specifically requested a visit to the building, which houses water-related startup companies, research lab space, and university operations, including several water technology companies that are subsidiaries of larger French operations.
Joining Ambassador Delattre during his visit to the Global Water Center will be Michel Dutang, President, Pôle EAU. Pôle EAU is an accelerator program located in Montpellier, France, similar to The BREW accelerator program that was launched last year by The Water Council in partnership with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). Ambassador Delattre and Michel Dutang will tour the building that has garnered substantial international attention since it opened in September 2013 during Milwaukee Water Week. During their tour they will be sure to stop at Ijinus, Vegetal i.D., and Envolus, the American subsidiaries of larger French parent companies IJijnus, Le Prieuré, and Envolure.
Following the tour, there will be a small ceremony at which time Michel Dutang and Dean Amhaus, President/CEO, The Water Council, will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Pôle EAU and The Water Council. The MOU strengthens existing relationships The Water Council has established in France, by encouraging closer ties between and working partnerships amongst each respective accelerator program’s Entrepreneurs.
The Water Council has been working rigorously to expand its global reach, and actively recruit international water technology companies to establish operations in Milwaukee, ultimately growing the regional water cluster. Later this summer, Dr. Yves Dudal, Founder/President, Envolure, will visit Milwaukee, and undoubtedly the Global Water Center, when he participates at Water Summit 2014, held in Downtown Milwaukee.
About The Water Council
The Water Council, the only organization of its kind in the United States, was established in 2009 by Milwaukee-area businesses, education and government leaders. With more than 150 water technology companies in the Milwaukee area, the region’s water industry is a $10.5 billion dollar market and accounts for four percent of the world’s total water business. The non-profit organization, consisting of more than 160 members, is linking together global water technology companies, innovative water entrepreneurs, acclaimed academic research programs and, most importantly, some of the nation’s brightest and most energetic water professionals. The Water Council is capturing the attention of the world and transforming the Milwaukee region into a World Water Hub for freshwater research, economic development and education. For more information, visit www.thewatercouncil.com or contact us by phone at 414.988.8750.
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