This seminar organized by Tindall & Foster PC, at the Downtown Club, was a passport to success with its Immigration Strategies for 2008 and Beyond.

With the advent of many dramatic changes in immigration law and procedure, particularly in the area of enforcement and compliance, Tindall & Foster, P.C. in partnership with the French American Chamber of Commerce, the German American Chamber of Commerce and the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce was pleased to bring people this timely immigration update seminar. 

The seminar also provided the latest on the availability of new H-1B numbers this year, new state-sponsored efforts toward immigration reform, as well as other hot topics such as:
-Temporary Visa options for employees - held by Susan L. Brady
-Consular Issues with a focus on Europe - by Mark S. Cross
-Qualifying work force for "Green Cards":  Requirements and timelines for Permanent Residency -  by Karen Hunter Courreges
-Legislative Updates: Administrative and Legislative changes that could affect any organization - by Charles C. Foster

Organized by the GEP (Association of French Oil & Gas Professionals), the FACC, the Embassy of France and the French Trade Commission, this OTC breakfast at the Petroleum Club, was held by Bechtel and Technip companies' speakers*. 

It enabled French OTC participants to network with Houston based American and French companies and learn more about the American engineering market.

Two major topics were discussed: 
What are American engineering companies current procurement needs ?
How to contact the right project manager / procurement manager?

*Speakers:
- Technip: Stephen Nall, Procurement & Subcontract Vice President,
- Bechtel OG & C: Emmanuelle Mattei-Hinojosa, for Bechtel Procurement (materials and equipment) and David Busch, for Bechtel Contracts organisation (services).


Pictures

In this Seminar, the speakers intend to give better understanding of the new French labor laws, the 35 hour week which mediates many aspects of the relationship between trade unions, employers and employees. During the morning some cultural aspects -which should be considered before doing business in France- have been also discussed.

Several presentations were made:

- World Investment Conference - La Baule
by Jean-Luc Firmin, Executive Director, Invest in Western France Agency
- Invest in France Agency: your Development Partner in France
by Jamie Harkrider, Vice President, Invest in France Agency–North America
- The 35-hour Work Week: Now a Minimum not a Maximum
by Laurence Lillig, Consultant on French Labor Laws
- Flexisecurité: A New Approach to Labor Contracts
by Laurence Lillig, Consultant on French Labor Law
- Cultural Differences: U.S. and France
by Janice Recht, International Business Consultant
- Managing practices and employees relations in France 
by Laurence Lillig, Consultant on French Labor Laws

To go further into the seminar topics, and also for those who weren't there, the major speakers -Laurence Lillig and Janice Recht- offer the opportunity to have additionnal trainings...

Click here for more information about the trainings.