The Alliance Française de Chicago, in collaboration with a number of French-speaking consulates, government offices and communities, is organizing a dozen programs for the Festival de la Francophonie, Chicago’s month-long celebration of French-speaking cultures.
This year’s Taste of Canada was a hit! The largest Canadian food and beverage showcase event in the United States in 2014, Taste of Canada brought together 47 different Canadian food companies to exhibit and have individual meetings with 33 buyers from the Midwest. More than 325 B2B meetings took place, and the Canadian exhibitors showed off more than 200 new products. The event was held on February 11 in Chicago at the Marriott Hotel O’Hare.
Simon Gravel, an Associate Professor at McGill University in Montréal, received a prestigious 2014 Sloan Fellowship to help him further his compelling research on the evolution of human genetics. His use of mathematical, computational and statistical models has proved successful in advancing research in the field. For example, Gravel has been able to provide the most precise estimates of the human mutation rate to date.
We see them every day: vans outfitted for cable TV and utility crews, trucks used in construction and road maintenance, and local delivery vehicles of all varieties. Far from just background in our daily lives, these hard-working trucks and related equipment represent a big industry that meets yearly in Indianapolis, with ample participation by Quebec companies.
Québec’s sugar shacks offer a different way of exploring the province's cuisine. Increasingly prized by our great chefs, versatile maple syrup is the basic ingredient in exquisite dishes, both sweet and savoury. Want to enjoy the sugar shack experience without leaving Montréal? Welcome to La Cabane! With Giovanni Apollo and Daren Bergeron at the helm, the establishment celebrates its fifth anniversary in 2014 by hosting all of its past guest chefs: Danny St¬-Pierre, Marc¬-André Jetté, Patrice Demers, Martin Juneau and Helena Loureiro. The chefs will harness all their creativity and skill to prepare new and tantalizing menus that are sure to make your mouth water. From March 6 to April 20, local products will have the starring role, especially maple syrup, of course.
Québec offers an abundance of cozy, intimate health centers – spas, Turkish baths, whirlpools and saunas – that provide you with expert care. The extremely popular Nordic baths, alternating hot and cold are sure to invigorate you, as will the algae, mud or chocolate wraps, or relaxing massages. Québec’s spas offer multiple services, and also present you with an excellent opportunity to enjoy our nature and splendid beauty. Swedish massage, reflexology, reiki or a massage in the rain or using volcanic rocks: What better way to rediscover how to relax and experience the pleasure that’s part of your well-being?
The Québec Government Office in Chicago is an active member of the Midwest Business Community. Our Economic Affairs professionals participate in a wide range of industry events, trade shows and conferences. Please review our economic calendar for winter/spring 2014 by clicking on the link below.
Founded in 1981 by Michel and Monique Lachapelle, Plats du Chef is a Québec company that specializes in high-end frozen foods. From their humble beginnings in a garage converted into a temporary production line and test kitchen, Plats du Chef has grown into a highly successful, global food company. Its signature French Onion Soup can be found at Trader Joe’s, as well as at a variety of retailers throughout North America.
The Chicago Collective's Opening Night Reception and Super Bowl Party will take place on Sunday, February 2nd beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Merchandise Mart. MontréaL CollectionS will once again sponsor Molson beers for the event, as well as offer a tasting of micro-brews from Québec.
Québec and French workers in 11 trades can now apply for recognition of their qualifications under the Québec-France Understanding. The announcement was made on January 25 by Premier Jean Charest in the presence of Québec representatives of the professional orders and trades gathered in Montréal.
The Chicago Contemporary Circus Festival is a brand new and unique festival whose goal is to elevate the perception of and promote the artistic view of circus performance in America. From January 6-12, the festival will fill two theaters with shows, workshops and community outreach events, featuring nationally renowned, definition-defying artists from around the US and abroad. For its first edition, the Chicago Contemporary Circus Festival will host two artists from Quebec and feature Quebec circus professionals in three of its workshops.
If you’re thinking about getting a new winter coat this year, think Quebec. Because our winters are even harsher than Chicago winters, we know everything about staying warm. On top of that, Quebec designs are known for their sophisticated look and outstanding quality so you can stay warm and look good. Soia & Kyo and Lolë, both founded in Montreal in the 2000s, are two Quebec brands that deliver on this promise.
The dog days of winter
Become one with winter: go on a dogsledding adventure! Set off with your dog team on virgin trails. Feel the wind pummel your cheeks in the silence of nature, broken only by the panting of the huskies and malamutes racing ahead at full throttle. Québec is the perfect place to try your hand at this one-of-a-kind activity: wide open spaces abound, and your canine companions are in their element!
On Dec. 4th & 5th 2013, 30 representatives of 22 Quebec companies from the hardware and construction materials industries visited Menards, a retail chain based in Eau Claire, WI, that has 289 stores across the Midwest.
A delegation of 38 Quebec companies participated in the Private Label Manufacturers Association Show (PLMA 2013), which was held in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont from Nov. 17-19.
From November to March, Québec embraces an invigorating season. And because snow doesn't last forever, better make the most of it while it falls! Whether it's frosty, foggy, powdery or bright and sunny, any time is the right time for fun and festivities. Discover the exhilarating and entertaining activities that Québecers enjoy during the whimsical months of winter.
Aero Montreal will hold its Annual Innovation Forum next week in Montreal’s Palais des congrès from Dec. 2nd through 4th. The organization is at the forefront of the aerospace industry in the Montreal region. Its members include the region’s major aerospace manufacturers and their supply chains, research and educational institutions, and suppliers of software and services to the aerospace industry.
From November 11 to 13, close to 30 Québec companies took part in the Private Label Merchandiser Association Trade Show (PLMA), in Chicago. PLMA is North America’s largest private label agri-food trade show, with store brands ranging from those of large retailers to small business labels. The 2012 edition drew some 1,000 participants from around the world.
On December 4th & 5th, 2013, roughly two dozen Québec companies – manufacturers, producers and suppliers of hardware, home improvement and construction related goods and equipment as well as food & beverage products – will be visiting Menards’ headquarters in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. This hardware and home-improvement store chain has 289 stores across the Midwest, an ideal distributor for the visiting Québec companies.