FACC GALA 2026

EVENING PROGRAM AND HIGHLIGHTS

6:00 PM – Cocktail Reception
Raise a glass in the elegant ambiance of the Ivy Room garden
• A lively moment to connect, reconnect and enjoy personalized introductions across the French-American business community

7:00 PM – Seated Dinner
A curated dining experience paired with inspiring voices and shared success
• Featured speaker: Cécile Béliot, CEO of Bel Group
• Remarks from Charlotte Montel, Consul General of France in Chicago
• 2026 French-American Business Awards Ceremony

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Cécile Beliot is the CEO of Bel Group, maker of The Laughing Cow®, Babybel®, Boursin®, Pom'Potes®/GoGo squeeZ®, Kiri®) since May 2022.As the first woman, and the second executive who is not a member of the shareholder family to lead Bel, Cécile Beliot is in charge of deploying the Group’s vision and steering its strategy and performance, in line with its ambition to become the leader in healthy snacking and delivering on its mission to champion healthier and more sustainable food, for all, for good.In leading the Executive Committee, she is furthering the transformation of the Group and activating its new sustainable growth levers, including accelerating innovation, strengthening Bel’s positions internationally (USA, China) and through new distribution channels (e-commerce, out-of-home channels, etc.).

Cécile Beliot joined the Bel Group in 2018 as Deputy CEO in charge of Strategy, Worldwide Markets and Growth. Alongside Antoine Fiévet, she led the Group's transformation towards a sustainable and responsible performance model. In this role, she defined the pillars of the Group's strategy for a sustainable growth model that fully integrates its financial and non-financial challenges.With her background and international experience, she embodies a generation of leaders committed to inventing the future of the food industry. Previously, Cécile Beliot worked for 17 years at Danone where she held several marketing and management positions, including General Manager of Danone Eaux France & Benelux, and General Manager of One Danone. She started her career at Kraft Foods (Mondelez) after obtaining an MBA at Essec Business School.

The French-American Chamber of Commerce Midwest Chicago is celebrating businesses that embrace change, drive growth, and lead in international expansion. This year’s theme:THE POWER OF CONNECTIONWhether it’s geographic expansion, new business acquisitions, building coalitions for a greater purpose, sparking innovation, or driving cultural change, the power of connection accelerates businesses and unlocks careers.Winners gain valuable recognition within the Midwest business community, are honored at the annual gala, featured in FACC communication throughout the year 2026 and become nominees for the CCI France International Awards—competing among 120 CCI France International chambers worldwide, representing over 35,000 companies.Three of the 2025 laureates are now in competition for the 2026 CCI FI International Trophies on June 22nd, at the Pavillon d'Armenonville.

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Artwork by Floriane Roussel