Dear members and friends, 

I hope you are keeping well, and for those of you returning from the August holidays (in France), welcome back! With a number of FACCI's team on holidays for the month, the last few weeks have been a good reminder of that time-honoured tradition. In keeping with that holiday spirit, this will be a briefer newsletter than most others.

We are now looking ahead to our events before the B20 and G20 come to Brisbane in mid-November. In September, these include our Oil & Gas Industry Forum on the 10th, and an evening reception with Lesley Adam, General Manager HR at Santos | GLNG on the 18th. As usual, you will find further information on these events below.

Because diaries get particularly busy before Christmas, there is one final item for your diaries: Friday 28th November - FACCI's Christmas party (more information to follow).

As a final reminder for those companies who are considering becoming new members or upgrading their membership to the Corporate level, a promotion of a 25% discount runs until September 15th, after which the rates will revert to FACCI's standard membership rate of $2,000 + GST, so if you're interested, now might be the time to take the step up.

I know a number of you have already booked for our September events, so I look forward to meeting you there.

Bien à vous,

Brian Lorigan
President

UPCOMING EVENTS

Our Upstream Gas workshop is themed on innovation and collaboration, and the workshop discussion will provide insight into:

• international financiers' perspectives on risks and financial returns
• optimising the development and operational stages, including the future of field development, the opportunities created by water production, and improving outcomes in the key contracting relationships
• the role of the industry in the wider community and public policy debate, encompassing the roles of science and technology, impacts on local community, and the opportunities for Queensland's businesses.

Featuring speakers from industry proponents and operators, service companies, the GasField Commission and UQ's Energy Initiative, the morning is sure to be an exciting one. Places are limited, so book your ticket online now.

Continuing our series around multicultural management, Lesley Adams of Santos GLNG will join us to provide her insight into how talent is managed in a company which mixes Project Engineering and Operations. Lesley brings 20 years of experience acquired as a General Manager HR Specialist in both Australia and overseas.

The event will take place at the Commonwealth Bank Flagship Branch on Queen Street, and places are limited, so book your ticket now.

His Excellency, Christophe Lecourtier visited Brisbane in mid-August, with his main focus on economic links. M. Lecourtier took the opportunity to introduce himself to the Honorary Consul, FACCI, FABS and the Alliance Francaise, and with Christian Benoit, his Head of Economic Mission, spent a half-day in various meetings with FACCI. These briefings provided the French diplomats with an insight into Queensland's economy in general, and, on one of Queensland's economic pillars in particular - the resources sector - a roundtable discussion with business leaders from the sector.

M. Lecourtier demonstrated a great willingness to work with the business community, so we look forward to building a relationship with him to the benefit of French and Australian interests. He is already considering how the Embassy and possibly UbiFrance can lend support to FACCI Queensland's French Infrastructure, Investment and Innovation Team, which already includes the Consulate, State Government and UFE.

In addition, and following a presentation the Ambassador made in Brisbane, another outcome of his visit to Brisbane is that the French city of Angers won its bid to host a global horitcultral congress in 2022, which will see 3,000 scientists and horticultural professionals from around the world working with each other and with Anger's global horticultural commercial, research and educational leaders.

COMMUNITY NEWS

As a new Council initiative, the Lord Mayor has recently launched Team Brisbane. To help improve business confidence and increase community pride in our city in the lead up to the G20 Leaders’ Summit, the campaign encourages residents to promote Brisbane and sell the message of what we have to offer the world.

Keith Urban, Darren Lockyer, Li Cunxin, Stephanie Rice, Matthew Hayden, Professor Ian Frazer and local band Sheppard are among some of the famous faces that have already joined the campaign.

With major international events around the corner, including the G20 Leaders Summit, the Asian Cup 2015, the Asia Pacific Screen Awards and the Brisbane Global Cafe, Council is encouraging our community to make now the perfect time to join Team Brisbane and share our great experiences of the city with the hashtag #teambne. Spread the word about the city’s achievements to interstate and international visitors and your business colleagues!

For more information on Team Brisbane, click here.