Contact:
Dean Amhaus, President & CEO
The Water Council
DAmhaus@thewatercouncil.com
414.828.3817
French Ambassador to Visit Global Water Center
Lt. Gov. Kleefisch & Mayor Barrett to Attend
MILWAUKEE, April 29, 2014–Ambassador of France to the U.S. François Delattre will tour The Global Water Center during his visit to Milwaukee Tuesday. The Center, established by The Water Council in 2013, houses water industry startup companies, research lab space and university operations, including several American subsidiaries of French water technology companies, including Veolia Environment, Ijinus, Vegetal i.D. and Envolus.
During the Ambassador’s visit, Michel Dutang, President of Pôle EAU, a startup accelerator program located in Montpellier, France, and Dean Amhaus, President and CEO of The Water Council, will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Pôle EAU, The Water Council and SWELIA Association, a network of water sector corporations in France.
Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin Rebecca Kleefisch, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Badger Meter President/CEO/Chairman and Water Council Co-Chair Rich Meeusen will also attend the signing.
The agreement strengthens existing partnerships between the French and American organizations and encourages cooperation with universities.
Mr. Amhaus said, “We are honored that Ambassador Delattre decided to make a special visit to The Global Water Center to meet with the French and American water technology companies working in this unique cluster. Our partnership with Pôle EAU and SWELIA will enhance our close ties with France and expand the region’s water cluster.”
The Water Council has been working rigorously to expand its global reach, by actively recruiting international water technology companies to establish operations in Milwaukee and grow the regional water cluster.
Later this summer, The Water Council will host the International Water Association (IWA) Board of Directors at Water Summit 2014 on June 18-19 at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center.
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.
