Gallery – 2024 – Louisiana Consular Corps

On December 4, a Diplomatic Holiday Reception was hosted by Consul General Rodolphe Sambou and his wife at the residence of France in New Orleans.

On November 14, we had the honor to welcome Susan Bourgeois, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Economic Development, as our speaker!

Louisiana has ranked No. 1 per capita for foreign direct investment every year since 2008, and Louisiana’s status as a national leader in international business investment is no accident – it’s the result of sustained relationship building and reinvestment. The Consular Corps of Louisiana has long and historic ties with the Louisiana Department of Economic Development dating back to 1936. Together, we hope to continue to create new economic opportunities for Louisiana.

On October 16, we had our Consular Corps lunch meeting, and it was an absolute honor to have Hon. Alan M. Leventhal, the U. S. Ambassador to Denmark, and his wife, visit with us.

Ambassador Leventhal spoke to us about his role in Denmark, and about strengthening the transatlantic relationship between the United States and Denmark. His dedication to promoting trade, innovation and security cooperation has set a new standard for diplomacy. The Ambassador recently received the AmCham Denmark Transatlantic Person of the Year Award 2024 recognizing his extraordinary efforts.

On October 8, Michael Hecht with GNO, Inc and the Honorary Consul of the Netherlands hosted a delegation of Dutch representatives in town for the WEFTEC conference. https://www.weftec.org/

On June 7th, the Louisiana Consular Corps hosted a brunch meeting for the U.S. Ambassador to Qatar, the Honorable Timmy Davis, as our honored guest and speaker. Prior to being appointed U.S. Ambassador to Qatar two years ago, Ambassador Davis served as the US Consul-General in Iraq, and he also served in Guatemala and in Chile, all after a decade in the US Marine Corps.

(l to r) Jean Paul Lagarde, Honorary Consul of Austria, Judge James F. McKay III, Honorary Consul of Ireland, Cecilia Kjellgren, Honorary Consul of Sweden, Pat Denechaud, former Honorary Consul of Canada, Dean Bret Clesi, Honorary Consul General of Albania, Joanne Mantis, Honorary Consul of Cyprus, Honorable Ambassador Timmy Davis, Connie Willems, former Honorary Consul of the Netherlands, John Fay, Honorary Consul of Denmark, Erin Butler, Regional Director, Southwest of U.S. Commercial Service, Maria Isabel Page, Honorary Consul of Spain and Gary Mannina former Honorary Consul of Luxembourg

On May 8, our Dean, Bret Clesi attended the presentation of the 10^thAnnual Eugene J. Schreiber Award at the Windsor Court Hotel.

The 2024 Award recipient was our colleague, the Hon. Gregory Rusovich, Honorary Consul of Serbia. This Award is the highest honor presented by the World Trade Center of New Orleans, the oldest World Trade Center in the world. Consul Rusovich serves as the CEO of Transoceanic Development. Greg’s father, the Hon. Basil Rusovich, former Honorary Consul of Serbia, founded the family company, Transoceanic Shipping, in 1947. The Award is named for Gene Schreiber who served as Executive Director of the World Center of New Orleans for 32 years prior to his death. Former Louisiana Consular Corps Members who also received this prestigious award include the Hon. William H. Hines, Honorary Consul of Portugal and Vice Dean of the Louisiana Consular Corps. The Consular Corps of Louisiana wish to congratulate Greg on this significant achievement.

On May 1, during our Consular Corps luncheon the Chairman of the Council of Slovak Exporters, Lukáš Parízek discussed opportunities for Louisiana and Slovakian companies.

Louisiana Consular Corps hosted Mr. Lukáš Parízek, Chairman of the Slovak Export Council and former Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic. Mr. Parizek was introduced to the Consular Corps at our meeting by the Hon. Zoltan Gombos, MD, Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic in Louisiana. He also met with the World Trade Center, GNO Inc. and Louisiana Secretary of the Environment in Baton Rouge.

On April 25, The Ambassador of Norway to the United States, Anniken Krutnes with the Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C. visited with the Honorary Consul of Norway, Will Baldwin.

They met with the World Trade Center of New Orleans and GNO, Inc. to discuss future collaborations. They hope to promote sustainable business in maritime and green technologies, accelerating the global shift toward decarbonization.

While visiting New Orleans for the Oceantic Network’s #IPF24 conference, the ambassador also participated in a discussion about “How Transatlantic Government Partnerships Are Maximizing Offshore Wind Opportunities.” The importance of a green transition, the development of offshore wind, and transatlantic partnerships is more important than ever before. Norwegian companies are eager to contribute to the clean energy goals set out by the U.S., while building capacity and creating jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.

Why Louisiana can lead in offshore wind: https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/opinion/guest-column-expertise-will-make-la-global-wind-force/article_b66c54cf-e394-5672-a82d-dd7014bf6f05.amp.html

On April 24, the Offshore Wind Platform was launched, an initiative promoting Danish solutions and know-how.

GNO, Inc. arranged a knowledge exchange roundtable, and members of the Offshore Wind Platform can expect to get the latest updates on developments within the North American offshore wind market.

For more than 30 years, Danish companies have been developing offshore wind and therefore gained valuable experience, from which the U.S. now can benefit.

More here: https://mailchi.mp/gnoinc/offshore-wind-report?e=8a15df3c8c

On April 23, the Consul General of Great Britain, Richard Hyde and other leaders from the Department for Business and Trade gathered to discuss New Orleans-UK connections and offshore wind trade and investment opportunities. In the evening, they met for a networking reception with local business leaders.

More here: https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov/international-commerce/united-kingdom

On April 22, the Consul General of The Netherlands, Lisette den Breems discussed future energy, water management, and technology issues together with Harrison Crabtree and the Honorary Consul of the Netherlands, Deirdre McGlinchey.

The Netherlands is actively working to realize more projects connected to the Roadmap 2030 for offshore wind. In the future, ocean-based renewable energy, carbon sequestration, and development of hydrogen are all likely to play increasingly large roles in providing energy and climate security in both the U.S. and The Netherlands.

More than 45 Dutch companies attended the International Partnering Forum on Offshore Wind 2024 in New Orleans. Today, The Netherlands is Louisiana’s third largest export partner and the World Trade Center of New Orleans is eager to continue their long standing business relationship.

On April 11, the Consul General of France in Louisiana, Rodolphe Sambou spoke eloquently at The Roundtable Club discussing the French Connection with Louisiana.

On February 13, Mardi Gras Day, The Rex organization recognized, “The Two Worlds of Lafcadio Hearn — New Orleans and Japan.” Honored at the ball was Hearn’s descendant, Bon Koizumi, director of the Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum in Matsue, Japan, a sister city with New Orleans.

On February 12, we celebrated Lundi Gras at the Spanish Plaza and gathered for the traditional Consular Corps welcome of Rex!

On January 11, 2024 the Louisiana Consular Corps held a meeting at the Windsor Court Hotel, with U.S. State Department representatives, Katherine Ho, OFM Regional Director in Houston and Aileen Hart, SAC, Office of Diplomatic Security, New Orleans Office.

Country Directory