LAFAYETTE INTERNATIONAL
CENTER CALENDAR

 revised 09-16-2020

september 2020

National Small Business Week 2020

Sep. 22-24 | National Small Business Week 3-Day Virtual Conference, hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration

      More details and registration at https://www.sba.gov/nsbw

october 2020

WEFTEC 2020 The 93rd annual technical exhibition & conference

Oct. 5-9 | Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, Louisiana

WEFTEC 2020 will be a fully virtual event on the WEFTEC Connect online learning platform that offers attendees interactive education, an exhibitor showcase, and networking experiences.

WEFTEC, the Water Environment Federation's Technical Exhibition and Conference, is the largest conference of its kind in North America and offers water quality professionals from around the world with the best water quality education and training available today..

Contact Ryan Russell for details, Ryan.russell@trade.gov or visit www.WEFTEC.org.

GRA 2020 (Grand Reveil Acadien – Great Acadian Awakening) Organized by Louisiane-Acadie and its partners

Postponed until October 2-10, 2021 | Multiple locations in southwest Louisiana

Festivals Acadiens et Créoles

Oct. 9-11 | Girard Park, Lafayette, Louisiana

This year’s Festivals will not take place as a live event. It will be a virtual experience showcasing three days of music, workshops, art and culture in South Louisiana, streaming live from October 9-11.

The first Tribute to Cajun Music in 1974 took Cajun and Creole music out of the dancehalls and onto a concert stage at Blackham Coliseum. Forty-three years later, the tribute has grown into a three-day celebration of music, food, art, crafts, museum exhibits, symposiums, film screenings and more. The celebration is a giant among Lafayette’s festivals, attracting people of all ages, of many different nationalities from all over the world. The theme of this year’s festival: A tribute to the role of women in Cajun and Creole music. Admission is free.

For details, visit https://www.festivalsacadiens.com/

Franco-Fête 2020 Fundraising luncheon for scholarship program of CODOFIL

Postponed until 2021

Each year, Franco-Fête raises funds to support French education in Louisiana, especially through La Fondation Louisiane’s “Escadrille Louisiane” scholarship program which allows dozens of Louisiana students to study in France (Brittany, Martinique, and Guadeloupe), before pursuing careers as teachers in immersion schools across the State.

The program will also feature the presentation of the “Marquis de La Fayette 2020” award. In attendance will be numerous CODOFIL partners, Louisiana senators and representatives, local elected officials, entrepreneurs, university professors and other Louisiana officials.

     Contact Dave Domingue for details, 337-291-5492;  dadomingue@LafayetteLA.gov

Acadiana Cup Golf Exchange 2020 The 22nd annual tournament.

Postponed until 2021 | Lafayette, Louisiana

november 2020

Louisiana international Trade Day 2020

Nov. 4 | Organized by World Trade Center New Orleans, this program will be held virtually. The 2020 theme is: Louisiana’s New Normal – Ordinary to Extraordinary.

Contact Sam Sheffield for more information at ssheffield@wtcno.org or register at https://members.wtcno.org/events/details/louisiana-international-trade-day-2020-311

ADIPEC (Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference)

Nov. 9-12 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

The Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) is one of the world’s most influential events for the oil and gas industry. As a premium exhibition platform ADIPEC enables professionals from around the world to do business and grow.

Each year, ADIPEC provides one of the most important channels to do business and exchange information, attracting Energy Ministers, global CEO’s and leading decision makers across the 4 days of business discussions and knowledge exchange.

ADIPEC covers a cross section of the industry and is committed to help the growing international energy community bridge gaps by bringing oil and gas professionals face to face. From C-level, senior decision makers, government leaders, engineers and procurement experts with sole or joint purchasing authority, the whole supply chain meet to showcase and discuss new technologies and business opportunities.

For more details and to register visit: www.adipec.com

december 2020

General Assembly of the Association of Francophone Prefects and State-level Representatives (APREF)

Postponed to 2021 | Tunis, Tunisia

40th General Assembly of the International Association of Francophone Mayors (AIMF)

TBA | Tunis, Tunisia

The AIMF (International Association of French-speaking Mayors) is an operating agency for urban development comprised of members from 48 countries or governments. The goal is to establish close cooperation in all areas of municipal activities. Its missions are to strengthen local democracy, building municipal capacities, and support local populations. The Association focuses on the domains of health, culture, youth and education, urban development, training, and municipal infrastructures.

This network of elected officials meets to discuss topics of interest related to economic and cultural development.  

Contact: Dave Domingue for details.  337-291-5474 dadomingue@LafayetteLA.gov

february 2021

Shallow and Deepwater Expo—trade show

Feb. 16-18 | Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche, Mexico.

An Offshore Oil and Gas Exhibition and Conference focused on knowledge and information sharing in the exploration, extraction and production of hydrocarbons in the Gulf of Mexico. Industry professionals will meet with the Louisiana delegation and share their knowledge, experience, and ideas to improve the profitability of shallow and deepwater projects in the Gulf of Mexico. https://shallowanddeepwaterexpo.com/en/   

      Contact Christophe Pilut for details, 337-291-5474;  clpilut@LafayetteLA.gov

APRIL 2021

International Achievement Award Ceremony

TBD | TBD | Lafayette, Louisiana

      Established in 1998, the Award is presented annually to honor an individual, organization or company that has significantly enhanced Acadiana’s international reputation. Primary consideration is accorded to individuals whose activities have helped draw economic benefits to the Lafayette area. By invitation.

      Contact Roxsan Godeaux for details, 291-5474 or ragodeaux@LafayetteLA.gov

MAY 2021

Farewell Reception for UL International Students

TBD | TBD | UL Alumni Center

      Annual farewell given to graduating international students  of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, co-hosted by UL Lafayette President Dr. Joseph Savoie and City-Parish Mayor-President Josh Guillory. Graduating students are invested as Goodwill Ambassadors representing Lafayette, and an Outstanding International Alumnus is recognized, followed by a reception. A joint project of the UL Office of International Affairs, the UL Alumni Association, the LCG Mayor-President’s Office, the Lafayette International Center, and the UL Lafayette President’s Office.

      Contact Christophe Pilut for details, 337-291-5474;  clpilut@LafayetteLA.gov

june 2021

Global Energy Show (formerly Global Petroleum Show)

June 8-10, 2021 | Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Keeping pace with energy industry’s transition from a focus on fossil fuels to a diversified energy mix, the Global Petroleum Show changed its name to the Global Energy Show.  The Global Energy Show builds upon significant technological and sustainable achievements driven by oil and gas and moves to encompass alternative sources.  The Show is a platform where North American stakeholders, policy makers, key players and industry professionals convene under one roof.

Contact: Dave Domingue for details.  337-291-5474 dadomingue@LafayetteLA.gov

North American Mayors Summit

TBA | Austin, Texas

This Summit aims to find solutions, best practices and regional cooperation schemes in the areas of: border cooperation, mobility, tourism, urban sustainability, digital government, citizen security and trade. It will be hosted by the Mayor of Austin, Mr. Steve Adler, and will be attended by mayors and other dignitaries from the municipal and national level from Canada, Mexico and the United States. This event is by invitation only.

Contact: Dave Domingue for details.  337-291-5474 dadomingue@LafayetteLA.gov

august 2021

Welcome Reception for UL International Students

TBA

Annual welcome and orientation to Lafayette for arriving international students of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, co-hosted by City-Parish Mayor-President Josh Guillory and UL Lafayette President Dr. Joseph Savoie. Reception following. A joint project of the LCG Mayor-President’s Office, the Lafayette International Center, the UL Lafayette President’s Office; and the UL Division of Global Engagement.

      Contact Christophe Pilut for details, 337-291-5474;  clpilut@LafayetteLA.gov

september 2021

Reseau des Villes Francophones & Francophiles d’Amérique (RVFFA)

TBA | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

The Network of Francophone and Francophile Cities in America co-sponsored by founding member cities of Lafayette, Moncton and Québec gathers to discuss the development of tourist trails in North America and other issues.

The Network is generating excitement across the continent. It has more than 140 member cities, with this number growing, and brings together on a single platform the tourist, geographical and historical attractions of major cities in French-speaking North America. Eventually, the alliance of these cities will create tours for travelers from around the world.

Contact: Dave Domingue for details.  337-291-5474 dadomingue@LafayetteLA.gov

october 2021

GRA 2021 (Grand Reveil Acadien – Great Acadian Awakening) Organized by Louisiane-Acadie and its partners

Oct. 2-10, 2021 | Multiple locations in southwest Louisiana

Join us to explore and celebrate the Acadian culture of Louisiana

Workshops and lectures on language, culture, tourism and cultural economy - Official ceremonies - Discovery of tourist trails - Acadian families and genealogy - Festivals, including Acadian festival in Lafayette, its French Mass and Tintamarre procession - Music, concerts and shows. Lake Charles - Houma - Lafayette - Jennings - Acadia - Vermilion - New Iberia - and many more.

More info at Louisiane-Acadie.com. Contact gra@louisiane-acadie.com.

Acadiana Cup Golf Exchange 2021 The 22nd annual tournament.

TBA | Lafayette, Louisiana

The Acadiana Cup golf tournament was created in 1998, in Lafayette, Louisiana, in a spirit of friendly competition between Lafayette and her sister city of Poitiers, France. In the five years that followed, players were added from Namur (Belgium), Moncton (New Brunswick, Canada), Nîmes (France) and Prince Edward Island (Canada). Hosting the tournament rotates among the member cities, with the location alternating between North America and Europe.

The Lafayette team will host the 2021 tournament, which will be held in Lafayette for the first time in eleven years.

Contact Bob Hardy for details, bobhardy627@yahoo.com

december 2021

General Assembly of the Association of Francophone Prefects and State-level Representatives (APREF)

TBA | Tunis, Tunisia

     APREF is an association within the IOF. Its mission is to provide a forum for Prefects and other State-level Representatives to benefit from sharing concerns and administrative practices. 

Contact: Dave Domingue for details.  337-291-5474 dadomingue@LafayetteLA.gov

40th General Assembly of the International Association of Francophone Mayors (AIMF)

TBA | Tunis, Tunisia

The AIMF (International Association of French-speaking Mayors) is an operating agency for urban development comprised of members from 48 countries or governments. The goal is to establish close cooperation in all areas of municipal activities. Its missions are to strengthen local democracy, building municipal capacities, and support local populations. The Association focuses on the domains of health, culture, youth and education, urban development, training, and municipal infrastructures.

This network of elected officials meets to discuss topics of interest related to economic and cultural development.  

Contact: Dave Domingue for details.  337-291-5474 dadomingue@LafayetteLA.gov