Cincinnati's fledgling French-American Trade Council has taken a step toward its goal of becoming a chapter of the French-American Chamber of Commerce.

        The 80-member organization, created just a year ago to foster closer business and cultural ties between Cincinnati and France, was designated an associate member of the French-American Chamber last week.

        The associate designation means that local members have access to all the activities of the 19 other French-American chambers in such bigger cities as Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Boston.

        “The baby's not doing too bad for someone who's only been around a year,” said Brigitte Cordier, executive director. The trade council was created at the urging of Gerard Laviec, retired president of CFM International.

        France is the largest export market from Cincinnati, thanks to CFM International, the joint venture of GE Aircraft Engines and Snemca Moteurs of France. There are an estimated 250 to 300 French families living in Greater Cincinnati.

        Although the local organization has been in existence just a year, it has achieved associate chamber status faster than trade councils in Tampa, Denver and Orlando which have been around longer, Ms. Cordier said.

        Full-fledged chamber status requires at least 30 members, monthly meetings and an executive director for at least 1 1/2 years. Ms. Cordier, in the position for about a year, said achieving full chamber status should be just a matter of time.

        The trade council will have its fund-raising gala Wednesday at the Omni Netherland Plaza Hotel, downtown.

        Featured speakers will be Marquis Philippe de Bausset, secretary general of the Society of the Cincinnati, and Comte Pierre-Edouard de Boigne, vice president of the French Society of the Cincinnati.

        The Society of the Cincinnati, created by officers of the Continental Army during the American Revolution as a beneficial society has evolved into a cultural and philanthropic organization.

        Arthur St. Clair, first governor general of the Northwest Territory, renamed his Fort Washington headquarters Cincinnati to honor the society of which he was also a member.

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