Activities

Manus Bio scale, 1762 Lovers Ln, Augusta, GA 30901

(max 40 BE) Companies and academics: biotech, biobased industries, chemical industry and life sciences, upon registration.

Description and objective of the activity:

Manus Bio is a spin-out of MIT that uses industrial biotech to engineer microorganisms with complex metabolic pathways from plants to produce rare biomolecules. They commercialize stevia, fragrances, food ingredients, etc. Recently they have started exploiting a large scale-up and manufacturing facility in Augusta. Manus Bio is an inspiring example of how industrial biotech can transform the chemical industry towards a more sustainable and non-fossil pathway.

Link with Belgium:

UGent prof. Marjan De Mey has contribution to the foundation of the spin-out and is member of the scientific advisory board of the company.

Solvay Alpharetta; 4500 Mcginnis Ferry Road, Alpharetta GA 30005-3914

(BE 30-40) Official delegation and delegation members – 3 groups of 15 pax for the visit of the labs (upon invitation).

Description and objective of the activity:

This event is important to mark Solvay's presence in US and to emphasize the Group's new investment in innovation through the construction of a New Applications Development Lab.

Solvay invested more than $22 million of capital in the building to increase our innovative capabilities.

H.E Princess Astrid will be invited to cut the ribbon of the new lab (+ visit) and inaugurate a commemorative plaque with her name and test the 3D printing.

A way of celebrating the Innovative & Technological know-how of Belgium which works for the high technology of new materials development in US.

At the heart of its American headquarter, Solvay has a Global Research Center in Alpharetta that offers great opportunities for collaboration with US and European universities. It aims at becoming a hub for Solvay innovation focusing on new materials, products, processes, formulations, and applications development to support sustainable business growth.

The mission of the Global Application Development teams is to provide our businesses with top-notch Application Labs where we develop our competences and capabilities close to the Customers and efficiently leverage them in service of all our Markets.

The AD Solutions Lab, based in Alpharetta, Georgia offers capabilities such as application specific-testing, prototyping and teardowns, as well as Virtual Engineering, in support of our customers in the Americas. This lab will be like a surrogate customer within Solvay, with competences ranging from the design of new solutions with our materials, to the demonstration of their performance through virtual and physical prototyping and testing.

This lab focuses particularly on the demonstration of Solvay Materials solutions for e-Mobility, Smart Devices and Consumer Appliances.

Link with Belgium:

Very strong link with the Solvay’s MSAC - Material Science Application Center in Brussels focused on the advanced materials innovation

Direct Belgian investment in US

Innovative & Technological know-how of Belgium which works for a more sustainable development in US

The world headquarters of the first growth business of the future of the Solvay Group

Ballroom Foyer, 4th floor, Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta

Ballroom, 4th floor and Terrace, 5th floor, Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta

All delegation members.

King & Spalding, 1180 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

Belgian Business delegation, upon registration.

Description and objective of the activity:

Breakfast event on the subject of the US economy (forecasts, sectors to invest, business and investment opportunities, etc.). Local clients of BNPPF and contacts of AmCham and BACoS might be invited to enhance the networking opportunities for the business delegation.

Link with Belgium:

The seminar will focus on Belgian trade with and investments in the US.

Ballroom I and II, 4th floor, Savannah hall, 3rd floor, Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta

McDermott Will & Emery LLP, Suite 3350, 26^th floor, 1180 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 (Symphony Tower)

Upon registration.

Description and objective of the activity:

Atlanta is a recognized knowledge center for cybersecurity both for industry as federal security agencies and defense. A high presence of headquarters of cybersecurity companies and “2^nd”corporate campuses

This activity caters towards the cybersecurity companies and academics present in the delegation, and interfaces them in group to a selected limited number of local cybersecurity experts/executives.

2050 building (The warehouse), UCB, 1950 Lake Park Drive SE, Smyrna, GA 30080

(75 BE + 75 US) Upon registration.

Description and objective of the activity:

Experience and engage with biopharma leader presence and growth in Georgia and the US market, the impact of UCB’s innovation for patients, commitment to the community, and long-term sustainable growth.

Link with Belgium:

Belgian company.

OMP offices, 2727 Paces Ferry Rd, Atlanta, GA 30339

(max 80 BE + 30 US) Business delegation, upon registration.

Description and objective of the activity:
Description: This workshop and presentation is a platform for networking with leadership at key companies in the Southeast and an opportunity to understand the key position of supply chain at companies in driving their sustainable growth and success and build a resilience against events such as COVID, Tariffs changes, Oil prices and other influence factors.
Objectives: Highlight the importance of innovation in supply chain to run in a more optimized, more sustainable way with higher visibility over global operations, connected through ports, DCs, manufacturing units, sourcing and more. Life Sciences is a key sector where connectivity in global value streams is key and the bridge USA-Belgium is of high importance. The role of digital autonomous supply chains will become clear out of the panelist discussion and will give insights to the participants on how to apply it to their business and industries.

Link with Belgium:

POA and OMP have both Belgian and American operations and have innovation as one of their strategic cornerstones. OMP is one of the fastest growing IT consulting companies in Georgia, nominated for Inc.5000 2021, and active in a diversity of industries with customers present in both countries. POA has a key interest in the Southeast region from an expansion and innovation point of view and collaborates with top tech-institutes to drive this.

The Glenn meeting room, National Center for Civil and Human Rights, 100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

(175 (TBC 60 US + 115 BE) Upon registration.

Description and objective of the activity:

Atlanta is known as the cradle of the American civil rights movement, since the early 1950s. Since then, it has been a central place for civil and human rights activists, where action against inequality remains high on the agenda. The intense nationwide protests in 2020 following the deaths of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Rayshard Brooks, sparked renewed actions against inequality and systemic racism.

The American business community also intensified its mobilization, with a specific focus on the concept of DEI: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. In this context, Diversity means the presence of diverse groups, Equity implies not just equal opportunities, but also allocating resources and actively working towards outcomes that are more just, impartial and fair. Finally, Inclusion means that those that are diverse actually feel welcome and are able to participate fully. For businesses, apart from the moral and legal focus, there are also business benefits of equality: promoting equality makes good business sense. It is conducive to attracting and retaining talent, increasing productivity, access to new markets and customers, among other benefits. This is the so-called business case for equality, a concept also promoted by the International Labor Organization. One of the most notable initiatives in the U.S. is the ATL Action for Racial Equity, initiated by the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.

In Belgium, there has also been increased focus on the concept of DEI in recent years, as it is increasingly clear that Belgium’s strong legal framework against discrimination and racism does not guarantee equity by itself. The national equality body Unia maintains a campaign aimed at helping companies develop DEI actions (www.ediv.be). The National Labor Council issued guidance in 2020 to promote diversity and prevent discriminatory hiring practices. But much work remains to be done, as the level of inequality and discrimination remains high on the Belgian labor market, in particular for people of African descent.

Through this event on the business case for equality, we hope that Belgian and American business leaders and policy makers can inspire each other to further their actions for more DEI, to the benefit of society as a whole and of their own businesses.
 

Link with Belgium:

After the unanimous adoption of the “UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights” by the UN Human Rights Council in June 2011, the Federal government together with the Flemish, Walloon and Brussels Regional governments decided to develop a National Action Plan to implement these standards.

Belgium’s National Action Plan (NAP) ‘Business and Human Rights’ was adopted on in July 2017. The NAP is the fruit of an extensive consultative and negotiation process, led by the so-called Interdepartmental Commission for Sustainable Development (ICDO), one of the

four federal actors to which the law of 5 May 1997 entrusts the task of coordinating the federal sustainable development policy. The ICDO brings together the representatives of federal and regional government departments, who are responsible for the elaboration, implementation, support and evaluation of the federal DO policy.

Action nr. 7 of the NAP stipulates that the Belgian government will raise companies’ awareness on human rights issues in the context of economic missions abroad.

National Center for Civil and Human Rights

(BE + US 100) Focus on women entrepreneurs and CEO’s, upon registration.

34^th floor of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, 191 Peachtree Tower, motor court, Peachtree Center Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30303

(max 80) Potential investors from the US (30), selected Belgian CEOs, authorities. 1/3 BL, 2/3 US, upon invitation.

Description and objective of the activity:

To promote the assets of Belgium to potential investors from the US:  CEOs (or CFOs) of existing or potential investors. Belgium will be presented as an attractive destination for foreign direct investments highlighting the general framework, the assets and the federal incentives for FDI’s in our country.  A testimonial by an US  investor in Belgium will then be provided to share its concrete experience with the audience.

Auditorium, Georgia Tech Research Institute Conference Center, 250 14th Street, NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30318

(max 225: 40 US + 185 BE) Official and business delegation, upon registration.

Description and objective of the activity:

Profiling Atlanta as both influential in AI with Georgia Tech as in applied AI with Microsoft, which has their second US campus under construction there.

Greater Atlanta is rivalling Greater Boston when it comes down to certain niches in Digital Technology.

Georgia Tech is a leading research university, which is a good basis for comparison for the delegation with MIT later that week

Alston & Bird, One Atlantic Center, 1201 West Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309

(max 20 BE + 30 US) Upon invitation (fintech companies).

Description and objective of the activity:

The idea is an Export/Invest focused Event where the Fintech Eco-system from Belgium is presented as a vibrant and interesting eco-system and where our companies in that sector can present themselves and their product/services. New trends and regulations in Europe are different from those in NA and can create new opportunities. 

Changes in customer behavior, new entrants, new technologies, new rules and regulations shape the payment and money transfer landscape for the future and address digital payment risk. The pandemic forces all players to come up with innovative ways and technologies. Non-cash transactions are becoming the rule. The European Payments Initiative is gaining traction and Belgium is on top of the game.

Payment Platforms: Changes in customer behavior, new entrants, new technologies, new rules and regulations shape the payment and money transfer landscape for the future and address digital payment risk. The pandemic forces all players to come up with innovative ways and technologies. Non-cash transactions are becoming the rule. The European Payments Initiative is gaining traction and Belgium is on top of the game.

Regtech: Financial industry has to respect many regulations. Technology can reduce the implied hurdles and increase the user's experience.  With Brussels at the source of European regulation, Belgian companies have developed particular skills and technologies in this field.

The goal of this panel is to position Brussels, the European Capital, as the capital of Regtech regulation which promotes the development of technological companies around the Financial Risk approach (anti-money laundering policy - open data - etc.) which is different from that practiced in the USA.

Link with Belgium:

See above – Fintech landscape Belgium and Fintech companies from 3 regions.

Creative Media Industries Institute (CMII), 25 Park Pl NE, Atlanta, GA 30303

(130 BE+ 40 US) Belgian official and business delegation, upon registration.

Description and objective of the activity:
The objective of the video game event is to highlight aspects of the Belgian video game culture and industry. This will be achieved through an esports tournament where American students (from Georgia Tech, and Georgia State) will be competing against each other in a Belgian VR game. Furthermore, a B2B pitching opportunity for Flemish studios will be granted to present their projects to American companies and video game studios. The last goal of the gaming event is to put female game developers in the spotlight by letting them talk about their current projects (content TBC).

Link with Belgium:

Highlighting the Belgian video game industry, together with the world class education that Belgium has to offer in this sector.

Room 107, Georgia State Capitol (Entrance on Martin Luther King Jr street)

Very restricted official delegation.

Ballroom III, 4th floor, Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta

(max 100) Official delegation, signees and their guests.

16^th and 17^th floors,King & Spalding, 1180 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

500 guests, open to the entire delegation. Upon registration.

Description and objective of the activity:

Networking with business people of the South. All participants are invited to a reception with hors d’oeuvres offering Southern cuisine with a Belgian twist. They will be welcomed by the Governor of Georgia and have the opportunity to meet with local business leaders and politicians.

Link with Belgium:

organized by the Belgian American Chamber of the South and Metro Atlanta Chamber showcasing Belgian food and drinks.

Nokia Bell Labs, 600 Mountain Avenue, Murray Hill, NJ 07974-0636

Academic delegation only, upon selection.

Description and objective of the activity:

Profiling Nokia Bell Labs as both influential in groundbreaking inventions ( telephone, transistors, cellular network, .. )

Receiving a behind-the-scene technology roadmap update on 5G / 6G/ Artificial Intelligence from top corporate researchers

Nokia Bell Labs as a prime example of global US-EU technology collaboration, emphasizing the importance of corporate R&D labs to the innovation ecosystem

Reflection moment for the delegation on the strategic importance of cellular infrastructure in fueling innovation

Link with Belgium:

Nokia Bell Labs has a key corporate R&D site in Antwerp. This employs >1000 white collars, mainly active in research and developments. The Antwerp site is where broadband was developed and where many Belgian executives ( later true captains of industry, CEO’s of FEB/VBO, Bekaert, … ) gained valuable experience.

Nokia Bell Labs New Jersey is the global HQ. Rudi Broos, Head of Technology Marketing will be invited to join.

New York Ballroom West and New York Ballroom East, 3^rd floor, Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel

The New York Times Building, 620 Eighth Avenue, 38th floor New York, NY 10018

(max 60) Selected businessmen, upon selection.

Description and objective of the activity:

Keynote by a WWW pioneer Dr. Vint Cert on how he sees the future of communication and the internet. Currently Dr. Cert is Google’s Chief Internet Evangelist and Vice President.

The keynote presentation will be followed by a panel discussion in which Nokia Bell labs senior Research Fellow and Prof . Dr. Yves Bayens will give a behind-the-scene technology roadmap update on 5G / 6G/ Artificial Intelligence.

Ir. Lieven Danneels will share his point of view in terms of the innovation advise given and to be given to the Government of Flanders and Belgium to make sure Belgium maintains a leadership position in telecom.

Dr. Wim Sweldens, former Nokia Bell labs President of Wireless Division and Co-Founder of KISWE Inc based in New Jersey, complements the panel.

Profiling Nokia Bell Labs as both influential in groundbreaking inventions ( telephone, transistors, cellular network, .. )

Google & Nokia Bell Labs are a prime examples of global US-EU technology collaboration, emphasizing the importance of corporate R&D labs to the innovation ecosystem

Link with Belgium:

Google has a key datacenter in Belgium. It was the first datacenter that Google constructed in Europe, was ahead of its time. To date 1.6 B USD has been invested by Google in Belgium. Google host >120 policy and cloud experts in Belgium.

Nokia Bell Labs has a key corporate R&D site in Antwerp. This employs >1000 white collars, mainly active in research and developments. The Antwerp site is where broadband was developed and where many Belgian executives ( later true captains of industry, CEO’s of FEB/VBO, Bekaert, … ) gained valuable experience.

The Library of the Bohemian National Hall, 321 E 73rd Street - New York, NY 10021

(45 US + 35 BE) Upon invitation (selection).

Description and objective of the activity:

Description and objective of the activity: We hope that VC`s from Belgium will participate and bring start/scale-ups from their portfolio ready to internationalize. The Belgian start/scale-ups can pitch. We will invite local VC`s interested in investing in Belgian start-scale-ups in Fintech Sector. There will also be possibility to network between VC`s from both sides of the Atlantic in order to see if partnerships and co-investing opportunities can be fostered. The exact program will be build depending on the profiles of the Belgian participants.

Link with Belgium:

Participation Belgian VC firms and Belgian scale-ups – 3 Regions.

The Library of the Bohemian National Hall - 321 E 73rd Street - New York, NY 10021

Upon invitation (fintech companies).

Description and objective of the activity:

The idea is an Export/Invest focused Event where the Fintech Eco-system from Belgium is presented as a vibrant and interesting eco-system and where our companies in that sector can present themselves and their product/services. New trends and regulations in Europe are different from those in NA and can create new opportunities.

Changes in customer behavior, new entrants, new technologies, new rules and regulations shape the payment and money transfer landscape for the future and address digital payment risk. The pandemic forces all players to come up with innovative ways and technologies. Non-cash transactions are becoming the rule. The European Payments Initiative is gaining traction and Belgium is on top of the game.

Focus on:

Payment Platforms: Changes in customer behavior, new entrants, new technologies, new rules and regulations shape the payment and money transfer landscape for the future and address digital payment risk. The pandemic forces all players to come up with innovative ways and technologies. Non-cash transactions are becoming the rule. The European Payments Initiative is gaining traction and Belgium is on top of the game.

Regtech: Financial industry has to respect many regulations. Technology can reduce the implied hurdles and increase the user's experience.  With Brussels at the source of European regulation, Belgian companies have developed particular skills and technologies in this field.

The goal of this panel is to position Brussels, the European Capital, as the capital of Regtech regulation which promotes the development of technological companies around the Financial Risk approach (anti-money laundering policy - open data - etc.) which is different from that practiced in the USA.

Link with Belgium:

See above – Fintech landscape Belgium and Fintech companies from 3 regions.

4th floor, Building 92, 63 Flushing Ave., Brooklyn 11205

(20 BE- 10 US) Upon invitation.

Description and objective of the activity:

The Brooklyn Navy Yard is a mission-driven industrial park that is a nationally acclaimed model of the viability and positive impact of modern, urban industrial development. The Yard is home to 450+ businesses employing more than 11,000 people and generating over $2.5 billion per year in economic impact for the city. The Yard was once the nation's most storied naval shipbuilding facility, which for over 150 years built and launched America's most famous fighting ships, including the USS Maine, USS Arizona, and USS Missouri.

This seminar will give the floor to various speakers who will decipher the roles of the different stakeholders (government, sponsors, companies, entrepreneurs, artists, manufacturers, academia) in the success of an innovation/creative ecosystem. They will exchange views and best practices with Belgian counterparts and by doing so it will allow the showcasing of latest developments in the Belgian landscape and opportunities for collaboration.

Link with Belgium:

The Brooklyn Navy Yard sits on a piece of land called Wallabout Bay (The Wallonian Bay), so called 400 years ago. We want to celebrate this heritage by highlighting successes of Creative Ecosystems in Brooklyn and in Belgium.

12^th floor, Commercial Strategy Offices Anheuser-Busch InBev, 125 W 24th St #7, New York, NY 10011

(38 BE + 12 US) Official delegation upon invitation.

Description and objective of the activity:

High level meeting between HRH Princess Astrid and the official delegation of the mission with Michel Doukeris (CEO of AB InBev) to discuss strategy for the beer category, exports/presence of Belgian beer in the US and AB InBev’s sustainability strategy

• AB InBev is the world’s biggest brewer with a brewing heritage that started more than 600 years ago in Leuven, Belgium. AB InBev is still headquartered in Belgium. The brewer has a portfolio of more than 500 beer brands, including many Belgian beers. Stella Artois is one of the three global beer brands of AB InBev (next to Budweiser and Corona) and Leffe and Hoegaarden are two of the company’s international brands. Other than that, AB InBev brews many other Belgian beers such as Jupiler, Tripel Karmeliet and Victoria.
• Sustainability is not just part of AB InBev’s business, it ìs AB InBev’s business. In 2017, the company launched 4 ambitious global sustainability goals:
• Smart agriculture: By 2025, 100% of our direct farmers will be skilled, connected, and financially empowered
• Water Stewardship: By 2025, 100% of our communities in high-stress areas will have measurably improved water availability and quality.
• Circular packaging: By 2025, 100% of our product will be in packaging that is returnable or made from majority recycled content.
• Climate Action: By 2025, 100% of our purchased electricity will be from renewable sources and we will have a 25% reduction in CO2 emissions across our value chain.
• We’re always looking for partners to tackle sustainability challenges. In 2018, we launched the 100+ Accelerator, a global incubator program that works to solve supply chain challenges across water stewardship, circular economy, sustainable agriculture and climate action. Over the last two years, the program has accelerated 36 companies in 16 countries. These startups have raised more than $200 million and are scaling globally. In the spring of 2021, we launched the 3^rd 100+ Accelerator. For this 3^rd cohort, the Coca-Cola Company, Colgate-Palmolive Company and Unilever joined the AB InBev 100+ Accelerator to fund and pilot sustainable innovation in supply chains.

Link with Belgium:

AB InBev is the world’s biggest brewer with a brewing heritage that started more than 600 years ago in Leuven, Belgium. AB InBev is to this day headquartered in Belgium, with a second Global Headquarter in New York City.

Biddle room, 3^rd floor, Harvard Club, 35 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036

(50 BE – 50 US) Upon registration.

Description and objective of the activity:

Part 1: Data and Data Science are becoming more important in the world of Healthcare and Life Science innovation. A number of companies will share their best practices how to use data science to gain a competitive and speed advantage.

Part 2: Then we will assemble all speakers for a moderated Q&A between the audience and the remote audience.

Link with Belgium:

The companies in part 1 of the session all have an important base in Belgium. Healthcare and ICT are two key marker sectors in which Belgium excels.

(900) The entire delegation and the local guests upon registration.

New York Ballroom West and New York Ballroom East, 3rd floor, Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel

Classroom, 6^th floor, Building Energy Exchange office (inside the Surrogate’s Courthouse), 31 Chambers St Ste 608, New York, NY 10007

(150) Belgian and American companies and start-ups involved in sustainable solutions. Upon registration.

Description and objective of our event:

We have witnessed ambitious sustainability targets set in Europe and around the world. These objectives focus on tackling the most pressing global challenges. Inspired by these goals, some cities want to take the climate challenge even further by tailoring ambitious strategies for their respective homes. Two of these cities, Brussels, and New York, seek to lead and integrate sustainability into every part of their policy making processes.

This reorientation towards a resident-specific sustainability, wants to improve the well-being of the people but also to attract high-skilled labor, international business, and foreign investors eager to partake in the new global hubs of a sustainable economic transition. 

The new sustainability models will meet people’s expectations of personalization, relevance, inclusion, traceability, and transparency in economic governance.

Further still, new hubs will transcend old models’ emphasis on “low impact” practices by turning to the expectation of actual environmental replenishment and renewal.

During this event, we will discuss the best practices and perspectives of such leading cities. We will share the urban strategies and showcase how Brussels and New York have become drivers of sustainable change.

By exchanging between public and private players, industry leaders, and experts in the field, we aim to provide new opportunities for collaboration to achieve a faster and more equitable transition to sustainable economies.

Main topics of discussion

• Citizen Participation and Inclusion
• Green Mobility in the City
• Food System Optimization
• Green Built Environment

Eight carefully picked expert lead panelists will host interactive sessions resulting into two panel discussions for each topic.

(Part 1): Flanders House, 620 8th Avenue, 38th Floor, New York, NY 10018, Lunch: Belcham: 530 7th Avenue, Suite 902; (Part 2): on-site

(40 BE) Belgian and American start ups, entrepreneurs and investors. Upon invitation.

Description and objective of the activity:

“Nail it before you scale it”

For many Belgian start ups, cracking the U.S. market is an exciting chance for dramatic growth and increased credibility. Is this move right for you? It could be.

We’ll look at how to build structures and partnerships to develop a sustainable, scalable international business.

• Stand on the shoulders of giants who have done this before (peer2peer sharing)
• Get inside the mind of an angel and/or private investor (investor panel)
• Find partners, support and resources to help you make the move and test your product market fit (b2b matchmaking)

Link with Belgium:

Belgian entrepreneur will talk about their experience entering the USA market. One of the investors speaking has a Belgian managing partner (motive partners).

Room Odets, 4^th Floor Marriott Marquis, 1535 Broadway New York 10036

(max 40-50 pax) Belgian F&B companies, upon registration.

Description and objective of the activity:

The New York/New Jersey/Connecticut/Pennsylvania area is a hotbed of food importers and distributors for the approximately 45 million consumers. The region has one of the highest population densities in the nation which makes for convenient transportation and delivery at a fairly reasonable cost in cities. The ports of Baltimore and New York are great assets for transatlantic freight.  American consumers have somewhat sophisticated tastes for specialty and healthy food and drinks and a solid purchasing power. They are fond of fancy/foreign food and drinks products, and are ready to pay a premium price.

Today’s stronger USD dollar makes European goods more affordable to US consumers.  Unfortunately, there are also fluctuating transportation costs to consider which can contribute to their higher prices.  In order for Belgian companies to stay competitive in this market, they must produce unique and high-quality specialty food products that will entice American consumers into paying more.  For this reason, there is a greater chance that these products will end up in the gourmet food category rather than in mass merchandise stores.

Nevertheless, due to the potential variety of products from participating companies, and to the busy schedule and numerous solicitations of regional importers and distributors, it’s not feasible to gather them in a single location at a specific time. The one-on-one meetings will have to be scheduled separately and most likely at the importer/distributor location and time of choice.

This workshop is directed towards a Belgian audience active in the food and drink sector and interested to penetrate/succeed in the “US Northeast Corridor” market. Local experts and practitioners will deliver “to the point presentation” with practical aspects/examples/case studies.

The added value of the planned workshop and the afternoon session lie in the quality and expertise of the invited speakers. There will be one guest speaker/specialist per specific presentation. We believe that an intensive and thorough information workshop with insights by local practitioners about how the U.S. Food and Drink market works would be most interesting and useful.

Link with Belgium:

The US market is an important market for Belgian food and beverages. Somewhat more stable conditions are favorable for business opportunities from the regulatory and compliance point of view, now that the Food Safety Act is well under way and it seems to be efficient. One can reasonably think that no major changes will occur in the near future.

2727, 27^th floor,  United Nations Headquarters, 405 East 42nd Street – New York, NY 10017

Restricted official delegation and selected companies.

Description and objective of the activity:

Presentation by UN experts in the area of logistics and transportation.

To learn about the UN needs and wants pertaining to logistics and transportation

To learn about procurement procedures

Exchange of views and networking opportunities 

For existing suppliers of vaccines and medications: courtesy: “maintenance” visit

Link with Belgium:

Direct interest for our companies, ports, airports and suppliers of goods and services.

tbc room, 27^th floor, United Nations Headquarters, 405 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017

Very restricted official delegation.

Dear Irving on Hudson, the rooftop lounge of the Aliz Hotel Times Square.
Aliz Hotel Times Square (40th floor), Aliz Hotel, 310 West 40th Street, New York, NY, 10018

Delegation members active in the agrifood sector and American invitees.

Program “Belgian American Trade in Food and Drinks”

On Wednesday 8th June, the three regional trade promotion agencies (AWEX, FIT and hub.brussels), Fevia (the Federation of the Belgian Food Industry) and VLAM (Flanders’ Agricultural Marketing Board) offer a full-day program on “Belgian American Trade in Food and Drinks” for the food & drink companies in the delegation.

The program consists of 3 parts:

1. Workshop “The ins and outs of the US Food and Drink Market” (9:00-11:00, New York Marriott Marquis, lead: AWEX)
2. “Taste of Belgium” event (12:00-13:30, Aliz Hotel Times Square, lead: Fevia & VLAM)
3. B2B program for food & drink companies (13:30-17:00, Aliz Hotel Times Square, lead: AWEX, FIT and hub.brussels)

“Taste of Belgium” network event

The “Taste of Belgium” event is a tasting and networking event, organised by Fevia and VLAM, in collaboration with the three Belgian foreign trade agencies.

It will take place at Dear Irving on Hudson, the rooftop lounge of the Aliz Hotel Times Square. It is Manhattan’s highest open-air hotel bar, with a beautiful view on the New York skyline.

The trade promotion agencies invited the American companies, who will be joining the Belgian food & drink companies for B2B sessions in the afternoon, to attend this tasting & networking event. The food & drink companies can also invite their current clients or own prospects to this event.

The event thus gives the Belgian food & drink companies in the delegation the opportunity to showcase their products to their US clients and prospects. VLAM will offer dishes with Belgian vegetables. Delegation members will offer snacks, desserts and drinks.

Riverside Ballroom, 3^rd floor, Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel

(60) Belgian guests upon invitation.

Description and objective of the activity:

The Federation of Enterprises in Belgium (FEB) is organising with the support of the Belgian Embassy a B2G luncheon with the participation of TBC Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo (or Deputy Secretary of Commerce) and HE Stavros Lambrinidis, Ambassador of the European Union to the United States.

The Secretary of State is invited to give a keynote speech about the new commerce agenda and priorities of the United States and discuss recent developments, including as regards the EU/US Transatlantic trade relations. The EU ambassador will bring a complementary European perspective.

Link with Belgium:

As the voice of business in Belgium, FEB works towards establishing a framework to support entrepreneurship and defends the interests of over 50,000 small and large companies at federal, European and international level.

Aliz room, ground floor, Aliz Hotel

(50) Belgian F&B companies and US upon registration.

Description and objective of the activity:

The New York/New Jersey/Connecticut/Pennsylvania area is a hotbed of food importers and distributors for the approximately 45 million consumers. The region has one of the highest population densities in the nation which makes for convenient transportation and delivery at a fairly reasonable cost in cities. The ports of Baltimore and New York are great assets for transatlantic freight.  American consumers have somewhat sophisticated tastes for specialty and healthy food and drinks and a solid purchasing power. They are fond of fancy/foreign food and drinks products, and are ready to pay a premium price.

Today’s stronger USD dollar makes European goods more affordable to US consumers.  Unfortunately, there are also fluctuating transportation costs to consider which can contribute to their higher prices.  In order for Belgian companies to stay competitive in this market, they must produce unique and high-quality specialty food products that will entice American consumers into paying more.  For this reason, there is a greater chance that these products will end up in the gourmet food category rather than in mass merchandise stores.

Nevertheless, due to the potential variety of products from participating companies, and to the busy schedule and numerous solicitations of regional importers and distributors, it’s not feasible to gather them in a single location at a specific time. The one-on-one meetings will have to be scheduled separately and most likely at the importer/distributor location and time of choice.

This workshop is directed towards a Belgian audience active in the food and drink sector and interested to penetrate/succeed in the “US Northeast Corridor” market. Local experts and practitioners will deliver “to the point presentation” with practical aspects/examples/case studies.

The added value of the planned workshop and the afternoon session lie in the quality and expertise of the invited speakers. There will be one guest speaker/specialist per specific presentation. We believe that an intensive and thorough information workshop with insights by local practitioners about how the U.S. Food and Drink market works would be most interesting and useful.

Link with Belgium:

The US market is an important market for Belgian food and beverages. Somewhat more stable conditions are favorable for business opportunities from the regulatory and compliance point of view, now that the Food Safety Act is well under way and it seems to be efficient. One can reasonably think that no major changes will occur in the near future.

City Hall, 260 Broadway, Manhattan, New York

Very restricted delegation (HRH Princess Astrid and the Ministers).

BEEX - Building Energy Exchange - 31 Chambers St, 608 , New York, NY 10007

(100:70 US + 30 BE) University Faculty – Architecture and Engineering Departments. Architects upon invitation.

Description and objective of the activity:

As in Brussels, New York’s Higher Education is a central pillar of its economy. Universities do not only foster innovation, competitiveness, and survival in a new era, they are also amongst the biggest employers, and the biggest buildings owners. In addition, architects and other experts in the building field like to learn how peers do things.

Our experts from the industry can add value by bringing in real world experience to add different perspectives of sustainable architecture and construction.

Link with Belgium:

Brussels is considered a pioneer in sustainable construction and increasingly also in circular construction thanks to the many regional initiatives in this area.

For more than a decade now, the Brussels construction sector has been able to respond brilliantly to the ambitious standards that were necessary to impose. (Passive house standard since 2015 for all new buildings)

In addition to the positive results in terms of CO2 emissions reduction for the region, job creation, gains in terms of quality of life and cost reductions, the entire construction value chain has gained in expertise by taking the risk of sometimes failing spectacularly but ultimately succeeding brilliantly.

It is now time to share these experiences of exemplary buildings with as many people as possible.

The equal ambitious Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act requires New York to reduce economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and no less than 85 percent by 2050 from 1990 levels. It is the perfect opportunity for Brussels based companies to showcase their knowledge and build a better and brighter future for all.

Room Odets, 4th Floor Marriott Marquis, 1535 Broadway New York 10036

(20-30) Belgian entrepreneurs in the Biotech/Medtech/Biopharma sectors, upon registration.

Description and objective of the activity:

The Life Sciences Roundtable will present some success stories in the US of people and companies with a Belgian Connection. We will cover practical tips of becoming successful in the US, aimed at researchers, entrepreneurs, small to medium companies from Belgium to grow their business in Life Sciences, particularly the Biotech/Pharma and MedTech sector, in the US. The objective is to encourage the networking and partnering with the Belgian and US executives or entrepreneurs in the sector Life Sciences in the Tri-State area (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut), plus Pennsylvania.  

Link with Belgium:

The roundtable will host some Belgian entrepreneurs and pharma/life sciences executives who are already active in the Tri-State region and Pennsylvania or want to know about the possibilities to benefit from the region around New York.

17th floor, Ernst & Young HQ, One Manhattan West, 401 9th Ave, New York, NY 10001

Official delegation and business delegation upon registration.

Description and objective of the activity:

Bringing Belgian Sports Technology top of mind with the FIFA United CAN/MEX/US 2026 World Cup organization

Link with Belgium:

Royal Belgian Football Association Red Devils team NR1 FIFA ranking

Luminary, 1204 Broadway - New York, NY 10001

Women entrepreneurs from the delegation, key female stakeholders of the entrepreneurship ecosystem in New York and Belgium. Upon invitation.

Description and objective of the activity:

The proposed activity consists of an opening welcome drink and some welcome pitch, 1 panel discussion of around 30 minutes followed by a networking session of 45 minutes.

The discussion aims to underline the unique challenges and opportunities facing women entrepreneurs of diverse backgrounds in the US and Belgium, and to underscore their role in revitalizing economies generally and during the period of economic recovery from COVID-19. A focus will also be put on sustainability and economic transition. Panelists from Belgium and New York will speak from their own experiences as women founders.  

This event will be organized in collaboration with local partners LUMINARY AND WEVE ACCELERATION

Luminary is a membership-based career and personal growth platform and collaboration hub created to address the systemic challenges impacting women across all industries and sectors. Former finance executive Cate Luzio founded and self-funded Luminary in late 2018 with the mission to up-lift, up-skill, and propel women forward through all phases of their professional journeys. The company has grown to more than 3,000 individual members and 60+ corporate partners (representing more than 500,000 employees worldwide) including UBS, WW, JPMorgan Chase, Unilever, Verizon, Goldman Sachs, Indeed, Blackstone, Mastercard, VMLY&R, Bridgewater, and Heidrick & Struggles to name a few. To date, the company has led well over 3,000 in-person and virtual programs, workshops, and events.

WEVE Acceleration is NYC’s premiere acceleration program for international startups expanding to the US. Formerly NUMA New York, WEVE enjoys more than twenty years of experience introducing the world’s most promising startups to the world’s largest market. Since opening our NYC office in 2017, we’ve accelerated over 120 startups from 25 different nationalities, and counting!

New York Ballroom East, 3^rd floor, Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel

(max 325) Official delegation, signees and their guests.

Belgian food and drinks companies, upon registration.

Description and objective of the activity:

Rhode Island is strategically located on the American northeastern coast, between Boston and New York. From the cooperation between the local government, knowledge institutions and the business community has grown a unique food ecosystem, which is favorable for foreign food companies. The State of Rhode Island offers strategic support to foreign companies, which want to enter or establish themselves on the American market. The food business incubator Hope & Main offers training and marketing advice, liaises with retail and distribution and mediates with the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA). The College of Food Innovation and Technology of the Johnson & Wales University has a strong international reputation for food innovation. This makes Rhode Island a unique launching hub for Belgian food companies that want to develop their activities on the American market. Given its size and accessibility, is also the best location to organize a food retail tour during this economic mission. This allows Belgian food companies to discover the retail landscape and research their opportunities on the US market.

Building Energy Exchange office, 31 Chambers St Ste 608, NY 10007

(max 50 : 20 BE + 30 US) Upon invitation.

Description and objective of the activity:

Collaboration with NYSERDA - Empire Building Challenge: https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Programs/Empire-Building-Challenge

NYSERDA is creating public-private partnerships with leading commercial and multifamily real estate owners to recruit best-in-class equipment manufacturers, solution providers, and other businesses to invest in low carbon retrofit technology development in New York State. They encourage direct collaboration among the world’s largest real estate companies, cleantech manufacturers, and solution providers worldwide. There is a $10M technology prize available. There are gaps where innovation is needed – and these are areas relevant for ecobuild.brussels and other regional clusters and innovative companies. These are big opportunities to translate what has already worked in Belgium and bring it to the US market. NYSERDA is aware of the know-how, expertise and experience of Brussels in that area and wants to learn. In addition, our companies will be introduced to a group of leading real estate owners.

Link with Belgium:

Brussels is considered a pioneer in passive construction and increasingly also in circular construction thanks to the many regional initiatives in this area.

For more than a decade now, the Brussels construction sector has been able to respond brilliantly to the ambitious standards that were necessary to impose.

In addition to the positive results in terms of CO2 emissions reduction for the region, job creation, gains in terms of quality of life and cost reductions, the entire construction value chain has gained in expertise by taking the risk of sometimes failing spectacularly but ultimately succeeding brilliantly.

It is now time to share these experiences of exemplary buildings with as many people as possible.

The equal ambitious Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act requires New York to reduce economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and no less than 85 percent by 2050 from 1990 levels. It is the perfect opportunity for Brussels based companies to showcase their knowledge and build a better and brighter future for all.

Pratt & Whitney HQ, 400 Main street, East Hartford, CT 06118, Connecticut

HE David Clarinval and HE Willy Borsus.

Description and objective of the activity:

Description and objective of the activity:

High level lobbying to boost concretization of the package of offsets for Belgian industry that was considered at the occasion of the in the F35 purchase.

Potential  F35 engine parts production LOI  signature.

Link with Belgium:

Safran Aero Boosters and Belgian Aero-engine industry will produce parts and modules for F35 aircraft engine including those bought by Belgium.

Safran Aero Boosters and BMTA will produce parts for F35 aircraft engine including those bought by Belgium.

Havana room, One Broadway, 5th Floor, Kendall Square , Cambridge, MA 02142

(80) Official delegation and selected business and academics (50), upon registration.

Description and objective of the activity:

Deep dive in the core of N-SIDE business: discover how deep business expertise combined with applied mathematics and artificial intelligence can help life sciences organizations to make better decisions and optimize the use of critical resources.

Through a use case co-presented with a top industry leader, find out how N-SIDE streamlines clinical trials by accelerating clinical plans, mitigating risks and curbing drug waste to provide solutions for patients in need more efficiently.

Get the opportunity to meet N-SIDE CEO Arnaud Merlet, Life Sciences Director Sébastien Coppe, N-SIDE US team and our US customers and prospects.

Link with Belgium:

• N-SIDE is a spin-off from UCLouvain and ULiège
• Our headquarters are located in Louvain-la-Neuve
• N-SIDE counts worldwide customers among which several top Belgian pharmaceutical companies
• N-SIDE board members have a strong and recognized academic and business experience
• N-SIDE was the first company certified B Corporation in Wallonia (March 2020)
• N-SIDE is awarded Great Place to Work Belgium (4th time in a row since 2019) and Best Workplaces in Belgium (2nd time in a row since 2020)
• N-SIDE is awarded Trends Gazelles 2022 (Walloon Brabant)
• N-SIDE is awarded Best Managed Company 2022 in Belgium by Deloitte Private

Parliament/Adams/Baltic, 7^th floor, Westin Copley Place Hotel

Pappalardo Room 4-349,Building 4, MIT, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139 (Via Vassart street)

(tbc 70 ) Restricted official delegation and selected delegation members.

Description and objective of the activity:

This activity is meant to highlight:

The presence of Wallonia-Brussels alumni currently working at MIT

The importance and global impact of MIT in US economy and across the world

The collaboration that already exists between Wal-Bru and MIT

Link with Belgium:

the excellence of Belgian science has strongholds at MIT, which is considered one of the best university in the world.

Governor's ceremonial office, 3rd floor, Massachusetts State House, (back entrance via Hancock street),Boston, MA 02133

Very restricted delegation.

MIT, Chang Building E52, 6th floor, MIT Samberg Conference Center, 50 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA 02142

(max 160) Official, business and academic delegations. Upon registration.

Description and objective of the activity:

Profiling MIT as both influential in computer science and in influencing US federal Science & Technology policy.

Coupling the world wide web and its underlying technology to both the positive as the unintended socio-economic consequences 30 year later

Hearing the perspective from large US technology corporations

Reflection moment for the delegation on how empowered individuals, governments, business leaders are in rebalancing the control over data and the web

Link with Belgium:

Flemish government allocates 7 M€ funding for first 2 years of SolidLab Vlaanderen — IDLab - Internet Technology and Data Science Lab — Ghent University (ugent.be)

The Flemish Data Utility Company | Vlaanderen.be

Brainchild of Sir Tim Berners Lee, MIT Professor and co-created the worldwide web with dr. Robert Cailliau, Belgian ( both will not be able to be attend ).

Rooms 12.401,12.402, 12.403, 12^th floor, Takeda, 500 Kendall street, Cambridge, Boston

 (70 BE + 20 US) Official, business and academic delegations, upon registration.

Description and objective of the activity:

Highlight the importance of plasma derived therapies

Explain the incredible journey of pharmaceutical R&D and manufacturing, from lab to patient

Showcase how Takeda Lessines, as Factory of the Future, prepares for the manufacturing of these complex molecules in a sustainable manner.

Launch a Call to Action, to encourage plasma donation in Belgium.

Link with Belgium:

Takeda hosts one of Belgium’s largest biomanufacturing plants, in the town of Lessines (Hainaut). With over 1,200 employees, it is one of the largest employers in the Walloon region. This Takeda site was created exactly 50 years ago, in 1972. Today, it has over 18,000 m² of building surface and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a flexible plant for purification and a packaging center for immunology and hematology treatments that will be distributed to the 80 countries, in the four corners of the world.

Pappalardo Room 4-349, Building 4, Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), entrance via Vassart Street, building 13, Cambridge, MA 02139

(20) Restricted official delegation and selected rectors and vice-rectors upon selection.

Room Mosaic, 3^rd floor, CIC Cambridge, 245 Main Street, Cambridge MA 02142

(25 US + 25 BE) Belgian and American VCs upon invitation (selection).

Description and objective of the activity:

Description and objective of the activity: We hope that VC`s from Belgium will participate and bring start/scale-ups from their portfolio ready to internationalize. The Belgian start/scale-ups can pitch. We will invite local VC`s interested in investing in Belgian start-scale-ups in Life Science Sector. There will also be possibility to network between VC`s from both sides of the Atlantic in order to see if partnerships and co-investing opportunities can be fostered. The exact program will be build depending on the profiles of the Belgian participants.

Link with Belgium:

Participation of Belgian VC firms and Belgian scale-ups – 3 Regions.

Pappalardo Room 4-349, 3rd floor, Building 4, Department of Physics, MIT, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139

(40) Restricted official delegation and selected academics upon invitation.

Description and objective of the activity:

In the wake of the visit with select Belgian MIT scientists/researchers/professors at MIT, there will be a short ceremony honoring Georges Lemaître, a prominent Belgian scientist who is considered one of the fathers of the expanding universe theory.

The ceremony will consist of an introduction by Professor Peter Fisher, Head of the MIT Physics Department, some remarks by UCLouvain and KULeuven representatives. The unveiling, in the open hallway just outside the Papallardo room, by HRH Princess Astrid of a frame featuring Georges Lemaître that will be permanently displayed at MIT.

Georges Lemaître (Charleroi July 17, 1894 – Leuven – June 20, 1966) was a Belgian Catholic priest, mathematician, astronomer, and professor of physics at the Catholic University of Louvain. He was the first to theorize that the recession of nearby galaxies can be explained by an expanding universe which was observationally confirmed soon afterwards by Edwin Hubble. He first derived "Hubble's law," now called the Hubble–Lemaître law by the IAU, and published the first estimation of the Hubble constant in 1927, two years before Hubble's article. Lemaître also proposed the "Big Bang theory" of the origin of the universe, calling it the "hypothesis of the primeval atom,"[and later calling it "the beginning of the world."

In 1923, he became a research associate in astronomy at Cambridge, UK, spending a year at St Edmund's House (now St Edmund's College, University of Cambridge). He worked with Arthur Eddington, who introduced him to modern cosmology, stellar astronomy, and numerical analysis. He spent the next year at Harvard College Observatory in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with Harlow Shapley, who had just gained renown for his work on nebulae, and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he registered for the doctoral program in sciences.
 

Towngreen, Greentown Labs , 444 Somerville Avenue, Somerville, MA 02143

Upon invitation.

Description and objective of the activity

Belgium has been at the forefront of offshore wind power development, with early deployments of wind parks > 10 years ago. This means we have a clear advantage over the USA, which only recently started developing this industry in recent years. In fact, the US has only a handful of offshore wind turbines in place, as of today.

The Biden administration has unlocked this potential, by supporting new initiatives, not only by favorable and supportive legislation, but also by providing substantial amounts of funding. The Biden administration’s objective is to have 30GW of offshore wind capacity in place by 2030.

In US context, the states have a big say in the actual implementation of offshore wind projects. The majority of activity is happening in the north-east part of the country, and states such as MA, NY, RI, NJ, … will be home to the first big projects.

We are witnessing the first few tenders and concessions, there is a real momentum.

Our Flemish/Belgian companies are very interested in these developments, and we are happy to see successful contracts granted to companies from our North Sea ecosystem. DEME in particular has been granted two major (> 1 billion USD contract value) contracts. In fact, they landed two out of the two first big projects. One of these projects will be for the Vineyard park, off the shores of MA.

The purpose of this event:

• Showcase our expertise in the field of offshore wind. We are not the biggest country in offshore wind, but we were early movers. Our companies have built up a lot of expertise, in planning, installation, but also O&M, monitoring, etc.
• Focus on particular issues the US is dealing with, and how we can help them overcome these
• Announce some of the recent wins
• Build partnership, for even more collaboration and joint developments

Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), Fenway entrance, 160 Fenway road, Boston, MA 02115

(700) The entire Belgian delegation upon registration.

Essex North Center and East, 3^rd floor, Westin Copley Place Hotel

(30) Official delegation and selected SMEs upon invitation.

Parliament/Adams/Baltic, 7th floor, Essex Center, 3rd floor, Westin Copley Place Hotel

Massbio, 700 Technology Square, 5th floor, Cambridge, MA 02139

(150) Business delegation upon registration.

Description and objective of the activity:

This activity is intended to provide participants with additional knowledge as well as new perspectives for business, funding, research partnership or investments in order to boost our local eco-system beyond the already existing assets. Main objectives are as follow:

To display Belgian know-how to the Massachusetts counterpart (agencies, companies, academics, research centers) and vice versa

To foster BE and US partnerships and cooperation in the sector.

To give SMEs and innovative start ups a chance to have contact with Corporates, VC, R&D or business accelerator programs 

To provide a unique opportunity for Belgian players to get a full picture of Massachusetts last development in biotech 

Highlight Wallonia’s rise in biotech and medtech innovation, as well as the untapped potential to position the region as the center of excellence in bio manufacturing.

Link with Belgium:

The Belgian life science and bio pharma industry, including R&D, has internationally been known for its know-how for many years. The three Belgian Regions have major players in the sector which represents major trade flows for and between both Belgium and US.

Eagle room, Mayor's office, 5th floor, City Hall of Boston (back entrance in Congress Street)

North star, 7^th floor, Westin Copley Place Hotel

Restricted official delegation and Belgian journalists.

Aesculapian room, Harvard Club of Boston, 374 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215

(50) Official delegation and selected academics upon invitation.

Description and objective of the activity:

Founded in 1780, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences honors excellence and convenes leaders from every field of human endeavor to examine new ideas, address issues of importance to the nation and the world, and work together, as expressed in our charter, “to cultivate every art and science which may tend to advance the interest, honor, dignity, and happiness of a free, independent, and virtuous people.” Their members’  studies have helped set the direction of research and analysis in science and technology policy, global security and international affairs, social policy, education, and the humanities.

The objective of the activity is to showcase the excellence of the Belgian researchers in the field of life sciences and the exceptional recognition of their scientific work.

Link with Belgium:

Prof. Dr. Carmeliet was elected in 2021 as an International Honorary Member. Full list of 2021 elected members: https://www.amacad.org/news/2021-member-announcement.

The last election of a Belgian member was 22 years ago (Walter Fiers).

Prof. Dr. Carmeliet received Postdoctoral training (NATO Research Fellow, D. Collen Research Foundation Fellow) at the Harvard Medical School in Boston. He’s holding also academic appointments in Boston (see CV).

Massachusetts General Hospital Burr Proton Therapy Center, 30 Fruit Street Boston, MA 02114

Very restricted official delegation.

Description and objective of the activity:

This activity is intended to celebrate how MGH and IBA pioneered proton therapy 20 years ago when the first patient was treated with a Proton Therapy System installed by IBA at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston (now known as the Francis H. Burr Proton Therapy Center). It was the first time in the world that a proton therapy treatment was delivered in a hospital. Since, the Center has delivered over 10,000 customized proton treatment plans, an unmatched history in treating both benign and malignant tumors with proton therapy, while IBA has become the worldwide leader in proton therapy, with over 50% of proton therapy patients having been treated using IBA technology to date.

Link with Belgium:

IBA, a Belgian company, has been leading proton therapy for the last 30 years and has built the largest user community of proton therapy centers over the world.

Essex South Ballroom, 3^rd floor, Westin Copley Place Hotel

Official delegation, signees and their guests