GEM is organizing a set of events called "Alumni Relations in Town" to visit our main alumni communities around the world. Following the success of our visit to New York in April, we decided to visit one of GEM's most important and furthest francophone communities: Montreal. The event was a great opportunity to exchange with GEM Alumni settled in the city and to continue growing our network throughout Quebec.
I visited Montreal from October 13th to 15th, 2014. The highlight of this visit was our evening event (Keep in Touch - Stay in Touch) held on Tuesday evening, October 14th.
Marie Grange, GEM ESC 2011, and Eric Aubailly, GEM ESC 1989, who represent the alumni association, were by my side to welcome graduates at the Axyon Group Salon in Montreal. The evening was marked by many exchanges and discussions around a local buffet accompanied by several surprises brought from France for these very "Grenoblois" expatriates.
Of the 100 or so alumni referenced in our alumni directory, 45 graduates were present at the event and represented numerous GEM schools and programs.
The lively interactions of the evening were mostly carried out in French with a few words of Spanish and English, giving the event a very international feeling.
The graduating classes from 1989 to 2014 as well as the ESC, GGSB, Grandes Ecoles, MS Entrepreneurs, MIB, MBA and MSc Finance programs were all represented at this get together.
The evening was a wonderful opportunity to renew ties, meet new faces and grow our professional network in the region.
Currently, we are working on the next alumni community events. In particular, we are developing events in China, India, Belgium, Morocco, Italy and Germany to complement our regular Meet the Expert events in Paris and Grenoble. We are also continuing our work with motivated volunteers to renew networking activities around Grenoble and Lyon.
I look forward to seeing you soon at one of our next "Alumni Relations in Town" events!
Isabelle Fitamant, GEM ESC91