In this Issue:
- GACC NY elects two new board members
- Berlin business delegation a success!
- Biz Kaffee Podcast with Jan Heck of Miele
- Upcoming events
- Energy solutions forum hosted by LEAP
- New GACC NY members
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GACC NY elects two new board members at annual meeting |
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Two new directors were unanimously elected to the GACC NY Board at our annual meeting on May 13:
Bonnie Tully – Regional President, North America for Evonik
Rick Kasnick – Managing Partner for Rödl Langford de Kock LLP in New York
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In addition, 11 existing directors were unanimously re-elected. This marks the second time the meeting was held virtually, taking place with a full quorum of participants.
GACC NY Chairman Andreas Fibig welcomed the attendees and thanked them for their valuable support as the chamber continues to face pandemic-related challenges. He stressed that even with these hurdles the GACC NY team has been adept at successfully reinventing its services to meet the needs of our members and stakeholders.
Fibig acknowledged the recent passing of Dr. Eugene A. Sekulow, a former GACC NY Board Chairman (see related article in this newsletter). "We are extremely fortunate and grateful for his many years of leadership and support in fostering the longstanding ties that connect the German-American business community,” said Fibig.
The Board re-elected Fibig as GACC NY Chairman, while Jaroslaw Gabor of Bertelsmann was re-elected Vice Chairman. A second Vice Chairman position was filled by Jan Heck, President & CEO of Miele US who was newly-elected to this role -- (check out his interview in our Biz Kaffee Podcast!) In addition, Hilde Holland of Wuersch & Gering was re-elected Secretary of the Board.
Fibig thanked the following outgoing board members for their longstanding support:
John Rolando, former CEO Evonik, who retired in 2020 and was Vice Chairman at the GACC NY for the past 2 years.
Ludwig Willisch, former CEO BMW North America, who is retired and was Vice Chairam from 2016-2018.
Gerhard Schneiders, Senior Principal Roedl & Partner, who relocated to Atlanta after being a GACC NY board member for many years.
GACC NY President & CEO Dietmar Rieg, followed Fibig’s remarks with a presentation that showcased the chamber's great strides in creating a variety of new virtual programs, events and delegations. Among our accomplishments to date are three virtual STEP delegations and 46 virtual events, with more than 2,500 participants. Meanwhile, our Legal & Consulting team has organized more than 10 delegation/events, comprised of more than 70 participants
Rieg pointed to the many delegations and events still ahead that will focus on topics such as healthcare, mobility, green energy and offshore wind to name a few. He also is optimistic that our GACC members will be able to join us on September 8 for an outdoor networking reception at Tribeca rooftop.
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Virtual Berlin business delegation & networking event a success |
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The GACC NY has been hosting a virtual startup delegation from the city of Berlin with several curated events as part of the delegation program's launch last week. Approximately 40 startups are included.
After an internal briefing including German Consul General David Gill, as well as Vice-President of the Berlin Chamber of Commerce & Industry (IHK Berlin) Tobias Weber, the participants joined a Networking Event with over 80 attendees from the US and Germany. GACC NY’s Chairman of the Board Andreas Fibig delivered welcome remarks. One of the event highlights included a performance by singer Greginald Spencer, who also leads the New York office of a Berlin startup called “MyPostcard”. In industry specific break out rooms, the audience had opportunities to engage in conversations and discussions.
On the following day, the GACC NY hosted the “Policy & Business Dialogue”, which was kicked-off by Jan Eder, CEO of the Berlin Chamber of Commerce & Industry (IHK Berlin) and Ramona Pop, Senator of Economics, Energy & Public Enterprises.
The subsequent panel discussion focusing on “Jointly Shaping the Post-COVID Era” featured the distinguished speakers Daniel Clark (NYC EDC), Dr. Stefan Franzke (Berlin Partner), Brian Frumberg (Venture Out), and Sina Youn (Brighter AI) from both sides of the Atlantic, with 90 attendees dialing in. A panel titled “The importance of transatlantic collaboration in the Healthcare sector” included the expert speakers Haven Nichols (MassChallenge), Jean-Claude Dubacher (B. Braun of America), Johannes Fruehauf (BioLabs), and Dr. Kai Bindseil (Berlin Partner).
An MIT Roundtable discussion including the MIT Innovation Initiative, MIT.nano and several spin-offs, closed the first week of the program.
The Berlin startups also engaged in targeted meetings and virtual site visits during the second week of their program. More than 100 individual meetings with some 400 companies have been scheduled!
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GACC NY mourns loss of Eugene A. Sekulow
A dedicated board member for many years
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On a sad note, we say goodbye to Dr. Euegene A. Sekulow, who passed away this past April 26, at the age of 90. Dr. Sekulow was Chairman of the GACC NY from 1981 to 2005.
We've been extremely fortunate and grateful for Dr. Sekulow's many years of unrelenting support for our organization. That support is anchored in our mutual commitment to fostering the longstanding and mutually beneficial business ties that connect the US and Germany.
Most recently, Dr. Sekulow was one of the GACC NY's Honorary Directors. His long tenure with our organization speaks to Dr. Sekulow's extraordinary selfless commitment to German-American business relations.
Moreover, for the past decade he has been a steadfast partner in strengthening economic relations between Germany and Jewish-American businesses. His transatlantic bridge building has received quite the accolades, including being awarded the Bundesverdienstkreuz, one of Germany's highest honors.
"Gene has been a wonderful mentor and friend to many of us," said Dietmar Rieg. "He certainly will be missed."
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New Biz Kaffee podcast session:
Jan Heck of Miele
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Check out our most recent Biz Kaffee podcast interview with Jan Heck, President & CEO of Miele USA. Listen here.
This podcast series was specifically created for our chamber in collaboration the marketing/communications agency Serviceplan.The podcast features casual conversations with the heads of companies in the German-American business community. They chat about how their company's business strategies and corporate culture have adapted for success in the US.
We hope you like what you hear, and we’d love to include you in a future session. Contact jfreeman@gaccny.com
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European American chambers host forum on clean energy solutions |
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A great discussion on clean energy solutions took place earlier this month featuring panelists representing European companies that have developed innovative approaches to this global challenge.
They joined us as part of the latest virtual forum hosted by LEAP (Leaders of European & American Partnerships), a consortium of European-American Chambers of Commerce.
Our thanks to Stewart Leeth of Smithfield Foods, Tina Owens of Danone, Antonis Papadourakis of LANXESS, Oshik Efrati of HomeBiogas, Arnouty Dijkhuizen of ENGIE and Patrice Duboe of Capegemini Consulting
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LIVE HEALTHIER: The Patient Journey of the Future |
As the digital revolution continues to leave its mark on all aspects of our lives it is increasingly reshaping healthcare, transforming traditional approaches at a rapid pace. Systems are being overhauled using technology to enhance the entire patient journey, from diagnosis to treatment to follow-up and wellness programs.
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The ongoing pandemic and aging world population have drastically increased the demand for remote healthcare and new tools in digital diagnostics and smart sensors. Join us to meet nine German Research-SME-Tandems for an exchange of scientific excellence and industrial know-how.
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NETWORKING EVENT: New York Meets New Jersey |
We're very excited to host this joint networking event, where you can meet new people and connect with the Morris County, NJ Chamber. As we're keen on exploring new technologies and latest trends, this event will take place using a software called Blitzr. It's super easy to navigate and will enable you to make new connections via one-on-one virtual networking based on your preferences.
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It's been a long stretch of virtual zoom calls. We miss seeing our members in person, so we are optimistically planning our first in-person event at the sleek Tribeca Rooftop. The plan is for an outdoor reception EXCLUSIVELY for GACC NY members. They will enjoy breathtaking views of the city, great food and, most importantly, connecting with old friends and new! Covid-19 safety protocols will be applied.
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Visit our AHK-USA member directory to connect with German-American businesses |
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GACC members have quick and convenient access to a list of other GACC member businesses throughout the US via our online directory.
You will receive your individual login info shortly. Once you have it please visit ahk-usa.com to login and see the list of participating companies and their services.
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German lawyers for IT Media - data protection – trademarks designs: 10 % discount for GACCNY Members |
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The data protection law also requires that all persons, who process data in the company, are made aware of the requirem.ents of GDPR. Profit from knowledge: Sabine Schenk Attorney-at-Law offers compliant, understandable and entertaining online trainings (e-learnings) for employees in data protection and IT-security. The videos are available in small 5-minute bites in German with English subtitles, are web-based and can be accessed flexibly. Each participation is documented and rewarded with an individual, personalized employee certificate. Please visit their website and use the one-time discount code GACCNY to place your order.
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The GACC NY supports companies in recruiting skilled personnel as well as applicants in finding permanent employment or internships in the US through posted job advertisements.
Positions currently open:
Other job opportunities:
GACC NY is an official sponsor for J-1 visas in the categories of "Intern" and "Trainees".
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Apprentice thrives at Dr. Schär in NJ |
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Elias Lott has been working as an apprentice at the Swedesboro plant of Dr. Schär since November 2020. His week is divided into lessons at Camden County College and hours of work at the Dr. Schär Plant located in Swedesboro.
After six months on the job, Elias has completed a majority of his assignments which include some machine repair if needed. He has also become proficient in using most of the tools at the shop, and while not a master level machinist, Elias is still able to accomplish most tasks. Additionally, Elias is familiarizing himself with the vast inventory at the Dr. Schär Swedesboro plant.
Dr. Schär USA is a subsidiary of Dr. Schär, the market leader in Europe offering the widest array of gluten free products. A trusted household name, Schär is backed by over 30 years in the marketplace and a world-class team of food technologists, dietitians, and scientists.
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IAA Mobility, the trade show which has been re-branded to focus on the Future of Mobility, will take place September 7 – 12, 2021 in Munich, Germany. The main product categories of the show are: e-cars, e-bikes, e-scooters and autonomous vehicles as well as suppliers thereof.
The last show had over 3,000 exhibitors and more than 500,000 visitors.
There will be 3 different sections of the show:
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The Summit is the technical core of the event and will bring decision makers, experts, industry members and suppliers together as a trade show and conference area.
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The Open Space will take place throughout the city of Munich at all the main landmarks and be open to visitors for a unique experience.
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The Blue Lane is a test track directly linking the Summit with the Open Space and will present low to no-emission vehicles for test drives.
There is still time to exhibit at IAA Mobility, so click here for detailed information: https://www.iaa.de/en/mobility or you can contact me at kvogelsang@tssworldwide.com for more information.
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CONTACT
James Freeman T: +1 (212) 974-8855 | F: +1 (212) 974-8867 | E: jfreeman@gaccny.com
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German American Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
80 Pine St, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10005
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See what's happening on our social sites: |
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Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)
Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"
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