September 2022

AGP Young Professionals - Sloss Furnace Tour

Join the AGP Young Professionals as they participate in a guided tour of the Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, the staple of Birmingham’s Skyscape:

September 1, 2022

5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark

Guided tour of one of Alabama’s most iconic landmarks. It will be an awe-inspired, up-close experience of the size and power of the 20th-century blast furnace, machines, buildings, and other aspects of the furnace that made Sloss run for 90 years. 

The tour will take one hour and then we will head across the street to the Back Forty Beer Company for refreshments. If you can't make the tour - please join us here around 7:00 p.m.

Traveling Stammtisch & German Dinner in Huntsville

Come join us for AGP traveling "Stammtisch" and German Dinner:

Tuesday, September 20, 2022

6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The Nook, Huntsville

Come out to network! This is a great opportunity for German expats to meet and for others to practice their German. Speaking German is encouraged but not required. We meet every month (every other month is in Birmingham).

Monika Müller with the Nook will be serving up a plate of German Rouladen with Red Cabbage and the Nook has a large selection of beers - 400+ of them and 80 of them are on draft (36 local). Please note the fee includes one dinner, tax, and gratuities. The beverage of your choice can be purchased separately. 

Due to limited seating of 15, we do require pre-registration.

What does "Stammtisch" mean? A Stammtisch is an informal group meeting held on regularly, and also the usually large table around which the group meets. A Stammtisch is not a structured meeting, but rather a friendly and casual get-together.

AGP Porsche Hot Laps 

Like Rollercoasters? Elevate your heart rate by taking a ride with a professional driver at race speeds around the 2.38-mile, 17-turn race track at Barber Motorsports Park - in a Porsche. Hot Laps is the ultimate thrill ride and will provide you with the opportunity to experience the track from the racer's perspective. Join us:

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Barber Motorsports Park, Leeds

We are excited to be able to offer this very unique opportunity to experience the Barber Motorsports Park track that is considered one of the best if not THE BEST in the United States. The park is also host to the Porsche Track Experience.

We will meet Porsche Track Experience's Operations Manager, Jeff Purner. Jeff was pro racecar driver for 14 years, with numerous championships. We will end our visit with the Hot Laps. During Hot Laps you will ride as a passenger with a professional driver in a Porsche (four-door Panameras or Taycans - don't be fooled by the four-door - 0 to 0-60 mph in under 2.5 seconds) and get the FULL EXPERIENCE on the amazing track. We promise you it will not be boring!!! Please note this is generally not offered to the public. We have limited seats available - don't wait - reserve your spot TODAY! 

Search for homebrewers for our upcoming German-Style Beer contest! 

We are in search of homebrewers that are up for a competition taking place on Saturday, November 5, at Rolf’s Deli in Northport. The homebrewers will compete for the bragging rights of the best German-Style beer. We will invite our AGP members and supporter to attend and vote for the “AGP People’s Choice 2022” and also have an official panel of judges for “AGP Best in German-Style Homebrew 2022”. Please reach out to our office for more information and to sign up. Ready - Start - BREW! 

Dankeschön to our PATRON Members:

Production of Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV has started

By Made in Alabama

Mercedes-Benz has launched production of the all-electric luxury EQS SUV at its Tuscaloosa County plant, part of a global strategy of next-generation technology that is ushering in a new era for Alabama’s auto industry.

Mercedes has invested $7 billion in the state since it arrived in the early 1990s, and Alabama workers began producing the M-Class SUV in 1997. Multiple expansions, new model launches, and innovation upgrades have followed, with more than 4 million vehicles shipped from the plant around the world.

Five years ago, the company announced a $1 billion investment in electric vehicle production, adding a state-of-the-art battery factory in nearby Bibb County, which opened in March.

Production of another all-electric model, the EQE SUV, is expected to start later this year.

Officials on hand for a celebration of the EQS SUV today emphasized the experience of Mercedes’ 4,500-member local workforce, as well as the power of community partnerships.

About 300 workers cheered as the Alabama-built EQS SUV was officially unveiled.

“We have a highly skilled and motivated team that has absolutely delivered in the successful product launch of the new EQS SUV,” said Michael Göbel, president and CEO of Mercedes’ Alabama operations.

“Our team members in Tuscaloosa have shown a lot of flexibility, energy, and commitment in helping us to achieve milestone after milestone since our first Mercedes-Benz rolled off the production line more than 25 years ago.”

Read "Made in Alabama"s Full Story



Mercedes launches EQ Experience

By Business Alabama

Mercedes-Benz USA has launched the Mercedes-EQ Experience, a training program for the dealership and corporate employees on electric vehicles.

The program, taking place in Alabama, is a three-day session on training employees in the electric transformation, ensuring that the dealership employees are equipped with the company’s strategy and sustainability commitments and building enthusiasm for the company’s new EQ vehicles.

“The Mercedes-EQ experience is a fully immersive learning event designed to leave participants not only energized about our brand’s electric future but also confident explaining the benefits and technology to our EV customers — both present and future,” said Lisa Rosenfeld, general manager of Mercedes-Benz Academy, MBUSA.

Read Business Alabama's Full Story



Germany is World’s Top FDI Destination Country

By Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI)

According to the Global Data Investment Monitor, Germany attracted more foreign direct investment than any other country in 2021. The Investment Monitor recorded 1537 projects, compared with 1517 for the United States in second place.

The figures were slightly lower, but basically in keeping with numbers published by Germany Trade & Invest in May.

Germany topped the list in semiconductor and data center investments. It had the world’s fifth most patent applications and by far the most in Europe. Frankfurt was the eighth most popular city in the world for FDI with 132 projects.

Other business investments of 2021 were communications and media, with a surge in 5G projects, and renewable and alternative power, which recorded an increase of 36 percent.

The US was the world’s biggest source of FDI, followed by the UK and Germany, and the online retailing colossus Amazon was the largest corporate investor.

GACC South Annual Dinner in Atlanta

Save the date for German American Chamber of Commerce's Annual Gala at St. Regis Hotel in Atlanta on Saturday, October 29, 2022. 

For the 26th time, this year, they aim to bring the German-American business community together to reignite the dialogue between the U.S. and Germany across all sectors.

Casino Royale will be this year's signature black-tie celebration & fundraiser. Guests will enjoy an exquisite evening of entertainment and prime networking opportunities—all centered around the theme of “Casino Royale".

This event will feature elegant casino classics, including a red-carpet experience, a martini bar, a live show band, blackjack, craps, roulette, and more! At the end of the evening, guests will have the opportunity to redeem their game chips for a unique gift or experience in our raffle!

Some raffle prizes include: Stays at one of the luxurious Grand Bohemian hotels (based in AL, GA, NC, and SC), a private family portrait session, and many more!

Dankeschön to our SUSTAINING Members:

Welcome New AGP Member

Please help us welcome our new member:

CORPORATE - ASSOCIATE

Jensen Shipping Company, Inc

Steve Standridge

International Freight Logistics Management

Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, Jensen Shipping Company began as a small freight forwarder in a friendly family town. Now, over thirty years later, the company continues to grow in leaps and bounds just like the city where it was founded. They offer complete, integrated, door-to-door logistics solutions on the ground, over the sea, and through the air. 

Logistics management is problem-solving and their job is to come up with solutions. Their strength lies in their knowledge of the industry and the tried and true lessons of over three decades of experience. They can predict potential problems and work to solve them before they pick up the shipment. They communicate internally, with outside professionals, and with their customers/partners to get the ball rolling on the right track from the very beginning. 

As an AGP member, you can connect with them through the AGP membership database.

Learn more at: www.jensenshipping.com

Alabama Seal of Biliteracy Workshop

ATTENTION ALABAMA LANGUAGE TEACHERS

On September 10, there will be an opportunity for Alabama’s world language educators the very first workshop on the Alabama Seal of Biliteracy since it was signed into law in April 2022. You are invited to come to the beautiful Birmingham-Southern College campus for a day of professional development that includes nationally recognized experts on the Seal of Biliteracy and local educators. Come learn about this opportunity for your students, how to implement the Alabama Seal of Biliteracy, and how teaching for proficiency relates to traditional humanities content and practices in the language classroom. Only $10. 

Click here to learn more about the Alabama Seal of Biliteracy.

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