American Chamber of Commerce in Germany e.V. (AmCham Germany)

Yesterday, our #Aerospace & #Defense Committee had the privilege of meeting with Kerstin Vieregge (CDU), Member of the Bundestag, to discuss the pressing challenges and opportunities within security and defense policy.   Kerstin Vieregge stated: "We are struggling to match the pace of technological advancements in our procurement processes. In contrast, Ukraine demonstrates remarkable agility, deploying new technologies within just 30 days."   The conversation focused on addressing technological advancements, streamlining procurement processes, and enhancing international collaboration.   We extend our heartfelt thanks to Kerstin Vieregge for her valuable insights and contributions to this important dialogue. Special appreciation also goes to Aerospace & Defense Committee Chairs Dr. Elisabeth Hauschild, Dirk Niebel and Jim Monroe for their exceptional moderation and leadership during today’s session.

Yesterday, we had the opportunity to meet with U.S. Consul General Dr. James N. Miller, who recently took office at the U.S. Consulate General Munich. AmCham Germany’s Chapter Chairs in the Regional Chapter Bavaria, Claudia Donzelmann and Philipp Meske, hosted the event at Allianz SE for a select group of AmCham Germany board, Patron and Ambassador members from our Regional Chapter Bavaria. Together, we discussed the state and future of the transatlantic partnership, US-Bavarian business relations, as well as priorities for the new U.S. Consul General. A big thank you to U.S. Consul General Miller for taking the time to meet with us over lunch! We look forward to continuing the conversation at our New Year’s Reception in Munich on January 23, 2025. In addition, we’d like to thank Allianz SE for kindly hosting this welcome luncheon at their premises in #Munich.

Yesterday, our #Aerospace & #Defense Committee had the honor of meeting with wolfgang hellmich (SPD), Member of the Bundestag, and a leading voice in defense policy. The discussion centered on the dynamic challenges within defense policy and explored ways to strengthen resilience, foster technological advancements, and enhance international security. Wolfgang Hellmich emphasized: “Industry and politics in security and defense must become more European, they need to embrace technology and prioritize cooperation. However, it remains uncertain whether all stakeholders will fully align with this approach.” We extend our sincere gratitude to Wolfgang Hellmich for his valuable insights and contributions to this important dialogue. Our special thanks also go to Aerospace & Defense Committee Chairs, Jim Monroe and Dr. Elisabeth Hauschild, for their expert moderation and leadership during today’s session.

Persönlich, direkt, und immer mit einem klaren Blick auf das Wesentliche – Simone Menne gehört zu den spannendsten Stimmen der Wirtschaft - als Aufsichtsrätin und Präsidentin der American Chamber of Commerce in Germany e.V. (AmCham Germany). In unserer neuen Folge von "So techt Deutschland" zeigt sie eindrücklich: Deutschland steht vor gewaltigen Herausforderungen – und Chancen. Besonders im Kontext einer möglichen zweiten Trump-Präsidentschaft und dem globalen Wandel fordert sie: Europa muss geeint bleiben und selbstbewusst auftreten 1️⃣ Transformation ist schwer – aber unvermeidlich. Menschen (und Unternehmen) neigen dazu, Altbewährtes zu optimieren, statt radikal Neues zu wagen. Doch genau dieser Mut ist jetzt gefragt. 2️⃣ Strategische Gelassenheit gegenüber den USA. Ein klarer Kopf statt Aktionismus: Bei möglichen Zöllen oder Handelskonflikten sieht Menne den Weg in Europa und strategischen Allianzen. „Wir sollten nicht einknicken, sondern zeigen, wie stark wir ohne die USA agieren können.“ 💪 3️⃣ Bürokratie abbauen und Kultur umbauen. Deutsche Unternehmen müssen sich von übermäßiger Kontrolle lösen. Vorbilder wie Bayer-Chef Bill Anderson zeigen, wie radikale Projektstrukturen Hierarchien ersetzen können. 🎄 Zum Abschluss möchten wir Euch eine besinnliche Weihnachtszeit und einen guten Start ins neue Jahr wünschen. ✨🎁 Wir legen über die Feiertage eine kurze Pause ein und sind in zwei Wochen mit einer neuen Folge wieder für Sie da! Die Links zur Folge gibt's wieder im Kommentar. Frauke Holzmeier Maik Luckow

Our Award Patron Agnes Heftberger from Microsoft Germany on the importance of our Female Founders Award and fostering women in entrepreneurship. We're currently accepting applications and nominations for our next Female Founders Award until January 19, 2025. We especially encourage female talent operating in the fields of technology, electronics, engineering, or other branches commonly underrepresented by women to apply. The award brings together the values of American entrepreneurial spirit and German entrepreneurship. ⏳ TIMELINE ⏳ 👉 Deadline for submissions: January 19, 2025 👉 Notification of award recipients: February 2025 👉 Award Ceremony: April 7, 2025 Learn more about our award and apply or nominate a female founder here: https://lnkd.in/dqReqW3

Yesterday, our Digital Policy Committee had the pleasure of meeting Thomas Heilmann, MdB (CDU), a distinguished member of the German Bundestag, in a special virtual meeting. As Thomas Heilmann notes: "One of the major challenges is that technological progress is accelerating and the delta to digitalization in administration is growing." The discussion focused on key topics in digital policy, including administrative digitalization and challenges and opportunities of digital transformation.     We are grateful to Mr. Heilmann for sharing his insights and for engaging in such a dynamic and thought-provoking exchange. A big thank you also goes to our Committee Chairs, Nina Keim and Dr. Guido Brinkel. (Photo Copyright: Thomas Heilmann) 

It was an honor to ring in the holiday season at yesterday's Christmas Reception at the U.S. Ambassador's Residence in Berlin. Together with the U.S. Commercial Service Germany and the Economic Section of the U.S. Embassy Berlin (US-Botschaft), we spent a festive afternoon with mulled wine, cookies and Christmas carols with members and friends from our Regional Chapter Berlin-Brandenburg.   A big thank you to Bill Czajkowski (Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs at the U.S. Embassy Berlin), our Chapter Chairs Prof. Dr. Torsten Oltmanns and Aylin Tuzel as well as Christian Thams (Head of Government Affairs & Policy and Member of the German Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine Board) for setting such a festive tone for yesterday's event in their remarks!   Also, we'd like to extend our gratitude to our sponsors Johnson & Johnson and United Airlines for their support, as well as Todd Fletcher (American composer, writer and producer and Director of PluralArts International), who provided the perfect musical accompaniment on the piano for yesterday's Christmas carols.

Twice a year, our committee of tax professionals from AmCham Germany member companies gathers in Berlin to discuss current developments in tax law from a corporate perspective. Thank you to all attendees for making yesterday’s meeting both insightful and productive! We were also honored to welcome two distinguished guest speakers: Dr. Nils Weith, Head of the Tax Directorate at the Bundesministerium der Finanzen, and Sascha Müller, Member of the German Bundestag representing BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜNEN. We are grateful for the valuable exchange. Finally, a heartfelt thanks to our hosts at EY, Christian Ehlermann and Roland Nonnenmacher, for providing such excellent support and hospitality.

APPLY OR NOMINATE BY JANUARY 19: Female Founders Award 2025 👩💻📣 Together with our Award Patron Agnes Heftberger (Corporate Vice President and Chairwoman of the Executive Board, Microsoft Germany) and other partners and sponsors, AmCham Germany publicly calls for the nomination of candidates for the Female Founders Award in 2025. The (co-)founders may either apply by themselves or be nominated by companies or individuals by January 19, 2025. We especially encourage female talent operating in the fields of technology, electronics, engineering, or other branches commonly underrepresented by women to apply. The award brings together the values of American entrepreneurial spirit and German entrepreneurship. ⏳ TIMELINE ⏳ 👉 Deadline for submissions: January 19, 2025 👉 Notification of award recipients: February 2025 👉 Award Ceremony: April 7, 2025 Learn more about our award and apply or nominate a female founder here: https://lnkd.in/dqReqW3

Our event film from this year's Transatlantic Business Conference is now out! 🎥⭐️ Watch our video below for impressions from this year's conference and highlights from our keynote speakers and panelists. Thank you again to everyone who made this year's conference such a success! Jörg Kukies US-Botschaft Bill Anderson Simone Menne Dr. Tobias Endler Thilo Schweizer Jon Decker Daniel Andrich Esra Limbacher Christine Rupp Patrick van der Loo Sabrina Kensy Klaus Wiener MdB Siegfried Russwurm Andreas Schwaiger Dr. Sandra Detzer Marjorie Chorlins