Summary of Events in 2012
European Food Festival and Networking Evening 2012
Guests at this sold-out event enjoyed food, wine & beers from Germany, France, Great Britain, Switzerland, Holland and Belgium, as well as lively conversations with international colleagues in the gorgeous French Cultural Center, a former Back Bay mansion. This popular annual event is intended for executives and professionals with European business relationships. It was organized by the German-American Business Council of Boston (GABC) and the French-American Chamber of Commerce (FACCNE), in collaboration with BELCHAM-NE, NAF, SACC, BABCNE, and the French Cultural Center.
Cross Border Mergers & Acquisitions
What are the special challenges when a German company (Merck KGaA) merges with a Massachusetts company with large operations in Alsace (Millipore)? Or when a Swiss company (Novartis) and a company in Texas (Alcon) join forces? If the companies merge, what's to be done with two HR departments, two different technology systems, two parallel sets of management with cultural differences? This was an evening of networking and provocative learning about cross-border acquisitions and strategic alliances, punctuated by lively debate, and garnished by cocktails and canapés at the end of the evening. Our panel members enjoy broad and deep experiences in executing mergers, acquisitions and alliances across large bodies of water -- and larger chasms of cultural divides. Speakers, left to right: Christian Wagner of Westernacher & Partner Consulting, Matthias Eberstadt Ph.D. of Novartis, and Christoph Couturier of EMD Millipore. Moderated by John Hession, Partner, Cooley LLP. This event generously sponsored by Cooley LLP.
Professionals Night at the Old Schwamb Mill
Sure, you’ve networked before---but in an 1864 German picture frame factory and living history museum? This evening gathering was a special event for over 60 members and guests to meet high level professional contacts in a fascinating setting. Guests enjoyed refreshments, conversation, personal behind-the-scenes tours of the Mill, and demonstrations by craftsman David Graf, (pictured) using the original lathes and machinery.
18th International Networking Evening and Business Forum
GABC is an active contributor and member of The Global Business Alliance of New England (GBANE) which puts on this event. Attracting hundreds of companies involved in international business, the evening featured outstanding presentations by two of the region's top economists: 1) Michael Goodman, Assoc. Professor and Chair of the Department of Public Policy at UMass Dartmouth is a leading analyst of the Massachusetts and the New England economies. Mr. Goodman's presentation provided a "local" economic outlook and view of global trade. 2) Geoffrey Somes is Senior Economist with State Street Global Advisors. In his presentation, he forecast and analyzed economic events in the "global" economy and evaluated their impacts on financial markets. The event also featured a large resource center where GABC members and visitors mingled and gathered information.
Business Networking Reception at German Consulate General
Consul General Friedrich Löhr, Deputy Consul General Claudia Schütt, GABC Executive Director Marian LeMay, and several GABC Board of Directors welcomed over 70 representatives of German-American companies to the German Consulate at 3 Copley Place in Boston. Jointly organized by GABC and the German Consulate General, this gathering provided guests with a valuable opportunity to network with other high level German professionals, to meet potential US partners, and to share common concerns and needs. Consul Löhr stressed how vital these partnerships are to prospering in today's business environment, and Ms. LeMay spoke of GABC's role as connector and facilitator in getting professionals in the same room where the simple exchange of ideas and sharing of resources can be a powerful aid in growing one's business across the Atlantic.