Newsletter April 2011

Nobody can say yet how recent events in Fukushima will affect the role of nuclear energy and the energy mix goals. However, a further boost in renewable energy and the promotion of energy efficiency in the U.S. is to be expected due to the recent developments in Japan. Germany also recently set a new world record by installing 7,400 MW of solar PV in one year. The results are nothing short of startling and will add fuel to the heated debate about how countries such as the U.S. can meet their electricity needs without reliance on nuclear power.

To showcase the U.S.-market potential in renewable energy and to discuss Germany’s and America’s energy future, the German American Chambers of Commerce (GACC) and the German Energy Agency (dena) are hosting the 3rd German American Energy Conference 2011 titled “Global Energy Challenges – Transatlantic Business Opportunities” in Berlin on May 12 – 13, 2011.

The German Federal Minister of Economics and Technology, Mr. Rainer Brüderle, will open the conference.  In addition, the German Parliamentary State Secretary of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety, Ms. Katherina Reiche, and Mr. Philip D. Murphy, U.S. Ambassador to Germany as well as Mr. Jonathan Feipel, Deputy Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, will speak at this year's conference.

The deadline for registration for the 3rd German American Energy Conference 2011 is extended until Thursday, 5 May 2011. For more information about this event or to register, please visit www.gae-conference.com. 

2010-2011: A Continuous Process, Tangible Results, & New Momentum

Even as fast-growing emerging economies increasingly assert themselves on global markets, there is no question that the transatlantic economic area retains particular significance as the backbone of the global economy. Out of all the economic regions in the world, it is Europe and the United States that enjoy the closest and most comprehensive trade and investment relations.

Germany attaches tremendous significance to transatlantic economic relations. The lynchpin of these relations is the direct investment that takes place in both directions. The United States is the number one destination for investment by German firms. In turn, the U.S. is the second-largest investor in Germany, behind only the Netherlands. When it comes to trade, the United States is Germany’s most important trading partner outside the EU. Similarly, Germany is America’s top European trading partner.

However, we still haven’t tapped the transatlantic partnership’s full potential for boosting growth and jobs and for enhancing competitiveness on both sides of the Atlantic. That’s the main reason why the Transatlantic Economic Council (TEC) was launched under Germany’s EU Presidency in 2007. The TEC can help to further intensify the close links in the transatlantic economic area and stimulate mutual growth. [...]

>>> To read the full article, please see pages 10/11 of the current German American Trade magazine.

With our annual gala dinner, we are going back to Tribeca Rooftop this year! Our approximately 250 guests will experience a distinctive evening in an elegant ambiance including generous portions of white asparagus from Germany, German wines, and entertainment. Hoping to have the weather in our favor, we will host the reception on the location’s rooftop featuring a breathtaking view.

Invitations will be sent out shortly. If you have questions in advance, please contact Anne Voss at events@gaccny.com or (212) 974-8849.

The German Scholars Organization (GSO) e.V. offers 100 grants for a "Returnee Conference" in Berlin on June 22-25, 2011. Eligible candidates are German graduates who have been working abroad as scientists and researchers for more than 12 months and are planning on returning to Germany. The agenda of the conference contains customized career workshops, exclusive meetings with representatives from world-class companies (Siemens AG, Carl Zeiss AG, Deutsche Telekom AG, Roland Berger Strategy Consultants  and more) and exciting discussions with leading representatives from academia, industry and politics (the Federal President Christian Wulff, the Federal  Minister for Economics and Technology Rainer Brüderle, the State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Education and Research Cornelia Quennet-Thielen and others). The theme of the event is : "Building Bridges: Word-Class Scientists for Germany, World-Class Science in Germany". Application deadline is April 18th. For more information and access to the online-application, please visit: www.gsonet.org/buildingbridges.

German Economy to Profit / Corporate Tax to be Reformed

New York (gtai) - In 2011, the German economy is advancing for the second year in a row in the US - regarding export of capital goods and vehicles as well as direct investments. In both areas German companies currently report significant growth. In 2010, exports from Germany to the US increased by 15-20% compared to the previous year; final figures have not yet been reported. Given the current state of affairs, this dynamic will remain the same in 2011.

In general, it is assumed that for a short to medium time frame, the US economy will show an
increased propensity to invest. German exports will benefit from this fact. The reason for this wellfunded engagement is on the one hand the modernization of many industry sectors, postponed well until after the recession, which created a substantial investment backlog. On the other hand, there is considerable liquidity in many major American companies.

>>> To read the full article, please see pages 26/27 of the current German American Trade magazine.

On March 24, 2011, the GACCNY organized a press conference for bauma at the construction show CONEXPO CON-AGG in Las Vegas. bauma is not only MMI’s largest show but also the world’s leading trade show for the construction industry.
During the press conference, Mr. Klaus Dittrich, Chairman & CEO of MMI, provided an extensive review of the last bauma show in 2010: 3,256 exhibitors from 54 countries presented their products and services to 420,170 attendees from more than 200 countries on approximately 6 million square feet of exhibition space. Over 90 international journalists and associations listened attentively to Mr. Johann Sailer, VP of the Committee for European Construction Equipment (CECE), communicating that the European construction equipment industry is on the upswing again with a projected forecast of +11% in 2011. The German Construction Equipment Market is expected to lead this positive trend with an estimated growth rate of 10% in 2011.

The next bauma will take place April 15-21, 2013 in Munich. The application process for exhibitors just started. For more information, please contact Ms. Jennifer N. Liehn at 646-437-1013 or jliehn@munich-tradefairs.com.

Step into my office…

Each and every one of us knows an insanely pretentious person. That one who won’t bend to break the hierarchical chain for a second because s/he thinks it means that his or her power and authority might be overlooked even in the most docile of settings. Picture the “person – who – wears – a – suit – and – tie – to – his/her – own – kid’s – 5th – birthday – party – at – ChuckECheese’s – and – frowns – when – they – don’t – carry – light – dressing – for – his/her – house – salad – because – s/he – just – ”doesn’t – do – pizza”.”

This person could be your boss, your colleague, or even the client you are working so hard to please. Even though all of us try to recognize and understand the cultural differences that may stand between an otherwise harmonious business relationship, this can be a particularly tough thing to work through, especially when all this person can do is reiterate their high stature in the hierarchy of business.

>>> Continue reading How We Sink, our intercultural blog.

Premiere in the growth market of geothermics: Messe Essen and Lorenz Communication are organizing their first international geothermal industry fair. The Geo-T Expo will combine the entire geothermal value added chain for near-surface and deep geothermics. On October 22 - 24, 2012, companies and associations from all over the world will provide information on all subjects relating to this future energy market within the framework of the trade fair and the accompanying congress.

Frank Thorwirth, Chairman and CEO of Messe Essen: "With this new fair, we will close a gap at the Essen location. We will bring together all the market participants here in an absolutely attractive market environment and will offer a geothermal platform for both national and international protagonists. With the Geo-T Expo, Messe Essen will once more prove its venue competence. Due to our many years of experience with events in the energy sector, we possess the know-how and the corresponding contacts."

The Geo-T Expo is intended for companies and organizations who want to introduce their products and services in the field of industrial geothermics to the trade public. These will be, for example, manufacturers of drilling installations and construction machines, producers of installation and power station technology or specialized service providers. With this range on offer, the fair will, with regard to the trade visitors, address experts from the entire geothermal sector, including not only architects, engineers and installation manufacturers but also contractors, utility companies, municipal works departments and financiers.

For more information, please contact Karen Vogelsang at karen@essentradeshows.com.