Greetings from the President Claudio Riedi
A Word From The President

Welcome to 2023, welcome to the future.
The New Year has hardly begun, and the GABC has already celebrated a successful event with the European chambers at Kartell in Coral Gables. The event saw a full house, and hundreds of new contacts were made. It is meetings such as these that lets GABC members expose their businesses to a wider audience, and to raise their profile. Some of our members sponsored the event in this attractive setting, and got great exposure. See the photos Here.

With the change of the calendar cam a change in the GABC leadership. Lydia Harley, our vice president for many years, decided to focus on her professional obligations and stepped down from her post as Vice President. We thank Lydia for her service in the executive, and wish her the best in her future endeavors (which will hopefully include the GABC again). In her place, Ellen von Geyso stepped to the plate and was elected our new Vice President. Ellen has been an active member, and board member, of the GABC, and we are looking forward for her to use her talents and energy to raise the GABC to new heights.

So, as we are off and running in the New Year, please make sure to look at our planned events Here, and sign up to make the most of your membership. This is one time in business where it is OK to take shameless advantage of opportunities given. Use your membership in the GABC for all its worth. We are looking forward to seeing you.
Board of Directors Update
After 8 years of being a very active member of our GABC Board of Directors, Lydia Harley has stepped down from her position as Vice President due to her busy schedule as partner of Kelley Kronenberg. We thank you for her invaluable support over the years.

Lydia helped coordinating and executing events for the GABC since becoming a member. She has always been very motivated and full of new event and seminar ideas, and Kelly Kronenberg was a continuous supporter and sponsor for the GABC. 

Lydia's main focus was development of our membership base in Broward/Palm Beach County, and she promised to continue to support the GABC in its future endeavors.
Lydia is a Partner, managing the International Practice Group at Kelley Kronenberg. Lydia focuses her practice on the defense of General Liability, Immigration, and the prosecution and defense of declaratory judgement actions involving insurance coverage disputes and extra-contractual claims.
 
Thank you Lydia!
We are pleased to announce that attorney, Ellen von Geyso, has been elected Vice President of the GABC. Ellen has been a member of the GABC for over 20 years and has served on the Board of Directors since 2019.
 
A Hamburg native, Ellen completed her law studies in Germany, then moved to Miami in 1995, where she obtained an LL.M. in Comparative Law, and then graduated with a J.D. degree, both from the University of Miami School of Law. She is admitted to practice law in Hamburg and Florida. Her law office Ellen von Geyso P.A. in Miami focuses on U.S. immigration law and German citizenship matters and serves local clientele, as well as throughout the United States and worldwide.
 
She has a 23 year old daughter, Caroline, and a “Lebensgefährte" (partner), Terrence Ayala, who is also a member of the GABC and a practicing attorney. When Ellen is not traveling to Germany for business and pleasure, she and Terrence enjoy the city life of Coral Gables and environs.

We welcome her service in this new role.
Upcoming Events!
Webinar on: Financing International Investors In The US and Miami Market
When? Thursday, February 9th, 12pm
Where? Zoom

Kirsten Paul and Marion Ott will have a discussion on financing Non-Resident clients.
They will talk about:
 
  • Important recent changes
  • Programs available
  • Do's and DONT's
Webinar on: The negative impact of single-use plastics on our earth
When? Thursday, February 16th, 12pm
Where? Zoom

Sophie Ringel from Clean Miami Beach will educate you about the negative impact of single-use plastics on the earth’s ecology and how everyone can reuse, re-purpose, and reduce the consumption of plastic.
The GABC and Engel & Voelkers invite you to our Networking Get Together
Where? Engel & Voelkers Coconut Grove
When? Thursday, February 23th, 6-8pm

We welcome Engel & Voelkers as our new members and are delighted to invite you to a business networking get together at their Coconut Grove office.

Beverages and appetizers are included.

Past Events
European Chambers Networking Cocktail
When? Thursday, January 26th, 6-8pm
Where? Kartell Miami

The European Chambers (Spanish, Italian, French, British, Irish and German Chambers) kicked off the new year with a networking cocktail at Kartell in Coral Gables. It was a great event with many new business encounters.
Thank you Christian Schoepp from Obront, Corey & Schoepp, PLLC
for sponsoring this event.
Member highlight

F&V Capital Management, LLC (FVCM) is an SEC registered investment advisor that offers customized asset management solutions using U.S. and European traded equities, fixed income, and other short-term and liquid securities for a wide variety of international clients. The firm’s three founding partners started FVCM with a dedication to proven investment principles and risk control. Our clients rely on us to build their core investment portfolio for long-term capital accumulation.

As part of the investment management process, we give careful consideration to our clients’ individual needs as well as the related German and US tax implications of their FVCM-managed portfolios. Our individually managed accounts offer an easy and convenient entry into the U.S. and international markets.

FVCM (F&V Capital Management, LLC)
2300 Glades Road Suite 220W
Boca Raton, FL 33431
Tel: +1 (561) 208-1081
Website: www.fvcapital.us
Contact: Karin Mueller-Paris, Partner
Contact: Juergen Streng, Senior Advisor
Languages: English, German
Welcome Our New Members!
Welcome Our New Individual Members!
Vera Meixner

Vera is originally from Austria but has been working for Douglas Elliman as Head of Global Buying Liaison in the Sports and Entertainment Division in Miami now for the past two years.

Vera studied jurisprudence law and spent several years in the USA as a professional golf player. She was also a member of the Austrian Golf Nationalteam!

Vera is open to meet new people, especially Germans and Austrians to feel more connected to home.

Welcome Vera!

Welcome Our New Non-Profit Members!
Clean Miami Beach is dedicated to keeping our community and natural habitats free of garbage and harmful pollutants with a focus on single-use plastics. The goal is to teach residents, and educate the youth of today, how everyone can reuse, re-purpose, and reduce the consumption of plastic. By growing the local volunteer community, Clean Miami Beach will provide a clean place for residents, visitors, and a safe environment where our beautiful wildlife can thrive.

Clean Miami Beach seeks to continue providing the Miami-Dade community with: healthy outside activities, ways to connect with nature, stable social interactions, a platform for education, community service hours, and mentorship opportunities.

Since March of 2019 Clean Miami Beach has hosted 220 beach cleanups, removed over 64,877 pounds of trash, and inspired and educated over 8,079 volunteers.


Clean Miami Beach offers various programs for companies and schools:

Public Cleanups
Sponsorship opportunity for organizations/corporations

-One public cleanup, location and date predetermined by Clean MB
-Clean MB will include your logo on on the event flyer, and promote your organization before, during and after the cleanup on social media
-Five members from your organization may join the event
-Your Organizations may table at the event to promote the brand/products/services

Private Cleanups
-One private cleanup, location and date determined by your organization in cooperation with Clean MB
-Clean MB will promote your organization before, during and after the cleanup on social media
-Scientific data collection (sorting and documenting of trash) via App ‘Clean Swell’ from the Ocean Conservancy
-gret marketing opportunity

Classrooms on the Sand
-school program where we educate the students about the importance of a healthy ocean
-includes beach cleanup and watershed module

Webinars 
-online presentation about Clean MB’s work, what is plastic, how does it end up in the ocean, how does it affect our wildlife, locally and internationally, 
why is plastic everywhere and what can we do to tackle this issue on its source

High School Presentations
-in person presentation at high school about Clean MB’s work, what is plastic, how does it end up in the ocean, how does it affect our wildlife, 
locally and internationally, why is plastic everywhere and what can we do to tackle this issue on its source

GABC Trustee Members
Member Updates
Have you heard of Air Europa's Business Class yet?
Our Board and Trustee Member Timo Becker from Becker International Law explains to you when someone is taxable in the US.
Click below and read our Board of Director member Alexandra Peters' newsletter on
market updates and other interesting information.
Jobs
DRRT is looking for a German speaking Paralegal in their Miami Branch:

DRRT is a multicultural, globally operating law firm with its main office in Miami and further offices in Frankfurt and back-office operations in Mumbai. DRRT is one of the leaders in the global investor loss recovery industry (US class actions/opt-outs, and opt-in group actions in the rest of the world). DRRT has a uniquely qualified and experienced team of legal and analytical experts, whose members are constantly researching, preparing, and filing multi-party cases in jurisdictions all over the world. DRRT is also constantly evaluating upgrades and quality additions to its workforce. We are currently looking for a German Speaking Paralegal / Legal Assistant.

Job Type: Full-time
Schedule: Monday to Friday

Why You Should Join our Team:
• Dynamic, and value-oriented company
• Exceptional benefits program including 100% health insurance, dental, vision,401(K) plan, short- and long-term disability plans, PTO and generous firm holiday schedule
• Inclusive workplace, value-oriented company, and great atmosphere to work in
• Bonus payments and recognition for superior performance
What you will do:
• Support team of lawyers with daily tasks such as preparing retention documents such as PoAs, retainers, funding agreements, case memos & case alerts and send out case related Email Blasts
• Save legal & corporate documents, case related media articles and client correspondence in the office filing system
• Organize exhibits, documents, briefs and appendices
• Redact information from documents
• Provide bi-lingual customer service to the company´s clients
• Translation & proofreading of correspondence and documents from German to English and vice versa
• Gather relevant information from a variety of sources
• Investigate corporate structure of clients to prepare retention documentation
• Conduct research of facts or local formalities to support legal proceedings
• Act as the liaison among internal departments, clients, and other external partners
• You will be dealing with the world’s largest investors, custodian banks and foreign attorneys in various time zones and with sometimes unknown documentation standards

Abilities and Skills:
• Must have strong verbal and written communication skills in English and in German
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office is required
• Must possess strong organizational and time management skills and the ability to juggle multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Detail oriented
• Previous experience as a paralegal or in another legal field preferred
• U.S. work permit

Please send your application with cover letter and resume via email to Paola Hemelberg: [email protected]
Deutschsprachige Teilzeit Assistent/in - 33139
Älterer internationaler Attorney, auf Hibiscus Island, braucht Hilfe um seinen Nachlass zu ordnen. Er sucht jemanden mit Büroerfahrung zur Erstellung eines nachvollziehbaren Aktensystems. D. h., Dokumente, Korrespondenzen, Fotos, und was sonst in einem Lebenslauf anfällt, sollte zur späteren Verwendung sortiert, uebersetzt, gescanned, ansonsten geshredded werden.

Je 2 Stunden, vormittags, an drei Arbeitstagen, flexibel nach gegenseitiger Convenienz.

Roland Langen[email protected], 305-776-0020
Why Should You Become a Member?!
Did you know your GABC Membership offers you...

  • Regular Networking Events (avg. 50 attendees)
  • Business connections
  • Special promotion in our Newsletter (reaches 6.000+ contacts)
  • Visibility through our Social Media channels (average 650 views per post)
  • Awareness for your Brand and Product/Service (through newsletter and social media)
  • Numerous educational Webinars
  • The opportunity to be a speaker at our Webinars/In-Person Events

Make use of our platform that reaches 6.000+ contacts.



As a GABC Member, one of your main benefits is that we promote your business for FREE!

As you probably know, more time is spent online these days, this is where we create awareness for yourself and your business!

Why not make use of that?

Just send us the information you would like us to share and we will publish it for you!


Networking Events: 
We regularly host in-Person Networking Events which provide you with the perfect opportunity to connect with people within your branche. Whether you are interested in meeting new business partners or simply make new friends, the GABC and its versatile members can't wait to get to know you and have a great time together!

Share Information:
Whether you have any online events planned, great business updates or news, interesting articles to share or simply just want to provide some background information about your business, we got you covered!

Business Connections:
If you are in need of any certain service, just reach out to us and we will introduce you to an according company.

Webinar Speaker:
As a member, you always have the chance to be a speaker at our webinars! Share your knowledge or expertise with our community, we all want to hear about it!
Join the GABC Family!
Dear GABC members, 

We are happy to announce our new and updated GABC Benefits for members!

What GABC Benefits? 
All registered GABC members receive special discounts or promotions from our member/partner companies. With discounts for legal consultations to your restaurant bill, make sure you take advantage of these exclusive offers!

Who participates in the program? 

How can I participate?
If you would like to promote your product/service and have a benefit you can provide our members, please contact us at [email protected] to be included in the program.

Should you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to reach out back to us. 

Kind regards, 
The GABC Team 
Career Opportunities
The GABC offers job postings and internship assistance.

Companies and employers can publish their vacancies on our Facebook page, as well as in our upcoming newsletters.

For more information please contact the GABC by email: [email protected] or telephone 305-371-4282.
Prices:
Members: free
Job Seekers - $50 per post
Companies and Employers - $100 per post
Publish Your Advertisement in our Newsletter
As a GABC member, advertisement is complimentary for your business.

For non-members, we offer you the opportunity to publish an advertising in the next GABC newsletter.
Please contact us at [email protected] or call us at 305-371-4282.

Non-Members Price list:


$ 125 for business card size (approx. 5x9 cm / 2x3.5 inch)

$ 150 for third page ad (approx. 10x18 cm / 4x7 inch)

$ 175 for half page ad (approx. 14x21 cm / 5.5x8 inch)

$ 215 for 1 full page ad


Run ad for 2 Newsletters – receive 10% discount on second ad

Run ad for 3 Newsletters – receive 15% discount on second and third ad 
GABC Affiliates
Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
German American Chamber of Commerce

The Beacon Council


Enterprise Florida
German International Parents Association
Ich bin Expat
German American Social Club
Stay Connected with the GABC

Dear GABC members and friends, 
We are excited to announce we are increasing our presence on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. We will come back with more stories and events for your joy!
We would love to connect with you and get your feedback.

Board of Directors 2022
Claudio Riedi
President

Ellen von Geyso
Vice President

Timo A. Becker, J.D.
Treasurer

Dr. Volker Anding
Director

Christian Riehl
Director

TV Productions
Miriam Moser
Director

Nickel Goeseke
Director

Christel Silver
Director

Jan Heck
Director

Michael Claus

Founding Member of the GABC President Emeritus and Honorary Director of the Board
Peter Jacobs

Founding Member of the GABC and Honorary Director of the Board
Christa Green
GABC President Emeritus
and Honorary Director of the Board
The GABC is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization founded by local business men and women in Miami. For over 30 years, the organization has promoted business and trade between Germany and the US, particularly in South Florida. The objective of the GABC is to support commercial and personal relations between its members and to promote economic, social and cultural relations between the USA and Germany.

The GABC promotes communication between companies, individuals, organizations and associations that share the same interests.
GABC Management
Leonie Vallerius

Executive Director

German American Business Chamber of South Florida
1355 Alton Road | Homeoffs | Miami Beach, FL 33139