Greetings from the President Claudio Riedi

A Word From The President


As 2023 draws to a close, the GABC celebrated Holiday Gala in the Palms Hotel & Spa on November 14, 2023. In a beautiful festive setting, with much Gemütlichkeit und Spass, our faithful members enjoyed a rousing night to remember. Thanks to all who came and contributed to the success of this fundraiser in big and small ways. We could not do this without the loyalty and goodwill of all our members.


Did you know that the GABC turned 35 this Summer? Formed in June 1988 as the “German American Trade Council,” the organization officially changed its name to “German American Business Chamber” in 2013. We have thus brought together like-minded business interests in South Florida for almost four decades now, and we are not slowing down. In this issue, we feature some of our newest members in living color. Membership is the life-blood of our organization. We are pleased to see the continued great interest in German-related business in South Florida.


With this, we are bidding goodbye to 2023, and an excited and bullish WELCOME to 2024. We are looking forward to seeing all of you in the New Year. 


Farewell Timo Becker

With great pain and sadness, we announce the sudden passing of our board member, treasurer, and friend, Timo A. Becker.


We will remember him as the kind and humorous man that he was, as well as a highly skilled and capable lawyer.

 

With Mr. Becker’s passing we lost a great colleague, friend, father, brother and son who will be missed dearly.


Rest in peace Timo.

Our Annual Holiday Gala

We are still beyond grateful after our successful Annual Holiday Gala and Fundraiser at The Palms Hotel & Spa in Miami Beach on November 14th.


We would like to thank everyone for joining this event and making the evening so special.


A big Thank You to Tanja Morariu and Alex Palumbo and the management of the The Palms Hotel & Spa for the generous sponsorship, beautiful venue, and smooth co-operation.


Another big Thank You to our second main Sponsor Rhenus Logistics.


The beautiful moments (seen below) were captured by the talented Fareed Al-Mashat from Moonbounce Films.


Also thank you to our fantastic Sax player Jay Bee Sax.

Without both of you, the evening wouldn't have been the same.


The Gala and auction items were solely organized by Executive Director Leonie Vallerius, thank you for your continuous hard and committed work.

Also thank you to all other sponsors, who contributed to our fundraiser:


Galt Dermatology | Silver International Realty Thump Gym Miami

Grou Coffee & Cowork Hard Rock Cafe Tchibo | UDON | ​​ edding 

Ellen Von Geyso P.A. National Hotel Miami Beach | Sheraton Miami Airport Hotel & Executive Meeting Center |​ EB Hotels Miami | Miami 'N' Ice Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts | The Setai Miami Beach Currencies Direct | Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre | Miele, Inc. | OCS Law | Mahin's Euro Skincare Riehl Insights

Carillon Miami Wellness Resort Alexandra Peters One Sotheby's

L'Artisteria Pizza | Green Worldwide Shipping

Welcome Our New Members!

Welcome Our New Corporate Member!

Total Well-Being, Inspired by Nature.

The Palms Hotel & Spa combines genuine service, laid-back sophistication, and oceanfront serenity into an award-winning independent resort, where wellness and sustainable practices are at the center of each guest experience. Green Globe certified and a member of Beyond Green, the resort offers a unique destination for AVEDA spa experiences, natural gourmet dining, and unrivaled beachfront relaxation. With 251 spa-inspired guest rooms and suites as well as 8,000 square feet of space for meetings, weddings, and special events the Palms Hotel & Spa will enchant you with a tropical ambiance and barefoot sophistication, no matter if you are visiting for business or pleasure.


Website Instagram


The Palms Hotel & Spa also has Spa Winter Specials and the Essensia Restaurant has a delicious new Autumn Season menu, valid until the end of the year.


Spa Winter Specials: https://www.thepalmsavedaspa.com/

Click here for more


Autumns Season Menu: https://essensia-restaurant.tambo.site/miami-beach-restaurants

Click here for more

Welcome Our New Business Members!

Dominique Pando Bucci With Pando Bucci Law


About Pando Bucci Law, PLLC

Pando Bucci Law, PLLC, is a Miami Beach-based business and investor immigration law firm.


Led by principal attorney and Alexander von Humboldt Fellow Dominique Pando Bucci, Pando Bucci Law represents entrepreneurs,

professionals, and investors in their visa journey to live and work in the United States.


Pando Bucci Law primarily focuses on EB-5 and E-2 investor visas. The EB-5 visa program offers foreign investors the opportunity to obtain U.S. green cards by making substantial investments in job-creating enterprises. The E-2 visa program is designed for individuals who wish to invest in and manage a business in the United States and is known for its flexibility and relatively lower investment thresholds compared to the EB-5 program.


Pando Bucci Law also assists international clients in obtaining visas across a variety of business categories, such as H, L, O, P, TN, EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, National Interest Waiver, and PERM labor certification petitions.

Pando Bucci Law provides high-quality legal representation and attentive client care. We are multilingual and speak German, English, Spanish, and Italian.


About Dominique

Dominique was born and raised in Bo


Website LinkedInnn, Germany, and moved to Miami Beach nearly 25 years ago. She is a German Chancellor Fellow (Bundeskanzler-Stipendiatin) of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.


Dominique graduated in the top 4% of her class and earned magna cum laude honors for her Juris Doctor law degree from the Florida International University College of Law, where she served as Editor-in-Chief of the FIU Law Review legal journal.


Dominique is regularly invited to speak on immigration issues at the local and national level. Her articles have been published by legal news source Law360 as Expert Opinions as well as by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), an association of more than 18,000 immigration attorneys.


Dominique currently serves on the AILA National U.S. Department of State Liaison Committee, which meets in person with the State Department in Washington, D.C., to discuss pressing issues affecting consulates worldwide. She is also an assigned observer of the AILA National EB-5 Investor Committee. Dominique previously served as Chair of the AILA South Florida Business and Investment Committee.


Please feel free to connect with Dominique via WhatsApp at (786) 232-3268 or via email at [email protected].


Website

LinkedIn

Dirk Saecker with Four Corners Real Estate



Dirk Saecker is a highly accomplished and respected professional in the real estate industry, boasting two decades of dedicated service and a track record of unparalleled success. With a passion for properties and an unwavering commitment to his clients, Dirk has established himself as a trusted figure in the world of real estate.


Dirk’s journey in real estate began in the early 2000s, where he started as a fresh-faced agent eager to learn the ropes of the industry. Over the years, he honed his skills and expertise, swiftly climbing the ranks to become a top-performing realtor in his region.


Throughout his career, Dirk has facilitated countless transactions in the residential, commercial, and investment sectors. His ability to connect with clients, understand their unique needs, and offer tailored solutions has earned him a loyal and diverse clientele. Dirk is known for his deep knowledge of local markets, trends, and regulations, ensuring that his clients make informed decisions.


Dirk’s 20-year tenure in real estate has also seen him adapt to the changing landscape of the industry. He has embraced technological advancements, staying ahead of the curve with digital marketing, online listings, and virtual property tours. This adaptability has allowed him to provide exceptional service even in challenging times.

His genuine concern for the well-being of those he serves extends beyond closing deals; he strives to make a positive impact on the lives of his clients and the communities in which they reside.


With 20+ years of experience under his belt, Dirk Saecker is more than a real estate veteran; he's a trusted advisor, a skilled negotiator, and a valued member of the industry. His journey from rookie agent to esteemed professional stands as a testament to his dedication and passion for the world of real estate. Whether you're buying, selling, or investing, Dirk’s expertise is a valuable asset for anyone seeking success in the real estate market.


Moving to the United States from Germany in 1990, Mr. Saecker understands how to navigate cultural differences in business be it European,

American, and Latin.


He is fluent in both German and English and conversationally fluent in Spanish. Prior to real estate, Mr. Saecker worked in the Travel industry, starting his own Hotel & Marketing firm, Tour Company, and Travel Agency along the way. Currently residing in Coral Gables, Dirk Saecker has two beautiful daughters, and is a proud resident of his vibrant, multicultural city Miami.


Website

LinkedIn

You are already a member and would like to get re-introduced or share your business updates? Send us your information to [email protected] and we will publish you in our next newsletter.
GABC Trustee Members


CPA Alexander J. Evans | Alexandra Peters for One Sotheby's International Realty | Nickel Goeseke for Cervera Real Estate | Tony Zwicker for DeLaRocca Corp. | Ellen Von Geyso P.A. Heinemann Americas | Hellmann Worldwide Logistics | Silver International Realty | Lufthansa Industry Solutions

Lehtinen, Schultz, Riedi PLLC | Rhenus Logistics | META Storage Solutions Miele, Inc. | Toscana Divino | Visa Business Plans | Christian Schoepp for OCS Law  I Wolfgang Wehen for Sheraton Miami Airport  I Michaela Kennedy for Forum Consulting LLC


*Click on above names for more information

Member Updates


Tchibo offers a 23% Discount to all our Members!

Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra

Lahav Shani, chief conductor

Daniil Trifonov, piano


The Grammy-winning Daniil Trifonov is one of the most exciting and revelatory pianists of our time. “Daniil has everything and more … tenderness and also the demonic element. I never heard anything like that,” legendary pianist Martha Argerich marveled. Trifonov makes his Knight Masterworks Classical Music series debut playing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 9, “Jeunehomme.” Written when the composer was 21 years old, the work is arguably the first masterpiece of the classical era, hailed by lauded Mozart pianist Alfred Brendel as “one of the greatest wonders of the world.”


Known for its intensely energetic performances, The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra has claimed its position among Europe’s most exciting orchestras under the leadership of young and dynamic, Israeli-born chief conductor Lahav Shani. The orchestra’s Arsht Center debut concert begins with the mysterious, luminous soundscapes of Arvo Pärt’s Swansong, whose harmonies suggest its origins as a piece of choral and organ music. Inspired by a line from a Christian funeral prayer, “safe lodging, holy rest and peace at the last." That devotion has found a hymnlike expression in Pärt's music.



The program concludes with selections from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, whose sweeping music depicting Shakespeare’s famous love scenes, street fights, dances and deaths is rapturous, energetic, tragic and grand.

More Information

The GABC was represented at the 19th German Christmas Market by the Coral Gables United Church of Christ on December 3rd, along the Consulate General of Germany and our member edding.com.

You are a member of the Turkish Airlines Corporate Club. 


Members of the GABC will be able to enjoy the benefits that Turkish Airlines provides when purchasing airline tickets originating from the USA or GERMANY, to any of their more than 340 destinations around the world. 


Reservations and ticketing must be done through the selected ticketing agency:

Four Seasons Travel - Contact:

Maria Luisa Varela-Ucros

Phone: 305-604-9800

Email:  [email protected]

Agency Address: 605 Lincoln Road, Suite 410 Miami Beach FL 33139


The benefits you get when your tickets are issued with the GABC’s corporate code are:

  • Exclusive discounts on fares
  • Extra baggage allowance on international flights
  • Flexibility to change flight routes and dates depending on your booking class with no penalty
  • Access to Fast Track lines in Istanbul
  • Check-in at the Business class ticket counters

For more information about fares and benefits, please contact Maria Luisa from Four Seasons Travel.


You are already a member and would like to get re-introduced or share your business updates? Send us your information to [email protected] and we will publish you in our next newsletter.
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.

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 industry. 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!

Showcase your business and create brand awareness:
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. Our services and members vary from investment and tax law, over real estate experts, to immigration law.

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!

Starting a Business:
You are starting a new business or move here to South Florida? The GABC offers packages of specialists that help you with everything from finding the right visa type, starting the business, or finding commercial real estate for the office/warehouse


We provide immediate support without long administrative channels
Become a Member
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 

Contact us Now!
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

Florida Sun Magazine

www.floridasunmagazine.com

Board of Directors 2023

Claudio Riedi
President

Ellen von Geyso
Vice President

Dr. Volker Anding
Director

Christian Riehl

Director


TV Productions

Miriam Moser

Director



Nickel Goeseke
Director

Christel Silver

Director


Silver International Realty

Michaela Kennedy

Director

Jan Heck
Director

Reinhard Benditte

Director

Christian F. Schoepp

Director


OCS Law

Wolfgang Wehen

Director


Sheraton Miami Airport Hotel & Executive Meeting Center

Michael Claus

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

Christa Green


GABC President Emeritus

and Honorary Director of the Board


Peter Jacobs

Founding Member of the GABC and Honorary Director of the Board
GABC Management
Leonie Vallerius

Executive Director

With over 10 years of experience in the business management, marketing, and event management, Leonie Vallerius is managing each department of the GABC, being responsible for setting up and launching marketing projects, events and campaigns for both the GABC's members and the organization’s growth and success.


Leonie is your main contact for any membership or GABC related matters.

Find Out More
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.

German American Business Chamber of South Florida

1200 Brickell Avenue | Suite 507 | Miami, FL 33131

[email protected]

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