A Word From The President

… And before we noticed, we moved into the Fall season, with Halloween, and then the year-end festivities. Business is in full swing and the summer-lull is long forgotten.

As you will see in this issue, a new board of the GABC has been elected, bringing new blood into our leadership. We are welcoming Reinhard Benditte, Michaela Kennedy, , Christian Schoepp, und Wolfgang Wehen. The rest of the Board consist of Dr. Volker Anding, Timo Becker, Alexander Evans, Ellen von Geyso, Nickel Goeseke, Jan Heck, Miriam Moser, Alexandra C. Peters, Christian Riehl, Claudio Riedi, and Christel Silver – a full contingent of 15 as per the bylaws and corporate resolutions. Let’s go to work.

More good news: We have a new Consul General of Germany, Mr. Christofer Burger. He welcomed some of us already at the October 3 of the German day of Unity at the Biltmore hotel. His Dynamism is contagious, and we can’t wait to continue our great cooperation with the German consulate and its competent representatives.

So, read all about it in this October edition of the GABC Newsletter

Welcome to our New Consul of Germany

Christofer Burger currently serves as the Consul General at the Consulate General of Germany in Miami since August 2023. His past posts include:

2021 – 2023, he served as the spokesperson of the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin, and as Deputy Spokesperson of the Federal Foreign Office from 2018 -2021.

2017 - 2018, he served in the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in the U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC.

2016 - 2017, he served as Deputy Consul General in the German Consulate General in Erbil, Iraq

2014 - 2016, he was a Desk Officer for the Middle East, Press Department, and Federal Foreign Office;

2013 - 2014, he was Desk Officer for Lebanon and Syria, in the Political Department, Federal Foreign Office

2011 - 2013, he was Desk Officer in the Protocol Department, Federal Foreign Office;

2008 - 2011 he served as Deputy Head of Mission, at the German Embassy in Managua, Nicaragua.



He holds an M.A. in Islamic Studies and Economics from the Freie Universität Berlin (2004) and speaks English, French, Spanish, and Arabic.

The Day of the German Unity - Celebration at the Biltmore,

Organized by the Consulate General of Germany

October 3rd, 2023

Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit!

Thank you, Consulate General of Germany for this beautiful celebration of the German Unity Day at the Biltmore Hotel.

A special welcome and thanks to our new Consul General of Germany, Christofer Burger, for holding such an inspiring speech.

Seminar about the Economic and Business impacts of GenAI (Generative Artificial Intelligence)

When? Thursday, October 26th, Starting at 4pm

Where? Novotel Miami Brickell

The European Chambers (Spanish, Italian, French, British, and German) are excited to invite you to a presentation about the economic and business impacts of GenAI presented and sponsored by Arcano Research. The seminar will be followed by a Networking Cocktail hour.

Join us for the opportunity to meet many interesting new people and potential new business partners.

Thank you to our sponsor Arcano Research

Webinar on: Stand out with outstanding IP

When: August 3rd 2023

Dr. Michael Plevan spoke about how to strengthen your brand identity and create company value through Intellectual Property (IP).

The webinar focused on

how to

• Identify,
• Protect, and
• Leverage

Intellectual Property for your business.

Kick off the Fall with Networking and French Champagne

Together with Christian Schoepp from OCS Law.

When? September 7th 2023

We wanted to welcome back our members and friends and kick off the fall with some travel souvenirs from the Champagne, sponsored by Christian F. Schoepp.

Not in the photo: Alexander Evans, Ellen von Geyso, Nickel Goeseke, Jan Heck, and Wolfgang Wehen

2023 Board of Directors Election

When: September 26th 2023

Two years have passed and we re-elected the Board of Directors for the next two years.

This is the new Board of Directors:

Dr. Volker Anding

Timo Becker

Reinhard Benditte

Alexander Evans

Ellen von Geyso

Nickel Goeseke

Jan Heck

Michaela Kennedy

Miriam Moser

Alexandra Peters

Claudio Riedi

Christian Riehl

Christian F. Schoepp

Christel Silver

Wolfgang Wehen

Welcome our new Board Directors!

Wolfgang Wehen

Sheraton Miami Airport Hotel and Executive Meeting Center

"Born in North Germany into a Hospitality family. Both my brother and sister also started in the Hospitality business. I completed the classic Hotelfachmann (Hotel Management Assistant) and additionally the Koch (Chef) apprenticeships. Afterward, I lived and worked in Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, London, and again Germany before I moved to the US in 2000. 

I started at Turnberry Isle (A Mandarin Oriental Hotel in 2000) before I became part of the team to open the Diplomat Hotel in Hallandale. With Starwood Hotels, I moved on to New York City working for W and Westin Hotels from 2005 to 2013 before returning to Miami. 

In the last 10 years, I have been involved in independent and branded properties and currently am the General Manager at the Sheraton Miami Airport.

I live in Biscayne Park and am married with an 11-year-old son, love cooking, gardening, and cycling." 

Michaela Kennedy

Forum Consulting Inc.

"My name is Michaela Kennedy. I was born in Karlsruhe, Germany, and have lived in South Florida for several decades. My husband, David, and I, live in Delray Beach in Palm Beach County.

I'm a seasoned Strategic and Operational Business Professional with a strong focus on managing cash flows and overseeing financial projections for small to mid-cap businesses. My career journey has taken me through a variety of dynamic environments, from entrepreneurial ventures to early-stage startups and M&A activities, all while maintaining a keen international perspective.

My educational background includes a dual degree consisting of an M.B.A. in Investments and a Master of Science in International Business from the University of Miami, along with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University.

As Principal Consultant at Forum Consulting Inc., my own consulting firm, I specialize in optimizing strategies, fostering partnerships, financial due diligence, valuation modeling, and corporate communications across a diverse range of industries, including biotech, SaaS, real estate, medical clinics, cannabis, and more, always with the objective of fostering growth and expansion.

Alongside my consultancy work, I continue to operate as a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Florida, introducing my international relationships to high caliber professionals in the real estate industry.

In prior roles before launching my own firm, I have prepared and conducted due diligence for businesses entering the U.S. market. I have also identified acquisition targets for an educational company in the real estate and securities industries for European expansion.

At Deutsche Bank AG my focus was the creation proprietary mutual funds for distribution through DB financial advisors, contributing to the bank's financial offerings. Prior to this, I was with Salomon Smith Barney, where I managed client portfolios encompassing equities, bonds, mutual funds, and annuities.

Prior to this I was part of a US based team that successfully facilitating IPOs of South American companies on NASDAQ. Through the contacts established in Chile, I conceptualization and then lead the team for sourcing, branding, and creation of a celebrity branded skincare line.

My first foray into the finance industry was in the music distribution industry in Miami. The company grew from $63 million to $790 million through vertical and horizontal acquisitions over a five- year period. I often referred to my experience at this company when I attended graduate school, saying out loud, “Oh, is that what this is called. Yes, I can do that. “

I am an eternal optimist and curiosity is my greatest joy. I look forward to meeting many of you in person at our upcoming events."

Christian F. Schoepp

Obront Corey, PLLC & Schoepp.

Christian F. Schoepp is a respected and experienced attorney who works in a variety of practice areas throughout Florida. He is well known for aggressively representing his clients' interests and speaks English, Spanish, and French. 

Obront Corey Schoepp, PLLC is one of South Florida’s premiere boutique litigation firms. Our clients range from sophisticated banks and financial institutions to small businesses and high-net-worth individuals seeking passionate counsel and representation in South Florida’s ultra-competitive business markets.  Our attorneys are successful litigators and trial lawyers with a proven track record of providing aggressive representation and competent guidance to our valued clients.

Reinhard Benditte

"My family and I lived in various countries/ states such as Australia, Canada, Germany, Virginia, New Jersey and Florida and relocated more than twenty times. As Chief Financial Officer and Chief Procurement Officer, I faced a number of challenges including restructuring, cash flow improvements, carve outs and mergers. During the last 20 years, I also served on various Boards.

Achievements include substantial procurement savings, successful integration of acquired companies, drastic cash flow improvements, successful carve-outs and restructuring, implementation of target costing, implementation of new IT SW, introduction of productivity and supplier improvement projects, lease business improvements, logistic process changes, change management, successful profit improvement etc."

Welcome Our New Trustee Member!

Michaela Kennedy

Forum Consulting Inc.

"My name is Michaela Kennedy. I was born in Karlsruhe, Germany, and have lived in South Florida for several decades. My husband, David, and I, live in Delray Beach in Palm Beach County.

I'm a seasoned Strategic and Operational Business Professional with a strong focus on managing cash flows and overseeing financial projections for small to mid-cap businesses. My career journey has taken me through a variety of dynamic environments, from entrepreneurial ventures to early-stage startups and M&A activities, all while maintaining a keen international perspective.

My educational background includes a dual degree consisting of an M.B.A. in Investments and a Master of Science in International Business from the University of Miami, along with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University.

As Principal Consultant at Forum Consulting Inc., my own consulting firm, I specialize in optimizing strategies, fostering partnerships, financial due diligence, valuation modeling, and corporate communications across a diverse range of industries, including biotech, SaaS, real estate, medical clinics, cannabis, and more, always with the objective of fostering growth and expansion.

Alongside my consultancy work, I continue to operate as a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Florida, introducing my international relationships to high caliber professionals in the real estate industry.

In prior roles before launching my own firm, I have prepared and conducted due diligence for businesses entering the U.S. market. I have also identified acquisition targets for an educational company in the real estate and securities industries for European expansion.

At Deutsche Bank AG my focus was the creation proprietary mutual funds for distribution through DB financial advisors, contributing to the bank's financial offerings. Prior to this, I was with Salomon Smith Barney, where I managed client portfolios encompassing equities, bonds, mutual funds, and annuities.

Prior to this I was part of a US based team that successfully facilitating IPOs of South American companies on NASDAQ. Through the contacts established in Chile, I conceptualization and then lead the team for sourcing, branding, and creation of a celebrity branded skincare line.

My first foray into the finance industry was in the music distribution industry in Miami. The company grew from $63 million to $790 million through vertical and horizontal acquisitions over a five- year period. I often referred to my experience at this company when I attended graduate school, saying out loud, “Oh, is that what this is called. Yes, I can do that. “

I am an eternal optimist and curiosity is my greatest joy. I look forward to meeting many of you in person at our upcoming events."

Sebastian Lang from Lang & Schwander

About Lang & Schwander:

Led by business partners Sebastian Lang and Marcus Schwander. Lang & Schwander is a Swiss-American company specializing in Hotel Interior Design and custom Hotel FF&E manufacturing. Their team of 75 employees is spread across three strategic offices, with their headquarters based out of Miami FL. In addition to Designing hotels throughout the US, LATAM, and the Caribbean markets, they have over 16 years of experience specializing in the engineering and manufacturing of a broad range of FF&E commodities including casegoods, upholstered goods, vanities, decorative lighting, mirrors, window treatments, and artwork. 



Their ID and FF&E services are complimented by on-site coordination and robust project management services that can take a hotel project all the way through installation and punchlist.  Their services are available a la carte or combined as a turnkey offering, providing hotel owners and developers with a streamlined approach to hotel interiors. L&S works on independent hotels and branded properties alike, in the lifestyle to upscale sectors, and they are generally approved by all major brands.

About Sebastian:

Sebastian was born in Luxemburg and raised throughout Europe. He received a Bachelors of Science at the Swiss hospitality school, Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne (EHL). As Head of Interior Design and Business Development, he aims to position Lang & Schwander globally as a highly service-oriented contract manufacturing and interior design company.

LinkedIn

Website

Aileen Carpenter from Carpenter Law

Aileen Carpenter is a German/American dual citizen. She is the founder of Carpenter Law. She created the firm to directly offer clients efficient and creative litigation and pre-litigation solutions that secure faster results. Aileen has lived and worked on four continents and attributes her adaptable and innovative litigation tactics to her international background. She has provided pro bono legal advice for the D.C. Bar’s small business clinic. She advises small business owners and prospective entrepreneurs on starting a business, taxation, and other corporate structure issues and remedies. Aileen is also a graduate of Emory University School of Law where she was recognized as Emory's 2019 graduating woman of excellence

Welcome Our New Private Individual Member!

Christina Hawkins

"I have been majority of the time in Europe except for Germany, but I have a German mother-in-law for 14 years, we have hiccups moments but we all love food and cooking... I am originally from China, Shanghai, studied at Moscow State University Russia, and moved to US, Florida for 20 years this year.

I’ve been in the finance industry for over 25 years, from being a financial analyst at Exxon Mobil and other multinational companies to now a financial advisor at New York Life Insurance Company. I’m handling business and personal wealth & retirement planning, business solutions, as well as group or personal life insurance & long-term care insurance… Hope I could find bilingual & solid finance background people to strengthen my team.

I love to make new friends, love yoga, swimming, delicious food, traveling, movies, and volunteering.

I am now living in Boca Raton and my husband operates the restaurant “ Fries to Caviar” in Boca."

CPA Alexander J. Evans | Alexandra Peters for One Sotheby's International Realty | Timo Becker for Becker International Law | 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

Opening of photo exhibition at the

Miami Beach Botanical Gardens, Thursday, October 19, 6:00 - 9 pm

Barbara Dombrowski – “Tropic Ice – A Dialog between Places Affected by Climate Change”

In order to give people a face and to show that everything is connected to everything else, Barbara Dombrowski went to climate-relevant places on all five inhabited continents and visited indigenous peoples who live in the tension between tradition and modernity and whose habitats are threatened by external influences.

Barbara’s art focuses on people from indigenous communities on all five continents, as they are strongly affected by climate change – a topic that hits close to home in Florida where we are experiencing problems from rising sea levels to increasing extreme weather events.

Join the Consulate General of Germany in Miami, the Goethe Zentrum Atlanta and the Miami Beach Botanical Garden and meet German photographer and visual artist Barbara Dombrowski.

Her exhibition will be on view at the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens until November 25, 2023.

In Conversation: “Tropic Ice: Art, Activism and Business Models in the eye of Climate Change” –

Monday, October 23, doors open 6:30, Panel 7-9 pm at Moonlighter FabLab, 1661 Pennsylvania Avenue Miami Beach

“Man-made climate change not only poses a massive threat to nature, ecosystems and biodiversity, but above all to people themselves.” - Barbara Dombrowski, Tropic Ice - Dialog between Places Affected by Climate Change.

Can Art be a driver of the conversation – is Art activism? Are there business models that can help alleviate some of the problems leading to climate change?

Join the conversation and learn more about German photographer Barbara Dombrowski and her exhibition “Tropic Ice – A dialogue between places affected by climate change”, Miami eco-art pioneer and inaugural artist-in-residence Miami Dade Xavier Cortada and Founder, Ascendance Sustainable Events + Sustainability Director, Ultra Music Festival Vivian B. Hunter. Moderated by Nancy Jackson, World Affairs Council Miami.

The German Consulate Miami in Partnership with the World Affairs Council, Goethe Zentrum Atlanta and Clean Miami Beach.

You are now 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.

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 

Florida Sun Magazine

www.floridasunmagazine.com

Board of Directors 2023

Christian Riehl

Director

TV Productions

Miriam Moser

Director



Christel Silver

Director

Silver International Realty

Michaela Kennedy

Director

Reinhard Benditte

Director

Christian F. Schoepp

Director

OCS Law

Wolfgang Wehen

Director

Sheraton Miami Airport Hotel & Executive Meeting Center

Christa Green

GABC President Emeritus

and Honorary Director of the Board

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.