Newsletter
1st February 2018
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Greetings from the President
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Without much fanfare, 2018 has arrived. A new GABC, with a new logo, new leadership and many new ideas, is upon us. As you see throughout this newsletter, the first in a long while, new cooks are stirring the pot, giving the soup a distinctly modern flavor.
With this much newness, what are the cornerstones and guiding principles you should expect from our organization for 2018? For one, the GABC will emphasize the use of electronic media more strongly than in the past: Facebook; a new web page; better and more valuable communications with members and third parties. We will strive for quality events, rather than quantity. We will do more with less, not by choice but because the marketplace dictates it.
But in the process, we will not forget our roots, the origins of the GABC. It will remain our steadfast goal to bring together the German business community in South Florida, for an exchange of ideas and the broadening of invaluable connections with like-minded individuals and companies. We will honor the memory of pioneers like the late Thomas Baur, who was a founder and pillar of the GABC his entire professional life, and we will bring in new ideas to accomplish the goals set by Tom and others. We will follow the path charted by past presidents, like Michael Claus, Walt Loy, and Christa Green, but will do it with the means available in 2018.
To accomplish these lofty ambitions, we will require the enthusiasm of all our members and especially the members of the Board of Directors. The successful Christmas Reception in early December set the bar, with tremendous positivity on display by all attendees. We hope that all our members and prospective members (because those are the only two categories in the world) will take advantage of what the GABC offers, and be present and engaged throughout the coming year. To that end, I proposed this January a specific set of requirements for membership on the Board of Directors, so that everyone knows exactly what is expected of him or her.
You all can start your engagement in the GABC by reading this newsletter from start to finish.
Claudio Riedi
President
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Foreword from Annette Klein,
Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany to Florida, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands
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The GABC has been an essential part of the German American network in South Florida for almost 30 years, when it was founded by distinguished members of the German American community, such as the late Thomas Baur, holder of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.
The enormous individual efforts and the dedication of the Board of Directors and all GABC members to strengthen German and Floridian business ties deserve our recognition.
The Consulate General and the GABC always maintained intensive ties and an excellent partnership. I would like to emphasize our support towards the GABC, which increases the visibility for Germany in South Florida and fosters a network that serves the interests for German businesses, local enterprises and organizations as well as our European partners.
I strongly support the GABC’s objectives and I wish to extend the entire Consulate General’s warmest regards to all its members and friends.
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In Memory of Thomas Baur - A Gentleman Extraordinaire
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For the German American Business Chamber of South Florida, 2018 should be a year of joy and growth, yet it will also be a year of sadness and reflection. Thirty years after the creation of what is today’s GABC, we have lost one of our Founding Fathers: Tom Baur left this world with the same dignity, grace and diplomacy which he resolutely exhibited for decades in his business, his life and as GABC VP and Director. His involvement in the latter was devoted, profound, scholarly, intellectual, serious.
Tom was born in Offenburg, Germany, attended Universities of Heidelberg, Lausanne, Switzerland, and the University of Miami Law School (graduating magna cum laude).
For all his contributions and well-formulated philosophies, not only on matters pertaining to the GABC, he was bestowed The Cross of Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Federal Republic of German Friendship Award, Who is Who in International Business in Florida, and probably others I can’t recall right now.
To best describe Tom’s viewpoints and vistas, let the reader enjoy excerpts of his recently composed convictions; they exemplify faithfully his personality:
“The GABC has and always will be an instrumental organization and a liaison for the German speaking economic community in South Florida - for new and established businesses - let's continue to work on this goal.”
“I am very pleased by the large number of younger candidates for this election [ed. note 2017). Their input, ideas and technical know how of the social media is of extreme importance to our growth. Remember, 2018 will be our 30
th
Anniversary!”
“My past 30 years on the board have been most enjoyable and never been a burden. …despite the stress of the daily business obligations….”
And finally, Tom’s elegance and optimism: “As some of you know I have had some rough weeks lately and have therefore not been able to answer each individually for his/her well wishes for which I ask you for your understanding. It looks like that there is finally some improvement in my health and I hope my wish to be back in my home will become realty soon”.
Sadly, in this instance Tom’s expectation was not to be fulfilled. He left behind a son, daughter, five grandchildren and his wife, Angela, with whom he shared life’s joys for 46 years of marriage. Angela will always be in the heart of the GABC as we all continue to rejoice in the pleasure of having had Tom with us…but for too short a time. He was 72 years young.
Contributed by Walter Loy, Founding Member of the GABC, President Emeritus and Honorary Director of the Board.
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Claudio Riedi
President
Lehtinen Schultz, PLLC
Attorney at Law
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Alexandra C. Peters
Secretary
Senior Global Real Estate Advisor
ONE Sotheby’s International Realty
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Lydia Harley
Vice- President
Kelley Kroneberg
Attorney at Law
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Dr. Volker Anding
Director
Ambassador (ret.)
International Consultant
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Timo A. Becker, J.D.
Treasurer
Baur, Klein & Becker
Attorney at Law
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Monika Böhm-Fandiño
Director Marketing + PR
Viva Action
TV Productions, Print, PR
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Alexander Evans
Director
Certified Public Accountant
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Nickel Goeseke
Director
Realtor
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Christa Green
Director
Retired Banker
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Svenja Hammerstein
Director
Real Estate Agent
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Dr. Anja-Isabel Hessert
Director
Engel & Völkers Fort Lauderdale & Sunny Isle Beach
Real Estate Advisor
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Carsten Jacobi
Director
Navigo Corp., Managing Director
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Peter Jacobs
Director
Company Representative
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Miriam Moser
Director
Marketing Director VAPIANO US
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Christian Riehl
Director
TV Productions
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Michael Seraphin
Director
Max Fields
Managing Director
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Michael Claus
Founding Member of the GABC President Emeritus and Honorary Director of the Board
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Walter Loy
Founding Member of the GABC President Emeritus and Honorary Director of the Board
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Corporate Membership
Claudia Busch - Berenblum Busch Architects
Enrique Cam
acho - SIMTEC Silicone Parts, LLP
Juri Diener
- Ferrostaal Equipment Solutions North America Inc
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Alberto Garda - Axxiome Americas Inc.
Yvonne Guerrero Visser - Greenworldwide Shipping
Harald Neuweg - Fritz & Franz Bierhaus
Basic Membership
Birgit Auge - Smarter Choice Surfaces LLC
Monika
Böhm-Fandiño - Viva Action TV Productions
Rolando Bohlemann - Schmetz Needle Corp.
Guenther J. Cussigh - GRI Gourmet Royal International Ltd.
Alexander J. Evans - Alexander J. Evans, C.P.A.
Bea Gebhardt - Cook-N-Dine International, Inc.
Christian Gruenwald - HalloBakery LLC
Katrin Huebner - Florida Sun Magazine, Inc.
Oliver Huttner - Management Tax Consulting Inc.
Peter Jacobs - Schaffran Propeller USA, LLC
Ralph Lewis - Legendary Wine Imports LLC
Kai Liebert - Home Vision DNA
Gary Malfeld - Gary D. Malfeld Attorney at Law
Madhu Mehta - India Silk USA Inc.
Marion Ott - Dynamic Realty Group, Inc.
Norberto Rosenstein - Norberto Rosenstein Architect, Inc.
Christel Silver - Silver Intl Realty
Robert Valois - MostlyChocolate
Ellen von Geyso - Ellen von Geyso P.A.
Peter Wenzel - Wenzel Investment Group, Inc.
Laura Yanes - Inter-Relations, LLC
Robert Ziehm - Sterling Equity Realty, LC
Individual Membership
Fareed Al-Mashat
Volker Anding
Sybille Becker
Daniela Boettcher
Wolfgang Braun
Angela Moore
Timm Duerkop
Jürgen Eisermann
Sandra Fiorenza
James Gagel
Christa Green
Svenja Hammerstein
Anja-Isabel Hessert
Carsten Jacobi
Daniel Jacobson
Ina Kranjčević
Gabriele Langenmayr
Walter A. Loy
Roberto Maldonado
Philip Mecklenburg-Blumenthal
Vera Mender
Umit Menemenci
Thomas Mixdorf
Sabrina Morris
Gisela Müller Carreras
Alexandra Peters
Edward Joseph Redlich
Christian Riehl
Judith Schriewersmann
Yvonne Sivapragasam
Stefanie von Fallois
Zeno Weidenthaler, CPA
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European Business Networking Event
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In collaboration with the Spanish, French, British and Italian Chambers in Miami, GABC organizes European Business Networking events. GABC is hosting the first such event on February 1 at Vapiano Restaurant in Brickell. The next European Business Networking events will take place on April 13 and July 19, 2018.
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C
ome and join us at our monthly Stammtisch at Fritz & Franz Bierhaus, Coral Gables every 2nd Wednesday of the month, from 6 - 8 pm.
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The Everglades
Wet Hike Tour
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The GABC and the Dragonfly Expeditions are organizing an adventure trip in the Everglades. Join us for a "wet hike tour" on March 3, 2018. This famous tour is also known as the "wet tour" and it has been recognized by National Geographic, The Weather Channel and Condé Nast Traveler.
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Tatiana Maria, German tennis player ranked 46th in the world, and TV personality Constance Simmons-Jones were our guests of honor.
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The GABC held its Annual Holiday Gala on December 4, 2017 at the Ariete Restaurant.
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EU Seminar: Impact of
German Businesses on Miami
and Florida's Economy
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More than 80 people attended our seminar on the "Impact of European Businesses on Miami & Florida Economy", held in GreenbergTraurig on November 2, 2017. You can download our presentation
here
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The GABC offers complimentary job postings and internship assistance to business
members.
GABC is also currently looking for new interns. The internship at the GABC office in Miami can be an opportunity to learn about the German business in Miami and contribute to developing
our new strategy for 2018.
Companies and employers can publish their vacancies on our Facebook page, as well as in the upcoming newsletters.
For more information please contact the GABC by email: [email protected] or by telephone 305-371-4282.
Prices:
Job Seekers - $50 per post
Companies and Employers - $100 per post
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Publish Your Advertisement in our Newsletter
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If you are interested in publishing your advert in the next editions of the GABC Newsletter, please contact us at [email protected]
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Monika Böhm-Fandiño
Director PR + Marketing
Volunteers:
Yvonne Sivapragasam
Ina Kranjčević
Leon Karavias
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German American Business Chamber of South Florida
100 N Biscayne Blvd | Suite 2100 | Miami, FL 33132
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