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Dear Members and Friends,
Our Fall Gala Dinner & Newcomer of the Year Award 2025 is nearing full capacity - we only have a few tickets remaining.
We are thrilled to announce our 2025 Newcomer of the Year Award finalists, who will pitch their innovative business models live during the gala on November 13th at Manhatta:
- cellumation Inc.
- VYTAL US Inc.
- Workist Inc.
We are also honored to welcome Jens Hanefeld, German Ambassador to the United States, as our keynote speaker for the evening.
Our calendar for the remainder of the year continues with exciting opportunities to connect - including a U.S. Economic Update in cooperation with our member J.P. Morgan, the Annual Gala Dinner of our Chapter in Philadelphia and two STEP USA Pitch Nights spotlighting German startups expanding into the U.S. market.
Looking ahead to 2026, we are pleased to announce our New Year’s Reception & Business Luncheon on January 26th at the Harvard Club and our 2nd German American Executive Summit on March 5th–6th in New Orleans.
If you would like to further strengthen German-American business relations, explore our 2026 sponsorship packages below, offering year-round visibility and direct engagement with our growing transatlantic network.
We look very much forward to welcoming you at our upcoming events!
Warm regards,
Your GACC NY Team
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Tickets are now on sale for our second annual German American Executive Summit on March 5th-6th, 2026, in New Orleans! This flagship event unites the German American business community from across the U.S., serving as a powerful platform to expand your network, strengthen existing relationships, and engage in meaningful transatlantic collaboration. As the joint initiative of all five German American Chambers of Commerce in the U.S., it offers a unique opportunity to connect with leaders across industries and foster lasting cross-cultural partnerships.
At the Business Awards Dinner, the winners of the 2026 German American Business Awards will be recognized. Don’t miss the opportunity to showcase your company's exceptional achievements and inspire others in our transatlantic business community - apply today!
| | Upcoming Events & Programs | |
STEP USA Pitch Night HTAI/NBank
New York City | November 5th, 2025
Don’t miss your opportunity to attend our next STEP USA Pitch Night, taking place at GACC New York’s brand-new amenity space, The Studio Lounge, at 7 World Trade Center in Manhattan’s Financial District on Wednesday, November 5th, from 6:00 – 9:00 PM.
Meet the delegation of German entrepreneurs from Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony) and Hessen (Hesse), supported by Hessen Trade & Invest (HTAI) and NBank as they bring their innovations to the heart of New York City.
Be among the first to experience The Studio Lounge, one of GACC New York’s new amenity spaces with stunning views of Lower Manhattan. This modern event space provides an ideal setting for startup pitches, networking, and connecting with international innovators.
We are also thrilled to welcome a distinguished investor jury for the evening:
Please find the cohort's company profiles here.
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STEP USA University Pitch Night
New York City | November 12th, 2025
In collaboration with the German Center for Research and Innovation New York (DWIH) we are proud to welcome a startup delegation from Germany to our Startup & Entrepreneur Program (STEP USA) in New York to a 3-day strategy development boot-camp supporting promising German startups and their market expansion to the U.S.
During our STEP USA Pitch Night, the startups will present their innovative solutions and products to potential customers and partners. A jury consisting of Venture Capital Investors will be providing direct feedback.
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Fall Gala & Newcomer of the Year Award
New York City | November 13th, 2025
Our Fall Gala is a special occasion, offering opportunities to connect with fellow German American business executives, and witness the next wave of entrepreneurial ideas. We are honored to welcome Jens Hanefeld, German Ambassador to the United States, as our keynote speaker at this year’s Gala. Following the keynote, the three finalists for our 2025 Newcomer of the Year Award - cellumation, VYTAL, and Workist - will showcase their innovative business ideas, with the audience deciding the winner through a live vote. Join us for an evening of valuable insights, networking opportunities, and a celebration of entrepreneurial spirit.
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Annual Gala & Make a Difference Award
Philadelphia, PA | November 14th, 2025
At this year's Annual Gala, the GACC's Chapter in Philadelphia will proudly honor Philadelphia Soccer 2026 with the Make a Difference Award for their contributions to the Greater Philadelphia region as hosts of six FIFA World Cup matches in Summer 2026, an achievement that will spotlight Philadelphia on the global stage and welcome more than a half million visitors to the city. Join us for an evening of celebration and networking featuring a cocktail reception, a seated dinner, engaging entertainment, and opportunities to connect with the Philadelphia German-American business community.
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U.S. Economic Update
New York City | December 4th, 2025
In collaboration with our member J.P. Morgan, we are pleased to invite you to an exclusive event addressing today’s most pressing economic challenges.
The program will open with an in-depth U.S. economic outlook by Meera Pandit, Global Market Strategist at J.P. Morgan, followed by a dynamic panel discussion featuring experts in law, accounting, logistics, and exchange rate. Together, they will explore the impact of current tariff and trade policies on international business, the implications of the One Big Beautiful Bill, and emerging trends in logistics and supply chain management.
Following the panel, we will open the floor for questions from the audience, offering participants the opportunity to engage directly with our experts and gain practical insights to navigate today’s rapidly evolving economic landscape.
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New Year's Networking Reception & Business Luncheon
New York City | January 26th, 2026
We invite you to kick off the new year at the Harvard Club with us and are thrilled to welcome you back to the grand Harvard Hall for our New Year's Luncheon 2026!
The event will begin with a networking reception, offering a perfect opportunity to reconnect with the German American Business Community in 2026. Following the reception, we will gather in Harvard Hall for a three-course luncheon. We look forward to celebrating the start of 2026 with you!
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D.C. Fly-In on Workforce Development
On September 16th and 17th, we were pleased to participate in the D.C. Fly-In: Workforce event organized by the Delegation of German Industry & Commerce’s Washington Office.
This tour included visits to the U.S. Congress and Administration offices, as well as the German Embassy and National Governors Association for in-depth discussions on workforce development policies that impact your business. Interactions with government representatives on a range of topics confirmed that lawmakers and representatives from all sides are committed to supporting workforce training.
Our Apprenticeship Network in the Lehigh Valley was especially well represented, as the GACC’s Kevin Hughes Jr was joined by Vincent Beller from B.Braun and Dr. Dirk Frese from Julabo USA. We would like to thank our iTEC partners for joining us and lending us their insights and expertise on this tour around Washington, D.C. We would also like to thank the DGIC for including us in their Oktoberfest Networking Event, which brought together high-level representatives from across the region.
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High-Performance Leadership Strategies Summary
Following our first-ever High-Performance Leadership Strategies Event in September, organized in cooperation with our member Horváth and hosted by our member Vitra, we are pleased to share a short video capturing key moments and reflections of the event.
The event brought together leaders from academia, sports, and business to provide firsthand insights on what effective leadership looks like today - from navigating change to empowering teams and driving meaningful impact.
The following shared their expertise at the event:
- Stephan Born | CEO & President Americas, Hugo Boss Fashions, Inc.
- Johnny Carpenter | Coaching Staff, Indiana Pacers
- Julian de Guzman | Sporting Director, New York Red Bulls
- Jim Detert | Professor, University of Virginia
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René Linsner | CEO & President, Horváth USA
- Sue Michaelis | Leadership & Change, Horváth USA
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AI In Retail
On October 14th, we were pleased to host an AI in Retail event in collaboration with our member Forvis Mazars and the French American Chamber of Commerce.
The event brought together industry leaders and retail professionals for a thought-provoking keynote and an engaging panel discussion, delving into how artificial intelligence is shaping the retail landscape - from customer engagement and supply chain optimization to data-driven decision-making.
The program featured valuable insights from:
- Julie Agostini | Adjunct Instructor, Fashion Institute of Technology
- Meredith Epstein Goodman | Former VP Retail Experience, Global Travel Retail
- Brad Taylor | Manager, Retail Capability, Forvis Mazars
- Sandra ten Brink | AI Principal Strategist, AI Global GTM, SAP
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4th Life Science Leadership Summit
On October 23rd, we were delighted to host the 4th Annual Life Sciences Leadership Summit in collaboration with our member Campana & Schott and hosted at Cure.
This year’s summit brought together leading professionals from across the pharmaceutical and biotech landscape to exchange perspectives on the future of healthcare. The event highlighted the societal impact of pharmaceutical innovation, advancements in medical technologies, and innovative approaches to strengthen healthcare professional (HCP) engagement.
The event included valued insights from:
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Christoph Glaetzer | Chief Global Value & Access Officer at Johnson & Johnson
- Sebastian Guth | Worldwide Chief Operating Officer Bayer Pharmaceuticals & President at Bayer U.S.
- Daniel Kalanovic | Vice President, Head of Medical Digital Health at Pfizer
- Samina Kanwar | Head of Integrated Content Delivery, Worldwide Commercialization Excellence at Bristol Myers Squibb
- Soo Son | Senior Strategy & Innovation Lead at Unlocking Eve
- Richard Wilner | Vice President, Head of Business Transformation and Environmental Sustainability at BioLife Plasma Services, part of Takeda
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For almost 80 years, the German American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (GACC NY) has been a driving force in strengthening transatlantic business relations by hosting a series of high-profile events that spotlight key economic trends and initiatives between Germany and the U.S.
We invite you to join us as a sponsor and help make these programs possible. Partnering with the GACC NY offers a unique opportunity to support our mission while elevating your brand visibility within the German-American business community.
| | Welcoming Our New Members | | Please contact us if you would like to be introduced to our new members. | | |
GACC Member Marketplace
Our exclusive GACC Member Marketplace showcases our B2C member companies across diverse industries, offering a curated selection of German consumer products – from everyday essentials to luxury goods – all in one digital destination. Discover the marketplace and join us in fostering collaboration and engagement within our German-American network! Check out newly added special offers from Condor, Paulaner Sunset, and One Stop German Shop!
If you would like to be featured on our Member Marketplace, or if you have recommendations for companies we should connect with, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
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Join our member Chef Simon as he kicks off the start of the heritage costume party in style, celebrating the Cologne Karneval Season, a traditional festival in the Rhine region of Germany.
Be part of the excitement at their traditional party on November 8th, 2025. The festivities start at 3:00 PM, featuring the iconic KÖLSCH and lively Karneval music throughout the day. Indulge in delectable bites prepared by Chef Simon, adding a culinary flair to the vibrant atmosphere.
Secure your spot at the most authentic Karneval Party in New York City by purchasing your tickets through the following link.
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Beginner German Language Class at Deutsches Haus at NYU - From December 1st to 18th
This year, Deutsches Haus at NYU's Holiday Intensive Term is all about beginners! This Intensive Term is designed to fit the entire A1.1 level into three weeks of classes - and will finish up right before the holiday season and New Year! Start your New Year's resolution early this year and sign up for this fun and festive German class. All of our classes are open to the general public. Seats are limited, so sign up soon!
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Why Overlooking U.S. Cultural Nuances Can Create Business Challenges
Many German companies assume that a strong product alone ensures success in the U.S. market. Yet, an essential factor is often overlooked: culturally adapted communication and business practices. In their article, our member LinguaLinkDC explores how not recognizing the values, behaviors, and communication patterns that shape American business culture, companies may unintentionally create misunderstandings, weaken client relationships, and miss out on long-term partnerships.
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