AGP FIFA World Cup Soccer Watch Parties | | | | |
FIFA World Cup 2026™ is kicking off on June 11. 48 teams from around the globe compete in 104 fixtures.
The games will be played across 16 host cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Keep up with the German team here!
Come to the AGP watch parties to support the German team! Wearing team wear is optional but highly encouraged! Please register so we can try to reserve seats for as many as possible.
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We will kick off the AGP Watch Parties by watching the German team's final preparation match before the 2026 World Cup, against the USA in a friendly match on June 6.
REGISTER FOR:
| | AGP German Wine Tasting in Birmingham | | |
Join us for a private German wine tasting where we dive a bit deeper into the German wine world.
Thursday, June 11, 2026
5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Golden Age Wine
Mountain Brook/Birmingham
Meet us in the Champagne Room for an aperitif while we wait for all to arrive. The guided wine tasting will take us through four German wines, paired with light cheese and charcuterie.
LIMITED SEATS. PLEASE NOTE AGE 21+ REQUIREMENT.
| | AGP Stammtisch and Networking Auburn | | |
Join us for a Stammtisch at Well Red in Auburn! This is a great opportunity for networking within the German community and business spheres of Alabama. Speaking German is encouraged, but not required. Well Red offers a wide selection of food and beverages for purchase.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Well Red (Second Story)
Auburn
What is a "Stammtisch?" A Stammtisch is an informal group meeting held regularly, and usually around a large table. A Stammtisch is not a structured meeting but a friendly and casual get-together.
The event is hosted by the AGP Young Professionals but is open to ALL.
| | AGP Virtual Kaffeeklatsch für Deutsche in Alabama | | |
We are delighted to present the first virtual Kaffeeklatsch for German expats in Alabama. This will be a monthly forum for Germans living in Alabama now, in the past, or in the future. The format will be relaxed, informative, supportive, fun, and in German.
It is our goal to create a virtual living room where Germans can chat, share their experiences, support each other, and help new expats integrate successfully in Alabama.
Please feel free to share this event in your local German community.
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Wir freuen uns sehr, den ersten virtuellen Kaffeeklatsch für deutsche Expats in Alabama zu präsentieren.
Dies wird ein monatlicher Austausch sein für Deutsche, die aktuell, schon seit Längerem oder in Zukunft in Alabama leben möchten. Das Format ist ungezwungen, informativ, unterstützend, unterhaltsam und findet auf Deutsch statt.
Unser Ziel ist es, ein virtuelles Wohnzimmer zu schaffen, in dem Deutsche sich unterhalten, ihre Erfahrungen austauschen, sich gegenseitig unterstützen und neuen Expats helfen können, sich erfolgreich in Alabama zu integrieren. Bitte teilt diese Veranstaltung gerne auch in eurer lokalen deutschen Community.
Unser erster Kaffeeklatsch wird ein offener Austausch sein, bei dem alle die Gelegenheit haben, sich vorzustellen, sich auszutauschen und Informationen zu teilen. Bei zukünftigen Kaffeeklatsch-Treffen möchten wir jeweils ein einzelnes Thema behandeln mit anschließender Diskussion.
Bitte meldet euch an, um teilzunehmen (den Zoom-Link erhaltet ihr nach der Anmeldung):
Mittwoch
24. Juni 2026
11:00 bis 12:00 Uhr
Virtuell über Zoom
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Die Veranstaltung wird von Diana Strake moderiert.
Ende 2024 startete Diana gemeinsam mit ihrem Mann und ihrer 3-jährigen Tochter das große Abenteuer USA und zog von Lippstadt (NRW) ins wunderschöne sonnige Auburn, Alabama.
Sie begleitet ihren Mann bei seiner Auslandsentsendung für ein deutsches Unternehmen, das 2024 sein erstes Produktionswerk in den USA eröffnet hat. Mit viel Herz und eigener Expat-Erfahrung freut sie sich darauf, ein lebendiges Netzwerk für die deutsche Community in Alabama zu schaffen und einen tollen, inspirierenden Austausch anzustoßen!
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Mit der Teilnahme an diesem Call und dieser Gruppe verpflichtest du dich, respektvoll, unpolitisch, kulturell sensibel und offen gegenüber anderen zu sein.
| | AGP Study Trip to Germany in September - REGISTRATION OPEN! | | |
Pictures from AGP Study Trip to Germany in 2025
AlabamaGermany Partnership is organizing a study trip to Germany with participants from higher education, government, economic development, private companies, etc. The trip will take place in the German states of Baden-Württemberg and Bayern with stops in Stuttgart, Schramberg, Lake Constance, Überlingen, Friedrichshafen, and Munich. We start the program on Sunday, September 13, and continue through Thursday, September 17. Attendance is limited to twenty people, and over 50% of the seats are already sold.
The mission of the AGP Study Trip to Germany is to strengthen transatlantic relationships and create meaningful opportunities for collaboration between Alabama and German partners. Through company visits, the delegation will gain practical insights into new technologies, sustainability, energy efficiency, and international business engagement.
Planned visits are:
Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs/Bayern International
Bocar Technical/Innovation Center - Aluminum High-Pressure Die Casting
Boysen – Automotive/Exhaust System
Diehl Aerospace – Defense – Avionics and Military Products
Evan’s Construction – Construction
KMS Automation – Assembly and Testing Equipment
Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labor, and Tourism for Baden-Württemberg
Zeppelin Systems - Plant Engineering for Handling High-Quality Bulk Materials
In addition, the group will experience German culture through several planned cultural activities, while our receptions/dinners will provide networking and business development opportunities.
Please email director@alabamagermany.org or call the AGP office at (205) 341-7880 if you are interested in learning more about the AGP Study Trip to Germany.
| | Dankeschön to our PATRON Members: | | Mercedes-Benz Reflects on Alabama Investment Journey | | |
Video Credit: Mercedes-Benz.
Mercedes-Benz recently released a long-form video highlighting the company’s history in Alabama and the transformational impact of its investment in Tuscaloosa County.
Mercedes-Benz remains one of Alabama’s most significant economic development success stories and continues to shape the state’s automotive leadership.
Host Sarah Harman and Mercedes‑Benz CEO Ola Källenius in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The home of Mercedes‑Benz SUVs and a defining chapter in Källenius personal journey.
Together, they revisit Ola’s connection to Tuscaloosa, sharing personal memories along the way. The journey takes them from a drive on the local off‑road track to a truly Tuscaloosa moment with U.S. football legend Nick Saban, before wrapping up the day the Alabama way – with a proper barbecue.
At the heart of the visit: the new Mercedes‑Benz GLS, proving why it’s the S‑Class among SUVs, with spacious comfort, advanced technology, and unmistakable versatility.
Watch the Mercedes-Benz video!
| | Mercedes-Benz Advances Its Logistics Operations in Tuscaloosa | | |
An aerial view of the newly opened bridge and access road between Mercedes’ plant marshalling yard and its domestic marshalling yard. Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz USA.
Mercedes-Benz has completed and opened its new bridge and access road, providing a direct connection between the plant’s marshalling yard and its domestic marshalling yard in Tuscaloosa.
The project, which began construction in 2025, is expected to reduce shuttling costs by 70% and create an efficient path from production to dealer delivery. The company states that these improvements strengthen dealer operations and enhance the customer experience.
Officials cut the ribbon on the bridge and access road at Mercedes-Benz U.S. International.
“Everything starts with our people and our commitment to quality. By removing the need for truck movements across public roads, we improve safety, protect vehicle quality, and simplify daily operations. This bridge strengthens MBUSI’s role as a global export hub and positions us for future growth,” said Federico Kochlowski, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz U.S. International in Tuscaloosa.
Jason Hoff, CEO of Mercedes-Benz North America, added, “This direct connection between the plant and the domestic marshalling yard reflects the same long-term approach behind our investments in Alabama — strengthening local manufacturing, improving resilience and positioning our U.S. operations for continued growth.”
Business Alabama Write-Up
| | German Company ADS-TEC Energy in Auburn - Appoints Kelly Nelson as Managing Director for North America | | |
ADS-TEC Energy Inc. has appointed Kelly Nelson as Managing Director of ADS-TEC Energy Inc., based in Auburn, Alabama, to lead its North American business. The appointment reinforces the company’s focus on scaling its presence in a key growth market for battery-based energy storage and ultra-fast charging solutions.
Kelly Nelson holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering and Safety Management and brings more than 30 years of international experience across automotive and industrial sectors. His career includes leadership roles at Robert Bosch, Siemens, ZF, Adient, and BorgWarner. His background spans operational leadership, transformation processes, and the development of international teams.
At ADS-TEC Energy, Nelson focuses on strengthening commercial activities, improving
About ADS-TEC Energy
With more than a decade of experience in lithium-ion technologies, ADS-TEC Energy develops and manufactures battery storage solutions and ultra-fast charging systems, including advanced energy management software. ADS-TEC Energy’s battery-buffered fast-charging technology enables electric vehicles to charge at ultra-high power levels even on weak grids, all within an exceptionally compact design. Headquartered in Nürtingen, Baden-Württemberg, the company was nominated by the President of Germany for the German Future Prize and was inducted into the “Circle of Excellence” in 2022. The outstanding quality and performance of ADS-TEC Energy’s systems are the result of extensive investment in in-house development and high levels of vertical integration. With its advanced technology platforms, ADS-TEC Energy is a trusted partner for automotive manufacturers, energy providers, and charging infrastructure operators worldwide.
| | Eintracht Frankfurt Soccer Camp in Birmingham This Month | | By Loyd McIntosh for OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL • OTMJ.COM | | |
Area soccer players and coaches will have an excellent opportunity to improve their skills and be seen by coaches representing some of the world’s top teams this summer.
Eintracht Frankfurt, one of the top clubs in the German Bundesliga, is bringing a multi-day soccer event to John Carroll Catholic High School in late June. All events are led by Nicolai Adam, Head of International Sports Project for Eintracht Frankfurt, a UEFA Pro License coach and former U17 national team coach in India and Azerbaijan, and Taskin Askoy, also a UEFA Pro License holder and head coach with experience in the Turkish Super Liga and Fortuna Düsseldorf of the German 2nd Bundesliga, Germany’s second- division professional league.
The five-day soccer event, held from June 20-25, is organized by David Kearney, a 1989 graduate of John Carroll, former player at Birmingham-Southern College and youth coach and board member with area soccer club FC Birmingham. The relationship with Eintracht Frankfurt and other German clubs goes back to the 1980s, when former Birmingham-Southern head coach Preston Goldfarb invited club coaches and players to Birmingham for his Excellence Through Fundamentals Soccer Camp. Kearney recalls attending one such clinic at Legion Field, where he received instruction from players such as West Germany national team goalkeeper Toni Schumacher and Eintracht Frankfurt player and coach Armin Kraaz, who came to Birmingham each summer for many years to coach Goldfarb’s camp until his retirement in 2023.
Today, Adam is carrying on the Eintracht Frankfurt tradition by bringing this elite soccer experience to John Carroll Catholic High School. Kearney adds that having international coaches of Adam’s and Askoy’s caliber is unprecedented and presents a tremendous opportunity for Birmingham-area players and coaches. “It’s an honor to have guys in town who are top-level UEFA licensed coaches running the events that we’re going to have here this summer,” says Kearney. “It’s definitely not normal, and it’s a great opportunity for players and coaches of all different levels.”
The event kicks off Saturday, June 20, with a Coaches Clinic open to AHSAA high school and club coaches of all experience levels, featuring field and classroom sessions. In the afternoon from 3-7 p.m., the coaches will host a youth scouting combine for players ages 15–17 and will feature technical, tactical, and athletic assessments. Additionally, elite players will have the opportunity for additional evaluation by Eintracht Frankfurt’s Youth Academy coaches in Frankfurt.
Read OTMJ's Full Writeup
| | Germany’s Little America Confronts the Specter of U.S. Troop Withdrawal | | |
VILSECK, Germany—A line of tattooed, beefed-up men with bushy beards and American accents formed at the bakery in this tiny Bavarian town on a recent May morning. U.S. muscle cars are driven down the medieval streets here, where Americans outnumber Germans 2 to 1.
Enclaves like this sprouted across Germany in areas occupied by U.S. forces after World War II, shaping the society around them for several generations. Elvis Presley served near here in the 1950s and performed at the local pub. But Germany’s “Little Americas” are dying out.
Even before President Trump ordered 5,000 troops out of U.S. bases in Germany in response to criticism of the war in Iran by the country’s chancellor, these islands of American culture had begun to disappear.
After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, U.S. forces retreated inside fenced-off hubs, a process that has segregated them from local communities in the decades since.
Details of the drawdown aren’t public, but German officials say it will likely involve the departure of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, whose motto is “Always Ready,” and whose troops have been stationed at Vilseck’s Rose Barracks for two decades.
Their exit would represent a significant break in the decades-long military connection that has given Europe a reassuring U.S. presence on the continent and America the ability to project power across it.
It would also have big implications for the rural community of 6,500 people, some 50 miles east of Nuremberg that spreads out from the base. At the town hall in Vilseck, down the road from the Cheers Diner and the 12th-century Dagestein Castle, Mayor Thorsten Grädler was fielding calls on a recent morning from concerned citizens and political leaders about the impending move.
“The situation is dramatic. The people here are really worried,” says Grädler, who grew up celebrating Thanksgiving with American families.
When Kathrin Birner was growing up near Vilseck in the 1990s, locals were welcome to wander into the U.S. base to celebrate July 4 or Halloween, she said. New security protocols after the Sept. 11 attacks put an end to that.
“Personally and politically, it was always very reassuring to have the U.S. here,” she said. The soldiers’ presence created “a lot of little ambassadors.”
Kayla Overton, public-affairs director for the U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria, referred questions about the Vilseck base to the Pentagon. The Pentagon didn’t respond to a request for comment.
German officials estimate that the Vilseck military complex contributes €650 million to €700 million, equivalent to about $766 million to $825 million, a year to the local economy. Restaurant owners here, whose business suffers whenever the regiment is mobilized for exercises, fear they won’t survive a permanent withdrawal of troops. Others remember the economic shock when large numbers of U.S. troops stationed in Germany left the country at the end of the Cold War.
U.S. troops and German locals had intermarried and settled down; their children went to local schools and played in the area’s sports clubs.
“These deep human ties are the strongest safeguard against populist attempts to divide people,” said Hans Martin Grötsch, a senior Bavarian politician who is also a local councilor.
Read the Wall Street Journal's Full Story
| | Dankeschön to our SUSTAINING Members: | | |
Please help us welcome our new members:
Corporate- Regular
FC Birmingham Soccer Club
David Kearney
Board Member
FC Birmingham is a nonprofit committed to expanding access, removing barriers, and creating real pathways for young athletes across our city.
Too many young athletes in our city face barriers that have nothing to do with talent or desire. Families are navigating a youth sports landscape that has become expensive, exclusive, and confusing. Kids who love the game are being left behind simply because the system wasn’t built for them.
FC Birmingham was created to change that. We exist to remove barriers, open doors, and give every child — regardless of background or income — a real chance to grow as a player and as a person.
200+ players trained annually — regardless of background or income.
FC Birmingham is proud to host coaches from Eintracht Frankfurt of the German Bundesliga this summer in Birmingham for a Coach's clinic, U15-17 Scouting Combine, and Eintracht Frankfurt Soccer Camp. Nicolai Adam and Taskin Askoy, both UEFA Pro License Coaches, will lead these events. The club is excited to continue to build their relationship with Eintracht Frankfurt and begin a long-lasting partnership with the AlabamaGermany Partnership.
Upcoming camps and clinics:
- Coaches Clinic Saturday, June 20th
- U15-U17 Scouting Combine Saturday, June 20th
- Scouting Combine Sunday, June 21st
- Eintracht Frankfurt Soccer Camp June 22-June 25
Learn more at: www.FCBirmingham.com
Corporate- Associate
MAPREMEC USA LLC
José Luis Balderas Chaurand
Operations Manager
MAPREMEC USA is an industrial engineering and manufacturing company based in Bessemer, Alabama, specializing in the design and fabrication of automotive racks, carts, jigs, fixtures, tooling, and automation solutions for OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers.
Backed by over 15 years of experience from MAPREMEC Mexico, the company provides engineering, machining, welding, laser cutting, and manufacturing services focused on delivering innovative and efficient solutions to the automotive industry.
Learn more about MAPREMEC USA: www.mapremec.us/en
As an AGP member, you can connect with them through the
AGP membership database (except individual memberships).
Join AlabamaGermany Partnership TODAY!
| | 2026 German American Business Forum (DAWT) | | |
Join the 11th German American Business Forum!
The German American Business Forum returns in 2026 and brings together companies, decision-makers, and industry experts from Germany and the United States for a full day of exchange and transatlantic business insights.
Organized by the German American Chambers of Commerce in partnership with the IHK-Arbeitsgemeinschaft Rheinland-Pfalz (IHK Pfalz, IHK Koblenz, IHK für Rheinhessen, IHK Trier) this event provides a platform for companies to explore current economic topics, practical market perspectives, and real-world experiences from businesses active in the US market.
What to expect
Participants can expect a focused program with keynote sessions, panel discussions, hands-on workshops, and opportunities for direct exchange with peers and experts.
To Learn More & Register
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Join Us!
Your support will help us deliver new programming and support our ability to connect businesses, organizations, governments, and individuals. If you don't receive a renewal email - contact us at director@alabamagermany.org or use the link below to renew.
AlabamaGermany Partnership (AGP) is an extremely active organization. Many of Alabama’s leading German and American companies are active participants in AGP. The organization facilitates:
- Networking Events
- Educational Outreach
- German Dinners
- Cultural Workshops
- Business Seminars
- Young Professionals Events
- Roundtables for German Company Leaders
- Study Trips to Germany
Join us today and be a part of our diverse group of industrial, corporate, cultural, educational, and governmental leaders.
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AlabamaGermany Partnership 1900 International Parkway Drive, Suite 105
Birmingham, AL 35245 www.AlabamaGermany.org
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