December 2023

AGP German Holiday Goose Dinner

Join us:

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

Grand Bohemian Hotel 

Mountain Brook/Birmingham

Per tradition we have partnered up again this year with the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Mountain Brook (Birmingham) to create a German Holiday Dinner. The Chef prepares a traditional Goose Feast for you. We invite you to relish in a delectable three-course menu perfectly accompanied with beer and wine.

We have limited seating available and we expect to sellout.

AGP Young Professionals Event at Christkindlmarkt in Cullman 

Join the AGP Young Professionals (age 17 to 39) for the Cullman Christkindlmarkt (German Christmas Market):

Friday, December 8, 2023

5:30 p.m. or 7:00 p.m.

Depot Park, Cullman

Please join us for a festive evening at the Cullman Christkindlmarket to celebrate the Holiday season. Cullman’s cherished tradition takes inspiration from German Christmas markets and blends tradition with Cullman’s cherished southern community values. Beyond the authentic German handcrafted treasures such as German smokers, nutcrackers, and pyramids, visitors can expect a delightful culinary journey to Germany.  

AGP Webinar January 2024 - Alabama Workforce

Join us for a discussion of the state’s key challenges and opportunities in the workforce arena: 



Wednesday, January 10, 2024

11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Zoom Webinar

We will discuss some of Alabama’s nationally acclaimed solutions including Governor Ivey’s Success+ Plan, expanding apprenticeships and work-based learning, and the newly launched Talent Triad. We will also cover the states workforce figures and what they mean including the labor force participation rate. 

Our presenter Josh Laney, first director of the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship (AOA). In this role, Mr. Laney partners with industries and education providers across Alabama to develop and expand registered apprenticeships and other forms of work-based learning for youth and adults. Mr. Laney also leads the AOA’s support of Alabama’s workforce development infrastructure by promoting the use of credentials of value and connecting citizens to in-demand occupations.

Dankeschön to our PATRON Members:

REGISTRATION IS OPEN for AGP 26th Annual Celebration Dinner 2024

Please plan to join us for AGP's biggest event of the year that brings German and American leaders from industrial, cultural, educational and governmental sectors together to celebrate Alabama-Germany Friendship:

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The Club

Birmingham

We celebrate 26 Years of dedication to the development of educational, cultural, and business relationships among individuals and organizations with ties to both Alabama and Germany.   

Dankeschön to our SUSTAINING Members:

Adtran Opens Terafactory in Germany

By Business Alabama

Photo Credit: Adtran

Adtran, the Huntsville-based networking and communications provider, has opened a new facility in Germany to address supply chain security.

The terafactory – tera meaning trillion, or 1,000 times of giga – is in Meiningen, Germany.

“Our new Terafactory helps us mitigate against supply chain challenges like those we experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Christoph Glingener, CTO of Adtran. “By enhancing the production and logistics side of our business, we’re not just reducing our dependency on third parties but also putting us in control of our own destiny. This strategic move makes us more responsive and resilient to shifting supply chain pressures.”.

Glingener said the terafactory generates much of its own power, “making day-to-day operations more energy efficient.”

“And by bringing the production of our world-leading optical transport technology back to Germany, we can more easily ensure precision and quality,” Glingener added. “What’s more, it will strengthen Europe’s position in optical transport technology, fostering regional innovation and setting new benchmarks for the industry worldwide.”

Business Alabama Report



Mercedes-Benz and Buc-ee’s to deliver EV charging stations

By Business Wire

Photo Credit: Business Wire

Mercedes-Benz HPC North America LLC (Mercedes-Benz HPC NA), which is launching a network of premium EV charging stations across North America, announces a new strategic agreement today with Buc-ee’s, operators of the beloved and world-renowned chain of travel centers, marking a significant milestone in the journey to create a national charging network that redefines convenience and quality for drivers across the country. Mercedes-Benz will build charging hubs at most Buc-ee’s existing travel centers, starting with about 30 by the end of 2024.

Mercedes-Benz HPC NA has already begun work on charging hubs at numerous Buc-ee's locations across the country, with some to be open by the end of this year. This collaboration underscores the commitment of both organizations to provide exceptional value and an unparalleled experience to their customers.

“Mercedes-Benz HPC North America's collaboration with Buc-ee's represents an important moment in our pursuit of a national charging network that sets a new standard in both convenience and quality,” said Andrew Cornelia, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz HPC NA. “Within a remarkably short period, we've made significant strides towards opening several charging hubs at Buc-ee's travel centers. Buc-ee’s strategic locations along major travel routes, combined with their commitment to clean and accessible amenities, aligns perfectly with our vision. Together, we’re not only providing exceptional value but also redefining the EV charging experience for drivers nationwide.”

Read Business Wire's Full Story

The Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater in Tuscaloosa

By MBUSI

The Tuscaloosa Amphitheater is now the "Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater"!

The announcement was made during the historic farewell tour of Foreigner at the venue on Tuesday, Nov. 7th. The Tuscaloosa City Council will formalize the agreement in the coming weeks with Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. (MBUSI) and Mercedes-Benz U.S.A. (MBUSA) as joint sponsors.

MBUSI has been among the Amphitheater sponsors since the venue opened in 2011. The plant has hosted numerous employee events at the venue with entertainment for its team members featuring the likes of Earth, Wind and Fire; St. Paul and the Broken Bones; India Arie and others.

The Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater will continue to be utilized for concerts and performances, for municipal projects, and as a gathering place for the community.

Tuscaloosa Academy German Program Hosting Weihnachtsmarkt

Deutschsprachige Christvesper in Tuscaloosa

Deutschsprachige Christvesper

(mit schriftlicher Übersetzung für Teilnehmende ohne deutsche Sprachkenntnisse)

Heiligabend, Samstag, 24. Dezember 2022, 15:00 Uhr



Westervelt Warner Chapel von First Presbyterian Church

900 Greensboro Ave, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

AGP Welcomes New Members

Please help us welcome our new members:

CORPORATE - SUSTAINING

Speed Global Logistics

Steffen Manz

CEO/Founder

Speed Global Logistics is a global operating freight forwarding company with offices in Toronto, Oklahoma City, Albuquerque and Miami. Offices in Chicago and Charleston will be added. Their focus is on providing their B2B clients with efficient, reliable and cost-effective logistics solutions. With their tech-oriented, branded website, invoice templates, and internal email system, they ensure that their clients receive timely updates on their shipments throughout the entire supply chain. Their services include air freight, ocean freight, customs brokerage, and warehousing & distribution.

Learn more at: www.speed-global-logistics.com



As an AGP member, you can connect with them through the

AGP membership database.



German is the most spoken language in Alabama (besides English and Spanish)

By Visual Capitalist

Photo Credit: Visual Capitalist

Why learn German as a second language? Because German is the most spoken language in Alabama (besides English and Spanish).

Actually, German is the most common language (beside English and Spanish) in 13 states.

During the mid-18th century, German immigrants played a significant role in early American society. They constituted one-third of the population of American colonies, ranking second in numbers only to the English.

As a consequence, German now stands as the third most prevalent language in 13 states, with over 40 million Americans claiming German ancestry.

Read Visual Capitalist's Full Writeup

Goethe-Zentrum Winter Courses and Exams

Goethe-Zentrum course registration for Winter 2024 are starting on January 8^th..

First exam dates for 2024 are published, starting with A1 and B1 in February. Details and registration: https://german-institute.org/language/goethe-exams/

Two exam prep classes are offered with Zoom participation option, five weeks each, starting on January 8^th and 9^th – one for A1, the other one is writing practice for B1: https://tinyurl.com/ExamPrepA1B1

For current students and alumni of the German programs at the universities, launch of a new series geared towards Students and Young Professionals whose German is at the B2 level or above and who want to expand or maintain their ability to understand and discuss topics from politics, society, culture, sports, music, film, … with their peers. The instructor is a native speaker young entrepreneur and student of International Relations in Georgia and the series should provide great opportunities for German-speaking young people to network, find new friends who share an interest, find professional contacts. Link to the first round of courses https://tinyurl.com/CurrentEventsSYP .

Questions, email Goethe-Zentrum at [email protected].

Join AlabamaGermany Partnership (AGP)

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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