May 2024

AGP White Asparagus Dinner

We have partnered up with German General Manager Jorg Wesche of the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Mountain Brook (Birmingham) to create a German-style White Asparagus Dinner. Please join us for an evening in the Grand Bohemian Hotel's Restaurant Habitat Feed & Social Dining Room. We invite you to relish in a delectable five-course menu perfectly accompanied with beer and wine. 

Join us:

 Friday, May 10, 2024

6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

Grand Bohemian Hotel 

Mountain Brook/Birmingham

Reception:

• Charcuterie Board & Prosecco

Appetizer:

• Asparagus Soup 
• Seasonal Salad

Entrée:

• Asparagus with Filet Mignon (or Salmon)

Dessert:

• Seasonal Dessert & Coffee

The menu will be paired with wine and beer. 

After the dinner, please make plans to join us for Silent Disco (optional) in the Grand Bohemian Hotel's Ball Room (access is included in the dinner ticket as courtesy of the Grand Bohemian). Illuminate your night with a spectrum of fluorescent colors and beats! Enjoy yourself in the energy with live DJs battling it out as you enjoy a neon-backlit dance floor and dance the night away. This electrifying night, will be extraordinary. The Silent Disco will end at 11 p.m.

Dinner, beverages at the dinner, tips and taxes AND access to Silent Disco is ALL INCLUDED in the price of $149.00 per person. We have LIMITED seating available and we expect to sellout.

AGP Young Professionals Social Hour and Silent Disco

Join the AGP Young Professionals (age 21 (for this event) to 39) for Social Hour and Silent Disco:

Friday, May 10, 2024

7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Grand Bohemian Hotel in Mountain Brook/Birmingham

Illuminate your night with a spectrum of fluorescent colors and beats! Get ready to glow and flow with the music at our Neon Dreams Silent Disco. Live DJs will be battling it out as you enjoy a neon-backlit dance floor and dance the night away. Grab your friends, and join the Young Professionals for an electrifying night. Please note the hotel require everyone to be 21+ of age.

AGP Stammtisch & Networking in Birmingham

Join the AGP Young Professionals (age 21 (for this event) to 39) for Social Hour and Silent Disco:

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Ghost Train Brewing Company in Birmingham

Come out to network at our monthly "Stammtisch". This is a great opportunity for German expats to meet and for other German-speaking/practicing to improve their German. Speaking German is encouraged but not required.

What does "Stammtisch" mean? A Stammtisch is an informal group meeting held on a regular basis, and also the usually large table around which the group meets. A Stammtisch is not a structured meeting, but rather a friendly and casual get-together.

Dankeschön to our PATRON Members:

Mercedes-Benz U.S. International Welcomes New CEO/President

Mercedes-Benz U.S. International has appointed Federico Kochlowski to President and Chief Executive Officer effective May 1st 2024. Kochlowski will replace Michael Goebel. Goebel – who has served in this role since 2019 – will transition to a new strategic role for Mercedes-Benz production in North America.

“I want to thank Michael for his commitment over the past five years,” said Jörg Burzer, head of Production, Quality & Supply Chain Management for Mercedes-Benz Group AG. “When he took on this role, none of us could have imagined what was in store. He signed up to guide us through our transition to electric vehicles and ended up navigating through a global pandemic, as well. His steadfast leadership helped build a stronger MBUSI.”

Kochlowski has served in multiple Manufacturing leadership roles at Mercedes-Benz, in the US, China, and Mexico. Kochlowski began as Vice President of Operations at MBUSI in 2023.

“Since arriving at MBUSI I have been struck by the commitment of this workforce. Not only to building quality vehicles, but to one another,” Kochlowski said. “Our Alabama Team Members have a reputation for doing things differently. As CEO, I look forward to embracing those differences and helping our Team Members continue to build the kind of company and culture they’re proud to be a part of.”

After graduating Industrial Engineering from Catholic University Cordoba in 1994, Federico joined Chrysler in 1996 as Assistant Manager Process & Industrial Engineering in Argentina. In 1999, he became Industrial Engineering Manager at DaimlerChrysler Tech Center in Michigan. Federico earned an Executive MBA from Michigan State University in 2003 and joined BBDC in 2004 as Body Shop Manager in China.

Federico was promoted to Manufacturing Engineering General Manager at BBAC in 2005. Later he took over as Vice President Manufacturing Engineering at BBAC in 2014. Federico then joined COMPAS in 2019 as Director of Production in Mexico. He was Chief Executive Officer COMPAS from 2020 thru November 2023 when he joined MBUSI.

City of Opelika Establishing European Office in Berlin, Germany

By City of Opelika

Photo Credit: City of Opelika

In April, the City of Opelika announced its collaboration with The Transatlantic Business & Investment Council (TBIC), in establishing its European office. Located at Kurfuerstendamm in central Berlin, Germany, this office serves as a strategic hub for Opelika to engage with European investors and partners.

"As Mayor of Opelika, I am thrilled to announce our partnership with TBIC, marking a significant step forward in our city's global outreach. Together, we will build bridges across continents, fostering prosperity and progress for Opelika and our European counterparts," said Mayor Gary Fuller.

Through TBIC's support, Opelika gains access to an extensive European business network and multilingual representation, enhancing communication and fostering connections. Additionally, Opelika joins TBIC's European Sister-City Program, facilitating partnerships with European counterparts which opens doors to endless opportunities for collaboration, investment, and cultural exchange.

John Sweatman, Opelika Economic Development Director, added, “Establishing our European office in Berlin symbolizes Opelika's dedication to diversifying our investment portfolio and fostering international partnerships. Through TBIC's extensive network and support, we are poised to attract new opportunities and drive economic growth."

Matthias Beier, President and CEO at TBIC stated, "We look forward to supporting Opelika in their European expansion. This partnership strengthens ties between Opelika and European investors seeking opportunities in the US."

Read City of Opelika's Full Story



Germany's Economy Shows Slight Upturn

By Deutsche Welle

Photo Credit: Sven Hoppe, Picture Alliance

The German economy has shown a marginal upturn in the first part of the year. The latest figures give some hope that Germany may be escaping the economic doldrums.

Europe's largest economy grew in the first quarter of 2024, reversing a slump at the end of last year, according to Germany's Federal Statistical Office Destatis on Tuesday, April 30. The figure could vindicate those economists who have said Germany's energy-intensive economy could now be set for a turnaround after a period of slump.

Output rose by 0.2% from January to March compared with the previous three months, when the economy shrank by a revised 0.5%, Destatis said. The office said the latest increase reflected an improvement in both the construction industry and exports. However, household consumption fell in the quarter, it added.

There has been a prevailing mood of economic gloom in Germany, as businesses struggle with raised energy costs, high inflation, and elevated interest rates. In 2023 as a whole, Germany slipped into a slight recession with a fall in GDP of 0.2%, adjusted for price. 

The outlook appears to come down, with energy costs and inflation easing. 

Data on Tuesday also showed that the 20-country eurozone economy had emerged from recession with greater-than-expected growth in the first quarter of 2024 and inflation under control.

The EU's official data agency said growth in the single currency area had reached 0.3% in the first quarter compared with the end of 2023.

ING bank analyst Carsten Brzeski said the upturn showed that "the German economy can grow after all." "The words 'optimism' and 'German economy' together in one sentence have been a rarity for a long while," said Brzeski. "However, for a few weeks now, optimism has returned to the German economy."

Brzeski warned that higher oil prices as a result of the military conflict between Iran and Israel, as well as the ongoing tensions in the Red Sea, could pull down industry and exports. He also warned of increasing of insolvencies that could weaken the labor market, although new figures also show unemployment in Germany for April remained stable, at 5.9%.

Read DW.com's story here.

9th German-American Business Day in Hannover, Germany

The German-American Chambers of Commerce (AHK USA) are organizing the 9th German-American Business Day. This important event is aimed specifically at German companies that want to deepen or build their economic relationships with the USA. The focus is on consultations, discussions and workshops that address practical questions and offer valuable insights.

The event will take place in Hannover, Germany, on June 6, 2024. LEARN MORE!

Change in German Dual Citizenship Law

By the Bundesverwaltungsamt

Information for German citizens about the permission to retain German citizenship while applying for US citizenship.

The law to modernize the German nationality law (StARModG) was announced and will come into effect on June 27, 2024.

The new law is intended to generally accept multi-nationality in the future, so that the requirement for a retention permit in accordance with Section 25 StAG when acquiring foreign citizenship will no longer apply from June 26, 2024. Anyone who adopts a foreign nationality after this law comes into force can no longer lose their German nationality.

Please note, that until then the current law still applies. If you acquire a foreign nationality, you will - lose your German nationality if you have not been given a retention permit beforehand!

Please learn more here (in German)

Dankeschön to our SUSTAINING Members:

Foley's Cultural Exchange Program with Hennef in Germany

By Mirabels Magazine Central

Photo Credit: Mirabels Magazine Central & Foley Sister City

The City of Foley is developing a Sister City relationship with the the German town of Hennef and widespread benefits are already being realized. From sharing of municipal projects and successes to international learning opportunities for students, the relationships filled with prospects for expanding knowledge and experiences in the city and beyond.

The Sister City program has been around since 1956 when the Eisenhower Administration launched the effort to encourage international exchanges. Today, 136 nations throughout the world participate in the cultural exchange. To be a part of that exchange, similar communities from different countries agree to a formal affiliation and to engage in meaningful exchanges. The program description states: "Citizens and organizations in both communities engage in long-term educational, municipal, professional, technical and youth projects of mutual interest, thereby increasing international understanding at all levels of the community".

Linda Spangurd is a local author active in many community programs whose grandparents are from the Hennef region. She has been a passionate advocate for Foley's involvement in the program and her experience in both countries has been an asset during the process.

Read www.mirabelsmagazincentral.com's Full Story (page 44-45)



International Students in Alabama Looking to Work

Please find below a link to this spring’s tables of graduating international students in Alabama looking for placements in our workforce. Tables are sorted by student major and country of origin. There are four German students. 

These students have the option for a year’s worth of work on their student visa under Optional Practical Training (OPT), and up to three years of work if they are in a STEM (technology-related) field. This is an excellent way to keep this talent within Alabama and to screen potential long-term employees that you later can sponsor with an H visa (but there is no obligation to offer long-term work). 

If there is a type of student that is desired, simply reach out to Study Alabama (studyalabama.us@gmail.com) and they will share a job announcement, an HR contact, or a company email with the student type(s) at our Alabama schools and ask students to make the initial contact. It is Study Alabama’s objective to recruit talent from around the world to our higher education institutions and our companies and agencies. Study Alabama is a member of the US Department of Commerce Study State Initiative. 

https://studyalabama.us/global-talent-index-spring-2024/

Study Alabama was formed in 2016 through collaboration with the United States and Alabama Departments of Commerce. Study State consortia take different forms, but Study Alabama consists of twenty-one colleges, universities, and international high schools within Alabama that work towards global engagement. Our mission includes promoting Alabama as an international education destination as well as working to partner with business to promote global competency for the workforce and opportunities for international and domestic students with these skills. Learn more at www.studyalabama.us

Schlagerparty in Atlanta

AGP Welcomes New Members

Please help us welcome our new member:

Educational/Student

April Berry

Student at University of Alabama

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

AGP membership database (except individuals memberships).



Join AlabamaGermany Partnership TODAY!



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