GACC Midwest - German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest, Inc.

Join us in welcoming a few of our new member companies! 🎉 ✳️ Borderless Business Solutions, LLC., founded with a mission to propel regional and global businesses, specializes in integrating software, systems, and people, transforming stagnation into acceleration and change into opportunity. With a track record of launching products in 30 countries, they foster growth in today’s diverse, modern companies. 💻 ✳️ Faber-Castell Cosmetics, LLC is a leading private label manufacturer of cosmetic pencils, specializing in color cosmetics and nail care. With over 40 years of expertise, the company is committed to sustainability, ecological responsibility, and creating products that are safe, sustainable, and make people feel beautiful. 💄 ✳️ OTRS Group is one of the top providers of customizable service management solutions, optimizing business processes and workflows across various units like IT and HR. With features like ticket management and automation, it caters to businesses of all sizes, aiming to deliver exceptional customer service. 🧑💻 Zach Person Jeffrey May

Have you applied for the 2025 German American Business Awards? 🏆⭐ Open to all GACC members, the awards recognize the pinnacle of achievement within the German American business community, celebrating our collective success and highlighting our ongoing commitment to a flourishing future. 🚀 🏅 Award Categories: 🔹 Community Engagement: Recognizing businesses driving social responsibility. 🔹 Economic Development: Celebrating organizations that spur #EconomicGrowth. 🔹 Innovation: Honoring breakthroughs that advance industries. 🔹 Services: Acknowledging unmatched customer satisfaction and efficiency. 🔹 The Coolest German Thing Made in the USA (People’s Choice): Showcasing unique products that exemplify German American collaboration. ➡️ Apply today and highlight your organization's impact and #innovation! 👉 https://bit.ly/3VnAKqt Applications close October 31. Winners will be recognized at the awards ceremony on February 28, 2025 in Orlando, FL. 

The German International School Chicago’s current student body represents 40 nationalities and includes 27 different languages spoken at home .🏫🗣️ Learn how GISC students receive an international education with a bilingual advantage while gaining global opportunities in the heart of Chicago. Read the full story on page 16-17 of the 2023 Special 60th Anniversary GACC Midwest Report: https://lnkd.in/gVj9XyGH

The Midwestern United States has a lot to offer to German startups with both regions housing similar key industries. 🏭🚙   In fact, there are about 5,800 German companies, including startups, currently investing in the US market, culminating in a total investment volume of about $619 billion.   Read this week’s article below to learn more about the history of German startups in the US 🌐, examine how German investment benefits the US economy 💸, and take a look at the future of startups in the US.

🚄 Exhibiting at or Attending the IAA Transportation Trade Show this Fall? Consider using Get2Fairs, the leading partner for booking accommodation in Hanover! Get2Fairs covers your hotel stay and round-trip transportation to and from the show all within your budget, so you can focus what's important: growing your business and distribution network in the automotive industry. 🔗View offers and book here : https://ow.ly/IcPk50SKkvZ

Today is National Intern Day! ⭐ We are so appreciative of the fantastic work that our #interns do. Join us in welcoming our newest interns! 🔹 Carina Benezra has recently joined the GACC Midwest Christkindlmarket department. Born in the Northwestern Chicago Suburbs, prior to starting as an intern, she studied recreation, sports and tourism management at the University of Illinois. 🔹 Michael Miltenberger is another brand new Christkindlmarket department intern focusing on marketing and communications! He is passionate about music and has taught himself how to play the guitar, and has only since gotten better, learning the bass guitar, the drums, and even wanting to pick up piano! 🔹 Isabel Bonebrake joined as an intern in the Marketing and Communications Department. Having recently graduated with an honors BA from Marquette University in journalism, her great great great great grandfather was an editor for two of the largest German newspapers in the US, Illinois Staats-Zeitung and Der Abendblatt! 🔹 Paula Tepe, our brand-new Events and Membership intern, just came back from backpacking all over Southeast Asia last winter. She loves traveling, reading, and dancing! #Welcome #NationalInternDay

Our Connection Series in Illinois continues with a behind-the-scenes look at Plasmatreat in Elgin, IL!⚙️ Hear from Frank Petrolli, Vice President of Strategic Market Development, about industrial surface treatment and how to be successful as a midsize company in the US market. Participants will also get to see a live surface treatment completed by robotic and automation solutions. 📅 September 4, 2024 🕙 4:30-6:30 pm 📍2511 Technology Drive, Suite 113 & 114 🔗Register now: https://lnkd.in/gEtEdqGd Thank you to our Illinois Connection Series Sponsor Cherry Bekaert!

Do you have solutions for decarbonizing the manufacturing sector? 🏭🌲 We invite German energy efficiency companies on a business development trip to Michigan and Illinois from November 4-8, 2024! ⚡ 💡 Did you know? 🔹The US industrial sector is responsible for 30% of all energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. 🔹That's why the Biden-Harris administration announced $135 million in funding for nationwide projects that will reduce carbon pollution from the industrial sector. 🔹This represents a huge market opportunity for German companies offering energy efficiency and decarbonization technologies! 💡 Would you like to learn more? Join our trip to Michigan and Illinois, two of America's top manufacturing states. Showcase your technologies to key industry leaders, government officials and potential business partners, learn more about market opportunities, and build your network in the Midwest! 🤝 ➡️ Sign up today! https://ow.ly/Bjja50SIpGA Are you a US expert in the industrial decarbonization sector? Would you like to get involved in our program in November, or connect with our German delegates? Please reach out to Charlotte Nowak.

Here’s a snapshot of last week’s Urban Gardening Delegation, where six delegates from Berlin travelled to Chicago to discover more about the city’s leading urban gardening initiatives: Our Berlin delegation arrived in Chicago last Wednesday afternoon, eager to begin their first site visit. They were thrilled to learn about the Global Garden Refugee Training Farm and its forward-thinking model that helps refugees make a living out of cultivating foods traditional to their homelands. The following day started with a visit to Plant Chicago, where Eric Weber showed us how aquaponics make use of fish waste water to provide nutrients for growing plants. The delegates enjoyed learning about Plant Chicago’s sustainability and circular economy education programs. After a quick lunch, the delegates met with Rodger Cooley and his team at the Chicago Food Policy Action Council. They discussed how recent initiatives, such as the Good Food Purchasing Program, can help urban gardening initiatives overcome bureaucratic challenges and regulations. Next, the delegates headed to the North Branch Canal of the Chicago River, where Nick Wesley from Urban Rivers guided them through the Wild Mile. With the Chicago summer skyline in the background, the delegates learned how this initiative transforms urban waterways into vibrant wildlife sanctuaries. The visit was greeted by a local sea turtle and the office dog! Some of the delegates even volunteered their time with them the following Saturday. The day concluded with our panel discussion and networking event, in collaboration with Chicago Climate Connect. Two of the delegates, Ellen Sartor and Toni Karge had the chance to be on the panel alongside Haley LeRand from the Global Gardens Refugee Training Program. A big thank you to Michael Boeke for his excellent moderating! On Friday, the delegation met with Brandon Lov and Katherine Tellock from the Urban Growers Collective and the Green Era Chicago Campus. The delegates were particularly impressed by the Collective’s efforts to educate the local community about food production and waste. They were left inspired by the two organizations’ goals to empower economically disadvantaged communities by building a resilient food and energy system.

🌟 Join us at the 8th German Night Reception during the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS)! 🌟 🌐 Network with Industry Leaders: GACC Midwest invites professionals from the German, US, and global manufacturing sectors to an exclusive evening of networking. Connect with over 350 attendees, enjoy delicious food, and explore exciting business opportunities. 🚀 Showcase Your Business: Position your company as a recognized industry player. Engage with potential partners, exchange ideas, and foster valuable connections. 🎟️ Register Now: Don’t miss out! Reserve your spot for an unforgettable night of collaboration and growth. Register here! https://ow.ly/Qur850SImPQ Gebrüder Weiss, JobsOhio, Iowa Economic Development Authority, Rödl & Partner, Wintrust Bank Chicago, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation