16th Transatlantic Business Conference

AmCham Germany held its 16th Transatlantic Business Conference on Thursday, November 17, 2022, at the Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof, Frankfurt am Main. On the eve of the conference, a networking reception was hosted at our co-organizer Commerzbank. 

This year's Transatlantic Business Conference focused on the impacts of the German "Zeitenwende" and the U.S. midterm elections on the transatlantic business community. Experts assessed the significance of both developments for transatlantic cooperation on a whole range of global issues: from geo-economic and security challenges for the business community and the transatlantic partnership, to jointly combating climate change and fostering innovation and cooperation in the healthcare and the energy sector. Furthermore, with Frankfurt being the main financial hub of Germany, the topic “Sustainable Finance” played a prominent role.

 

Event Report

Read our Event Report from the 16th Transatlantic Business Conference here.

 

Program: November 16-17

Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022 – Networking Reception

Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022 – Networking Reception
6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Location: Commerzbank Tower, 49th Floor,
Kaiserstraße 16, 60311 Frankfurt am Main

6:30 PM – 7:00 PMGuest Arrival & Registration
7:00 PM – 7:05 PMOpening by Daniel Andrich, General Manager, AmCham Germany
7:05 PM – 7:10 PMWelcome Remarks by Manfred Knof, CEO Commerzbank AG
7:10 PM – 7:30 PM

Moderated Fireside Chat between Simone Menne & U.S. Consul General Norman Thatcher Scharpf, U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt

Moderator: Daniel Andrich, General Manager, AmCham Germany

Topic: Transatlantic Economic Relations after the U.S. Midterms

7:30 PM – 9:30 PMReception & Networking
9:30 PMEnd

Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022 – Transatlantic Business Conference

Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022 – Transatlantic Business Conference
9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Location: Conference Hotel Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof,
Bethmannstraße 33, 60311 Frankfurt am Main

8:30 AM – 9:15 AMGuest Registration & Welcome Coffee
9:15 AMConference Opening by Sumi Somaskanda, Journalist and Moderator
PART I:

Setting the Scene:
The Transatlantic Economic Outlook & the German "Zeitenwende":
High-Level Perspectives from Germany and the U.S.

9:15 AM – 10:30 AM

Introductory Remarks, Simone Menne, President, AmCham Germany

Keynote by Dr. Franziska Brantner, Parliamentary State Secretary, German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action

Keynote by Marisa Lago, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, U.S. Department of Commerce

Moderated Fireside Chat between Simone Menne, Under Secretary Lago and State Secretary Dr. Franziska Brantner on the Transatlantic Economy and Transatlantic Economic Cooperation

Moderator: Sumi Somaskanda, Journalist and Moderator

10:30 AM – 11:00 AMCoffee Break & Time to Network
PART II:The U.S. Midterm Elections and Impacts on Transatlantic Cooperation post 2022
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Fireside Chat with former U.S. Congressman Jack Kingston (R), Principal, Squire Patton Boggs on "The U.S. Midterm Elections: Impacts on the U.S. and Transatlantic Business"

Impulse by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Siegfried Russwurm, Chairman, Transatlantic Business Initiative, on "The U.S. Midterm Elections: Possible Impacts on the German Business Community"

Panel Discussion and Q&A

Topic:
The Transatlantic Partnership after the U.S. Midterm Elections: Assessing the Election Results and Impacts on Transatlantic Economic Cooperation

Moderator:

Sumi Somaskanda, Journalist and Moderator

Speakers:

Dr. Sabine Gilliam, Country President, Pfizer Germany

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Siegfried Russwurm,Chairman, Transatlantic Business Initiative 

Sean Stein, Senior Advisor, Covington & Burling LLP & Chairman, The American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai

Armand Zorn, Member of the Bundestag, Social Democratic Party

12:25 PM – 12:30 PMAward Presentation by AmCham Germany to Prof. Dieter Kempf, Former President, Federation of German Industries (BDI)
12:30 - 1:30 PM Lunch Break
PART III:Breakout Sessions
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

Session 1: Deloitte

Topic: Circular Economy – The solution for disrupted supply chains?

Tomas Henninger (Partner - Supply Chain & Network Operations) and Oliver Bendig (Partner - Supply Chain & Network Operations) will provide an outlook on the circular economy. What is the circular economy? What are the goals and how can it help to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow? These questions will be answered with the help of case studies and research findings.

Room: Salon 15

Session 2: Procter & Gamble feat. World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

Topic: Combating Climate Change

Room: Salon 3-5

PART IV:Sustainable Finance
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM

Panel Discussion and Q&A

Topic:
Sustainable Finance, EU Taxonomy & Social Governance: Opportunities and Challenges for the Transatlantic Business Community in Light of the New Geo-Economic and Security Realities 

Moderator:
Amy Curlee, Senior Manager North America, Frankfurt Rhein Main GmbH

Speakers:

Michael Kotzbauer, Member of the Board of Managing Directors, Commerzbank 

Melanie Kreis, CFO and Member of the Board, Deutsche Post DHL Group, and Co-Chair, Transatlantic Business Initiative (virtual participation)

Wiebke Merbeth, Partner, Deloitte & Member, Sustainable Finance Advisory Committee of the German Federal Government 

Stefan Schnell, Senior Vice President, Group Reporting & Performance Management, BASF

Judith Wiese, Chief People and Sustainability Officer (CPSO), Member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG and Labor Director, Siemens

3:30 PM – 4:00 PMCoffee Break & Time to Network
PART V:The Transatlantic Partnership beyond 2022: Dispatches from Berlin & Washington
4:15 PM – 5:00 PM

Exchange between Simone Menne, AmCham Germany President, Axel Dittmann, Deputy Chief of Mission, German Embassy in the U.S., and Woodward Clark Price, Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy Berlin

Moderator: Sumi Somaskanda, Journalist and Moderator

PART VI:Conference Wrap-Up
5:00 PM – 5:15 PM

Closing Remarks, Simone Menne, President, AmCham Germany

Wrap-Up by Sumi Somaskanda, Journalist and Moderator

15th Transatlantic Business Conference

AmCham Germany’s 15th Transatlantic Business Conference took place on Friday, December 3, 2021, in Berlin. The conference was an in-person event at the AXICA Congress and Convention Center. The conference centered around the overall theme "Shaping the Future of Transatlantic Economic Relations after the German General Elections".

Read our event report for more information.

Thomas Henneberg

Manager, Head of Membership Engagement & Events

Henneberg
Sarah Duryea

Manager, Membership Engagement & Events

Duryea