It is a privilege to once again have the opportunity to craft a letter for our association’s website. This has been a beautiful summer in Germany. When one thinks of how much of the planet has received weather in almost biblical proportions, with forest fires, floods and raging heat, we have had very nice weather here. This provides a wonderful opportunity to share ideas. I am happy to report that the general health and welfare of the AGBC is excellent. We are continuing to mature and develop, and individual chapters have been able to enjoy some very innovative programs in the last several months. If you are a candidate for membership, this is a good time to join.
Thanks to the Herculean efforts of the President Nic Susta, and many other members of the Stuttgart Chapter, we were able to have a very dynamic and interesting meeting in Stuttgart from 7-9 May, with all chapters represented. Our day long business meeting on Saturday covered many of the issues which are important to all of us for the proper operation of our association.
Our most important national effort during this fall season is the program “Entrepreneur of Tomorrow”. This is a challenge contest that we run every autumn for students to develop a composite business plan, one with the capability to be converted into a real business. We mentor students in developing the capabilities to become an entrepreneur. Several chapters have very dynamic programs. Kaiserslautern, Munich, Bonn, Heidelberg, and most especially, Frankfurt, are currently gearing up for this season even as the summer progresses. See: www.entrepreneursoftomorrow.de.
We are proud of this program and want to encourage participation by as many students as possible. We also want more of our chapters to be participating. To this end, we are happy to give you guidance on the process of structuring your own program. An excellent POC for developing a program is our national Vice President, Thomas Leiser (thomas@sgachemie.com). Tom is one of the key indentured servants working in the great FFM program. Designed as scholarships, we provide significant Euro prizes for the winners of these EoT competitions, to assist them in continuing education.
For US citizens, it’s time to vote once again. We have federal elections for all members of the House of Representatives and for one third of the Senate happening in November. You can get assistance in the voting process through the Federal Voter Assistance Program, with more information available at www.fvap.gov, or by telephone at 0800-100-7428 (Toll free from Germany).
On our website, www.agbc.de, see on our home page “How to Join” and “How to Start a Chapter” prominently shown. Also see our announcement from AGBC Munich for a terrific Oktoberfest Party on October 3rd. In Heidelberg, the Hotel Marriott has invited us all to a champagne reception (free) on their beautiful veranda overlooking the Neckar River (19:00 August 24th). All the chapters have events coming up, so check our website to discover what’s there. Even the German economy is sharing in these celebrations, having just scored their greatest 2Q growth since 1991. Join in this good economy and join in the fun.
Enjoy your day.
Barry E. Swanson, CFP
President
Welcome
Letter from the President
Team from Goethe Gymnasium Frankfurt wins first prize in business plan competition.
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American-German Business Club Frankfurt awards prizes in “Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow” educational program to students from Frankfurt’s bilingual Goethe-Gymnasium, St. Angela-Schule in Königstein and Frankfurt International School in Oberursel.
FRANKFURT am Main, 10 February 2010 – Two students from Goethe-Gymnasium in Frankfurt am Main won the first prize in the “Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow” (EOT) program run by the American-German Business Club Frankfurt. Wen Xia Zhang and Merhawit Weldgegeorgis were awarded 1 000 Euro for their business plan for “Exclusive Travel International (ETI)", an exclusive in-coming tourist office aimed at the 5-star tourists from China and the Middle East coming to Frankfurt.
The business plan for "LIM-speisen", a diet restaurant featuring home-cooked meals, presented by Nina Heyse and Stefanie Brunner of St. Angela-Schule in Königstein, was ranked second and awarded 500 Euro.
Caterina Schindler and Stela Tamnichka, both students at Frankfurt International School in Oberursel, were awarded a special third prize and 250 Euro for their business plan for "CST GmbH", a medical marketing company with a medical data collection network.
The prizes were handed over by U.S.-Consul General Edward M. Alford during an award ceremony at Goethe Business School at Frankfurt University’s House of Finance.
Sabine Weinheimer-Hoepermans, Director of Corporate Relations at Goethe Business School, and one of the jurors and mentors of the “Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow” program said: The business plans presented by the winning teams have great potential. We would be happy to help participants in the program to refine their plans and put them into practice. We are supporting this business plan competition because it helps to bridge the gap between what students learn in the classroom and the ‘real world’ of business.”
David Knower, president of Frankfurt chapter of the American-German Business Club, said: "This has been a win-win competition for everyone, both the students and our business executive mentors. They learn about today's business world, and we get to reach out to the next generation of students in Germany, demonstrating to them the benefits of being an entrepreneur."
The winning teams were selected from the 14 business plans completed by the 29 finalists entered in this six-month competition. Since last September, about 60 students from schools in greater Frankfurt area started meeting monthly with business people to learn how to write their own business plan. Everything was taught and completed in real-world business English.
Supporters of the “Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow” were Goethe Business School, a specialized unit of Goethe University in Frankfurt am Main directed towards the professional and personal development of managers, the U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt, Frankfurt Marriott Hotel, Coca-Cola and Bagel Brothers.
About the American-German Business Club:
The American-German Business Club has 10 chapters across Germany, from Hamburg to Munich. The AGBC Frankfurt, with about 270 members, is the largest chapter. It holds monthly meetings featuring top business speakers, with all its activities conducted in English. It is open to every international businessperson who supports its goals of free trade and open discussion, while serving the local community. See www.agbc.de for more details.
