The European American Chamber of Commerce Welcomes Texas to its Growing Network
The European American Chamber of Commerce is delighted to announce the addition of Texas to our network. The EACC Texas Chapter was transitioned from the 41 year old French-American Chamber of Commerce DFW, whose Board agreed unanimously that including Europe as a whole is the future especially when it comes to building fruitful Transatlantic Business connections. The newly formed EACC Texas brings an additional 100+ Members to the EACC’s growing Transatlantic network including many in aerospace and
EACC Behind the Scenes: March 2021
One of the best ways the EACC adds value for our members is by building connections between peers where they can share best practices and create new relationships. So as I mentioned in my Behind the Scenes article last month, we’re launching a series of “Executive Huddles” where senior professionals from our operating company members can connect with counterparts. The first such group – our HR Executive Huddle – convened on Thursday March 25, and included representatives from thyssenkrupp Bilstein, VEGA
Just Announced: Supply Chains, Logistics & Trade Policy Fall Conference
The Cincinnati Chapter of the EACC is delighted to announce our plans for a conference on Thursday, September 16 centered around the themes of Supply Chains, Logistics, and Trade Policy. The event will feature keynote presentations by Cain Moodie, Senior VP at DHL Express for Americas Region Network Operations and Aviation and by Her Excellency Emily Haber, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United States of America. The afternoon event will also include a panel discussion and will end
March 2021 Transatlantic Trade Updates
When two economies as large as the U.S. and Europe rub up against one another, it’s bound to create friction. And the departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union only added confusion. But now with Brexit in the rearview mirror and a new U.S. Administration, we’re starting to see tentative steps to reduce tensions. For example, US quotas on imports of European agricultural products have finally, after two years of negotiation, been adjusted to reflect Britain’s departure from the EU, with the UK
EACC Launches Leading Through Crisis Video Series
Friends: One of the most powerful roles the EACC can play is to build connections between our member companies and their leaders. When executives and managers share their triumphs and their challenges, new relationships are built that can lead to new ideas and better outcomes for all. That role was the inspiration for our new video/podcast series Leading Through Crisis: Conversations Between European and American Business Leaders. Each episode brings together two top executives from EACC member
EACC Behind the Scenes February 2021
I believe in the adage ‘underpromise and overdeliver’ and so have a tendency to be modest in describing some of the projects the EACC has in the works. However, coming out of what was a decidedly modest 2020, now is a good time to lay out for you some of the ambitious plans and programs we have in the works for 2021 and beyond. None of this will happen because of Dayna and me, nor because of the good wishes or best intentions of our Officers or our Board of Directors. Our ability to demonstrate our
VEGA Americas Sponsors 2021 Stammtisch Series
For the third year in a row, VEGA Americas – a global leader in the field of process instrumentation – will sponsor the Stammtisch series of the European American Chamber of Commerce Greater Cincinnati (EACC) in 2021. Stammtisch (a German word meaning ‘regulars’ table’) is a German tradition of friends and colleagues gathering regularly for conversation and fellowship, and the EACC’s Stammtisch brings together friends and colleagues from across the European and American business community to build and
EACC Behind the Scenes: Board of Directors Holds First Quarter 2021 Meeting
The Board of Directors of the Cincinnati Chapter of the European American Chamber of Commerce met for its first meeting of 2021 on Thursday, January 28. Incoming Board President Dominic Franchini welcomed new board members Nelly Bonniol (Luxottica; Nelly is also our new Board Vice President); Katie Eagan (Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber); Antonio Pagano (Modula); and Chad Shaffer (Duke Energy. Noting that 2020 had been a challenging year for everyone, including the EACC, he said he looked forward to
EACC Welcomes New Member Sibcy Cline Relocation Services
The EACC is delighted to welcome Partner member Sibcy Cline Relocation Services. Sibcy Cline Relocation Services (SCRS) goes well beyond the standard real estate transaction. The company's core focus in corporate relocation is to assist companies of any size with every aspect of their employee mobility program. SCRS is in its fifth decade of service working as a certified woman owned, Relocation Quality Certified, full service third-party Relocation Management Company (RMC). SCRS is regionally located in
Trade Policy Resources
Many people consider trade policy boring, irrelevant, or both. However, for EACC members who earn their keep on the flow of goods and services across the Atlantic and around the world, issues such as tariffs and dumping and countervailing duties can influence pricing, supplier choices and investment decisions. Trade friction has grown in recent years and is likely to continue, so it is important to stay current on the key issues. Below are some resources that may help. Of course the EACC regularly has
EACC Welcomes New Member Blum-Novotest, Inc.
The EACC is delighted to welcome Corporate Small Partner member Blum-Novotest, Inc. Blum-Novotest, Inc., is a fully owned subsidiary of Blum-Novotest GmbH, a leader in cutting edge measurement and testing technology, with more than 50 years of experience as a supplier for the worldwide machine tool, automotive and aircraft industries. A family-run company, Blum-Novotest has an international network of sales and service subsidiaries. As the North American subsidiary, Blum-Novotest, Inc. is responsible for
Meet 2021-2022 EACC Board Vice President Nelly Bonniol
Meet incoming EACC Board Vice President Nelly Bonniol as she introduces herself to EACC members I started my professional journey in my native country, France, and spent the first 17 years of my career in the aviation industry working for the French company Snecma-Safran. There I developed an expertise in both commercial operations and direct purchasing. Most of my work was focused on negotiating large scale contracts as either a buyer or a seller, with an impact of several billion dollars. In 2012, I
Meet 2021-2022 EACC Board President Dominic Franchini
Meet incoming EACC Board President Dominic Franchini as he introduces himself to EACC members and shares his commitment to the organization over the next two years. Dear Members of the EACC, I am a native of Greater Cincinnati and have spent the entirety of my career in the Health Benefits Practice at HORAN. I work with employers in the region to identify and implement high quality, affordable employee benefits plans. Very early on I learned that I especially love working with transatlantic companies,
EACC Behind the Scenes: 2021 EACC Board of Directors Elected at Annual General Meeting
On November 19 the Cincinnati Chapter of the European American Chamber of Commerce held its Annual General Meeting as required by our Code of Regulations. The Annual General Meeting is an opportunity for the broader membership of the EACC to be updated on EACC operations and to take part in electing representatives to serve on the Board of Directors; this year we also elected new officers. Because of the pandemic, the meeting was held via Zoom (and thanks to EACC Board Member and Managing Partner at
EACC Hosts 2020 Beaujolais Nouveau Nouveau
Despite the best efforts of the COVID-19 pandemic to derail our plans, the Cincinnati Chapter of the European American Chamber of Commerce (EACC) held a very unusual but successful Beaujolais Nouveau Nouveau celebration on Thursday, November 19. Our original intent had been to gather a few small groups in individual salons at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, with other groups and individuals joining from their homes, offices or other venues, and connecting everyone via teleconference. However, on
EACC Welcomes New Member Thomas More University
The EACC is delighted to welcome Partner member Thomas More University. The accelerated and graduate programs at Thomas More University are specifically designed to meet the needs of people with busy lives. The schedule makes it efficient, affordable, and convenient. Earn your degree at a highly regarded university in the Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati area while working full time, part-time, or caring for your family. Thomas More University is a small, relaxed, and welcoming university with a BIG
VV Just Italian Special Offer for EACC Members
Living in such unprecedented times has brought much change to our lives, yet our desire to show gratitude and care to those around us remains the same, if not greater than ever. Travel and restaurant dining may be on hold- but VV Just Italian can transport everyone to Italy through food. VV Just Italian brings Italian food back to its roots by focusing on flavor and better for you, real food ingredients. Quality over quantity. Clean over processed. Whether it be to say thank you or send holiday
EACC Behind the Scenes: Board of Directors Holds Fourth Quarter 2020 Meeting
The EACC Board of Directors held its final meeting of 2020 on Thursday, October 22 (via Microsoft Teams). Board President Yannick Schilly called the meeting to order at 4:30 pm and noted that this was the last meeting he would chair as President. Schilly reflected on the growth and progress of the EACC over the past four years when he was Vice President and then President and said that while the COVID-19 pandemic has been a bit of a setback, he is confident good things lie ahead under the leadership of the
EACC Welcomes New Member Spectrum Reach
The EACC is delighted to welcome new Partner member Spectrum Reach. Please see below to learn more about Spectrum Reach and the services they offer. We’re Spectrum Reach—your friendly neighborhood advertising experts. We harness the power of TV advertising for your business and offer one-stop shop marketing solutions, so you have access to every tool your business needs to grow. We're here to help businesses of all sizes grow through the power of TV, data, advertising innovation, community experts, and
2021 EACC Renewal Cycle Begins
The EACC has launched its 2021 membership renewal cycle! Current EACC member companies and organizations should soon receive in the mail a letter explaining that memberships automatically renew on January 1 every year. The letter asks members to confirm their primary and billing contacts, noting that invoices for the prepayment of 2021 membership dues will be sent electronically the week of October 19 (with payment due November 19). Members may also request to pay their dues next year; those invoices
EACC One Question Survey: August 24, 2020
A recent article in the Cincinnati Business Courier about how companies are adjusting operating procedures and schedules and office layouts, along with continuing reports about shortage of personal protective equipment for health care workers led us to wonder how our members are doing with efforts to protect their employees and whether these reported shortages are impacting efforts to reopen or maintain operations. So the question we asked was: How is the availability of Personal Protective Equipment
Collaborating to Better Manage Healthcare Costs
One of the most important and powerful things the EACC does is building connections that allow leaders to identify and solve shared problems. Last year, we organized a dinner with executives of our Italian member companies with no specific agenda – just to build new connections. During the event, several executives noted that they were seeking better ways to manage healthcare costs for employees. After dinner and over the next few weeks those discussions continued, and so the “Waymark Collective” was
EACC Behind the Scenes August 2020
EACC Accounting Manager Joanna Deri to Retire This month’s EACC Behind the Scenes is bittersweet. As some of you may know, EACC Accounting Manager Joanna Deri is set to retire at the end of this month. Joanna has truly been instrumental to the organization’s success and continued growth over the last several years. Whether it was creating membership invoices, taking care of deposits, reconciling bank statements or helping at Beaujolais Nouveau Premiere and the Annual Gala, Joanna always jumped right in!
Advanced Manufacturing Industry Partnership Update
The EACC is again working to support the Advanced Manufacturing Industry Partnership (AMIP) in its efforts to spark the imaginations of young people, parents and teachers in considering the potential of careers in advanced manufacturing. One of AMIP’s signature programs has long been Manufacturing Month (October), where companies hold open houses or host tours so students and parents and teachers get a better sense of the look and feel of a modern factory. AMIP is working to take Manufacturing Month
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Cancels European Tour
Some of you may recall as far back as the EACC Annual Gala in 2019 when we announced a collaborative effort between the EACC, the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Chambers of Commerce, REDI Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Tri-ED to work with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. [We provided an update on our efforts in the February 11, 2020 EACC CintriFuse, Source Cincinnati, Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau, Munich Sister Cities Association, University of Cincinnati, CVG and others, all focused
EACC Board of Directors Holds Third Quarter 2020 Meeting
On Thursday, July 23, the EACC Board of Directors assembled (virtually, via Zoom) for its regularly scheduled quarterly meeting. Board President Yannick Schilly welcomed everyone and asked Board Secretary Jim Keller to review the minutes from the April Board meeting. Following up on one item, Jim noted that the EACC has identified Fiducial to take over our bookkeeping after our current Account Manager Joanna Deri retires in August. (He added that if anyone wants to contribute to a retirement gift for
EACC Operational Changes -- The EACC Goes Virtual!
On March 17, Dayna O’Brien (our Operations Manager) and I decided in light of the growing health crisis to vacate our offices at the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber at 3 E. 4th Street and work from home. Like our colleagues at REDI Cincinnati and CUSARC and other building tenants (and many of you), we packed up our computers, grabbed some office supplies and files, and each of us set up shop in our homes, not knowing when we might return. Since then we have continued to engage our members through our
EACC Network Survey: COVID-19 Attitudes
In early June the Cincinnati Chapter asked members their feelings about resuming various activities and the COVID-19 Pandemic: when might you return to your office full time; when might you be prepared to attend a large work related gathering; when might you resume international travel. Based on those results we thought it would be interesting to extend the survey across the network to see how attitudes might compare across regions and across the Atlantic. Note that this is not a scientific survey; these
EACC Welcomes New Member VV Just Italian
The EACC is delighted to welcome Corporate Small Partner member VV Just Italian. VV Just Italian is an Italian food manufacturer and importer located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Established In 1970, Vigne Vecchie was born from a dream to transport everyone to Italy through food. This dream gathers the aspirations and emotions of their Italian grandparents, artists, artisans, and poets to help you truly experience their world through the authentic flavors of Italy. The company's products are produced with high
Congratulations and Best Wishes to Filip Geeraert
Long time friend and supporter of the EACC Filip Geeraert is retiring from his role as President & CEO of Deceuninck North America; we asked Anne Cappel and Joe Dehner to comment on Filip's role in building the organization.By Anne Cappel July 1st 2020, long time EACC member, past Board Member and Board President, Filip Geeraert is retiring from EACC member company Deceuninck. Since the first year of EACC Cincinnati in 2007, Filip has been an avid supporter of the EACC, passionately and enthusiastically
EACC Two-Question Survey: June 1, 2020
Last week the EACC brought back our ‘One Question Survey,’ which was launched in response to our 2018 Voice of the Customer study to ensure you as members continue to have a voice in what we do. (Since its been a while since the last One Question Survey, we threw in a bonus question and one for some demographics.) We sent the survey to close to 900 e-mail addresses and received 61 responses (a response rate of 6.9% percent). One question I always ask when considering whether the EACC should host an event
EACC Behind the Scenes - May 2020
The Power of the EACC Network The primary power of the EACC is our ability to connect our members – to each other and to resources and information that help to grow their business. Doing that within our chapters is relatively simple, but how to do that across the Atlantic and the network? In November 2019 we hosted our first “All-Chapter” webinar looking at the EU’s Autumn Economic Forecast; 39 people registered for that first event. Since then, nearly 2000 business leaders have signed up for events
EACC Network Releases COVID-19 Impact Stories
Every company and organization is finding ways to address the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Executive Directors of the EACC Network (from Cincinnati to Lyon, from Florida to the Netherlands, from New York to Paris to the Carolinas) thought it would be helpful and interesting to hear the stories of our members as they respond to the crisis. So we started collecting their stories and posting them to our YouTube Channel and our “COVID-19 Impact Stories” playlist. The Cincinnati Chapter
EACC Welcome Returning Member Flottweg Separation Technology, Inc.
The EACC is delighted to welcome returning Partner member Flottweg Separation Technology, Inc. Based in Vilsbiburg, Germany, Flottweg has been developing and producing decanter centrifuges, separators, belt presses and systems. In many industrial areas, they handle key functions in the clarification of liquids, the separation of liquid mixtures, and concentrating and dewatering. Flottweg supplies to many industries, including food, chemical, water, and brewing industries. Locally, Rhinegeist Brewery
EACC Welcomes New Member West Chester Township
The EACC is delighted to welcome Partner member West Chester Township. West Chester’s vitality, amenities and convenient location between Cincinnati and Dayton, in southwest Ohio, have made it one of the region’s most desirable communities for residential and commercial growth. Businesses staking their claim here enjoy a business-friendly attitude in a no-earnings tax environment with excellent access to customers and workforce. As a leading edge community, West Chester values and invests in exceptional
EACC Behind the Scenes - April 2020
Despite COVID-19 Pandemic, EACC Greater Cincinnati Operations Continue Full Steam Ahead Since we moved out of our offices at 3 E. 4th street in mid-March, the EACC staff has continued to work remotely in line with Ohio’s shelter-in-place order. Nonetheless, the EACC’s work on behalf of its members continues full steam ahead. As always, the Cincinnati chapter of the EACC is working to ensure members have access to relevant and timely information as it relates to transatlantic business. Given this
EACC Board of Directors Holds Second Quarter 2020 Meeting
The Board of Directors of the European American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cincinnati held is regularly scheduled quarterly board meeting on Thursday, April 23 at 4:30 p.m. Due to “social distancing’ requirements the meeting was held using the Zoom™ platform. Board President Yannick Schilly called the meeting to order noting the economic and social disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic across our region and around the world. And he pointed out that given the Board’s concern over falling cash reserves
EACC & Partners Host “Manufacturers, Foreign Investors, and COVID-19: Getting Through the Crisis” Webinar
The COVID-19 global pandemic is impacting every company (and every individual) across our region. Governments are taking steps to mitigate both the spread of the disease and the economic impact. But given the speed at which this is happening, there is still confusion about who may be eligible for what benefits and what the long-term impact will be. Given this confusion, the EACC worked with our friends at Frost Brown Todd LLC and VonLehman CPA & Advisory Firm to organize a webinar exclusively for
EACC Welcomes Returning Member Givaudan
The EACC is delighted to welcome returning Partner member Givaudan. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the firm was founded in 1895 as a perfumery by Leon and Xavier Givaudan. Since then the firm has grown to become one of the world’s leading flavor and fragrance companies, enhancing the scent and taste experiences for countless products – from fashion fragrances to personal care products, and in nearly every kind of food and beverage product you can imagine. Givaudan has over 180 operations around the
EACC Welcomes New Member Prysmian Group
The EACC is delighted to welcome Sustaining Partner member Prysmian Group. Prysmian Group North America is headquartered in Highland Heights, Kentucky, and operates 25 plants across North America focused on the telecom and energy markets. The company’s mission is to provide customers with superior cable solutions based on state-of-the-art technology and consistent excellence in execution, ultimately delivering sustainable growth and profit. Prysmian Group has its roots in Pirelli all the way back in
COVID-19 Pandemic: Updates from the European Commission
It’s only natural that companies and individuals would be most focused on the local response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, given the EACC’s focus on European-American trade and investment, we also want to support our members by sharing with you some of the most relevant information and guidance coming out of Europe. For example, on March 30 the European Commission released this practical guidance to ensure the free movement of critical workers. This guidance comes as European nations create internal
Healthcare, COVID-19, and the EACC
Well before the COVID-19 pandemic began, the EACC started work to develop and launch a new Italian Committee (tentatively named the Italian American Business Community) with a series of meals and discussions with the leadership of the Italian businesses among our members. In the context of those discussions, we heard repeatedly concerns about healthcare costs for small and medium sized employers. Our executives asked if there was some way they could come together to better manage risks, improve
COVID-19 Business Resources from EACC Member Companies
The global COVID-19 Pandemic is having significant impacts on businesses and on individuals in the Cincinnati region, in Europe, and around the world. While the European American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cincinnati will do its best to keep our network informed about the challenges the outbreak presents to businesses, we also want to make sure our members have access to business resources available through other EACC member companies. To that end, we have assembled the following directory of
EACC Behind the Scenes - EACC of Greater Cincinnati Launches Updated Website
You may recall that in the fall of 2019 the EACC of Greater Cincinnati updated the look of our weekly newsletter, the EACC Newsbrief. We are now pleased to announce the launch of our updated website. Along with a refreshed design that aligns with the look of the updated the Newsbrief, the new website offers fresh capabilities that we trust will prove beneficial to our members. These capabilities include: The ability to browse the EACC member directory by industry and countryThe ability to sign up for the
One Question Survey: March 9, 2020
On the morning of March 9, the EACC-Cincinnati sent a survey to about 860 individual e-mail addresses listed as active representatives at EACC-Cincinnati Member companies. When we closed the survey at 10:45 a.m. on Friday, March 13 we had received 97 responses. The goal of the survey was to get beyond the anecdotes and generate some meaningful data about how member companies are addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. Please click here to view the survey results.
COVID-19 Government Resources
The Global COVID-19 pandemic is having significant impacts on businesses and on individuals in the Cincinnati region, in Europe, and around the world. While the European American Chamber of Commerce – both in its local chapters and across our network – will do our best to keep our members informed about the challenges the outbreak presents to business, we also want to make sure you have access to the latest information about the progress of the pandemic itself, and about how to keep yourself, your family,
Bockfest 2020 (and 2021?)
For 28 years, Bockfest has been a uniquely Cincinnati celebration of the coming of spring and the brewing heritage of Over-The-Rhine. But Bockfest also has deep European roots in pre-Lenten observances like Carneval and Mardi Gras and Fasching and Shrove Tuesday. It was that pan-European focus that called a hardy group of EACC members (including representatives from ABM Drives, Balluff, Bannockburn Global Forex, Barnes Dennig, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Medical Center, FC Cincinnati, Festo,
EACC Behind the Scenes: French Honorary Consul Installation Ceremony and EACC Welcome Reception
On Wednesday, February 19th the EACC hosted a Welcome Reception for companies that had joined the organization over the past year. In conjunction with the Welcome Reception, the EACC was honored to host the installation ceremony for the new Honorary Consul of France Nelly Bonniol, and the evening marked the perfect occasion to also recognize and thank outgoing Honorary Consul of France Anne Cappel for her years of consular service. Held in the Continental Ballroom at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza,
Telling Cincinnati’s Story in Europe with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Some of you will recall that at our Annual Gala in May 2019 we announced that the leadership of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, REDI Cincinnati, and Northern Kentucky Tri-ED had agreed to collaborate with the EACC to leverage the proposed 2020 European tour of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) to raise awareness of our region across Europe. (To mark the partnership, we even had a string quartet from the CSO perform the national anthems.) Of course
EACC Member Spotlight: Deufol North America
By Susan Morgan Some, maybe even many, EACC members will be able to relate to this spotlight’s topic: “Sometimes bad things happen to good (really good) companies.” But the topic is more than just about the “bad”, it’s about how a company can regroup and move forward which demonstrates the organization’s stability and resilience overall. Here’s the story: Deufol North America, founded in 1979, is an operating division of Deufol SE with headquarters in Wallau, Germany. It currently has 91 locations (53
Executive Director Schwartz Recaps Recent Trip to Washington, DC
You may recall that last week I was in Washington DC with my counterparts Yvonne Bendinger-Rothschild (Executive Director of the New York Chapter) and Katherine Prewitt (Executive Director of the Paris Chapter) to work on establishing a new chapter of the European American Chamber of Commerce there. We were joined by Guillaume Martinez, President of the Paris Chapter. All in all, it was a very successful trip, and I thought you might be interested in some details. About twenty individuals (representing
EACC Welcomes New Member bedra, Inc.
The EACC is delighted to welcome Corporate Small Partner member bedra, Inc. bedra, Inc. is the Cincinnati-based subsidiary of Berkenhoff GmbH. bedra is a leading global manufacturer of innovative, high-tech, precision wires used in spark erosion, welding, and brazing applications. Their wires are also used in the production of electronic and specialty products, such as bandolier pins, toothbrushes, and medical equipment. At the company's German locations in Heuchelheim and Herborn, the company produces
EACC Behind the Scenes: Board of Directors Holds First Quarter 2020 Meeting
The Board of Directors of the Cincinnati Chapter of the European American Chamber of Commerce met at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 23 for its regular quarterly meeting at the First Financial Bank Innovation Center at 1 E 4th Street (thanks for hosting us!). After a brief round of introductions, Board President Yannick Schilly reviewed just a few of the highlights of our very successful 2019, mentioning in particular our concerted efforts to identify new leadership and a new direction for the French
EACC Network Update
When we conducted our "Voice of the Customer" study (with EACC member firm Start Something Bold) in 2018, among other messages we heard was a desire by members to learn more about how the EACC network can generate more value. Since then, we've accelerated our work to build out the network and create new tools (like our Webinar series and our YouTube channel) to do just that. As you probably know, Cincinnati was the first EACC chapter established in the United States (in 2007). Since then we've grown to
EACC Welcomes Returning Member Huntington National Bank
The EACC is delighted to welcome returning Partner member Huntington National Bank. Huntington is a full-service banking provider primarily operating across a seven-state banking franchise of Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Huntington's “Welcome” philosophy centers around deep relationship-building capabilities to best meet each customer’s specific needs. The Bank serves its customers through a banking network of over 800 full-service branches, including 12
VEGA Americas to Sponsor 2020 Stammtisch Series
The European American Chamber of Commerce Greater Cincinnati (EACC) is delighted to announce VEGA Americas – a global leader in the field of process instrumentation – as the returning sponsor of the Stammtisch series in 2020. “VEGA Americas has gained significant benefits from its EACC membership, and in particular from the relationships fostered at the EACC’s Stammtisch,” said VEGA Americas Co-CEO John Kronenberger. “Supporting the Stammtisch is our way of giving back and encouraging more companies to
EACC Webinar Series
In our ongoing effort to add value for our members across the EACC network, our EACC Chapters have come together to launch a new series of ‘webinars’ on a range of topics of interest and relevance. Leveraging this technology allows us to connect you to experts from across Europe and around the world for just the cost of an internet connection. We’ve already held two such webinars. The first featured speakers from the EU Delegation to the United States sharing their 2020 economic forecast, and the
EACC Welcomes New Member Oswald Company
The EACC is to delighted welcome Partner member the Oswald Company, Inc. Founded in 1991 by Kenneth Oswald, the Oswald Company, Inc. creates great places to work, live, shop and play, building state-of-the-art facilities. Oswald specializes in offering clients comprehensive, integrated development and construction solutions specifically tailored to their needs. Oswald strives to challenge the traditional methods of construction by developing innovative ways to approach projects. Through its dedication to
Irish Ambassador Visits Cincinnati
The EACC was honored to support the December 1-2 visit to Cincinnati by Daniel Mulhall, Ireland’s Ambassador to the United States. The opportunity arose when EACC Cincinnati Executive Director Todd Schwartz met the Ambassador at a June reception at the Residence of EU Ambassador to the United States Stavros Lambrindinis, where Mulhall noted he’d been invited to participate in the Irish Heritage Society’s “Green Tie Dinner” on December 1. Schwartz suggested the Ambassador stay an extra day and let the EACC
2020 EACC Board of Directors Elected at Annual General Meeting
The Greater Cincinnati Chapter of the European American Chamber of Commerce held its Annual General Meeting at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 21. As required by our Code of Regulations, the primary purpose of the meeting was to elect the individuals who will serve as the EACC Board of Directors for terms starting on January 1, 2020. Attendees also heard a brief update on the Chamber’s financial condition from Treasurer Chris Flaig, as well as a review of the
EACC Member Spotlight: Murrplastik Systems, Inc.
By Susan Morgan We have all heard of companies that didn’t, or wouldn’t, change with the times … and suffered the consequences (think Blockbuster Video, Blackberry Motion or Kodak) as well as those who did see the “writing on the wall” and made the necessary adjustments and thrived (such as Amazon, Nokia – which started out making rubber boots - and Apple). Today’s Member Spotlight is about a German-based company that made the radical changes needed for continued growth not just once, but twice! The
EACC Welcomes New Member Modula Inc.
The EACC is delighted to welcome Sustaining Partner member Modula Inc. Modula is one of the leading manufacturers of automated vertical storage solutions, designed to optimize space and improve picking and storage operations in any industrial sector or environment. The Vertical Lift Module (VLM) utilizes the full ceiling height of a facility thus maximizing the storage potential. Items are stored in units up to 46' high, in a safe, secure environment and automatically delivered to the operator, avoiding
EACC Member Spotlight: Heinrichs USA
BySusan Morgan Too often we see family-owned and operated businesses, especially when transitioned from the original founding parent to the next generation, falter, and sadly fail for different reasons. Maybe the children don’t have the same work ethics or drive. Or they just aren’t that interested. I was absolutely delighted to learn that is NOT THE CASE when it comes to Heinrichs USA. As their website says, they truly are “A healthy, family-run, medium-sized business”. A little background … Heinrichs
EACC Welcomes New Member FC Cincinnati
The EACC is delighted to welcome new Partner member FC Cincinnati. FC Cincinnati is an American professional soccer club based in Cincinnati, Ohio that plays in the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer (MLS). The team succeeded the USL team of the same name and was announced on May 29, 2018, when MLS awarded an expansion franchise to Cincinnati. The team began MLS play on March 2, 2019 with its first match against Seattle Sounders FC. The club's ownership group is led by Carl H. Lindner III with Jeff
EACC Behind the Scenes - October 2019
Industry 4.0 training at Festo Andreas Brockmann, Head of Technical Training and Education at Festo Didactic in Mason, invited me to participate in its “Introduction to Industry 4.0” course at the end of September. It was a great opportunity to gain some new and deeper insight into the challenges (and opportunities) that the fourth industrial revolution poses not just for manufacturers but for every aspect of society. The course provides an excellent overview of how the fourth industrial revolution
EACC Board Holds Fourth Quarter Meeting
The Board of Directors of the European American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cincinnati met in the afternoon of Thursday, October 24 in the Learning Center of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. Board President Yannick Schilly convened the group by welcoming proposed new board members and noting the departure of long-time friend, supporter, and leader of the EACC, Joe Dehner (who will step down from the board at the end of the year). After approving the minutes from the July board meeting, the group
EACC and Partners Host 2019 Transatlantic Business Outlook
On Wednesday October 9, the European American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cincinnati (EACC) hosted the 2019 Transatlantic Business Outlook at the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce with over 80 guests in attendance. Thanks to the help of our friends and partners at Clark Schaefer Hackett, HSBC, the Greater Cincinnati Foreign Trade Zones Inc., Porter Wright and Start Something Bold, the event was a great success! After welcoming remarks from EACC Board President Yannick Schilly, Ryan Wang
EACC Welcomes New Member Luxottica
The EACC is delighted to welcome Partner member Luxottica. Luxottica is a leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of fashion, luxury and sports eyewear. Its portfolio includes proprietary brands such as Ray-Ban, Oakley, Vogue Eyewear, Persol, Oliver Peoples and Alain Mikli, as well as licensed brands including Giorgio Armani, Burberry, Bulgari, Chanel, Coach, Dolce&Gabbana, Ferrari, Michael Kors, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Tiffany & Co., Valentino and Versace. To learn more, please
EACC Welcomes New Member Oswald Companies/Taylor Oswald
The EACC is delighted to welcome Partner member Oswald Companies/Taylor Oswald. Founded in 1893, Cleveland-based, and employee-owned, Oswald is one of the nation’s largest independent insurance brokerage and risk management firms. As a proud Partner of Assurex Global, the world’s largest association of privately held insurance brokers, their risk management professionals service and support the needs of clients worldwide. Through Oswald's
EACC Behind the Scenes - September 2019
Executive Director Schwartz Attends Reception Celebrating "Kentucky and the EU" I was very honored to be invited to represent the European American Chamber of Commerce at a reception to celebrate “Kentucky and the EU” at the Residence of the Ambassador of the European Union to the United States, Stavros Lambrinidis, in Washington DC on Wednesday, September 18. The event was timed to mark the 25th anniversary of an EU-US agreement on the naming of alcoholic beverages – that is, reserving the names ‘Irish
EACC & University of Cincinnati Partner to Host Industry 4.0 Roundtable
One message we heard from members in our 2018 ‘Voice of the Customer’ study was that members wanted more opportunities to connect with peers in meaningful ways and to participate in more substantive programming. On September 11, top executives from Michelman, Bonfiglioli, Perfetti Van Melle, Pilot Chemical and Festo (along with Board President Yannick Schilly and Treasurer Chris Flaig) worked together to provide their thoughts and input to faculty and staff from the University of Cincinnati (UC) and three
Murrplastik Systems Hosts EACC Global Intern
Murrplastik Systems is a German-based company that manufactures and sells cable management products – from marking and labeling systems to cable drag chains, conduits and fittings and now robotic ‘dresspacks’ – basically a wiring harness that makes the robot functional. The company has a sales and distribution office in Milford, Ohio, and recently hosted their first EACC “Global Intern” Sebastian Häbich. Dayna and I visited Murrplastik as Sebastian’s tenure was ending to better understand the value of the
EACC Behind the Scenes - August 2019
EACC Develops Membership Working Group Last year we invited Start Something Bold to help the EACC better understand the value that we provide to our members and how we can increase that value. Since receiving the results of this “Voice of the Customer” (VOC) study at our October 25, 2018 Board meeting, we’ve been working to use your feedback to reexamine and modify the way we do business. Most importantly, we continually remind ourselves that what makes the EACC unique in our community among business
One Question Survey: August 19, 2019
In May 2018, the Cincinnati Chapter of the European American Chamber of Commerce hosted an “All-Chapter” conference including the Board Presidents and/or Executive Directors from our sister chapters in Paris, Lyon, New York, Greenville SC, and the planned chapter in Amsterdam. While growing the network was an important part of our discussions, we primarily focused on how we can work to deliver value for our members across the network. What does that look like? As an example, EACC Cincinnati developed and
EACC Member Spotlight: ABM DRIVES INC.
By Susan Morgan What do the words "German engineering" bring to your mind? Do you, as many do, immediately think high-quality? Reliability? Accuracy? Here is what I found when I searched that term online: Germany’s prowess in engineering is indisputable … they are world leaders in their field, renowned for their dedication to precision, function and power. Over the years, they have maintained their reputation as a top exporter of machinery and industrial equipment.* In the case of German-based ABM
EACC Greater Cincinnati Launches Refreshed Weekly Newsbrief
On August 13, we relaunched the EACC Cincinnati weekly Newsbrief with a new look. I wanted to provide you a bit of a peek ‘behind the curtain’ to see how we got here, and also what else is in store! This is a project I’ve had in mind for some time. I was not dissatisfied with the former layout of the Newsbrief, but like any publication of this type, it can get a bit ‘dated;’ a refresh can help to keep readers engaged, and it gave us the chance to review a number of factors including content, frequency,
EACC Welcomes New Member Siemens Corporation
The EACC is delighted to welcome Sustaining Partner member Siemens Corporation. Siemens Corporation is a U.S. subsidiary of Siemens AG, a global powerhouse focusing on the areas of electrification, automation and digitalization. For more than 170 years, the name Siemens has been synonymous with internationality and worldwide presence with around 377,000 employees in more than 200 countries. Locally, Siemens Norwood, Ohio induction motor plant has been making world class induction motors for over 120 years
EACC Behind the Scenes - July 2019
EACC Network Inaugural Webinar On July 25, the European American Chamber of Commerce (EACC) held its inaugural Webinar (using the Zoom™ platform), inviting all members of our Boards of Directors to learn more about the recent and future growth of the EACC network. Over 30 people participated in the event; most taking part via the video conference but a few also listening in via telephone. Todd Schwartz, Executive Director of the Cincinnati Chapter acted as host and moderator for the event.Guillaume
EACC Board of Directors Holds Third Quarter 2019 Meeting
The Board of Directors of the European American Chamber of Commerce met from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 25 at the offices of Gilman Partners. Julie George of Gilman Partners welcomed the group after Board President Yannick Schilly called the meeting to order and a quick round of introductions. The first order of business was to approve the minutes of the April Board meeting, and then the board unanimously appointed Chris Flaig of MCM CPAs as our new Board Treasurer filling the unexpired term
Meet EACC Netherlands Executive Director Marcel Schulze
The EACC Greater Cincinnati is pleased to introduce EACC Netherlands Executive Director Marcel Schulze to our members and partners. The EACC chapter in the Netherlands formally launched in June 2019. Marcel Schulze is Executive Director of the European American Chamber of Commerce Netherlands chapter. In addition, he is Managing Director of Tradinfo, a leading Financial Relationship Marketing Agency, specialized in global 1:1 investor conferences and investor relations (IR) services. Up until 2008, he
EACC Behind the Scenes - June 2019
EACC Network Continues to Grow On June 21, 2019, the value of the European American Chamber of Commerce network grew exponentially with the formal launch of our newest chapter in the Netherlands. I was honored to represent the Cincinnati chapter's Board and members at this historic event, which also included Jim Rosener (Board President) and Yvonne Bendinger-Rothschild (Executive Director) of the New York chapter. On Thursday, June 20, Marcel Schulze, the new Executive Director of the Netherlands
EACC Member Spotlight: E-Beam Services, Inc.
By Susan Morgan After spending some time out at E-BEAM’s facility in Lebanon, Ohio I concluded that their tagline - Our Customers Make Great Products - fits them like a glove. With E-BEAM’s help, their customers make a wide variety of products that we all need and use everyday. From helping to provide electricity and hot water to consumers, to keeping cars running safely, and providing sterile medical devices and pharmaceuticals to patients in need across the globe - the E-BEAM team are what I like to call
One Question Survey: June 3, 2019
Well the results are in, and among EACC newsletter readers, FC Cincinnati is your favorite professional sports team by an overwhelming margin. 42.1 percent of our 78 individual responses, identified our hometown Major League Soccer team as their favorite. The Cincinnati Reds garnered 28.9 percent of the votes with the Cincinnati Bengals not far behind (at 26.3 percent). I had thought a tradition of hockey in northern Europe would have garnered the Cincinnati Cyclones (who made it to the Kelly Cup Playoffs
Behind the Scenes: May 2019
Italian Consul in Detroit Visits Greater Cincinnati On May 17, the European American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cincinnati hosted a lunch in honor of Ms. Maria Manca, the Italian Consul based in Detroit, Michigan. This was the Consul’s first visit to Cincinnati, and the lunch was a good opportunity for her to connect with a broad cross-section of the Italian business community in our region. Among those in attendance were executives from Bonfiglioli, Eurostampa, Fameccanica, Luxottica, Mubea,
2019 EACC Annual Gala Recap
By all accounts, the European American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cincinnati (EACC) Annual Gala Dinner was a remarkable success! I hesitate to try and write a recap because there’s so much to say, but I’ll try to keep this brief. We opened with a performance of the national anthems of the Netherlands and the United States by a string quartet from the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO), followed by two important announcements by EACC Executive Director Todd Schwartz:The EACC will open a new chapter in
EACC Welcomes New Member BKD CPAs & Advisors
The EACC is delighted to welcome Partner member BKD CPAs & Advisors. BKD, founded in 1923, is a national CPA and advisory firm that helps clients reach their goals. The firm's expertise goes well beyond the standard accounting services to include risk management, technology, wealth management and forensic and valuation services. BKD clients represent a wide range of industries, and BKD is part of an alliance of firms that gives it a global reach. BKD is committed to helping clients compete successfully
Behind the Scenes: April 2019
The Board of Directors of the European American Chamber of Commerce of Greater CIncinnati met for its regular quarterly meeting on Thursday, April 25. After welcomes and introductions, the board reviewed and approved the minutes for its January 24 meeting. In accordance with Article III (A)(vi) of the EACC Code of Regulations, the Board appointed Cierra Clymer of REDI Cincinnati and Chris Flaig of MCM CPAs to serve on the board for the remainder of 2019. The Board also received a report from the Finance
EACC Welcomes New Member Squire Patton Boggs
The EACC is delighted to welcome Partner member Squire Patton Boggs. Squire Patton Boggs is a full-service global law firm. The firm provides insight at the point where law, business and government meet, giving you a voice, supporting your ambitions and achieving successful outcomes. Their multidisciplinary team of over 1,500 lawyers in 47 offices across 20 countries provides access to expertise and invaluable connections on the ground to support your European-American business endeavors. It is a seamless
FABA 2.0: April 8 L'Aperitif Readout
On Monday, April 8, about 40 of us assembled at the Graydon offices in the Scripps Tower for wine, snacks, and a discussion about the legacy and the future of the French American Business Alliance within the EACC and our community. The conversation was facilitated by Carla Walker, who among other things leads the Nancy Sister Cities Association here in Cincinnati. Walker started by asking people why they decided to attend the event, eliciting responses like “I want to see FABA’s leadership role in the
EACC Welcomes New Member DOPAG US
The EACC is delighted to welcome Corporate Small Partner member DOPAG (US) Ltd. DOPAG is one of the world’s most experienced manufacturers of high-quality metering technology. Wherever adhesives, resins, silicones or lubricants are metered and applied in industrial production, DOPAG offers reliable, precise solutions. The company provides systems and components for highly automated production processes, including for the automotive, wind, household appliances and electrical industries, as well as for
EACC Newsbrief Survey Results
Thank you for your help with our Newsbrief survey – we were happy to see that over 100 of you took the time to give us feedback on the weekly EACC Newsbrief, which is our primary means of letting our members and friends know what we’re doing. And we were also gratified to receive so many positive comments:“Great newsletter that keeps you informed on what’s happening in the community”“I enjoy getting and reading the EACC Newsletter – a great way to stay in touch, get information updates, and more”“The
EACC Welcomes New Member Vaco Cincinnati LLC
The EACC is delighted to welcome Partner member Vaco Cincinnati LLC. Vaco provides boutique level service with global reach in the areas of executive search, consulting, permanent placement, and strategic staffing. While industry agnostic, Vaco’s areas of expertise include accounting, finance, technology, healthcare IT, operations, administration and international managed services. Vaco has become a premier talent & solutions firm by attracting, developing and retaining the strongest players in the
EACC Behind the Scenes - March 2019
Adding Value Across the EACC NetworkOne message we heard from our recent "Voice of the Customer" survey is that members were largely unaware of the EACC's network of chapters in Europe and the US (including Paris, Lyon, New York, New Jersey, Greenville SC, and new chapters under development in Miami and Amsterdam). When Executuve Directors from across the network met in Cincinnati last May, we acknowledged one of our most important assets was our network, and that we needed to do more to connect our
One Question Survey: March 18, 2019
On March 7 the EACC and our Austrian-Swiss-German committee held a very successful “Introduction to German Business Culture” event at the Carnegie in Newport. In addition to some basic rules of business etiquette, the presentations included quick reviews of history, law and language across the German speaking countries of Europe. The reviews of the event were uniformly positive, with survey respondents all saying they’d recommend future sessions to business colleagues. With this success under our belt,
Two EACC Member Companies Receive Ohio Success Awards
The EACC would like to congratulate member companies Deceuninck North America and General Tool Company on their recent Ohio Sucess Awards.Ohio Business magazine, which presents the awards, notes "the Ohio Success Awards recognizes the accomplishments of companies that have demonstrated growth in revenue and employees, as well as having demonstrated involvement in their community and service in their industry; nonprofits that have made a significant impact upon the communities they serve; governmental
EACC Welcomes New Member The Angus Group
The EACC is delighted to welcome Partner member The Angus Group. The Angus Group provides executive search, recruitment, and talent acquisition solutions to help clients meet the people needs of business. Based in Cincinnati, the firm works with small privately held companies, Fortune 500 corporations, private equity groups and non-profit entities. Talented people are the foundation of every successful organization and The Angus Group helps identify, assess, recruit, and retain the exceptional leaders of
EACC Welcomes New Member Xavier University
The EACC is delighted to welcome Partner member Xavier University. Xavier was founded in Cincinnati nearly two centuries ago. As a community of professional educators firmly grounded in Jesuit tradition and values, Xavier prepares students for an exciting but increasingly complex world by always striving to be better. With over 7,000 total students, including nearly 5,000 undergraduates, choosing from over 90 majors, 60 minors, 40 master’s and three doctoral programs, Xavier stands out for its challenging
EACC Behind the Scenes - February 2019
Fostering an environment for networking among members of the Greater Cincinnati’s transatlantic business community hits at the heart of the EACC’s mission (“to stimulate business and networking relations between the Cincinnati Tri-State region and Europe”). Time and time again we have seen business deals and partnerships emerge from EACC events as new and fruitful connections and relationships are established. In this vein, we are pleased to see the continued growth and success of our Stammtisch networking
EACC Welcomes New Member RCSN Leadership Services
The EACC is delighted to welcome Partner member RCSN Leadership Services. RCSN was founded in 2004 by Paul Wehner, Senior Partner at RCSN Executive Search, offering one primary service, Executive Search and Recruiting. As RCSN grew and expanded its Client base, it became clear Clients were interested in two other Leadership Services, Coaching and Mentoring and Leadership Consulting. Paul responded to that need by asking Donna Chrobot Mason, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychology and Director, UC
''What's So Cool About Manufacturing?'' Video Contest Voting Opens March 5
Dream It, Do It OKI's "What's So Cool About Manufacturing" Video Contest is a program designed by employers and educators to help improve the image of manufacturing as a career choice. The objective is to recruit more young people to career and technical schools that feed talent to the manufacturing industry. Teams of middle school students, led by teacher coaches, are provided with video equipment and instructional materials and are matched with local manufacturers. Each team has four months to create a
EACC Welcomes New Member LION Group
The EACC is delighted to welcome Partner member LION Group Inc.LION makes the gear emergency service providers, civilian responders and militaries need to stay safe in the line of duty. The company got its start at the end of the 19th century as a dry goods store in Dayton, Ohio. By 1941, it had received a commendation from Army Air Force Commanding General “Hap” Arnold, saluting the company for “outstanding services rendered to your government” after supplying the Army Air Force with electrically heated
One Question Survey: January 28, 2019
This edition of the “One Question Survey” generated some particular interest, which reflects the highly politicized climate in which we currently live. The question was: While the EACC will not speak out on political issues, we also have traditionally been relatively quiet when it comes to policy questions, ranging from international trade policy to local issues such as public transportation. Do you believe the EACC should speak out more on public policy questions that impact our members? In response
Manufacturers Working Together to Tackle the Talent Shortage - AMIP at the Ready
Local manufacturers are collaborating to find solutions for our skills gap. The Advanced Manufacturing Industry Partnership (AMIP) is Greater Cincinnati’s regional collaboration of Advanced Manufacturing employers, educators, and community agencies working together to ensure we have a robust pipeline of qualified workers. AMIP membership has doubled in the last two years with over 250 active members. AMIP works to alleviate occupational shortages for industry by creating and implementing an
EACC Behind the Scenes: Manufacturing Executives Tour University of Cincinnati 1819 Innovation Hub
The recently completed Voice of the Customer study highlighted a desire for peer engagement among the EACC’s manufacturing members, as well as a desire for more relevant programming at it relates to business needs in a European-American context . With this feedback in mind, the EACC, in partnership with the University of Cincinnati and event co-sponsor Wells Fargo Advisors, hosted manufacturing executives from the EACC network for a tour of and briefing on the University of Cincinnati 1819 Innovation Hub.
EACC Welcomes New Member Corporate Finance Associates
The EACC is delighted to welcome Partner member Corporate Finance Associates (CFA). CFA, founded in 1956 and headquartered in Los Angeles, is one of North America’s oldest and most prominent investment banking firms serving middle-market companies, both private and small-cap public. It has closed over 3000 transactions in its six decade plus history and has over 80 professionals operating out of 31 offices across the United States, Europe, and India. Three of those offices located in Ohio, Kentucky,
EACC Board of Directors Holds First Quarter 2019 Meeting
The EACC Board of Directors held its first meeting under the leadership of new Board President Yannick Schilly on Thursday, January 24, 2019. After welcoming new board members (and acknowleding a few departures), the Board approved the minutes from the November 15, 2018 Annual General Meeting. The Board received a brief update on EACC finances, and deferred action on approving the 2019 EACC Budget pending a recommendation from the Finance and Executive Committees. The Board heard a report from VEGA
EACC Welcomes New Member Visconti Real Estate LLC
The EACC is delighted to welcome Partner member Visconti Real Estate LLC. Visconti Real Estate LLC is a Greater Cincinnati real estate boutique broker who truly cares about all their clients' needs and their real estate goals. Visconti Real Estate is family owned and operated, celebrating 20 years in the Real Estate and Relocation Industry focusing on relocating transferees who are new to the area. Visconti Real Estate's specialized services include assisting buyers and sellers, executive leasing for
EACC Member Thompson Hine Releases U.S. Trade Overview Presentation Reviewing 2018
One of the lessons we learned from our recent Voice of the Customer Study was that members expect us to focus on trade, commerce, and trends in European-American businesses and relationships. With that in mind, look for more information and resources on these topics from EACC members (and beyond) in future editions of the EACC Newsbrief, starting with the below… Last week, EACC member Thompson Hine released a slide presentation providing an overview of the most significant trade actions taken by the
One Question Survey: December 17, 2018
As individuals we tend to be optimistic, especially when it comes to our personal situation and events over which we have some degree of control. I had this point in mind when designing the "One Question Survey sent out on December 17 – as well as wanting to get a picture of what our members are looking forward to in 2019… The question was: “Thinking in terms of the broader economy, and in terms of your specific industry, please rank your level of optimism for 2019.” Possible responses (from worst to
Behind the Scenes: November 2018
"Behind the Scenes" is our monthly effort to give our members and friends some insight to what and how the EACC operates beyond just our numerous activities and programs. We'd love your feedback!From Executive Director Todd Schwartz Next month I plan to look back over 2018 and provide a recap of some of our accomplishments, but for this month I want to share with you some of the projects and activities I have in mind for 2019 and beyond. Note that none of this is written in stone; lots of factors will
2018 Beaujolais Nouveau Recap
What a night! Over 130 people braved the elements to join the French American Business Alliance (FABA) and the European American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cincinnati to taste "the first wine of the harvest," the famed Beaujolais Nouveau. Following opening remarks by Board President Doug Moormann, Celebrity Auctioneer Jack Keegan of Miami University's wine tasting course offered the traditional toast: "le Beaujolais nouveau est arrivé!" Guests were delighted with four different wines: Beaujolais
Annual General Meeting; New EACC Board and Officers
As required by our Code of Regulations, the European American Chamber of Commerce of Greter Cincinnati held its Annual General Meeting in the Julep Room at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza on Thursday, November 15 (just before the Beaujolais Nouveau Première). After approving minutes for the October 25 Board meeting, attendees turned their attention to the primary agenda items, the elections of new directors and officers. Directors are elected for one year terms and officers for two year terrms, all
Voice of the Customer Study Readout
Regular readers of the EACC Newsbrief may recall that earlier this year that we had contracted with Start Something Bold to undertake a “Voice of the Customer” study for us. The goal was not to just better understand the needs and wants of our members, but to use those findings to increase the value the EACC provides to its members and to the community. At the Board Meeting on October 25, Paul Miklautsch and Micah Zender of Start Something Bold (SSB) presented their findings, and I wanted to share a brief
2018 October Behind The Scenes
The EACC Board of Directors met at the Offices of Frost Brown Todd on October 25. Board President opened the meeting with thanks to Frost Brown Todd for hosting us and congratulating EACC Operations Manager Dayna O'Brien on the recent birth of her baby. He introduced Cheryl Dixon-Smith as EACC Interim Operations Staff through the end of 2018. He also welcomed Jenni Larkins, VP for Finance at the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, who will be joining the Board of Directors for 2019. Moormann noted that the
Welcome Cheryl Dixon-Smith
As you know, EACC Operations Manager Dayna O'Brien will be on Maternity Leave through the end of 2018, and the EACC has hired Cheryl Dixon-Smith to serve as Interim Operations Staff to cover the gap. Cheryl will be in the office on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings. You can call her at 513-762-3727, or e-mail her at cheryl.dixon-smith (at) europe-cincinnati.com. I've asked Cheryl to introduce herself below. As a recent college graduate, I am very excited and honored to work with the
EACC Welcomes New Member Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
The EACC is delighted to welcome Partner member Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, a nonprofit academic medical center established in 1883, is one of the oldest and most distinguished pediatric hospitals in the United States. Cincinnati Children's offers comprehensive clinical services, from treatments for rare and complex conditions to well-child care. In the 2018-19 U.S. News & World Report survey of best children’s hospitals, Cincinnati
EACC Welcomes President's Circle Member Altix Consulting
The EACC is delighted to welcome President's Circle member Altix Consulting Inc. Altix Consulting Inc. is a global management consulting firm that provides tailor-made management, engineering and technology solutions to help companies navigate increasingly complex environments. Co-founders Yannick Schilly, formerly COO of Festo North America, and Anne Cappel, Co-founder and past Executive Director of the European American Chamber of Commerce, joined their passions and global networks to deliver expertise
EACC Members to Take Part in National Manufacturing Day
National Manufacturing Day takes place on October 5 this year (or on a designated day in October). This initiative of the Manufacturing Institute and the National Association of Manufacturers is intended to inspire the next generation of manufacturers. The EACC is working with our friends at Partners for a Competitive Workforce to promote National Manufacturing Day/Month in October, and specifically, we are delighted to showcase the National Manufacturing Day events that will be held by EACC member
EACC Behind the Scenes - September 2018
How are EACC Firms Reacting to Rising Global Trade Tensions? I’m sure each of you are carefully following the rise in trade tensions around the world. It’s clear that rising tariffs and trade restrictions have the potential to significantly impact manufacturers and consumers across our region and around the world. And we’ve been fortunate to host individuals like EU Ambassador to the US David O’Sullivan and Head of Division for the US and Canada of the European External Action Service Richard Tibbels,
Investing & Doing Business with Lithuania
The EACC is partnering with the embassies of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia to host a “Doing Business with the Baltics” trade and investment seminar on September 25, 2018 (Click Here to Register). To prepare for the event, we asked the local Honorary Consuls to provide “country snapshots” showcasing the business opportunities in each of the three states. Please find the provided Lithuanian country overview below. Why Lithuania? Lithuania is a business-friendly country for young entrepreneurs and skilled
Discover Magnetic Latvia and the Many Business Opportunities it Offers
The EACC is partnering with the embassies of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia to host a “Doing Business with the Baltics” trade and investment seminar on September 25, 2018 (Click Here to Register). To prepare for the event, we asked the local Honorary Consuls to provide “country snapshots” showcasing the business opportunities in each of the three states. Please find the provided Latvian country overview below. Situated at the very heart of the economically and culturally vibrant Nordic-Baltic region,
Northern Kentucky University's Dr. François Le Roy to Speak at L'Apéritif
The EACC and FABA will welcome Dr. François Le Roy, Executive Director of Northern Kentucky University's Center for Global Engagement and International Affairs, as the Vignette speaker at the upcoming L'Apéritif on Monday, September 17. Please click here to register. Dr. Le Roy has been at NKU since 1998. He is NKU’s senior international officer and has been serving as Executive Director of the Center for Global Engagement and International Affairs since July 1, 2011. He oversees International Student
EACC Welcomes New Member American Thermal Instruments/Microtek Laboratories
The EACC is delighted to welcome Partner member American Thermal Instruments/Microtek Laboratories. American Thermal Instruments and Microtek Laboratories are sister companies that manufacture solutions to both manage and monitor temperature. ATI provides the proper temperature monitoring solution for every application. ATI manufactures both color-changing and electronic solutions that can be used at the product, box, pallet or truck level to guarantee consumer/patient safety and protect the brand.
EACC Behind the Scenes - August 2018
What’s So Cool About Manufacturing? As you know, the EACC is implementing a three-pronged strategy to promote Workforce Development – we will Celebrate EACC members making significant contributions to the development of a sustainable and skilled workforce for our region; we will Connect our members to resources and programs that can support their efforts to attract, train, and retain the skilled workers they need; and we will Advocate for positive attitudes towards careers in manufacturing. In this
Doing Business in Estonia
The EACC is partnering with the embassies of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia to host a “Doing Business with the Baltics” trade and investment seminar on September 25, 2018 (Click Here to Register). To prepare for the event, we asked the local Honorary Consuls to provide “country snapshots” showcasing the business opportunities in each of the three states. Please find the provided Estonian country overview below. Estonia has quickly become one of the best places in the world for running a business. The
EACC Welcomes New Member First Financial Bank
The EACC is delighted to welcome Partner member First Financial Bank. Founded in 1863, First Financial Bank is a regional community bank with 150 branch locations spanning Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois. First Financial Bank provides the scope of services offered by larger regional and national banks, but maintains a community bank model with local decision-making and high-touch customer service. First Financial Bank operates under this model because it allows the Bank to be efficient to meet the
EACC Behind the Scenes -- July 2018
July 26, 2018 EACC Board Meeting Summary The Board of Directors of the European American Chamber of Commerce (EACC) met for its regularly scheduled quarterly meeting on Thursday, July 26, 2018 at the offices of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce, with Board President Doug Moormann chairing the meeting. After welcoming all and introducing a few prospective board members (including Annie Daniel from PNC, and Kimberly Rippe from STEP Resources/Lykins Energy Group), Mr. Moormann asked Harold
Senior EU Official Visits “Real America” Courtesy of the EACC
Mr. Richard Tibbels, Head of Division for U.S. & Canada of the European External Action Service (the EU’s diplomatic service) visited Cincinnati July 18-20, following on the successful visit of EU Ambassador to the U.S. David O’Sullivan in May. Tibbels had been in Washington for three days of meetings earlier in the week to discuss trade and other issues, and had asked the team at the EU Delegation to arrange for him to visit “the real America” so he could learn how some of these issues are perceived
EACC Welcomes New Member RKCA - Capital Advisors & Investment Bankers
The EACC is delighted to welcome Partner member RKCA - Capital Advisors and Investment Bankers. RKCA is a leading Cincinnati capital advisory firm, specializing in mergers and acquisitions, recapitalization financing and distressed advisory. A registered broker-dealer since 1986, RKCA provides investment banking services to middle-market companies and their owners across a variety of industries. To learn more, please visit www.rkca.com.
EACC Behind the Scenes - June 2018
Building Global Relationships Last week I was in Chicago to connect with potential European partners for our work here to stimulate business and networking relations between the Cincinnati Tri-State region and Europe. It was a great opportunity to rekindle partnerships with those who fondly remembered our former Executive Director Anne Cappel and to begin to build new ones. There was a great appreciation both for our initiative in reaching out and a recognition that the opportunities in the Cincinnati
EACC Partners with VIE-Ability
The EACC is delighted to share the news of our recent partnership with VIE-Ability to purchase office products and supplies for the EACC’s daily operations. The Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired launched VIE-Ability, (formerly Cincy Sight) in 2013 in an effort to provide more professional-level job opportunities to people who had established careers, but unexpectedly lost their vision later in life. The name VIE-Ability places emphasis on employees who are visually impaired using
EACC Welcomes New Member Mauer USA
The EACC is delighted to welcome Partner member Mauer USA. Kutterer Mauer AG stands for a wide range of standard caps and customized system solutions as well as for high quality and expertise in re-development and mold building. Customers can benefit from their decades of experience in the field of injection molding and in the development of new, customized overall concepts. Worldwide, and at any time, Kutterer Mauer offers innovative full service from one source with the goal to be a leader in the
EACC Behind the Scenes: EU Ambassador to the U.S. Addresses Transatlantic Trade During Visit to Greater Cincinnati
EACC Executive Director Todd Schwartz submitted the following to the Cincinnati Enquirer as an Op-Ed piece following the visit of EU Ambassador David O’Sullivan. When European Union Ambassador to the United States, David O’Sullivan, was in Cincinnati last week, he delivered a message of gratitude for the sacrifices of blood and treasure America has made over the decades to make the European experiment feasible. He delivered a message of esteem for the welcome European business receives in our region and
LOGOMAT automation systems, Inc. Announces Alex Thompson as US Sales Manager
EACC member LOGOMAT automation systems, Inc. recently announced Alex Thompson as its US Sales Manager. Please find LOGOMAT's formal company announcement below. LOGOMAT automation systems, Inc. is pleased to announce that Alex Thompson has been internally promoted to our US Sales Manager. He started at LOGOMAT following his graduation from the University of Kentucky and has gained great experience as part of our sales team over the last 2 years. His deep technical background combined with his strong
EACC Welcomes New Member Lifetime Financial Growth, LLC
The EACC is delighted to welcome Partner member Lifetime Financial Growth, LLC. Lifetime Financial Growth, LLC (LFG) is a privately-held wealth management firm. LFG is a community of 300 advisors, currently serving 60,000 clients, managing $4 billion of their assets, with local office presence in 13 cities and 6 states. The firm provides investment and insurance based solutions to corporations, associations, and individuals. While many people think about financial advising as a series of calculations,
EACC Board Holds Second Quarter 2018 Meeting
Your EACC Board of Directors met on April 26 in the Learning Center of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. Board members in attendance were Carol Barton (KPMG); Drew Collins (Bannockburn Global Forex); Karen Finan (Northern Kentucky Regional Alliance); Dominic Franchini (HORAN); Julie George (Gilman Partners); Jody Gunderson (City of Hamilton); Neil Hensley (City of Blue Ash); Melissa Johnson (Foreign Trade Zones of Greater Cincinnati); Chris Knueven (Miller-Valentine Group); Board President Doug Moormann
Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza Executive Chef to Speak at L'Aperitif
The EACC and FABA will welcome Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza Executive Chef Maxime Kien as the Vignette speaker at the upcoming L'Apéritif on Monday, May 21 from 5:30-7:30 PM.Please click here to register to attend. Through this five minute Vignette, "Chef Max", a native of France, will share insight into his professional culinary experience in Europe and the U.S., while also sharing personal insights about his experience living in the Greater Cincinnati region. Maxime Kien grew up in the South of
EACC Behind the Scenes - April 2018
EACC All-Chapter Conference As most of you know, the first U.S. Chapter of the European American Chamber of Commerce was established in Cincinnati in 2007, following the lead of our sister chapter in Paris. Since then, we have grown to include chapters in Lyon and Toulouse in France and New York, New Jersey, and Greenville, South Carolina, with new chapters under development or discussion in Amsterdam, Boston, Miami and Milan. I’m often asked how we coordinate activities and operations between the
EACC Welcomes New Member PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
The EACC is delighted to welcome new Partner member PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC). PwC’s accounting practice originated in London well over a century ago. As times changed and PwC expanded worldwide, the firm's commitment to clients never wavered. Clients are supported by a global network of more than 236,000 people in 158 countries. PwC’s professional services include audit and assurance, tax and consulting that cover such areas as cybersecurity and privacy, human resources, deals and forensics. PwC
EACC Behind the Scenes - March 2018
Southwest Ohio Advocacy Day 2018 I was one of some 70 participants in the second annual “Southwest Ohio Advocacy Day” event organized by Jason Kershner and the Government Affairs team at the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. It was great to be there with ten other EACC member companies and organizations including:Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International AirportCincinnati USA Regional ChamberDevelopment Strategies Group/Government Strategies GroupDuke EnergyFesto CorporationFifth Third BankGreater