EACC Hosts 2021 Conference & Gala Dinner
By all accounts, the 2021 EACC Conference and Annual Gala was a resounding success – and the highlight was, without a doubt, the visit of Her Excellency Emily Margarethe Haber, Ambassador of Germany to the United States. Here is a quick recap of the events. Ambassador Haber, accompanied by German Consul General Wolfgang Mössinger, her Chief of Staff Sebastian Ernst and Honorary German Consul Martin Wilhelmy, had a whirlwind schedule on Thursday, including a visit to Festo in Mason and then a meeting and
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EACC Network Survey Results: The Impact of COVID-19 Travel Restrictions
We’re now seeing reports that the U.S. Administration is finally taking action to ease restrictions on travelers from Europe beginning in November – and for EACC member companies the steps can’t come soon enough. The EACC had heard many anecdotes about the impact of the restrictions on both sides of the Atlantic, and so we revived our network-wide survey tool to get a more systematic perspective on the issue. This survey was conducted the week of September 13 and elicited 132 responses. 38.6 percent of
EACC Staff Update
We’re delighted to welcome EACC Operations Manager Dayna O’Brien back from her maternity leave this week. Your EACC is dedicated to providing meaningful value to our members, and our expanded team will allow us to do just that. Dayna’s return allows us to reconsider and restructure operations to ensure that each of us – Todd, Dayna, and Claudia – are best using our strengths to your benefit. Dayna will retain her “Operations Manager” title for now, and Claudia will take on the title “Director Events &
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2021 Oktoberfest Zinzinnati
The Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is back. From September 16 - 19, 2021, you can enjoy German food and beer again along 2nd and 3rd Street. Because of Annual Conference and Gala, we were unable to arrange a private seating area for the EACC, but we still want to continue our tradition of enjoying the celebration of German tradition with our members and friends. Please join us for an informal get-together on Friday, September 17, 2021 at 6:00pm. We will meet at the Berlin Wall Memorial in front of the
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Behind the Scenes: July 2021
We are again providing this brief and unofficial summary of the outcome of our most recent board meeting so our broader membership is aware of our deliberations. Official minutes (once approved by the Board) are available upon request. The Board of Directors of the European American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cincinnati held its third quarter meeting via Microsoft Teams™ on Thursday, July 22nd. Board President Dominic Franchini opened the meeting by reminding board members of some of the short- and
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EACC launches new advertising campaign at CVG Airport
The EACC, in partnership with our Bridge Builder level members Altix Consulting and Modula Inc., has launched a new advertising campaign at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG). Be sure to look for the new signage at the entrance to the tunnel connecting the terminal to the concourses and at the tram stops -- and the first person to snap a picture of themself with one of the signs and post it to Twitter with our handle @EuropeCincy will get a free ticket to attend the EACC
Behind the Scenes: Planning of our Annual Conference and Gala 2021
By now you have likely heard the EACC will be hosting our Fall Conference and Annual Gala Dinner on September 16 at Drees Pavilion in Covington, Kentucky (Presented by Altix Consulting and Modula Inc.) With planning in full swing, we thought we would offer a snapshot of the work going on behind the scenes… The afternoon conference will focus on “Supply Chains, Logistics and International Trade.” The event will feature a keynote speech by Cain Moodie, Senior Vice President for Americas Region Network
EACC Summer Operations Update
As we head into summer and with many changes underway at the EACC, I wanted to take a moment to share some updates with our members: As you’ve likely heard by now, the EACC Board of Directors approved new membership levels and benefits at its April meeting. Our new membership levels (Consul, Minister, Ambassador, and Bridge Builder) are in effect and all new members will join under this scheme. Current members will continue to enjoy the same benefits provided under the previous membership structure through
Meet EACC Cincinnati Interim Operations Manager Claudia Schroeder
Dear EACC Members, My name is Claudia Schroeder, and I am the new Interim Operations Manager while Dayna O’Brien is on maternity leave. I was born and raised in Duesseldorf, Germany, and began my career with Kempinski Hotels, for which I traveled all over the world to train sales and marketing staff on our systems. I later led customer service departments and call centers for a wellness company, a fitness club chain and a medical technology company in Europe. In 2007, my husband, Thorsten, and I moved
Meet EACC Cincinnati Accounts Manager Kristina Lewis
Meet EACC Accounts Manager Kristina Lewis, who is a Business Associate with Fiducial (part of EACC member company JADE FIDUCIAL). Kristina joined the EACC family in mid-2020. Dear EACC Members: Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kristina Rose-Lewis. I grew up in a small town in the Catskill Mountains in New York State. I attended college at Northwood University in West Palm Beach, Florida. I received my bachelor’s degree in accounting and graduated summa cum laude. While there, I met
EACC Behind the Scenes: Membership Levels Update
Close readers of the Newsbrief saw that the Board of Directors approved new membership levels and benefits at its April meeting. And some may recall our ‘voice of the customer’ study (in November 2018) which recommended, among other things, a review and update of our membership structures to ensure members clearly understand and can articulate the value of EACC membership. But few track these matters as closely as I do, so a quick review of where we are, how we got here, and what’s next might be of
Save the Date: September 16 EACC Cincinnati Conference & Dinner
The COVID pandemic has prevented us from holding our usual Annual Gala Dinner in May in 2020 and 2021, but we did not want to wait until 2022 to try again. So on September 16 we will host H.E. Emily Haber, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United States as the keynote speaker at a Gala Dinner at the Drees Pavilion in Covington. Presenting sponsors for the event are Altix Consulting and Modula USA. Also on the afternoon of September 16 the EACC is organizing a conference on the topic
EACC to Hire Interim Operations Manager
As you may have heard, EACC Operations Manager Dayna O'Brien will be on maternity leave from roughly mid-July through mid-September. During her absence, the EACC will be hiring an interim Operations Manager. The EACC is asking our members and partners to help spread the word and share thisjob descriptionwith contacts. The Interim Operations Manager will be responsible for day-to-day EACC operations and administrative support. Additionally, this position requires membership, communications, and
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EACC Behind the Scenes: Board of Directors Holds Second Quarter 2021 Meeting
Many exciting new developments and initiatives were announced at the EACC’s regular quarterly Board meeting on Thursday, April 22. Official minutes of the meeting will be available once the draft has been approved by the Board, but I share this unofficial summary to keep our broader membership aware. After welcoming members and approving minutes from the January meeting, the Board approved the financial report provided by Treasurer Chris Flaig showing that our cash position has improved in recent months
EACC Launches Updated European Investment Map
The European American Chamber of Commerce (EACC) of Greater Cincinnati is pleased to announce the launch of our updated European Investment Map. The Map, first produced in 2010, provides a snapshot of European investment in the Cincinnati Region. Well over 200 European companies make the Cincinnati region their home, benefiting from our prime location, talented workforce, and high quality of life at affordable prices. This investment has created more than 34,000 direct jobs in sectors from aerospace and
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
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
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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
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,
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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 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
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 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!
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
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 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 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 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
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
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.
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
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 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
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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
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 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
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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 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
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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 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 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
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
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 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
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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,
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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
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
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.
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
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
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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,
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 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
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
