On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, business leaders, students and teachers will meet at the Francis Marion hotel in downtown Charleston, in South Carolina, for the ninth annual summit of American-American companies.
Organized by the College of Charleston Business school,, German program And School of global languages, cultures and affairsThis event continues to bring together education and industry, while strengthening the role of South Carolina as a hub for German-American affairs. The summit includes an exhibition of jobs and internships, group discussions and a networking reception while highlighting the role of South Carolina as an attribution of more than 200 German companies supporting thousands of jobs throughout the state.
“Since we launched the event nine years ago, the summit has aimed to highlight the impact of German industry in the state, to strengthen job and internship pipelines and to promote the dialogue between industry leaders and educators on the needs of the workforce, ”explains Morgan KoernerAssociate Professor of German and Director of German Studies at the Charleston College. “This year, while German industry continues to grow, the conference will explore the main challenges, including the growing demand for general skills in the AI era and the evolutionary landscape of American German industry.”
The summit begins with an exhibition of jobs and internships from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., where representatives of American-German companies will connect and discuss important industry subjects.
Nathan King of King Strategic Consulting will moderate the Panel, “Speinch Skills, Hard results: the human advantage in the AI era”, with the panelists Fabian Grimmm (Mankiewicz Coatings), Lee Murray (Robert Bosch) and Stephanie Rhodes (further away). Elizabeth Gibbes by Parker Poe will moderate the panel, “Trends and challenges in manufacturing: how to navigate the current market”, with the panelists Daniel Schlegel (Kion), Mitch Belsley (GPX Intelligence), Samuel Schwarzer (Ingenics) and Megan Anderson ( Charleston), Samuel Schwarzer (Ingenics) and Megan Anderson (Charleston Regional Development Alliance).
The summit ends with a networking reception from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., offering participants the possibility of creating significant ties with professionals and leaders in the industry.
The summit is made possible by Mercedes-Benz Vans, BMW Plant Spartanburg, IFA Group, IFA Group, Ingenics Consulting, Mankiewicz Coatings, P3, SPC (Software Projects Consulting) and Parker Poe.
Registration is $ 25 for individual participants, with free admission to teachers and college staff in Charleston. For more information, visit https://go.charleston.edu/gabs or email Gabs@cofc.edu.