
Jun
The American-European Chambers of Commerce and Business Associations invites you to join us for another wonderful European Networking Event.
Come and mingle with entrepreneurs and a range of professionals involved in cross-border business in a very relaxed and European atmosphere. This event attracts many international business professionals from different European countries. Members of the partnering organizations and their guests have priority access to tickets for this event.
Complimentary appetizers, beer, wine and soft drinks will be served.

May
The 1984 film The Terminator predicted a robot apocalypse beginning in 1997. A few decades later, in 2015, Chris Urmson (then a Director at Google) famously predicted that his eleven-year old son might never need a driver’s license. A year later, at CES Las Vegas, Seven Dreamers announced laundroid, the first fully automatic laundry robot, with a huge booth – and a demo video.
It’s 2019, and the humans are still in charge – and operating motor vehicles. It is assumed that Chris Urmson’s son has gotten his Learners Permit, and researchers still call laundry folding “one of the most perplexing challenges in robotics”, though a Sunnyvale startup (FoldiMate) seems close to solving a part of the equation.
We’ll dig beyond the marketing hype to better understand the deep technology challenges that remain to be solved, as well as focus on the near-term business opportunities:
– What are the key components of a robot’s perception system, and where are the key technology challenges?
– Will most robots eventually be able to leave their safety cages? When will they be safe/perceptive enough to operate around humans? Which industry will lead this trend?
– Cobots (collaborative robots) are designed to work with humans instead of replacing them. But the first generation of cobots did not sell well. Will this category become more important in the future?
– How do we teach robots of the future? Will they still require deep programming, or will they have the ability to learn by example like human workers? Which companies are most innovative in this area?
– The tech industry thrives on creating developer platforms, the success of which formed Microsoft, Apple, and Google, among others. Will there be a similar platform for robotics? Which company is leading this race?
– We already have some simple robots in the home, such as the dishwasher and laundry machine. Why have we not seen more automation in the last decade? What are the big challenges for consumer adoption?
– After manufacturing, which industry will be next in leading the march to robot automation?
Location:
Capgemini Applied Innovation Exchange
425 Brannan St.
San Francisco, CA 94107
Date and Time:
Tuesday, 6/18 6-9pm
Cost:
Early Bird until June 11: Members $15
Regular: Members $20
$50 Day of event
Enter “Eurocham” for discount

Mar
Enjoy a sunset cruise on the Bay celebrating Europe Day 2019
EuroCruise 2019
11 bilateral European-American business organizations in the Bay Area cordially invite their members & friends to celebrate Europe Day 2019 on May 9, 5:30-9:00pm. Mix and mingle with the European business community while enjoying beautiful sunset views of the Bay over a glass of champagne and delicious appetizers. DJ Champagne will provide the musical setting for this unforgettable European-American evening.
TICKETS
Early Bird Members: $99
GA Members: $119
Early Bird Non-Members: $129
GA Non-Members: $149
Tickets include an open beer & wine bar + appetizer buffet
if you are member with any of the participating organizations, please contact them directly for the discount code.

Dec
Join us for a unique New Year’s Reception hosted by the European Chamber of Commerce in San Francisco. It’s a unique opportunity to mingle with the European-American entrepreneurial community in the Bay Area!
January 16, 6pm – 8pm.

Dec
Berlin Jazz Trio & Aaron Lington Jazz Orchestra
Wednesday, December 12, 2018 | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
SF Jazz | 201 Franklin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
All proceeds from this event will directly benefit the Butte County Fire victims. As a #WunderbarTogether project, this concert is supported by the German Consulate General in San Francisco.
A collaboration of German Jazz musicians starring Marc Secara (Vocals), Peter Weniger (Saxophone) & Wolfgang Koehler (Piano) together with the superb, San Francisco-based Aaron Lington will perform compositions of the Great American Songbook, as well as European music in stunning and swinging arrangements.https://www.sfjazz.org/tickets/productions/berlin-jazz-trio-aaron-lington-jazz-orchestra/

Dec
The GACC West cordially invites you to the
2nd Germany California Water Symposium
&Holiday Reception with Berlin Jazz Trio
Thursday, December 13, 2018 | 3:30 PM -8:30 PM
German Consulate General | 1960 Jackson St., San Francisco, CA 94109
With a focus on transatlantic approaches, U.S. and German water experts will provide you with valuable insights on the current state of the water industry in California and opportunities on how to overcome any existing challenges. In two different panel sessions, you will also learn more about the innovative approaches of 11 German companies.
The event is part of a German water technology trade mission supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy taking place from December 10-14. The German companies participating in this trade mission will meet with private businesses, research institutions, and government representatives to exchange ideas, discuss new developments and lay the groundwork for future cooperation.
After the panel discussion, we invite our members and friends to a Holiday networking reception with our special music guests: Berlin Jazz Trio, who will play benefit shows in San Francisco for the fire victims of Butte County. For more information on their benefit show at SF Jazz click here.
FEATURED SPEAKER S
- Clifford Chan, Director of Operations and Maintenance, EBMUD (tbc)
- Scott Bryan, President, Imagine H2O (tbc)
- Falk Woelm, Advisor for International Activities, German Water Partnership
- Stefan Peikert, Managing Director & Partner, AHP International
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
- Water utilities and municipalities
- Integrators and installers
- Investors
- Civil engineering firms
- Project developers
- Industry and government representatives
- Researchers and students
- Renewable energy specialists
GERMAN COMPANIES
Dr. Kueke GmbH
Dr. Kueke GmbH is a supplier of water treatment technology using chlorine dioxide, with applications ranging from drinking water to cooling systems to swimming pools to breweries. Their procurement manager, Boris Hinz, is looking forward to exchanging thoughts with decision-makers in California with the final goal of opening up avenues for applications on the west coast.
ECO INNOVATION GROUP
Eco Innovation Group is a German production and development company exemplifying visionary engineering and many years of experience in water treatment despite their young age. Bringing extensive experience in water treatment and irrigation in Africa, their Managing Director, Asaad Farag, is looking for potential partner firms for knowledge exchange and collaboration with the ultimate goal of opening a production facility in California.
Huber SE
More than 40,000 installations of HUBER plants worldwide contribute to a sustainable use of water, energy and resources. They provide solutions for sewage sludge treatment and drying, membraneplants for water reclamation as well as a substantial range of support services. Their board member Rainer Köhler is looking forward to establish contact with potential partners and gain an understanding of their planned projects.
KS Ing.-Bausysteme Handelsgesellschaft mbH
KS is a german SME providing an innovative solution for water-drainage for bridges. Their CEO, Hubert Steinbauer, is looking forward to guided tours of bridges to gain an overview of the structures and the current state of water-drainage.
KSB SE & Co. KGaA
KSB is a manufacturer of water and wastewater pumps and in this function the 4th largest manufacturer worldwide. They offer holistic solutions spanning the entire water treatment supply chain, from water extraction to water and wastewater pumps and water transport. Their Sales Director, Stefan Borst, is looking for potential partners for knowledge exchange and future collaborations as well.
Neuguss Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH
Neuguss is an innovative service provider for pond water treatment and water homogenisation using Oloids. Oloids enable up to 50% of energy savings through energy-efficients oxygen diversion in the water.
Putzmeister
Putzmeister is a manufacturer of custom-made industry pumps for usage in water treatment plants and drinking water pipelines. They employ a holistic approach, supplying a complete water transportation infrastructure. They are European market leaders and have a subsidiary operating on the East Coast, and their Product Manager Tobias Lutz is looking for potential business partners and knowledge exchange.
Raedlinger Primus Line
Raedlinger Primusline offers an innovative solution for trenchless pipeline sanitation. With a flexible, kevlar-strengthened high-pressure hose, their solution can support pressures of up to 82 bar / 1180 psi. They have already completed more than 50 projects in Northern America and their VP of Development, Andreas Fleischmann, is looking for partners for knowledge exchange and potential future collaboration.
Roeders Textiles
Roeders is a classic German family-owned company manufacturing an innovative felt which can be used for water filtration and pressure hoses. The attributes of felt (higher permeability at equal filter performance) make it a more cost-effective solution than traditional filters. Their Key Account Manager Andreas Kiesel is looking forward to meeting future potential partners to gain an overview of the California market and raise awareness of their innovative technology.
VEGA Grieshaber KG
VEGA is a multinational company operating in more than 80 countries (including the United States East Coast) and employing more than 1400 employees. Their new instrument measures water level, density and pressure reliably at a low-cost. They are motivated to learn more about the Californian water and wastewater market and get an overview of how their new technology could be applied on the West Coast as well.
Weber Entec GmbH & Co. KG
Weber Entec is an innovative market leader for disintegration of biomass using ultrasonics. Their CEO, Christian Eichhorst, is looking forward to a fruitful exchange of knowledge and establishing first contacts for a planned market entry to California in about 2-3 years.
SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS

Nov
GABA California invites you to the annual Gala Event at the St. Francis Yacht Club on January 25th, 2019.
As a deeply-rooted community of German-American business professionals, we hope you will join us in celebrating our collective success in building a dynamic organization that unites the California Bay Area and German businesses. This gala celebration will acknowledge our achievements and pay tribute to our proud members. There is limited seating, please purchase your tickets soon.
GABA Award of Excellence
We are proud to announce Thomas Südhof, recipient of the 2013 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, as our 2019 GABA Award of Excellence Winner!
Program
The tradition continues – we present GABA Gala 2019, an elegant evening at the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco.
Our 200 Gala guests will experience a splendid dinner, live entertainment, and an award ceremony celebrating a distinguished German-American who has exhibited passion and excellence in business, technology and cultural exchange.
6:00 – 7:00 PM Reception
7:00 – 7:10 PM Welcome Speeches by GABA Chair & Consul General Hans-Ulrich Südbeck
7:00 – 7:30 PM First Course
7:30 – 8:00 PM Award Ceremony & Presentation
8:00 – 8:30 PM Main Course
8:30 – 8:50 PM Interview with Award Winner
8:50 – 9:00 PM Closing Remarks
9:00 – 10:30 PM Mingle at the Dessert Buffet accompanied by Live Music
Cost:
Members: $165.00
Non-Members: $195.00

Nov
GABA and the German Consulate present this opportunity to meet leading corporate fund managers from Europe and the U.S. who will share their views of next year’s overall financial climate and funding for international technology companies.
Come and join us for a Financial Outlook for the year 2019. It has become a tradition that the Financial Outlook event concludes GABA’s event season and is hosted in the festive atmosphere of the German Consulate General in San Francisco. Our panel of distinguished speakers will reflect on the past twelve months and share their perspectives on trends and expectations for the upcoming year. Plenty of snacks and treats also remind us of our Weihnacht traditions.
Location:
German Consulate General
1960 Jackson Street (at Gough)
San Francisco, CA 94109
Date and Time:
Thursday, Dec 06, 2018
06:00 PM – 09:00 PM
Agenda:
6:00 – 6:30 pm Registration / Networking Reception
6:30 – 8:00 pm Program
8:00 – 9:00 pm Networking
Complimentary appetizers, German Christmas specialties, beer and wine will be served.
Cost:
$20 members, $35 non-members, $50 at the door

Nov
GABA invites you to learn about artificial intelligence and how it reshapes human values, trust, and power around the world.
A thought-provoking examination of artificial intelligence and how it reshapes human values, trust, and power around the world.
Speakers:
Olaf J. Groth, PhD, “Solomon’s Code” Co-Author, Cambrian CEO & Strategy Professor
Mark Nitzberg, “Solomon’s Code” Co-Author, Executive Director at UC Berkeley CHAI
Whether in medicine, money, or love, technologies powered by forms of artificial intelligence are playing an increasingly prominent role in our lives. As we cede more decisions to thinking machines, we face new questions about staying safe, keeping a job and having a say over the direction of our lives. The answers to those questions might depend on your race, gender, age, behavior, or nationality.
New AI technologies can drive cars, treat damaged brains and nudge workers to be more productive, but they also can threaten, manipulate, and alienate us from others. They can pit nation against nation, but they also can help the global community tackle some of its greatest challenges – from food crises to global climate change.
In clear and accessible prose, global trends and strategy adviser Olaf Groth, AI scientist and social entrepreneur Mark Nitzberg, along with seasoned economics reporter Dan Zehr, provide a unique human-focused, global view of humanity in a world of thinking machines.
“Prof Groth’s and Dr Nitzberg’s book “Solomon’s Code” demonstrates – via a synthesis of 100 interviews and the help of 30+ HULT students and alumni around the world – how the Cognitive Era is upon us, how thinking machines (“AI”) are changing power, values and trust in and across societies, and how we all need to prepare for symbio-intelligence between machines and humans. AI will change the way you work, compete, forge relationships and live your life. Through vivid examples and future life scenarios, the authors seek to send an important message about enabling ordinary people to get a seat at the table, side by side with business leaders, government policy makers and scientists, as we negotiate our digital future. This includes a proposal for a multi-stakeholder Cambrian Congress that will craft a Digital Magna Carta for the Cognitive Era. As a result, Groth and Nitzberg have attracted a global set of publishers, and have gotten much appreciated advance praise from prominent foreword/afterword authors and endorsers. They have received invitations from German and French Presidents’ offices to discuss their research, they have written essays for World Economic Forum and UN publications and they have been giving TEDx talks, TV, podcast (10/29) and XM radio(11/8) interviews in Europe and the U.S.”
Location:
Squire Patton Boggs
275 Battery Street
Suite 2600
San Francisco, CA 94111
Date and Time:
Wednesday, Nov 28, 2018
06:00 PM – 09:00 PM Pacific
Agenda:
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Registration and Networking
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Book Discussion
8:30 pm – 9:00 pm – Additional Networking
Complimentary appetizers, beer, wine and soft drinks will be served.
Cost:
Early Bird until November 21st: FREE for Members, $20 Non-Members
Regular: FREE for Members, $30 Non-Members
Day of event: FREE for Members, $40 Non-Members

Oct
Silicon Valley Meets GDPR:
A Chat with Public & Private Stakeholders
Data privacy affects all of us, whether you are an entrepreneur, a tech giant, a citizen or a consumer.
Following the implementation of EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in May of this year and the passage of California’s Consumer Privacy Act of 2018, Washington is now exploring potential comprehensive national legislation on privacy.
The conversation is not limited to the United States and Europe as other countries take similar actions.
The European Union and Open Austria invite you to join public and private stakeholders for a discussion, followed by a Q & A session on different approaches to data protection and explore the way forward.
November 7, 2018 | 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Galvanize SoMa | 5th Floor | 44 Tehama St., San Francisco
PANELISTS
• Andrea Jelinek, Director, European Data Protection Board
• Cindy Cohn, Executive Director, Electronic Frontier Foundation
• Lindsey Finch, Chief Data Privacy Officer, Salesforce
• Chris Riley, Director of Public Policy, Mozilla
• Mason Weisz, International Data Protection Lawyer, ZwillGen
• Assemblymember Ed Chau, 49th state assembly district, tbc
AGENDA
5:30 – 6:00 PM Registration
6:00 – 7:30 PM Fireside Chat and Q & A
Food and drinks will be provided.
This event is sponsored by the European Union.