BCON South 2023
After a fantastic 1st edition in 2022, BCon South is back with more quality content, high level speakers and engaging discussions on some of the most relevant topics for businesses today! This day-long conference will bring together industry leaders and experts from the German American business community, and will highlight a broad range of topics, such as energy transition, innovation in manufacturing, workforce development and changes in supply chain.
Wrap up the conference on a high note as we conclude with an exclusive Evening Reception with a Texas flair. Immerse yourself in the flavors of the region with TexMex hors d'oeuvres and enjoy a premium open bar featuring beer, wine, and a curated selection of cocktails. This sophisticated yet relaxed event provides an ideal setting for networking, offering attendees the chance to connect with both peers and conference speakers, marking the perfect end to a successful conference.
What you can expect:
- Gain insights into industry developments
- Be part of the discussion & share your knowledge
- Obtain important advantages for your business
- Connect with our speakers and fellow members
- Additional networking at Evening Reception (The Rustic - Downtown)
Agenda
7:45 AM | Arrival & Check-In |
8:00 AM | Breakfast & Networking |
8:30 AM | Welcome Remarks Matthias Hoffmann | President & CEO | GACC South Jeffrey Blair | Sr. Director Europe, Middle East & Africa | Greater Houston Partnership Kai Hennig | Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Houston |
8:45 AM | Opening Session Jesse Saldivar | General Manager Cities and Hubs Decarbonization, Americas | Shell Energy Mod.: Matthias Hoffmann | President & CEO | GACC South |
9:15 AM | Panel Discussion: Accelerating the Energy Transition & Ensuring Energy Security Kera Gautreau | Sr. Director | Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HETI) Samuel Harrell | Director of Energy Center of Excellence | Intel Frank Kraatz | CEO & President | wpd Mod.: Sara Malik | Sr. Director Global Energy Transition | Greater Houston Partnership |
| 10:00 AM | Panel Discussion: An Evolving Landscape: Trends and Opportunities in Houston's Health and Life Sciences Sector Alex Condon | Co-Founder and COO | Galen Data Ashley A. Francis | Sr. Manager Innovation Program & Business Operations | Texas Medical Center Mark Heuchert | Marketing Manager Safety Equipment | Dräger Inc. Ricardo Jimenez | Senior Vice President Technical Operations | Neurogene Mod.: Verena Kallhoff | Sr. Director Global Life Sciences | Greater Houston Partnership |
10:45 AM | Coffee Break |
11:00 AM | Panel Discussion: Enhancing The Electrical Grid Resilience Against Unprecedented Challenges Robert Boyajieff | Area Sales Manager - Energy Performance Services - South Central USA | Siemens Julie Cohn | Research Historian - Center for Public History | University of Houston Mod.: Brett Perlman | CEO | Center for Houston’s Future |
12:00 PM | Lunch & Networking |
1:00 PM | Panel Discussion: Texas Investment Climate Christian Gress | CEO | Bauer Equipment America Sharat Shenoy | CEO & Managing Director | SOBIS Software Inc Manny Schoenhuber | Associate | Jackson Walker LLP Mod.: Jeffrey Blair | Sr. Director Europe, Middle East, & Africa | Greater Houston Partnership |
2:00 PM | Panel Discussion: Unlocking the Potential of Industry 4.0: The Future of Manufacturing & Supply Chain Jana Schebera | Regional Director US West-Coast | Rhenus Logistics Brian Spradlin | President | Rocrich AGV Solutions Sascha Tietje | Director Enterprise Accounts | Packsize International Mod.: Scott Ford | Director of Quality and Process Management | RECARO Aircraft Seating Americas |
3:00 PM | Coffee Break |
| 3:15 PM | Update Immigration Law Ben Schatz | Partner | Foster LLP |
3:30 PM | Panel Discussion: Best Practices in Workforce Development Kristie Caviness | Employer Engagement & Community Outreach Manager | Texas Workforce Commission Henning von Haefen | Vice President CFO | Neuman & Esser USA Bonnie Monych | Performance Specialist | Insperity Mod.: Bryant Black | Director | UpSkill Houston |
4:30 PM | End of Conference |
5:00 PM | Evening Reception – The Rustic - Downtown |
