Over the past several weeks, the Carolinas have once again shown why they continue to be one of the most dynamic regions for German-American business in the United States.
From advanced manufacturing and supplier networks to CleanTech, executive leadership, community building, and international delegation visits, April closed and May began with a clear message: the Carolinas are not just growing. They are connecting people, companies, and ideas across industries and borders.
Closing April with SME and a Delegation from Frankfurt
We wrapped up April in Charlotte with our annual SME Business Development Conference, bringing together German and American business leaders to discuss market expansion, workforce, automation, leadership, and the realities of growing in today’s U.S. market.
Alongside the conference, GACC South welcomed a business delegation from IHK Frankfurt for a multi-day program across Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. The delegation began in Atlanta with a welcome briefing at the GACC South office, including remarks from GACC South President & CEO Matthias Hoffmann, IHK Frankfurt, and German Consul General Melanie Moltmann.
The program offered a practical look at the U.S. Southeast business environment, with sessions on Georgia’s market landscape, U.S. immigration law for businesses, innovation, FinTech, AI, advanced manufacturing, logistics, and company culture in the Southern U.S.
Company and institutional visits included Georgia Tech, Norfolk Southern, Heraeus, IMS Gear, ZF Group, and Linde + Wiemann, giving participants direct insight into regional ecosystems that continue to attract German investment and support transatlantic growth.
The delegation concluded in Charlotte during the SME Conference, creating a strong bridge between international market exploration and the regional business conversations taking place at one of GACC South’s signature conferences.
Kicking Off May with Tanz im Mai in Charlotte
May began with Tanz im Mai at Gilde Brewery USA in Charlotte, where around 100 attendees gathered for an evening of conversation, connection, and celebration.
The event reflected what makes Charlotte’s German-American community so special: business relationships, friendships, families, and local traditions all coming together in one place. A highlight of the evening was our Bierkrugstemmen competition, with Adriana Medina taking first place in the women’s category and Andreas Masel (Frenzelit) winning first place in the men’s category.
A special thank you to our sponsors and partners for making the evening possible: Roedl USA as Presenting Sponsor, Gilde Brewing as Hosting Sponsor, Cargo Modules as Drink Sponsor, and Cox Schepp Construction as Entertainment Sponsor.
Supporting HEYCO Werk USA’s Grand Opening in Dallas, North Carolina
GACC South supported HEYCO Werk USA Inc. during the grand opening of its newest production plant in Dallas, North Carolina.
The milestone marks an important step in HEYCO’s continued growth in the United States and further strengthens the company’s global manufacturing footprint. Guests had the opportunity to tour the new facility, connect with industry partners, vendors, and members of the German-American business community, and experience HEYCO’s reputation as a “World Champion in Injection Molding” firsthand.
Congratulations to Daniel Dittmar and the entire HEYCO Werk USA team on this milestone.
CleanTech Delegation Explores the Carolinas
From May 10 to 15, GACC South welcomed a CleanTech Ambassador Delegation to Charlotte and Raleigh as part of our broader transatlantic CleanTech initiative.
The program connected German participants with organizations, companies, universities, and regional leaders working on energy transition, smart city development, grid modernization, electrification, applied research, and resilient infrastructure.
The week began in Charlotte with a welcome dinner and a briefing at the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, including an overview of CleanTech in the Carolinas. The delegation then visited the City of Charlotte Innovation Barn, where participants explored circular economy concepts, smart city innovation, and local sustainability initiatives.
In the Raleigh and Research Triangle region, the program continued with stops at Research Triangle Park, Duke Energy Harris Plant, North Carolina State University’s FREEDM Center, Hitachi Energy, and Schneider Electric. These visits highlighted the depth of the region’s innovation ecosystem and the practical work being done around grid modernization, hydrogen, electrification, and energy systems.
The delegation returned to Charlotte for visits to UNC Charlotte and Duke Energy’s McGuire Nuclear Station, offering another perspective on applied research, energy infrastructure, and the role of the Carolinas in shaping future energy solutions.
The program concluded with a leadership event at Bank of America Stadium, creating a natural connection between CleanTech, executive decision-making, and the broader question of how organizations adapt and perform under pressure.
Learn more about the CleanTech program and our next Ambassador Trip to Munich in October
BMW Supplier Xchange Brings the Manufacturing Network Together in Greenville
On May 13, BMW Purchasing and Supplier Network Americas hosted the 13th annual BMW Supplier Xchange at the Greenville Convention Center in South Carolina.
With more than 2,000 registered attendees and 215+ exhibiting suppliers, the event remains an important meeting point for the manufacturing ecosystem in the Southeast. Several GACC South team members attended and represented our network with a booth on site.
The program included remarks from Dr. Robert Engelhorn, President and CEO of BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC and member of the GACC South Board of Directors.
Keynote speaker Ken Carter, widely known as Coach Carter, shared a message centered on teamwork, accountability, trust, and unity, themes that strongly connect to the realities of manufacturing, supplier relationships, and collaboration across the value chain.
Leadership Under Pressure at Bank of America Stadium
The Carolinas focus continued with The Anatomy of Peak Performance: What High-Stake Leaders Do Differently, hosted by Horváth USA and GACC South at the Panthers Den inside Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
The evening brought together senior executives, industry leaders, and professionals for a conversation on what leadership requires in high-pressure environments. Perspectives from business, academia, professional sports, and the U.S. military explored how leaders sustain clarity, resilience, focus, and execution in moments shaped by complexity and constant decision-making.
One takeaway from Steve Clagett captured the theme especially well: “Calm breathes calm.” In stressful situations, the way leaders show up matters. When leaders project calmness under pressure, it affects the team around them, shaping how people respond, make decisions, and move forward together.
Thank you to Horváth USA, keynote speaker Dr. Jake Huebner, the panelists, and all attendees who contributed to an evening of meaningful discussion and connection.
A Region Built on Connection
Looking back across these programs, one theme stands out: the Carolinas continue to bring together the many dimensions of German-American business.
Manufacturing, CleanTech, leadership, supplier networks, international delegations, and community events may each tell a different story. Together, they point to a region where business growth is deeply connected to relationships, collaboration, and long-term commitment.
That is what makes the Carolinas such an important part of the GACC South network, and why the momentum here continues to grow.