AlabamaGermany Partnership Annual Dinner & Business Forum: Great Successes

Birmingham, AL – March 20, 2007 – World Business Advisors, LLC Principal, Michael H. Johnson, presented “Fußball & die FIFA Weltmeisterschaft Deutschland 2006:  Germany Scores Off Pitch as the 2006 World Cup Host” at the AlabamaGermany Partnership (AGP) Eighth Annual Dinner held at the Carraway Davie House and Conference Center on Thursday, March 15, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. 

Johnson, an attorney who speaks six foreign languages including German, is an economic development consultant with clients from both the public and private sectors, including the Ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Export of Québec, the Geneva-based United Nations Conference on Trade & Development , Tennessee Valley Authority and numerous private companies.  He has also worked since 1998 for the Zurich , Switzerland-based Féderation International de Football Association (FIFA).  His work includes, the 1998 World Cup in France, the 2000 Olympic Games in Australia, the 2001 Confederations Cup in Korea & Japan, the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea & Japan, the 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup USA, 2005 Confederations Cup Germany, and the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany.  He will again work for FIFA in the upcoming U-20 World Cup in Canada in summer 2007.

 By hosting the 2006 World Cup, Germany had the opportunity to change world views, display their hospitality and demonstrate a changed nation.  Johnson shared an insider’s point of view on whether these opportunities were realized.  

The sponsors of this year’s AGP Annual Dinner included VIP sponsor Lufthansa German Airlines who presented two round trip tickets to Germany as a grand door prize.  Silver sponsors included Alabama Power Company, Bradley Arant Rose & White LLP, and Mercedes-Benz U.S. International.  Alagasco, Birmingham Metropolitan Development Board and Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce were Bronze sponsors.  The sponsor of the German Ladies' Inaugural Meeting was Rödl and Partner.

 Distinguished guests from across the state and the southeast attended, including the Honorable Hans-Jörg Brunner, Consul General for the Federal Republik of Germany Consul Atlanta office.  The 2007 Rainer Bauer Award was presented to Mr. Bill Taylor, President and CEO of MBUSI, an individual who has shown outstanding accomplishments, service and loyalty to Alabama and Germany.  Dr. Clara Gerhardt was also recognized for contributions made in the area of education and culture.  Three new German companies, VST-Keller, WKW Erbsloeh, and Aluminum Technology Schmid, were recognized for their presence in Alabama; three other German businesses, MBUSI, Hoerbiger, and Borgers, were recognized for the expansions of their pre-existing Alabama locations.

 A silent auction was also held at the dinner.  Items donated included a man's and woman's watch from Mercedes-Benz US International, an Auburn University Cutter & Buck windbreaker from the Auburn Industrial Development Board, a two nights' hotel stay and golf package from the City of Opelika Economic Development Department, eight Wine Flight & Cheese Plate cards from Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, and a 30"x40" original painting by Czech artist Gabriela Pomplova.  Other items included a planter by Alabama artist JoAnne Holloway from an anonymous donor and crystal from Bromberg's.

                         The AlabamaGermany Partnership (AGP) held its Eighth Annual Business Forum on Friday, March 16, 2007 from 8:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. with a full buffet breakfast beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the Birmingham Hilton Perimeter Park.  The forum offered participants the opportunity to hear a diverse group of presenters covering topics such as the automobile industry, culture relations, and preparing employees through higher education.  Hajo Drees, European Director of the Alabama Development Office facilitated the forum.

 Mercedes-Benz U.S. International presented “Intercultural Relationships”; VST Keller’s Executive Vice President Philip Read presented “Establishment of a New German Business in Alabama”; Solutience President Richard Fowler spoke on “Operating a German Company in the U.S.”; and Samford University Dean of Business Beck Taylor discussed “How To Prepare Your Executive Workforce in Alabama and America with an MBA from Samford”.  Also, the inaugural meeting of the German Ladies Organization was held, and the ladies visited the Birmingham Museum of Art with a guided tour in German by museum docent Dr. Clara Gerhardt.

AlabamaGermany Partnership (AGP) was founded in 1998 to develop and support relationships and friendships between organizations and individuals in Alabama and Germany .  AGP has over 120 members including corporations, organizations and individuals from across the state.

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