Reception with the Honorable Tim Walz, Governor of the State of Minnesota

Representatives from Minnesota’s state government and AmCham Austria’s transatlantic business community came together for a dynamic exchange highlighting the depth of transatlantic cooperation and shared economic ambition. Hosted by AmCham Austria, the event welcomed Governor Tim Walz, Commissioner Matt Varilek, and an esteemed Minnesota delegation, alongside Deputy Chief of Mission Kami Witmer, whose remarks emphasized the enduring strength of U.S.-Austria relations. Participants explored opportunities for collaboration in innovation, trade, and investment, underscoring how—despite geographic and cultural differences, both regions are closely aligned in their forward-looking outlook and commitment to growth.

A key highlight of the program was the Industry Spotlight discussion featuring Austrian industry leaders Hermann Agis, Alexander Sowka-Hold, and Gerald Hörmann, complemented by insights from Sebastian Mörth, Head of AmCham Austria’s Life Sciences & Healthcare Committee. The conversation revealed strong parallels between Minnesota and Austria, particularly in life sciences, where both have built globally respected ecosystems driven by research excellence, advanced manufacturing, and innovation. The event ultimately reinforced the value of transatlantic dialogue in connecting people, industries, and ideas, and demonstrated the significant potential for deeper collaboration across sectors, from healthcare and biotechnology to broader economic partnerships.

We would like to thank the kind support of all of our sponsors, including: