Editorial
Dear members of AmCham Austria,
2025 was undoubtedly a turbulent, eventful, and unpredictable year. History presented us a number of new challenges. Once again, we had to draw on our resilience, adapt to the new circumstances, and set a new course.
Our transatlantic relations have been and are continue to be redefined, and we are entering a new era in terms of both geopolitics and trade.
Nevertheless, we continue to pursue intensive trade relations between the US and Europe. US corporations make a significant contribution to the domestic economy. They are a real economic factor, accounting for 2.5 percent of GDP, creating and securing 148,000 jobs, and paying €5.1 billion in taxes and duties in Austria. Companies in the ICT sector have a particularly strong impact. They employ 39,000 people in Austria and generate €4.2 billion in revenue.
Our bilateral relation is very multifaceted, closely interlinked, deeply rooted, and long-term. Many domestic companies operate and develop production facilities in the US. In addition to trading products, more and more services are being exported and imported. Key technologies shape trade between Austria and the US, and investments are increasing on both sides. The US is not only a sales market, but also an investment market. Austrian corporations invested €23.7 billion in the US in 2024.
For 2026, we want to strengthen our relationships, take on the challenges we face and welcome the new Ambassador H.E. Art Fisher!
Yours,
Michael Zettel
President AmCham Austria
Country Managing Director Accenture Österreich
Distinguished Members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Austria,
It is my honor to serve both as U.S. Ambassador to Austria and as Honorary President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Austria. I was pleased to accept the role of Honorary President at the AmCham Gala Dinner held in my honor on December 2, 2025, in Vienna. The warm reception I received at this special event has been one of the key highlights of my first weeks in Austria.
As a businessperson, I am cognizant of the role that organizations like yours can play in shaping relationships between industry, government, and the public at large. I am committed to supporting the efforts of AmCham to foster a stronger trade and investment relationship between the United States and Austria.
The relationship is robust. Annual trade between our two countries totals $26 billion and Austrian and American investment in each other’s countries are a combined $31 billion. More importantly that investment supports over 70,000 jobs.
As we begin a new year together, I challenge the members of AmCham to further deepen that relationship. Increasing trade and investment helps our economies grow and provides jobs and career opportunities for the workers AmCham members employ. Sometimes there are barriers that limit our ability to trade and invest with each other. I am committed to understanding those barriers and help firms overcome them. Please reach out to me or my team at the Embassy to help us understand how we can help you.
As we look ahead to the new year, I am confident that our economic ties will continue to grow, and that the American Chamber of Commerce will continue to play a vital role in our bilateral relationship. Together with the whole Embassy team, I wish you a successful 2026.
Sincerely,
Art Fisher
Ambassador of the United States to the Republic of Austria
Dear members of AmCham Austria,
2025 has been a year of momentum, renewal, and purposeful transformation. The past nine months, which I had the privilege of accompanying as Executive Director, were marked by intensity, openness to change, and a shared ambition to move AmCham forward. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the AmCham Board and the Board of Trustees for their unwavering commitment and trust. Your leadership and support have been vital in shaping this journey.
Together, we have not only modernized our office, both physically and technologically, but also redefined how we work, collaborate, and create impact. By fostering dialogue at the intersection of business, policy, and society, we welcomed outstanding voices and engaged with some of the most pressing topics of our time: from political developments in the United States with Julius van der Laar, Robin Lumsden, and Austrian Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Petra Schneebauer, to forward-looking discussions on tariffs, ESG, cybersecurity, and economic outlooks, only to name a few. My heartfelt thanks go to all speakers and members whose engagement continues to give AmCham its strength and relevance.
At the heart of our vision lies a deep belief in unity, shared responsibility, and the power of collective action. Meaningful and future-oriented policy ideas do not emerge in isolation – they are shaped through dialogue, advocacy, and the courage to think beyond boxes. Our initial exchange with State Secretary Pröll was an important signal in this direction, reinforcing our commitment to proactively contribute ideas and solutions.
Equally, it is a true privilege to be part of the EmpowerUs initiative: to accompany young talents of our member companies, to amplify their ideas, energy, and spirit, and to shape the future together with the EmpowerUs Core Team. This intergenerational exchange is not only an investment in people. It is an investment in the resilience and relevance of our community.
As we look ahead to 2026, we do so with confidence and ambition. Together with our Policy Committees, our members, and our partners, we aim to translate bold ideas into tangible impact and to further strengthen the transatlantic dialogue in a rapidly changing world.
Only together can we continue to create lasting value.
I would therefore like to extend my sincere thanks to you, dear members, for your continued trust, engagement, and willingness to support and sponsor our activities, support we deeply appreciate and warmly welcome again in 2026. Without it, signature events such as Thanksgiving or our Welcome Gala Dinner would not be possible.
We have laid strong foundations for the year ahead and greatly look forward to continuing this journey together with you. Should you have any questions or ideas, we, the AmCham team, are always at your disposal.
Here’s to shared ambition, collective impact, and a strong transatlantic future ahead.
Sincerely yours,
Karin Zeltner
Executive Director AmCham Austria
We Thank our Yearbook Sponsors
Members
Member List
230 Austrian, American and international companies, from large corporations to SMEs and independent consultants – the list of AmCham member companies and their contacts. Scroll, click & connect.
Member Stories
Our member companies not only have very different backgrounds, they also have very different approaches, mindsets and goals. Get inspired by their thoughts.
Study
AmCham Study with Accenture: Trade Relations Austria & USA (2025)
Dive into our latest study on the importance of transatlantic economic and trade relations between the USA and Austria. Learn more about the importance of tariffs in transatlantic trade, successful US companies in Austria, as well as strong Austrian companies in the US.
The US further consolidated its position as Austria’s second most important trading partner – in 2024, goods worth
over 16.2 billion euros were exported to the US, accounting for 8.5 % of all Austrian goods exports. With 7.7 billion
euros, the US is the fifth most important country of origin for goods imported to Austria (4.1 % of total imports).
Trade in services between the two countries is also steadily increasing. The US ranks 3rd in terms of service imports
to Austria with 3.9 billion euros and is in 6th place in terms of austrian service exports with 3.4 billion euros.
An analysis of the tariffs levied between the US and Austria in 2023 shows that tariffs act as trade barriers between
countries. While average tariff rates are higher on the EU side, tariff revenues are higher on the American side. In
product categories with higher tariffs, the share of exports to the other country is significantly lower on both sides.
The revenues of the top 50 US companies in Austria continue to grow and amounted to approximately 16.7 billion
euros in 2023, corresponding to 2.5 % of Austria’s total GDP. The ICT sector accounts for the largest share, at 36 %.
The importance of the US as a business location for Austrian companies also increased in 2023, with revenues rising
by 23.7 % to 7.6 billion euros. Austrian companies are particularly well represented in the US mechanical
engineering and chemical production sectors.
EmpowerUs
Growing Talent Across Organizations
EmpowerUs is AmCham Austria’s integrated development initiative designed to strengthen leadership skills, promote equal opportunities, and foster cross-company collaboration among emerging male and female talents. Through its two core programs, ConnectUs and MentorUs, the initiative offers a holistic journey of networking, personal development, and professional growth.
ConnectUs
ConnectUs has become AmCham’s leading cross-company talent network, bringing together roughly 80 nominated participants. The program focuses on value-driven networking and growth-oriented workshops, including:
- „Business Storytelling“ with Dr. Elke Framson, Transatlantic Coaching & Training, LLC
- „Write Your Own Story” with Inner Leadership Coach Susanne Kallanian
- „How to network“, with Saskia Wallner, CEO Ketchum Austria and Belgium
These sessions help talents strengthen communication, leadership behavior, and personal impact while building lasting professional relationships. leaders in Austria: connected, confident, and ready to lead with purpose.
MentorUs
MentorUs connects emerging leaders with senior Austro-American executives for both 1:1 and group mentoring. With 10+ mentors and over 20 mentees in the 2025/2026 cohort, the program offers strategic guidance, career insights, and strong role-model support. Participants describe it as transformative for their leadership development.
A Strong Core Team & Engaged Sponsors
EmpowerUs is made possible through the dedication of a committed core team working closely with Executive Director Karin Zeltner and the AmCham office:
Carmen Greider (3M Austria), Tanja Bächle (IBM Austria), Monika Brodey (BusinessGuidance), Marta Haustein (U.S. Embassy), Jean-Pierre Kallanian (Epiconsulting), Sebastian Mörth (Intuitive), Manuela Vigl (Accenture), and Saskia Wallner (Ketchum).
We are thankful to the U.S. Embassy and key sponsors for their support through expertise, engagement, and communication, ensuring a high-quality experience for all talents.
EmpowerUs continues to shape the next generation of leaders in Austria: connected, confident, and ready to lead with purpose.
Committees
Digital Policy Committee
Powered by: Martin Hörmann, Chair of AmCham Austria’s Digital Policy Committee & Director Government Affairs and Public Policy, Microsoft Austria
In 2025, digital policy moved firmly into the center of Austria’s economic debate. This shift was driven not only by rapid technological progress, but also by increasingly complex geopolitical dynamics that shape how countries and companies operate. The ability to rely on secure digital processes, to understand where and how data is handled, and to access global innovation has become a fundamental requirement for economic resilience. These developments have made digital policy a strategic imperative for Austria and for the transatlantic economy.
At the same time, the opportunities created by artificial intelligence have become impossible to ignore. If Austria were to make broad, strategic use of AI, the country could unlock up to 18% additional GDP growth over the next decade. This potential stems from real, practical applications across public services, industry, healthcare, logistics, and research. But economic impact will only materialize if the right digital foundations are in place: from modern infrastructure to workable rules that allow innovation to scale without unnecessary friction.
Throughout 2025, the Digital Policy Committee focused on these very foundations. Our discussions centered on how organizations can use digital technologies confidently and effectively: with clarity over data processes, transparency of access, and the ability to integrate global technological advances without losing control over their own operations.
Looking ahead, the committee will continue to engage with the evolving landscape of AI, data policy, and regulatory developments in Europe and beyond. Given the global context — from shifting geopolitical realities to new demands on digital resilience — our aim is to help create a clearer understanding of what these changes mean for Austria’s economic future. Instead of prescribing detailed roadmaps, we see our role in facilitating dialogue, offering orientation, and ensuring that technology‑open, forward‑looking approaches are part of the public conversation.
We warmly invite all members to contribute their expertise and viewpoints. The diversity of perspectives within AmCham is one of our greatest strengths. By working together, we can help ensure that Austria becomes more digital, more innovative, and better positioned to benefit from the transformational opportunities ahead.
Healthcare & Life Sciences Committee
Powered by:Sebastian Mörth, Member of the Board of Directors and Chair Life Sciences & Healthcare Committee at AmCham Austria, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Intuitive
2025 was a year of strategic positioning for the life sciences and healthcare sector.
Global uncertainty, increasing demands on supply security, and sustained innovation pressure once again highlighted how closely healthcare policy, industrial policy, and competitiveness are intertwined. For the Life Sciences & Healthcare Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Austria, fostering structured and solution-oriented dialogue between policymakers, public authorities, and companies remained a central priority throughout the year.
A key focus in 2025 was the resilience of healthcare systems, particularly with regard to pharmaceutical supply. Discussions increasingly moved beyond short-term measures toward a broader understanding of supply chains, production capacities, and regulatory frameworks as strategic location factors. At the same time, medical technology, robotics, and digital health solutions gained further relevance not only as innovation drivers, but as practical enablers of quality, efficiency, and sustainability in healthcare delivery.
Throughout the year, the committee strengthened its role as a transatlantic platform for exchange. Engagement between U.S. and Austrian companies, institutions, and decision-makers underscored the value of international perspectives in shaping a future-oriented healthcare system. The discussions clearly showed that innovation thrives where predictable frameworks, mutual trust, and partnership-based collaboration are in place.
Looking ahead to 2026, the focus shifts decisively toward implementation and coherence.
Closer alignment between healthcare, industrial, and research policy will be essential, particularly within a comprehensive life sciences strategy for Austria. Topics such as access to innovation, supply security, and international competitiveness are expected to remain high on the agenda. The Life Sciences & Healthcare Committee will continue to actively contribute to this process, acting as a bridge between business and policy and as a voice for an internationally connected, forward-looking sector.
Transatlantic Strategic Competitiveness Committee
Powered by: Thomas Spieler, Chair of Policy Committee for Trade and Strategic Competitiveness, Head of Public Policy, Austria & Switzerland at Amazon and Board Member
If 2025 had a defining theme, it was competitiveness not as an end in itself, but as the ability to sustain shared prosperity: high-quality jobs, innovation, resilience, and a credible path to the sustainable and digital transitions. For Austria and Europe, that means strengthening what already works: open markets, the rule of law, and the EU Single Market, while staying adaptable in a rapidly changing global economy.
Over the past year, our committee focused on practical, consensus-minded contributions to the public debate. We brought members together to exchange real-world perspectives on trade and investment conditions, regulatory predictability, and the needs of SMEs and scale-ups. We also supported AmCham Austria’s advocacy by developing our position paper on “Advancing Trade and Strategic Competitiveness in the EU and Austria,” emphasizing open and predictable trade, innovation-friendly regulation, and simpler procedures that reduce friction for companies operating across borders.
Looking ahead to 2026, we plan to step up our activities through targeted roundtables, policy briefings, and member-led discussions focused on the reduction of barriers in the Single Market and simplification, digital trade and trusted data flows, skills and corporate mobility, and competitive, predictable conditions that encourage long-term investment. We will do so in a spirit of pragmatic cooperation, recognizing and emphasizing that a strong transatlantic economic relationship remains a cornerstone of stability and opportunity.
We warmly welcome new members to join the committee. Diverse perspectives are our greatest asset, and the best way to ensure competitiveness translates into inclusive growth for Austria, Europe, and our partners.
Events
AmCham
Talks
AmCham Talks is a Business Breakfast with insights from business leaders on relevant topics.
AmCham Business
Luncheon
Participating in a luncheon with distinguished guests of AmCham Austria, including Federal Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer.
Networking
AmCham connects networking with American traditions and provides an excellent opportunity for all AmCham members to get acquainted and to exchange ideas on an informal basis.
Cooperations
AmCham fosters professional development and business relation building through cooperations with various institutions such as the US Embassy, and the WKO (Wirtschaftskammer Österreich).
Event Gallery
AmCham is a vibrant community. To strengthen this, there are a number of different series of events that provide knowledge and insights, support exchange, establish contacts to do business together, promote trade relations and facilitate networking and communication. Here is an overview of the events in 2025.
