AHK Australien Events 2020 Review & 2021 Outlook

Events

By Mathias Suter, German-Australian Chamber

In 2020, the AHK Australien Events Team successfully pivoted from exclusively running in-person events to offering a wide variety of virtual events in response to COVID-19 restrictions. Read on to find out what the team was up to in 2020 and what you can expect from us in the new year.

When 2020 began, the AHK Australien Team was prepared for a successful year ahead, filled with interesting events for the German-Australian Business Community.

As it became clear that the traditional in-person events were no longer able to go ahead, the team pivoted to providing a plethora of exciting virtual events, from informative webinars, through to digital networking events. You can read up on all AHK Australien events in the first half of 2020 in previous Accelerate versions.

Towards the latter half of 2020, as Melbourne was still in lockdown, our Sydney members were able to meet again, for the first time since the beginning of the Covid crisis. Our member Metz graciously hosted the AHK community at their fantastic Design Gallery, enabling everyone to meet in a covid-safe manner on September 25.

As it became clear that the traditional inperson events were no longer able to go ahead, the team pivoted to providing a plethora of exciting virtual events, from an informative webinar, through to digital networking events.

This successful in-person event was followed by another real-life event in Sydney. On the November 18, AHK member Veriu Group hosted a networking event at their Alexandria based Veriu Green Square hotel.

On the virtual events side, AHK Australien continued to offer both topical and networking events to engage all members equally.

Targeting the German audience, on October 13, Martin Hildebrand from Phillip Yip & Associates, provided an overview on the implications COVID-19 had on the Australian immigration system. You can find the recording in German here.

Another popular virtual event format [...] was our new member introduction – Who’s New? Members in Conversation

On the October 30, the AHK Australien membership saw a first, with the inaugural AHK Australien Virtual Trivia. Generously supported by members Thomas Sabo, Vileda and Wine Window, who provided great prizes for the participants, it was an afternoon filled with brain-teasing questions across a variety of subjects.

Showcasing both the power of the German-Australian business network and the expertise of the AHK Australien’s very own consulting team – DE International – the popular Industry Update Webinar Series saw two more iterations. Heiko Stumpf (Germany Trade & Invest), Prof Gerhard Janssen (CEO, Martin Biopower Pty Ltd) and Prof Thomas Maschmeyer (University of Sydney & Co-Founder and Principal Advisor at Licella Holdings) ventured into the topic of recycling and waste management, discussing current market developments and opportunities in Australia. This webinar from October 6 can be re-watched here.

Lead image: The AHK Australien’s Sydney members meet in person for the second time at the networking event with Veriu Group. Above (clockwise, from top right): H.E. Dr Thomas Fitschen (Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany), The Hon Angus Taylor MP (Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction) & Christoph von Spesshardt(Executive Director AHK Australien) at the AustraliaGermany Energy Discussion.

Above: (clockwise, from top right): Hannah Niederbuchner (DE International), Heiko Stumpf (Germany Trade & Invest), Silvia Pfeiffer (Coviu) & Dr Nicholas Nicoloudis (SAP) discussing trends inthe Health IT space.

On November 19, under the lead of DEInternational’s Hannah Niederbuchner, we explored the potential in the field of health IT. Our interesting panel made up of Dr Silvia Pfeiffer (CEO & Co-Founder, Coviu – simple & secure telehealth), Dr Nicholas Nicoloudis (Innovation leader APJ, SAP) and Heiko Stumpf (Germany Trade and Invest) offered great insight into this interesting topic. To learn more about it, watch the recording.

On the November 4, there was also a new episode of our popular virtual event Who’s New? Members in Conversation, introducing our new members. AHK Australien Member Kärcher offered up a door prize and the attendees got to meet and speak to the chamber’s newest members, including Ageis, Bluebirdz, HR for Life and Sequana Partners Pty Ltd.

The year’s events concluded with a fantastic members-only opportunity. The Hon Angus Taylor MP, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, joined the AHK Australien community for the Australia-Germany Energy Discussion, providing a great overview of the Federal Government’s objectives and answering questions from the audience.

The entire AHK Australien Team is excited to launch into the new year, filled with more initiatives than ever aimed at fostering the German-Australian business relationship, and with a stronger-than-ever focus on serving our valued members.

On November 19th, under the lead of DE International’s Hannah Niederbuchner, we explored the future potential in the field of health IT.

The national events team is working tirelessly to plan an event calendar to underscore those efforts. You can expect a return to more in-person events in all locations, whilst still having the opportunity to participate remotely with virtual topical and networking events.

2021 kicked off with three separate New Year’s receptions, in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne on February 16, 18, and 23 respectively.

Hear the recording from Martin Hildebrand on the implications COVID-19 had on the Australian immigration system here.