NextGen Program

Each year, up to 25 young and mid-career professionals from AmCham Germany Patron-, Ambassador- & Partner-level member companies are selected to become part of a one-year next generation leadership program. It allows them to expand their transatlantic network and discuss issues of joint importance with peers from various sectors, to delve into transatlantic economic relations and politics, discuss business challenges and chances with leaders from the transatlantic business community, expand their knowledge and skills in leadership and diversity, and deeply get involved with AmCham Germany

A kick-off conference as well as subsequent year-round events include discussions with high-level speakers from business, politics, media, and think tanks, in formats including but not limited to roundtable discussions, site visits at AmCham Germany member companies, workshops that focus on fostering the understanding of transatlantic business relations and current geoeconomic affairs, as well as the U.S.-German relationship in a broader sense.

Benefits for Participants

In being chosen to take part in the NextGen Program, young professionals are given the opportunity to contribute their personal and professional experience to a diverse peer group. Participants will engage in a series of exclusive events and will be faced with several challenges, thereby enhancing their own skill set and widening their own professional network.

After completing the program, participants of the NextGen Program will:

• have established a transatlantic network across different industry sectors within AmCham Germany’s membership
• have delved into current matters of transatlantic business and politics
• have broadened their transatlantic leadership and diversity skillset
• be able to bring in and discuss their company’s key topics among peer groups and the AmCham Germany community
• have exchanged expertise and best practices with leaders from the transatlantic business community and among the NextGen participants
• be “ambassadors" of AmCham Germany and the transatlantic partnership

Other benefits
Over the course of the program year, the cohort will:

• have exclusive meetings with leaders from business and politics
• together with the NextGen Steering Committee, will be able to organize events within AmCham Germany's annual programming in its Regional Chapters
• throughout the program year, have the opportunity to participate in the activities of AmCham Germany's Regional Chapters and the Chamber's signature events for free

Once the participants become alumni of the NextGen program, they remain part of the NextGen network and can be invited to special events. Through our continuously growing NextGen alumni network the participants stay in touch, enlarge their own network, and benefit from this connection even after their completion of the NextGen program.

Information for Participating Companies

In nominating their employees and thereby supporting the NextGen Program, participating AmCham Germany member companies will not only contribute to the future of the transatlantic business community but will benefit from a program that strives to challenge, support, and shape tomorrow’s transatlantic business leaders.

Companies will profit from their involvement in the NextGen Program by strengthening their position within AmCham Germany for years to come. Their participating employees will gain new experiences, be challenged to expand their personal as well as their professional skill set and will expand their network far beyond their own business sector.

Contribution:
Participating companies are asked to:

• cover the costs for each participant of € 2500 (plus VAT) for accomodation and annual program, including the conference
• support the participants' engagement in the NextGen Program and within AmCham Germany
• release participants from work during the conference usually in July/August (3 workdays, the conference takes place from Saturday to Wednesday)
• cover the travel costs of their participants to the Kick-Off Conference, the Transatlantic Business Conference in the fall, the Annual Membership Meeting in the summer, if possible, to at least 1-2 of the NextGen events

Selection Process

All eligbile members of AmCham Germany receive the call for nomination via e-mail every year in the late fall/early winter. All Patron-, Ambassador-, and Partner members are eligible to nominate up to two employees. To be chosen for the program, nominees must meet the following criteria:

• be between 30 and 40 years of age
• have at least five years of work experience as (Senior) Manager/Director/Team Lead
• have personal experience and/or show interest in transatlantic relations

We are seeking team players who will contribute their expertise and communication skills to our common goal of nurturing the next generation of transatlantic decision makers.

All nominees will then receive the call for application via e-mail by mid-January. Around 25 applicants will be chosen by a Selection Committee to become part of the NextGen community. All nominees are notified about their application status around end of April/early May of every year.

The Selection Committee consists of members from the current NextGen Steering Committee and members from our bodies/committees (i.e. the Board of Directors) and the General Manager.

The NextGen Year

Throughout the year, participants will shape and take part in events that will establish their position within the Chamber but also foster growth and personal transformation. 

• Five-Day Kick-Off Conference (Saturday - Wednesday) usually in timeframe of end of July - mid-August
  Kicking off their year as a group, the NextGen will participate in a five-day conference in a major German city. Participation at the conference is mandatory. The conference will include dicsussions, on-site meetings and workshops that focus on understanding transatlantic business, current affairs as well as the U.S.-German relationship in a broader sense. We will plan activities and formats that challenge the participants to work together as a group but also contribute their personal strengths. 
   
• Frankfurt Day (Fall)
  To gain insights into the membership and activities at AmCham Germany, the NextGen group will take part in day event in Frankfurt, the location of AmCham Germany's headquarters. This event may include site visits, workshops, discussions with political stakeholders from the U.S. Consulate and understanding the importance of the region for AmCham Germany's activities.
   
• Involvement in the Transatlantic Business Conference in the Fall
  The Transatlantic Business Conference is one of the signature events in AmCham Germany’s event calendar. In the past, NextGens have conceptualized and organized their own breakout session at the conference. This is an opportunity to experiment with different formats and present them to AmCham Germany’s larger membership.
   
• NextGen Berlin Event (early Spring)
  Similar to the Frankfurt day, to gain insights to the membership and activities at AmCham Germany, the NextGens are also participants of the Berlin Event. Such an event may include site-visits, talks with political stakeholders from the U.S. and/or Germany to discuss the chances and challenges of a transatlantic business, and an opportunity to network.
   
• Annual Membership Meeting (Spring/Summer) & Alumni Event
  The Annual Membership Meeting gives participants the opportunity to get to know more facets within the structure of the Chamber and connect with other members of AmCham Germany. On the occasion of the Annual Membership Meeting, there will be an alumni event for the cohort of the current NextGen cycle to be able to meet NextGen alumni.
   
• Regional Chapter Events
  Together with the regional chapter committee that they are based in, the NextGens are invited to draft, coordinate and organize regional chapter events. The concept of these events lies entirely within the responsibilities of the NextGen and the regional chapter.

The NextGen Steering Committee serves as a liaison between participants and AmCham Germany. It thereby links participants and alumni and, thus, fosters their relationship during and after program participation. The Steering Committee, in close coordination with AmCham Germany staff plans NextGen related events. The members of the committee also independently lead the organization of the alumni event each year and prepare input at the kick-off conference in the summer. Furthermore, the committee can organize region-specific events for local NextGen participants. The committee offers strategic input and fresh ideas that help shape the future of our transatlantic program creating spaces for networking, insights, and valuable exchange with the transatlantic business community.