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GERMAN
AMERICAN
BUSINESS
ASSOCIATION

Share Knowledge.
Gain Insight.
Expand Connections.

GERMAN
AMERICAN
BUSINESS
ASSOCIATION

Access Leaders in Southern California

From Los Angeles to the transnational San Diego – Tijuana EDC, SoCal has opportunities in broad and well-diversified areas of entertainment, manufacturing, sciences, technology, services and more. GABA SoCal offers local representation in each of the major cities, giving our members and friends full coverage throughout the region but with local access to our internal and external partners including special expertise groups. GABA SoCal opens doors to expanding your local network and exponentially extend your coverage to our region, NorCal and Germany with one stroke.

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Inside GABA and Member News

Welcome Jan Heck to the GABA Advisory Board

We are excited to welcome Jan Heck, President & CEO at Hestan Commercial Group, to our GABA Advisory Board! Jan is an accomplished executive with over 20 years of experience leading premium and luxury brands in the global consumer goods…

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GABA Team Spotlight: Dr. Christoph Kirchner

Meet Dr. Christoph Kirchner, Vice Chair and Treasurer of GABA Southern California. Learn about his journey, passion for networking, and dedication to fostering connections within the GABA community. Please tell us something about yourself and what you do at GABA…

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GABA SoCal Programs

Entrepreneurship, Venture Capital and New Technologies
Media, Film and Entertainment
Workplace California
GABA Women in Business
International Trade and Investment

GABA SoCal Programs

Entrepreneurship, Venture Capital and New Technologies
Media, Film and Entertainment
Workplace California
GABA Women in Business
International Trade and Investment

“GABA had a big influence on how my life developed in the Silicon Valley. The day I arrived at SFO I went to the GABA Young Professionals meeting. I connected to many people but one connection was special… my wife found her job with Ebay through this connection. – Since then, I have attended many more GABA events, and all of them were interesting and useful for my business and me personally.”

Florian Schöbinger, Kärcher New Ventures

“Newly arrived in Silicon Valley, we participated at a GABA-Newcomers event. Driven by the enthusiasm of the GABA team, we participated in many other events from GABA and their partners, which are offered in every industrial sector. These great networking opportunities largely contributed to our exponential growth in the number of contacts in the USA and in Europe. GABA has been great for developing both friendships and our business. “

Michael Schmid, Partner, ProiPatent

“GABA has been instrumental in supporting NRW.Invest mission to market Germany’s No. 1 investment location, North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). We are thrilled to work with them on upcoming projects”

Kai Buehler, NRW.Invest

“In 2020, GABA organized a nationwide hydrogen technology and business presentation, the first webinar of its kind. Engineers from Berlin, Germany, and managers from the East and West coasts gave us a glimpse into the future of energy. Now in 2023, it’s becoming a reality in California with leaders from Germany and the US. As a consequence of this well-attended hydrogen event, we now have two hydrogen energy storage projects in operation in California.”

Clark Crawford, GKN Hydrogen

“Thanks to GABA I found employment at a global corporation. I attended the annual GABA economic and financial outlook event and met a senior executive, who shortly after hired me as the West Coast Regional Manager. I have since attended many GABA events and am always impressed by the quality of the events and seniority of the attendees.”

Alexander Schulz, Advisory Board Member at UC Irvine

“Ich möchte GABA herzlich danken für die bereichernden Gespräche, die einzigartigen Veranstaltungen und die interessanten Menschen, die ich durch die GABA kennenlernen durfte.”

Heiko Erhard, VP, Neato Robotics

“GABA has helped me in my personal life and in my role at SAP to develop meaningful connections in the ecosystem. The diversity of their network spans from early talents to thought leaders in the Silicon Valley who represent corporates, academia and the venture community. On many occasions the team was able to relate our business goals with those of other members and identify collaboration opportunities.”

Daniel Zimmer, Sr. Director, SAP Bay Area Labs Management

“GABA succeeds very well in strengthening the German-American community and friendship. Through their hosting of excellent events, members can share top-notch industry specific knowledge and experience across the Atlantic and connect as professionals and personally. I am thankful to GABA for wonderful memories of events, business opportunities, and even friendships that I could experience and access through the incredible network which they cultivate. “

Alexander Roth, Partner at Taylor Wessing US

“As the Bay Area based Innovation Hub for Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, we are always excited to connect with teams and companies that share our drive for innovation in the fields like Cultured Meat, Bioelectronics, and Neuromorphic systems. GABA allows us to discuss with like-minded companies in an organic way.”

Arie van Gent, Merck KGaA
Promote Your Brand
Promote Your Brand

Promote Your Brand

Interested in promoting your business, products, or services in Southern California? GABA’s programs, events, website and regular communications give you ample opportunity to show your thought leadership and capabilities and enhance your reputation to a professional audience.

Become a Volunteer

Become a Volunteer

Want to support the professional German-American community directly with your talents and skills? As a volunteer, you can hone your skills and expand your network by supporting GABA with event logistics, content ideas or operations behind the scenes.

Become a Volunteer

We Thank Our Main Supporters

Benefactors and Patrons

SAP
Siemens

Premium Corporate Members

iConn
GASA
Osborne Clarke
Volkswagen
BMW Group
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
Join Digital, Inc.
Deutsche Bank Wealth Management
Taxstudio
Bayer
Zeiss Innovation Center California
TW
Seven Seals Innovation AG
BSH
Currencies Direct
Cerity Partners
Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP
BMO Wealth Management
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