AmChams in Europe (ACE), a network of 46 AmChams from 44 countries, gathered in Sofia, Bulgaria, at the AmChams in Europe Best Practice Conference, which AmCham Bulgaria Team hosted from October 5-8, 2022. The conference welcomed over 40 representatives from 27 American Chambers in Europe and Eurasia.
At the conference, AmChams discussed their development and perspectives, as well as further integration of the network. Throughout the conference, AmChams shared their good practices, looked at the ACE Benchmark Survey that provided the results of the comparative analysis between AmChams, and enjoyed plenty of social events and opportunities to get to know the Bulgarian business community. They also visited Sofia University and attended the special presentation of INSAIT Institute (Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology). The Bulgarians were very hospitable and made the four-day program a wonderful experience.
Also, this year, AmChams awarded the Creative Network Award for the best project that inspires other AmChams. Among the three finalists, the winner was AmCham Slovenia with its “I’m a Teacher!” project, highlighting the vital importance of teachers, as they play an essential role in shaping young people and, thus, the future of tomorrow’s leaders.
Ajša Vodnik, Vice Chair of AmChams in Europe and CEO of AmCham Slovenia, said: “It was amazing meeting colleagues from all around Europe joined in a friendly and unifying spirit; these were moments for inspiration and shared values. Thank you to the exceptional AmCham Bulgaria team for hosting us and for their dedication and hospitality.”
At the conference, which was also very rich in content, the keynote speaker and Chair of AmChams in Europe, Susan Danger, in her address on Gala dinner, pointed out: We must not be complacent and take the Transatlantic relationship for granted!”. In the highlights of her speech, she pointed out that respect for human dignity, the rule of law, and democracy are the basis for a strong political and cultural partnership, for which Europe and the US have a closer relationship today than they’ve had in years. She continued that the world faces many other political, economic and environmental challenges and that only by working together can governments on both sides of the Atlantic create a stable economic environment. She stressed the thriving network of AmChams and companies as ideally positioned to be the bridgebuilders between governments and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.