U.S. Ambassador Vicki Kennedy Received at AmCham Austria Welcome Gala Dinner

In honor of the newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Austria, Victoria Reggie Kennedy, the American Chamber of Commerce in Austria (AmCham Austria), hosted its first official talks at the Park Hyatt Vienna on March 17.

High-ranking representatives from business and politics were present for the occasion, including Austria's Federal Minister for Digitalization and Business Location Margarete Schramböck. Central topics of discussion were the deepening of transatlantic trade relations and the role of diplomatic efforts in the Ukraine conflict.

"On the part of AmCham Austria, we decided in consultation with the U.S. Embassy to hold this event despite the internationally tense situation. After all, especially in times of armed conflict, the importance of potentially peacemaking talks and diplomatic efforts cannot be overstated," stressed host AmCham Vice President Prof. Dr. Robin Rumler, in his welcoming remarks.

"The importance of our transatlantic strength and economic ties could not be clearer than it is today, as the free world confronts the horrific Ukrainian crisis and closely unites in the cause of democracy and freedom," Ambassador Victoria Reggie Kennedy underscored in her keynote address.

Thank you @AmChamAustria for the warm welcome to Austria. I look forward to working closely with you to strengthen the business connections between our countries and elevate our common goals of peace and prosperity.

— Ambassador Victoria Kennedy (@USAmbAustria) March 18, 2022

Victoria Reggie Kennedy was nominated by U.S. President Joe Biden to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Austria and was sworn in on November 16. Prior to her appointment, the ambassador practiced law and served as a board member of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.

She is a co-founder and honorary president on the board of directors of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization designed to contribute to the American public's better understanding of democracy.

Kennedy took over her post from interim Chief of Mission Mario Mesquita. He will continue to assist her as deputy in the future.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Austria has existed for over 60 years and promotes the expansion and strengthening of trade and commerce relations between Austria and the US. In addition, the association sees itself as a lobbyist for American companies that have branch offices in Austria.

Among the guests attending the AmCham Talks at the Park Hyatt Vienna were (in alphabetical order):

• Philipp Bodzenta (Director Public Affairs & Communications Central Europe, Coca Cola)
• Martin Brodey (Partner, Dorda Rechtsanwälte)
• Christian Dorda (Arbitrator, Dorda Rechtsanwälte)
• Michael Edelsbrunner (Austrian Country Executive, Citibank Europe)
• Thomas Gangl (CEO, Borealis)
• Carmen Greider (Country Lead Austria, 3M)
• Klaus Hölbling (Managing Director, Alix Partners)
• Rudolf Krickl (Management Board, PWC)
• Sigrid Krupica (CEO, Grayling Austria)
• Kathryn List (CEO, AVL Cultural Foundation)
• Andreas Ludwig (CEO, Umdasch Group)
• Mario Mesquita (Gesandter-Botschaftsrat, US Embassy)
• Johannes Martschin (CEO, Martschin & Partner)
• Peter Perktold (Leitung Unternehmensberatung, PWC Österreich)
• Marco Porak (Country Manager, IBM)
• Susanne Reisinger-Anders (Executive Director, AmCham Austria)
• Friedrich Rödler (Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats, Erste Group Bank)
• Robin Rumler (Country Manager, Pfizer Corporation Austria)
• Wolfram Senger-Weiss (Vorsitzender Geschäftsleitung, Gebrüder Weiss)
• Michael Smetana (Managing Director, HP Österreich)
• Angelika Sommer-Hemetsberger (Vorstand, Österreichische Kontrollbank)
• Felix Thun-Hohenstein (Managing Director Eat-The-Ball-Holding)
• Linda Villarreal-Paierl (Vorstand, Presto Tech Hub)
• Michael Zettel (Country Managing Director Accenture Österreich)
• Sepp Zotti (Gen.Dir. Stvtr. i.R. Zürich Versicherungs-AG)

AmCham American Chamber of Commerce in Austria