Midwest Meets Germany 2027 - Defense Manufacturing & Dual-Use Innovation

Building Transatlantic Partnerships Across Defense, Manufacturing, and Innovation 

Germany's defense and industrial sectors are undergoing a significant transformation, creating new opportunities for partnerships, investment, supply chain development, and business growth. The launch of the inaugural DSEI Germany 2027 reflects the growing importance of the sector. 

Midwest Meets Germany 2027 connects economic development organizations, chambers, industry associations, and innovation leaders from across the U.S. Midwest and Colorado with the companies, clusters, research institutions, and stakeholders shaping Germany's next generation of defense and industrial growth. 

With shared strengths in manufacturing, engineering, innovation, and industrial production, Germany and the American Midwest are uniquely positioned to build stronger transatlantic partnerships in defense manufacturing, aerospace, autonomous systems, and dual-use technologies. 

Event Details:

Delegation Program, February 28 - March 5, 2027 | Berlin, Lower Saxony & North Rhine-Westphalia
Optional DSEI Germany Extension, March 8-12, 2027 | Hannover 

• Event Start: 28/2/2027 (Welcome Dinner)
• Event End: 3/5/2027
• Location: Germany (Berlin, Lower Saxony, and North Rhine-Westphalia)
• Program Fee: $4,900 per participant, including single-room hotel accommodation for 5 nights (February 28 – March 5); airfare not included
  Member discount: GACC Midwest members receive a 3% ($150) discount
• Registration deadline: December 1, 2026
• Program confirmation: by December 15, 2026. Please do not book flights until GACC Midwest has confirmed that the program will take place.

Ask Us Your Questions

We will be hosting a series of virtual Q&As in the coming weeks, where you can ask us about the program, logistics, and expected outcomes:

• Tuesday, November 10 @ 10:00 AM CT
• Thursday, November 19 @ 10:00 AM CT

Making the Midwest and Colorado Visible in Germany 

Many German companies know New York, California, or Texas, but far fewer understand the strengths of the American Midwest or Colorado. This program creates opportunities to tell your region's story directly to German stakeholders.  

Understand How Germany Really Works 

Germany is one of the Midwest's most important sources of foreign direct investment. But German companies invest where trust exists, and trust is built through meaningful interactions over time, not through trade show booths, cold outreach, or incentive packages alone. If you've struggled to gain traction with German companies, the challenge may not be your outreach. 

It may be your approach. We don't promise investment projects or a set number of meetings. We provide access to the people, organizations, and ecosystems that matter, helping you build the visibility, credibility, and relationships German companies value. 

Who should attend? 

Economic Development Organizations, State Commerce Agencies, Chambers of Commerce, Industry Associations, Manufacturing Alliances, Aerospace & Defense Organizations, Innovation Ecosystem Leaders 

The program includes: 

• Meetings and discussions with German companies, industry associations, chambers of commerce, cluster organizations and ecosystem leaders
• Company visits to leading defense, aerospace, manufacturing, and technology companies
• Exchanges with applied research institutions, universities, and innovation hubs
• Networking receptions designed to facilitate meaningful relationship-building with German stakeholders
• Insight into Germany's defense manufacturing expansion, dual-use innovation landscape, and industrial transformation
• Practical guidance on doing business in Germany, including cultural considerations, stakeholder engagement, networking strategies, and how to effectively pitch your region to German companies and decision makers
• Opportunities to experience German culture, history, and regional business environments
• Single-room hotel accommodation (5 nights) and transportation within Germany for all official program activities

Featured organizations may include: 

• Rheinmetall, German Aerospace Center (DLR), European Space Agency Astronaut Centre (ESA), Fraunhofer Institutes, Volkswagen Group, CLAAS, it's OWL Cluster, Research Airport Braunschweig
• Regional chambers, industry associations, economic development organizations, and innovation ecosystems