US Market Entry Bootcamp & Automate Delegation

Event Details  

• Event Start: Monday, June 22^nd 2026, 9 am 
• Event End: Friday, June 26^th 2026, 5pm 
• Location: Chicago, United States 
• Language: English 
• Participation Fee: $1,590 

Description  

Spend an entire week immersing yourself in the U.S. market while building meaningful connections with potential partners, clients, and key multipliers. This five-day US Market Entry seminar combines in-depth market-entry preparation with a trade show visit, manufacturer site visits, and expert panels, offering a truly hands-on experience. 

The first three days focus on all critical aspects of a successful U.S. market entry and setting up your company for long-term success. Participants will take part in interactive workshops covering a wide range of relevant topics, followed by 30-minute one-on-one consultations with U.S. market experts tailored to each company’s specific situation. The days conclude with networking dinners and optional cultural events in Chicago, providing additional opportunities to build valuable relationships in an informal setting. 

On Thursday, the program begins with breakfast at the GACC Midwest office, followed by a preparation session on how to navigate U.S. trade shows effectively. Participants will then visit the Automate Trade Show, where they can engage directly with exhibitors as well as potential clients and partners. The day continues with a site visit in the Chicago area and concludes with the exclusive German-American Automate Networking Reception. 

Friday is dedicated to connecting with local industry experts through site visits to leading manufacturers in the Chicago region. During interactive roundtable discussions, participants will gain insights into current trends, challenges, and best practices shaping manufacturing in the Midwest. 

Agenda 

Day 1 – Monday June 22^nd  

• Welcome and Introductions 
• Starting a Business and Legal Aspects of Doing Business in the US 
• Mastering Taxes in the US  
• Sales Structures and Strategies in the Digital Age 
• Joint Lunch in the Office  
• Well insured – Product Liability and Insurance Coverage in the US 
• Success Story: Experience Report from a German Subsidiary  
• Individual meetings with US experts starting at 3 p.m. 
• Optional evening program: Networking Dinner and / or Cultural Program 

Day 2: Tuesday June 23^rd 

• Visa and Sending Employees to the US 
• Basics of US Labor Law 
• Successful Recruitment in the US 
• Optimize Your Sales Pitch  
• Joint Lunch in the Office  
• Business Accounts and Special Features of US-Banking 
• Panel: Opportunities and Challenges in the US-Market 
• Individual meetings with US experts starting at 3 p.m. 
• Optional evening program: Networking Dinner and / or Cultural Program 
• (Dinner at the Riverwalk and Architecture Boat Tour)  

Day 3: Wednesday 24^th  

• Marketing Strategy in the US market 
• Culture and Strategy 
• Location Analysis and Site Selection in the US 
• Logistical processing – import/export, supply chains, and warehousing 
• Joint Lunch in the Office  
• Successful Networking and Trade Show Attendance in the US 
• Feedback and Next Steps for Your Market Entry 
• Individual meetings with US experts starting at 3 p.m. 
• Optional evening program: Networking Dinner and / or Cultural Program 
• (Dinner and 360 Hancock Tower)  

Day 4: Thursday, 25^th  

• Joint Breakfast at the AHK Office  
• Transfer to Automate Trade Show 
• Automate Trade Show Visit  
• Transfer to mHUB  
• mHUB Innovation Center (TBC)  
• Transfer to Chicago Office 
• German American Automate Networking Reception 

Day 5: Friday, 26^th  

• Transfer to Site Visit in Suburbs (Company TBC)  
• Roundtable Discussion 
• Joint Lunch at Company 
• Site Visit at second company (Company TBC)  
• Drop off for flights or return transfer to Chicago 

Bootcamp Benefits 

• You will participate in interactive presentations by experts on a range of topics that are important for your market entry. 
• You will benefit from valuable information and tips for your individual strategy in the US market in 30-minute one-on-one meetings with the experts. 
• You will receive a comprehensive guide to market entry in the US, which can be used to create a business plan for market entry in the US. 
• You will gain a network of experts who will continue to support you on your journey in the US market. 

Who should register?  

This intensive seminar and delegation are aimed at all companies that are considering entering the US market within the next 1-2 years or are already in the process of doing so. Companies that want to change their US strategy and adapt it to current market conditions will also find a wealth of helpful information and new contacts at the boot camp.  

Participants are usually managing directors, sales managers, or those entrusted with planning the market entry. Often, several employees from one company take part in the seminar.  

Language 

The event language is English and written documents will be provided in English 

Cost and Registration

There is no direct registration but instead a binding expression of interest. The participation fee is $1,590 and this will be invoiced when the minimum number of participants is reached. The participants will be informed as soon as this is confirmed, and it is recommended to book flights and hotels immediately after receiving this information. 

Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and speakers, we can offer a full week of exciting programs, workshops, and individual consultation sessions for such a low fee. This includes all workshops, program materials, and one-on-one consultation sessions, as well as breakfasts and lunches at the office, a guided visit to the Automate Trade Show including the networking reception, site visits in and around Chicago, and most local transportation. Optional cultural activities and networking dinners are not included in the participation fee. 

Logistics  

The participants are responsible for booking their own flights and hotel, as well as transfers to the hotel. There are direct flights available from Munich or Frankfurt, and the destination airport is Chicago O’Hare (ORD). Please make sure to arrive the latest by Sunday afternoon (June 21^st). Flights back to Germany can be booked for Friday night at the earliest but participants may also choose to extend their visit through the weekend.