US Market Entry Bootcamp Chicago

Event Details: 

• Event Start: Monday, October 19^th  2026, 9 am
• Event End: Thursday, October 22^nd  2026, 5pm
• Location: 150 N. Michigan Ave. 35^th Floor, Chicago, United States
• Language: English 
• Participation Fee: $1,390   

Experience the U.S. market firsthand during this immersive week in Chicago. Gain the knowledge, connections, and confidence you need for a successful U.S. market entry while building valuable relationships with potential partners, and industry experts. 

The U.S. Market Entry Program combines comprehensive market-entry training with a guided trade show experience, expert consultations, networking events, and practical insights into doing business in the United States. Rather than simply learning about the market, you'll experience it firsthand. 

Throughout the program, participants take part in interactive workshops covering every critical aspect of expanding into the U.S., including company formation, legal and tax considerations, sales strategies, marketing, logistics, recruiting, and more. In the afternoons, companies receive personalized 30-minute one-on-one consultations with experienced U.S. market experts, ensuring the advice is tailored to their individual business goals and challenges. 

A highlight of the week is the guided visit to PACK EXPO, one of North America's premier manufacturing and packaging trade shows. Participants learn how to maximize the value of a U.S. trade show visit—from networking effectively and identifying potential partners to understanding customer expectations. While PACK EXPO may not directly align with every participant's industry, the strategies, best practices, and business connections gained during the visit are highly transferable and valuable across a wide range of sectors. 

By the end of the week, you'll leave with a practical roadmap for your U.S. expansion, direct access to trusted experts, and a strong network to support your long-term success in the American market. 

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 
• Successful Trade Show Attendance in the US
• Business Accounts and Special Features of US-Banking
• 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  

• Joint Breakfast at the AHK Office and Trade Show Preparation
• Transfer to McCormick Place / Trade Show
• Visit Trade Show PACK Expo – Networking and Making New Connections
• Transfer back to the office
• 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 and 360 Hancock Tower)  

Day 4: Thursday, 25^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
• Customs Clearance and Importer Responsibility
• Joint Lunch in the Office 
• Culturally Adapted Communication
• Feedback and Next Steps for Your Market Entry 

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 

The participation fee is $1,390 per participant and includes all workshops, individual expert consultations, as well as breakfasts and lunch at the GACC office in Chicago.  

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.