German business plays an important role in the United States, not just by contributing to economic growth and exports but by creating jobs and teaching vocational skills. The PopUp Tour of “Wunderbar together” was a unique opportunity to highlight the contributions of German companies to the economy and society in the United States.

The Year of German-American Friendship themed “Wunderbar together – Germany and the U.S.” aims at jointly strengthening the German-American partnership. There is no better way than through the exchange in terms of culture, business and science. In this context, the PopUp Tour made a stop on Daley Plaza in Chicago during the Germany Week from the end of April to the beginning of May 2019.

On the Day of German Reunification, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas officially started off the Year of German-American Friendship at the annual reception at the Residence of the German Ambassador, Emily Haber, in Washington, DC. The opening of the initiative was celebrated with a week-long program in Washington, Atlanta, Boston, Indianapolis, and Los Angeles.

For decades, German companies have not only contributed to U.S. economic growth and U.S. exports. They are job-motor and educators, thus also contributing to the U.S. society. The initiative “Wunderbar together. Germany and the U.S.” offers a unique opportunity to showcase German business in the United States as a strong partner for investment and jobs, says Stefan Mair, member of the BDI Executive Board.

“Germany is modern, innovative, and culturally diverse”, Andreas Görgen, Director General for Culture and Communication, Federal Foreign Office, Germany, advocates for the public relations campaign “Wunderbar together - Germany and the U.S.”. “We want to present a modern Germany in the United States.” The initiative is an invitation for a transatlantic dialogue. The goal is to deepen the close economic, cultural, and social cooperation with the USA.

The “Wunderbar Together” initiative seeks to deepen existing partnerships and to give new impetus to the German-American friendship, according to Johannes Ebert, Secretary General of the Goethe-Institut. Above all, Johannes Ebert wants to assure that the initiative reaches young people, and people outside of west and east coast urban centers.