Gala 2022: a recap

After three years away, the Brussels community finally had the chance to reconnect in person, and in style, at AmCham EU’s Gala 2022. With a special focus on ‘Invested in youth’, the evening brought together more than 250 guests to celebrate the contributions of the young generation. It showcased an inspiring cello performance from the two Queen Elisabeth Competition finalists and was capped off with the presentation of the Youth Entrepreneurship Award to a female entrepreneur.  

 

News
19 Jun 2022
Gala 2022: a recap

The festivities began with remarks from Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU who shared a hopeful perspective for the future of European innovation and the transatlantic relationship. The audience then had the opportunity to enjoy a cello concert from Queen Elisabeth Competition finalists Hayoung Choi and Yibai Chen.

The highlight of the evening, however, was the presentation of this year’s Youth Entrepreneurship Award, in collaboration with JA Europe. For the last decade, AmCham EU has been proud to support entrepreneurship in Europe, and this year, as part of the European Year of Youth and in line with the mission of the EMPOWER HER initiative, the Executive Council doubled down on their commitment. All three finalists will receive mentorship from the business minds of European CEOs. There could only be one winner and the top prize went to Sweden’s Ida Norström, CEO, Energy Effective Solutions. Norström works to provide energy-efficient electrical installations for companies and private individuals, and her company is the fastest growing in her country’s sector.

AmCham EU also made a contribution to the Queen Elisabeth Competition, and has been glad to support the young musicians, even when we could only hear their performances virtually the last two years. Learn more about how AmCham EU gives back here

A big thank you is in order for sponsor ExxonMobil. Be sure to mark your calendars for next year’s 60th anniversary gala, set for Wednesday, 28 June 2023.

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Celebrating Gala 2026

On Thursday, 4 June AmCham EU held its annual Gala evening at the Africa Palace in Tervuren. The evening brought together guests for a celebration of the transatlantic community, and began with a cocktail reception followed by a seated dinner. Malte Lohan, CEO and Liam Benham (Boeing), Chair, AmCham EU opened the evening with welcome remarks, before Andrew Puzder, US Ambassador to the EU delivered a celebratory toast.

Guests then enjoyed a special performance from Ettore Pagano, First Prize laureate of the Queen Elisabeth Competition Cello 2026, who was accompanied on piano by Naoko Sonoda.

Capping off the evening was this year’s AmCham EU Youth Entrepreneurship Award, organised in collaboration with JA Europe. Eva Maydell, MEP (EPP, BG) introduced the finalists and presented the award to Elenya Spiteri, CEO, Medilert. The Maltese start-up was recognised for its smart medication management system designed to support older adults and caregivers. Learn more here.

A big thank you to our sponsors SAS, Amazon, ExxonMobil and Microsoft for making the event happen. See you next time! 

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