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.
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.
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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On Tuesday, 21 April, AmCham EU hosted Renate Nikolay, Deputy Director-General, Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, European Commission, for a discussion on the growing impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on intellectual property (IP). At a time when AI is reshaping how content is created, used and shared, the exchange explored the increasing pressure on existing IP frameworks. Moderated by Carmen Lembo (Qualcomm), Chair, Intellectual Property Committee, AmCham EU, the discussion covered questions around copyright, AI training and transparency, while also highlighting the importance of a policy framework that protects rights and supports innovation in Europe’s evolving digital economy.
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The Industrial Accelerator Act will be a key test of whether the EU can strengthen industrial competitiveness while advancing decarbonisation. With significant pressure already weighing on businesses in Europe, from high energy costs and supply chain disruptions to unnecessary red tape and intensifying global competition, getting that balance right matters. If Europe fails to send clear signals that it remains a predictable place to invest, capital will go elsewhere.
AmCham EU supports the objectives of the IAA, but its success will depend on how it is designed. A central question in the debate is how ‘European preference’ should be approached. Strengthening Europe’s economic resilience and security is a legitimate objective. However, an approach that creates uncertainty for companies from partner countries, particularly by leaving key decisions to secondary legislation, risks undermining investment and limiting access to the technologies needed for the transition.
The focus should instead be on providing clarity early and rewarding companies that create real EU-added value through manufacturing, R&D, skills and emissions reductions. Learn more in our full paper.
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From Monday, 13 to Wednesday, 15 April, AmCham EU travelled to Helsinki for a series of meetings with Finnish stakeholders on the future of EU environment policy. In discussions with representatives from the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the Ministry of the Environment, the European Chemicals Agency and Members of the Finnish Parliament, the delegation examined how the EU can pursue its environmental objectives and support competitiveness by delivering long-term simplification in environmental policies.
Across the meetings, one theme was evident. Europe’s environmental legislation must be more coherent and efficient across the Single Market. Members emphasised that simplification is not about lowering standards, but about avoiding unnecessary complexity while preserving a high level of environmental and human health protection and building the business case for investment in sustainable frameworks such as Circular Economy. As the EU takes forward its next environment policy initiatives, the priority should be a framework that combines ambition with legal certainty, supports investment and delivers practical outcomes across Europe.
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