The German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest (GACCoM) successfully conducted its first "Transatlantic Program - Young Technology Leaders" (TAP-YTL). The program brought together 12 young leaders with technical backgrounds for an intensive 8-day visit to Germany focused on "Sustainable Architecture & Urban Planning" and took place place September 19-27, 2010.

The delegation witnessed Germany’s leading role in crafting new communities and energy efficient spaces for living and working first-hand. Their agenda consisted of theme-focused site-visits, presentations and personal interaction with innovative companies, networking functions with peers and industry leaders, cross-cultural training and language building. Program highlights included:

• Europe’s largest urban development project “HafenCity,” in Hamburg - EU Green Capital 2011
• Experiencing Passive House technology
• A visit to Germany’s most sustainable neighborhood Freiburg-Vauban
• A Tour of the German Parliament Building with a focus on its energy concept
• Seeing the 2007 & 2009 Solar Decathalon Winning Houses at TU Darmstadt, lead by members of the student

The overall goal of the program series is to bring future decision makers from the US and Germany together at the beginning of their professional careers or late in their studies, to build networks and promote know-how transfer through intensive, content-driven encounters and experiences. Applicants must be from the field relevant to the focus of each trip, interested in modern Germany and have a basic knowledge of the language. One of the key aspects of the program remains to promote professional development within a transatlantic mindset through alumni activities. TAP-YTL takes place under the patronage of Dr. Klaus Scharioth, German Ambassador to the United States. Future programs will feature topics such as "Logistics & Transportation" and "Water Management."