The six-day Thuringian delegation trip, led by Minister-President Mario Voigt and Minister of Economic Affairs Colette Boos-John, took 70 participants from business, science, and politics from May 19 – 24 to three key stops on the US East Coast: Washington D.C., New York City, and Boston. With over 30 high-caliber program items, the trip offered an intensive and well-balanced insight into economic, political, and scientific developments.
Political perspectives were discussed, among other places, at the German Embassy in Washington D.C. as well as at the Bloomberg Foundation discussed. The focus was on geopolitical developments, bilateral economic relations, and Thuringia's role in international contexts. Company visits to global players such as Northrop Grumman, Amazon, IonQ, Trumpf, Harry´s and Physik Instrumente gave the Thuringian delegation insights into the latest technological trends – from quantum technologies to AI to high-precision manufacturing. Many of these companies have connections to Thuringia.
In Boston and New York, visits to leading research institutions were primarily on the agenda – including the Harvard Business School, MIT Aerospace, MIT CSAIL, MIT Nano, Cornell Tech and the Taystee Lab. New approaches to scientific cooperation and current research questions were intensively examined here.
In discussions with our counterparts in economic development such as MassChallenge, MOITI, Fairfax County, NYCEDC and the GACC ways of internationalization were explored, best practices were exchanged, and cooperation potentials were identified.
Last but not least, the open and constructive networking within the Thuringian delegation with representatives from business, science, and politics was an invaluable added value of the trip. In addition, external guests whose work has a connection to Thuringia were specifically invited to the three official receptions.
With many new impressions, knowledge and Contacten in the luggage, the delegation has landed back in Frankfurt. Now it is necessary to further develop these results.
