(c) Embassy of Austria

Austrian Ambassador Petra Schneebauer visited Chicago last week, beginning her trip by celebrating Austria's National Day with the vibrant Austrian Midwest community at the Union League Club of Chicago. Honorary Consul Reinhold Krammer hosted the well-attended gathering, which welcomed special guest Peter Hanke, Vienna's Executive City Councillor for Finance, Business, Labour, International Affairs, and Vienna Public Utilities. The event offered a meaningful opportunity to celebrate Austrian heritage and strengthen connections within the Chicago community.

The Ambassador then participated in the Austria Connect North America conference, organized by ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA. Centered on the theme "A New Industrial Revolution – Bringing Back Manufacturing to North America," the conference drew approximately 200 industry leaders and stakeholders who engaged in productive discussions about the growing economic partnership between Austria and North America.

(c) Embassy of Austria

Concluding the successful three-day program, Ambassador Schneebauer and Director General Elisabeth Kornfeind of the Austrian Federal Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs hosted a ReFocus Austria business networking reception at KOVAL Distillery, owned by Austrian-American couple Dr. Robert Birnecker and Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart. The evening provided an excellent setting for participants to network and explore future opportunities for collaboration.