College of Charleston Hosts 10th Annual German-American Business Summit
On Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, business leaders, students and faculty will mark a decade of community and collaboration at the College of Charleston for the annual German-American Business Summit.
By Grace Cook
On Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, business leaders, students and faculty will mark a decade of community and collaboration at the College of Charleston for the 10th annual German-American Business Summit (GABS X).
Organized by the College of Charleston’s School of Business, German Studies Program and School of Languages, Cultures and World Affairs, this milestone event continues to bring together education and industry while strengthening South Carolina’s role as a hub for German-American business. The summit will feature a Job & Internship Expo, dynamic panel discussions and a networking reception, highlighting the ongoing partnership between German companies and higher education in the region.
“Over the past decade, the German-American Business Summit has served as a bridge between industry and education, fostering talent pipelines, professional growth and collaboration across the Southeast and underscoring the importance of intercultural competence and proficiency in German and other world languages for global industry,” says Morgan Koerner, associate professor of German and program director of German Studies. “This year, GABS X will highlight alumni experiences, global industry perspectives, and strategies companies are using to navigate an increasingly uncertain business environment.”
Summit sponsors include Mercedes-Benz Vans (summit sponsor); IFA Group, Ingenics Consulting, and Mankiewicz Coatings (gold sponsors); Parker Poe, South Carolina Council on Competitiveness, SPC (Software Projects Consulting) and STAR Cooperation (maroon sponsors).
Event Highlights
The summit begins with the Job & Internship Expo from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., where representatives from German-American businesses will connect with students and discuss opportunities and industry trends.
Companies in attendance include:
- AGRU America
- IFA Group
- Ingenics Consulting
- Mankiewicz Coatings
- Mercedes-Benz Vans
- South Carolina Council on Competitiveness
- SPC (Software Projects Consulting)
- STAR Cooperation
- VS America
From the College of Charleston to Global Impact: Alumni Lessons from a Decade of Collaboration Panel
Moderator: Erin Halford, Director of MBA Employer Relations and Professional Development at the College of Charleston
Panelists:
- Alexis Clark ‘23, Operational Support Manager, SPC
- Joseph Fariello ‘23, Supply Chain Analyst, Evonik
- Lauren Gantt ‘12, IT Manager, BMW
- Trey King ‘25, Project Assistant, Mankiewicz Coatings
- Shane Love ‘25, Junior Buyer, IFA Group
Agility in the Face of Global Disruption: How Companies are Adapting to a Continuously Uncertain Business Climate Panel
Moderator: Katarina Fjording, Senior Vice President of Innovation and Industry Engagement at the College of Charleston
Panelists:
- Jörg Gerstlauer, CEO of STAR Cooperation GmbH
- Todd Lant, Chief Customer Officer at Blackbaud
- Annekathrin Müller, VP & Commercial Plant Manager at Bosch USA;
- Phillip Padgett, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Administration with South Carolina Ports Authority
The summit concludes with a networking reception from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., giving attendees the chance to connect with professionals, business leaders and educators.
To register for the summit, visit go.charleston.edu/GABS.
Grace Cook is a senior majoring in marketing at the College of Charleston.
