The German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest, Inc. hosted a delegation of 8 Solar Companies in Colorado from June 27, 2011 till July 1, 2011. The Trip was sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Economics.

I had the pleasure setting up their first meeting with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden Colorado on June 27, 2011, where Joe Verrengea – Public Affairs of the NREL gave an overview of the world-reknown facility, its accomplishments and future research, which set a great  tone for Colorado’s involvement in “Green, Renewable Energy” for this particular Delegation. In the afternoon the Delegation met with an established German Company here in Colorado “Conergy USA” at the Embassy Suites Hotel Downtown, where Christian Kaesler spoke to the group, why he chose Colorado over California etc… even so  productions have declined a little bit within the last year.  Here I  had also the pleasure to speak  to one of the Delegations Project Sales Managers (one on one). Being involved an international Real Estate and a Member of FIABCI I was able to open quite a few doors for this particular Company – creating business – creating a win-win-situation for his company, my company and of course Colorado’s Economy.

After an all day conference on Tuesday including the German American Chamber of Commerce – Colorado Chapter (GACC-CO), which I am a Board-Member of, the Colorado Governor’s Energy office,  the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association (COSEIA) and excel Energy,  the group went back to the Marriott in Golden for a Networking event with former Governor Bill Ritter, Center for the New Energy Economy at the Colorado State University (CSU). Mr. Ritter not only welcomed the “German Delegation” and a Mexican Delegation  to give an overview of the last couple years, future involvements/research of 3 universities and how the state of Colorado will become # 1 in Renewable Energy. At this Networking session I had the opportunity again to “shake hands with Mr. Ritter” and to speak to a Consultant of the German Federal Ministry of Economics Mr. Oliver Druecke and shared some of my optimism as well as concerns with him, as he listened to Mr. Ritter with delight!  On my next visit to Germany in October I’ll spent some time with him in Berlin, while visiting with the Immobilien Verband Deutschlands (IVD) and further our business Relationship as we both came up with some wonderful idea’s on how to create business here in Colorado and Germany.

The following day a trip to Fort Collins was scheduled were we spent a couple hours with the President of G.J.Pierman of WIRSOL in his world class “green building” and of course visited one of the 8 Beer Brewery’s Odell’s. I was able to speak to the rest of the Delegation on a one on one level as well as spending some quality time with Mr. Pierman at Dinner. We’ll connect some more “dot’s” to move the Economy here in Colorado into a better directions.