For three days, our capital city was dominated by strong women: The VdU (Association of German Businesses) celebrated its 70th anniversary. Opening speech by the Federal Chancellor at the AXICA on Pariser Platz, followed by the evening gala at the TIPI AM KANZLERAMZ with the presentation of the she succeeds awards. Numerous daytime and evening events on the following days. SATELLITE OFFICE CEO Anita Gödiker was right in the middle of it all as a long-standing member!
The VdU Berlin-Brandenburg regional association, led by Chairwoman Salka Schwarz, organized the three-day meeting. And how! 1500 strong women came together to expand and strengthen their network, to support women in management positions and, last but not least, to promote mutual support and advice. Female power at its best!
The highlight of the gala was the She succeeds award: The VdU awards the she succeeds award has been recognizing successful female successors in existing companies since 2018 and, with the “Trailblazer of the Year” category, has been honoring former female owners who have made a special contribution to paving the way for women as successors since 2021. The she succeeds award is the first and only award in Germany to highlight successful company successions and handovers by women and thus also shows entrepreneurship in female succession as an interesting career option alongside start-ups.
The entrepreneurs Linn Rose, Vanessa Gosch and Heidi Huber-Kamm were honored.
Interesting encounters on the sidelines: Sweden’s ambassador Veronika Wand-Danielsson – dressed entirely in H&M, whose brand ambassador she also was that evening. Of course: H&M, the world’s largest Swedish export, has designed a collection with the style icon Iris Apfel, who recently passed away at the age of 102 (but far too early). Sensational! Strong women celebrate a strong woman! The photos were taken by Liechtenstein’s Ambassadora Isabel Frommelt-Gottschald…
In the PAN-AM Lounge on Wednesday evening, First Lady Elke Büdenbender, wife of Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, gave an impressive speech on women and their rights as manifested in the Basic Law, but mainly on the compatibility of family and career. Another inspiring evening full of encounters that could be the beginning of wonderful friendships.
The champagne bar at KaDeWe called for the final rendezvous on Thursday. Under the motto VdU-BUBBLES – sponsored by SATELLITE OFFICE – kicked off the final. This wonderful evening was to be the end of days full of great encounters and conversations, networking of female entrepreneurs, exchange of experiences and mutual respect among women in leadership positions.
The VdU has done a lot, not least these days, to make the self-image and ultimately the uniqueness of female leadership in industry and business tangible and to shed light on it. Many thanks to Salka Schwarz for the elaborate organization and the spirit you gave to this great event. Many thanks also to all female entrepreneurs who never stop learning from and supporting each other, who “stand their ground” away from discussions about quotas and thus contribute to strengthening our economy.
Many thanks for three successful days of FRAUENPOWER!