International representatives

The German Design Council is partnering with a growing number of representatives in different countries to provide a targeted boost to local exchange and networking. The new business contacts made from this result in the encouragement of new solutions, which is a boon for both members and the overall design-oriented economy.

BeNeLux

Dorian Kronenwerth
dk.benelux[at]gdc.de
Phone +32 495 911 910

Krown Consultance
2 Rue de l'Amazone
B-1050 Brussels, Belgium

Krown Consultance acts as a bridge for business between the BeNeLux and Germany, as well as for interactions with the European Union's institutions. The aim is to contribute to the global success and positioning of companies from the BeNeLux countries by delivering strong means of communication, representation and business development. Dorian Kronenwerth calls both BeNeLux and EU-Brussels home and relies on his knowledge of the three countries, their cultures and languages as well as an extensive network and his skills in economic diplomacy to enable the region's companies and to make their voices heard in Brussels and on the global marketplace.

China

Lei Wang
lei.wang[at]gdc.de
info@gdc.cn

German Design Council (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
Shanghai International Trade Center, Room 1106
No. 2201, West Yan'an Road, Changning District
200336 Shanghai, P. R. China

In 2019, the German Design Council further expanded its strong international network by establishing a subsidiary in Shanghai. The establishment of a member network in China is a logical continuation of its activities, which have always been geared towards international exchange and promotion.
The members in China gain competitive advantages through mutual exchange at eye level and the associated transfer of knowledge. At the same time, we help our German foundation members to gain more visibility in China, present them as German Brands and support them in the Chinese market.

Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden


Marie Hemdal
hemdal.se[at]gdc.de
Phone +46 (0) 76 714 50 33

MH Partner AB
Sickla Kanalstreet 87
120 68 Stockholm, Sweden

Advice to companies how to open doors to new international markets and target groups around the world. Focus areas are furniture, interior and design. Marie Hemdal Thryselius has many years of experience in the trade fair industry, both nationally and internationally, e.g. at Koelnmesse and its worldwide trade fair portfolio or in Sweden at the Stockholm International Fair. Her knowledge and experience also includes media and press relations, sales, project management, marketing for exhibitors and visitors, and liaising with associations. Marie uses her networks and knowledge to understand what business works and to open the right doors at the right time for the right target group. Motto: Never give up. Focus: Customer. Future: Look beyond your borders.

France

Michael Scherpe
scherpe.fr[at]gdc.de
Phone +33 (0) 144 89 67 70

SEME SA
72, rue Louis Blanc
75010 Paris, France

SEME SA was founded in 1953 under an agency agreement with Messe Frankfurt for France and Monaco. In 1981 Mr. Michael Scherpe took over the company and has been its President / CEO and main shareholder ever since. SEME and its subsidiaries are active in the areas of communication, marketing, film production, press and culture.

Mr. Scherpe and his team has extensive knowledge in market strategies, brand development and multimedia strategies. His excellent network capabilities makes him a popular partner for many institutions as well as industries such as textiles, consumer goods, sanitary, heating, ventilation, music, lighting, automobiles, security and food processing.

Michael Scherpe is the recipient of the French Republic's Grand Order of Merit.

Italy

Valentina Santus
santus[at]ahk.it

Phone +39 02 67913221
Cellphone +39 342 3349571

German-Italian Chamber of Commerce (AHK Italien)
DEinternational Italia Srl
Via Gustavo Fara 26 - 20124 Mailand
Italien

AHK Italien (German-Italian Chamber of Commerce), based in Milan and with more than 60 employees, has been the official representation of German economy in Italy since 1921 on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection of the Federal Republic of Germany and is part of a network of 150 German Chambers of Commerce Abroad in 93 countries worldwide. It is also the largest bilateral business association in Italy and the largest German Chamber of Commerce Abroad in Europe.

AHK Italien incorporates a German-Italian business community of around 800 member companies as well as two subsidiaries: The service company DEinternational Italia Srl offers numerous internationalisation services to both German and Italian companies (for example, market entry & sales development, M&A projects, legal and tax services, accounting services), while the company Dual.Concept offers a broad portfolio of training and recruitment services, promoting the German dual education system in Italy.

Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Mauretania, Malta

Ines Ben Youssef
Iby.maghreb[at]gdc.de
Tel. +49 (0) 151 67 66 66 89 (Germany)
Tel. +216 22 325 123 (Tunisia)

Sales, Marketing, Training & Consulting
Beethovenstrasse 60
60325 Frankfurt Main, Germany

As a resilient and motivated entrepreneur based in Tunisia and Germany, Ines Ben Youssef has been working independently for Messe Frankfurt in the entire Maghreb region for 14 years. Fluent in German, English and French, with profound technical and market knowledge and strong negotiating skills, Ines realizes projects with partner organisations and the private sector in a goal-oriented and motivated manner. Through analytical and networked thinking as well as intercultural competence, she builds sustainable business  relationships and services. For several years, Ines has been conducting trainings and workshops in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia for SMEs to prepare for trade fair participation as well as masterclasses in design trends and export services.

East, West and South Africa

Mr. Skander Negasi
skander.africa[at]gdc.de
Phone + 49 (0) 6003 826892

Trade and Fairs Consulting GmbH
Feldpreul 33
61191 Rosbach, Germany

Trade and Fairs Consulting (TFC) is a German based consulting and event organizing agency with regional offices in Africa. The company represents various German trade show companies across a wide range of sectors such as construction and building, consumer goods, textiles, mobility, processing etc and is well experienced in creating and promoting brands and designers from Africa. TFC owns several fashion event brands, organizes exhibitions on the African continent as well as supports international organizations, associations and governments through missions, workshops and industry events. For the German Design Council TFC is an exclusive partner for Ethiopia, Kenya, Ruanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Namibia, South Africa.

Poland

Piotr Łukaszewicz
pl.poland[at]gdc.de
Phone +48 22 494 32 03

Targi Frankfurt Przedstawicielstwo w Polsce S.C.
ul. Bugaj 5d
05-806 Komorów, Poland

Piotr Łukaszewicz and his team are highly experienced in market strategies, brand management and design. Their outstanding networking capability makes them an ideal partner for government institutions, industry associations as well as media representatives. They have already supported over a thousand Polish companies from 20 different industries in their preparations to events in 15 countries. Since October 2007 Targi has also been developing Messe Frankfurt’s business in Poland conducting all sales and promotional activities.

South America, Central America, Mexico

Sonia Denisse Prinz
sprinz.americalatina[at]gdc.de
Cellphone +49 176 6132 7905 (Deutschland)
Phone ​+51 964 849 745 (Peru)

Business Development, Marketing, Sales & Consulting
Emil-von-Behring-Str. 3
64560 Riedstadt, Germany

Sonia Prinz represents Messe Frankfurt in various industry sectors, focusing primarily on the design of textiles, handicrafts and interior/furniture. When organising roadshows, workshops and delegations, she combines ideas with a fascination for design to create solutions that work and give pleasure. She and her team advise companies on finding the best market for their products and support Latin American companies in market strategies, business relations, brand development and opening up new international markets. Moreover, she also has knowledge and experience in sales and marketing. Her excellent networking skills with Latin American companies and cooperation with governmental and/or private institutions, associations and organisations ensure that her commercial and international relationships are beneficial in the target market.

 

USA

Lisa-Marie Brandt
lisa-marie.usa[at]german-design-council.com
Tel. ​+1 248 970 2421

German American Chamber of Commerce® of the Midwest, Inc.
150 North Michigan Avenue, 35th Floor
Chicago, IL 60601

Established in 1963, GACC Midwest plays a vital role in fostering German-American business relations and supporting trade and investment between Germany and the United States, with a special focus on the Midwest region. As part of the German Chamber Network (AHKs) boasting 150 offices in 92 countries worldwide, GACC Midwest combines the functions of a trade commission, a membership association, and professional consulting services. Based in Chicago and with an office just outside of Detroit, we are strategically positioned to serve and assist the German-American business community in Michigan and neighboring states. Lisa-Marie, the Regional Coordinator, is working out of the Michigan office since August 2023, supporting German entrepreneurs in their move to the US.