AMCHAM Thanksgiving Gala Dinner Returns to Prestigious Cercle Cité

On Friday 22 November 2024, the American Chamber of Commerce in Luxembourg (AMCHAM) held its annual Thanksgiving Gala Dinner, for the second time (after 2022) at the Cercle Cité in Luxembourg-Ville (last year's event was held at DoubleTree by Hilton hotel).

About 250 well-dressed guests gathered at the prestigious venue for this sold-out event. Among those present were ministry representatives and ambassadors, as well as members of the financial and industrial sectors, and the local and international communities.

After a pre-dinner networking reception, which also featured an eggnog counter, the guests took their seats in the architecturally impressive main room - which also offered festive views over the Christmas market in Place d'Armes.

Paul Schonenberg, AMCHAM Chairman and CEO, welcomed everyone and acknowledged the work put into this event by his team as well as the support of sponsors. He recalled the roots of Thanksgiving as a harvest celebration.

Paul also noted that this was his 24th year as chairman of AMCHAM, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary in two years' time. He stressed the importance of strong business, which should be top of the list of priorities in Luxembourg. With that, he invited special guest Gilles Roth, Luxembourg's Minister of Finance, to take the stage.

Minister Roth described Thanksgiving as a time of "gratitude, reflection and togetherness", a time to be thankful for the "invaluable partnership" between Luxembourg and the United States. He touched on the nature of this longstanding relationship, which is "shaped by shared values" such as a respect for freedom, democracy and the rule of law, plus the "unwavering belief" in opportunities for all. He looked further back to 19th-century Luxembourg emigration to the US and how those people became a part of American history, "just as American businesses and families" have become a part of Luxembourg's history. He also acknowledged the "heroic act" carried out by the American troops who liberated Luxembourg from Nazi occupation during WWII.

Minister Roth went on to look at recent developments in the US, taking the opportunity to congratulate President-elect Donald Trump. He said certain policies may shift slightly but that the long-term relationship between Luxembourg (and the EU) and the US would not be affected. He also reflected on his recent financial mission to the US and the strong ties that exist in the financial services sector. He noted Luxembourg's commitment to being a "stable, open platform" where businesses can "prosper and grow" in Europe.

The minister later added that Thanksgiving serves as a reminder of what can be achieved when we work together, noting that Luxembourg remained "fully committed" to this mutually beneficial partnership with the US. He also mentioned government measures aimed at helping the country stay "competitive, innovative and attractive" to businesses. He concluded that Thanksgiving was also a time to look forward to "new hope".

After the speeches, dinner was served, starting with pumpkin soup and continuing with a main course of turkey and, later, dessert.

Throughout the evening, attendees were treated to music and singing, with the dance floor opened up later on. Prior to this, AMCHAM's Daniel McKenzie led the tombola for which each guest had received a ticket attached to their dinner place card. There were many different prizes (artworks, flights, etc.) up for grabs - for which the winners were surely thankful this (early) Thanksgiving.