AMCHAM Thanksgiving 2018;

On Friday evening, the American Chamber of Commerce in Luxembourg (AMCHAM) held its annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the Double Tree by Hilton in Luxembourg-Dommeldange.

Following a welcome cocktail, the almost 230 people attending took their seats as Paul Schonenberg, Chairman of AMCHAM, welcomed the packed ballroom and explained that Thanksgiving as one of the oldest celebrations and which celebrates the harvest, giving thanks.

He thanked Luxembourg’s Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel, US Ambassador, J Evans, and a large number of Ambassadors and Consuls General for attending, along with AMCHAM members and friends present.

He described Luxembourg as very welcoming, and said it is a great place to live, one in which the international community plays an important role and contributes to society.

Paul Schonenberg then presented Prime Minister Xavier Bettel with the AMCHAM Leadership and Prosperity Award.

PM Bettel took to the podium and thanked Paul Schonenberg and AMCHAM for the award, and talked about working for the past five years in building the country for the future and about looking ahead of short-term gains. He referenced the international schools offering an education in English, and the state working to provide free education in English, as an example.

He mentioned thousands of young Americans living here, and the Americans who ensured Luxembourg’s freedom in times past. He acknowledged that the approaches of the two countries are different but it is important to respect each other’s choices.

He also talked about the need to talk WITH each other instead of ABOUT each other. He thanked AMCHAM for its role, including lobbying for change.

He referred back to the time when many Luxembourg residents were economic migrants, with many Americans now living and working in Luxembourg.

He concluded by thanking everyone for being part of the success story called Luxembourg and that we are all ready for the next challenges.

Bernhard Jackel, Key Account Manager at POST Luxembourg, as event sponsor, delivered a keynote speech and referred to the recently-announced 5G network plans for Luxembourg.

The US Ambassador to Luxembourg, J Randolph Evans, who arrived on 18 June, delivered an amusing address. He talked about becoming an ambassador and being new to the State Department and to the protocol that goes with the office. He said that he and his wife Linda are enjoying Luxembourg which he described as a coming-together of cultures, of nationalities and of languages. He revealed that he has been to a number of manufacturing plants and other organisations, including investment firms, in Luxembourg owned by American companies.

He talked about worldwide economies and politics, referring to uncertain times in many countries, including Britain, Burma and Iran, with the Chinese economy expanding and the Russian economy continually teetering on the brink, he advocated trying something new, something different.

He also referred back to the Battle of the Bulge and acknowledged that Luxembourgers have not forgotten. He concluded by staring that next year will be a big one for anniversaries, that of the Berlin Wall, the Battle of the Bulge and the first man on the Moon.

The Thanksgiving Dinner was served - but not before the presentation of the turkey - comprising Pumpkin soup, Turkey served with cranberries, gravy, vegetables and sweet potatoes, with dessert of pecan pie and vanilla ice cream.

A surprise was in store too, not least for Paul Schonenberg, who has served 20 years as Chairman of AMCHAM in Luxembourg - he was presented with a giant cake and video testimonials from a number of people who could not attend the event in person.

The evening continued with a tombola with some 16 amazing prizes, the top one being a 7-night holiday in the Maldives fir two people with 1st class flight tickets from Etihad Airways, with dancing to the tunes of Marco Botzem into the early hours.