Global Business Outlook 2021

The year 2020 will long be remembered for the Covid19 pandemic that shook the world economy. The virus showed up with little warning and spread like wildfire before drastic measures were taken to attempt to contain it. Economies contracted and unemployment increased at unprecedented rates. Healthcare systems struggled with the onslaught, medical equipment was in short supply and global supply chains were severely impacted. Meanwhile, pharmaceutical companies started a frantic search for a vaccine while millions were infected, and hundreds of thousands died from the virus.

Political events like Brexit, and presidential elections in the United States, have the potential to seriously impact global relations as well as international collaboration. Trade relations in Europe and those between the US and China will affect the global economy beyond the countries involved. Natural disasters that were extraordinarily destructive in many parts of the world, may establish themselves as the “new normal”, and will require effective responses to mitigate risks and implement preventative measures.

As 2020 is coming to a close and we’re at the doorstep of the next decade, uncertainty shapes the business and political outlook. How will the pandemic develop as vaccines become available and global distribution needs to be managed? Will we see an accelerated economic recovery, or will the slow economic expansion continue into 2022 and beyond? Are international relations between the USA, Europe, and China on the mend or will we see further estrangement or disengagement? Will large and small countries re-concentrate their efforts to slow down climate change on a global basis?

We are particularly excited to discuss the 2021 Global Outlook with our panelists.

While it has become a tradition that the Global Business Outlook event concludes GABA’s event season and is hosted in the festive atmosphere of the German Consulate General in San Francisco, due to the Covid19, we will be moving this year’s event to a virtual format.

Welcome by

Hans-Ulrich Suedbeck

Consul General

German Consulate General

Speakers

Marc Chandler

Political Economist, Chief Market Strategist

Bannockburn Global Forex

Prof. Liang Wang

Professor at the School of Management and Director of China Business Studies Initiative

University of San Francisco

Sophie Alcorn

Founding Partner

Alcorn Immigration Law

Olaf Groth

CEO & Founder of Cambrian Futures, Professor at HULT International Business School, Professional Faculty at Berkeley Haas, Author

Moderator

Matthias Hohensee

Bureau Chief Silicon Valley

Wirtschaftswoche

Agenda

09:00 – 10:00 am Panel and Q&A
10:00 – 10:30 am Networking

Cost

Free for GABA Members
$10 for Non-Members