Ambassador’s Dinner, Frankfurt, June 2026
Ambassador’s Dinner on 9 June 2026
The German Australian Business Council’s flagship Ambassador’s Dinner 2026 has just concluded. We are delighted to share some impressions from this memorable night with our members and friends. Once again, the event highlighted the importance of bringing together the German and Australian business communities in a spirit of collaboration and friendship.
Held at The Florentin Hotel Frankfurt, the evening welcomed 120 members and guests for a celebration of shared values, business culture, collaboration, and the ever-growing ties between Germany and Australia. Guests enjoyed an exquisite three-course dinner in a warm and elegant setting, while engaging in valuable networking and establishing new professional connections. With pleasant weather outside, many guests continued their conversations well into the evening.
The evening was opened by the German Australian Business Council Co-Chair Robert Harrison, who welcomed guests from across the Australian state representations and reflected on a landmark year for the bilateral relationship. He highlighted the conclusion of the Australia–EU Free Trade Agreement, the deepening Security and Defence Partnership, and Australia’s negotiations to join the European Horizon research programme. Drawing on the long historical ties between the two countries, from the Germans who helped establish the Barossa Valley wine industry to the explorers and emigrants who shaped both nations, Robert reminded guests that despite 15,000 kilometres of distance, a shared vision for a sustainable future brings Germany and Australia ever closer.
Team Australia was strongly represented on the night, with the Australian Embassy Germany joined by Invest and Trade Western Australia, Investment NSW, the Department of Trade and Investment – Government of South Australia, Global Victoria, and the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade).
We were truly honoured to welcome H.E. Ms Natasha Smith, Australian Ambassador to Germany, as our guest of honour and we are grateful for her attendance during an especially busy week in Australian-German dialogue, which included the 2+2 ministerial consultations in Berlin. In her remarks, the Ambassador highlighted how shared values and interests underpin cooperation in defence at a national level, and the FTA and Horizon Europe at an EU level, as well as Australia’s stronger investment in Austrade to further deepen engagement with Germany.
Our speakers brought further depth to the evening’s discussions. Adam Donaldson, Head of Market Strategy and Rates Research at Commonwealth Bank of Australia (Europe), spoke about the economic impact of the FTA, including its potential for inflation and investment. Dr Francis Wedin, Executive Chair of Vulcan Energy Resources, shared the story of how a few visits sparked a collaboration that combined Australian manufacturing and German engineering into a billion-dollar green energy company. The evening concluded with a vote of thanks from Dr Jens Gönnemann, Chairman of AHK, who closed with a powerful reminder that relationships are built by people, and that opportunities must be pursued together.
The Ambassador’s Dinner 2026 would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors. We extend our sincere gratitude to our Gold Sponsors, Sonic Healthcare and Vulcan Energy Resources; our Silver Sponsors, FrankfurtRheinMain (FRM) and the Government of South Australia; our Premium Sponsor, Commonwealth Bank of Australia; and our Welcome Reception Sponsor, ANZ.
We would also like to thank the board members and staff whose dedication and hard work made this flagship event possible: Lucia Santoso, Dietrich Klusemann, Jessica Walker, Suzanne Heim, Marie du Puy, and Diah Yulianti.
It was a night filled with engaging conversations and valuable connections. We are grateful to everyone who attended and made the evening such a success. We are already looking forward to next year’s Ambassador’s Dinner in Munich, where we will celebrate 75 years of Australian-German diplomatic relations.
