Events
Upcoming Events
2026
Military World Games in Charlotte 2027 -10,000 Athletes in Town- with Ike Belk Co-Chair, 2027 Military World Games Charlotte
- August 25
- 80
Ike Belk is an entrepreneur, visionary, and lifelong supporter of sport with deep family roots in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic movement.
His grandfather was a key figure in the Olympic movement dating back to 1936 — a legacy Ike proudly continues through his leadership in performance, innovation, and international sport.
Gänsebraten/Roast Goose Dinner with The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation
- November
The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation cordially invites you to our Annual Gänsebraten/Roast Goose Dinner.
Experience an enchanting evening of German Christmas elegance of great company.
The night begins with a festive Champagne Reception, followed by a Dinner an evening that blends fine dining with the tradition and skipes interesting conversation and challeges to get involved in great conversations.
Christmas Party with The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation
- December 05
- 200
The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation cordially invites you to our Annual Christmas Party, “Christmas Made in Germany,” on Friday, December 5th at Firethorne Country Club.
Experience an enchanting evening of German Christmas elegance in song and sound.
The night begins with a festive Champagne Reception, followed by a Four-Course Dinner paired with extraordinary musical artistry—an evening that blends fine dining with the timeless beauty of classical performance.
2027
Dr. Michael Schöllhorn Airbus Defense and Space
- February
Join The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation for an exclusive evening featuring Dr. Michael Schöllhorn from Airbus Defence and Space.
The event will explore the future of aerospace innovation, transatlantic collaboration, defense technology, and the evolving role of space in global development. An inspiring opportunity to connect industry leaders, innovators, and the international community in North Carolina.
Past Events
2026
White Asparagus Dinner (The Uncertain Alliance: U.S.–Europe Relations in an Age of Disruption) with Amb. Philip Reeker, former Ass. Secr. of State and Partner in dga-Albright Stonebridge Group
- May 5
The Zeitgeist Foundation’s White Asparagus Dinner — an elegant evening celebrating the prized “white gold” of spring.
Celebration of General Johann de Kalb at the occasion of the 250th birthday of the United States
- April 29
The Zeitgeist Foundation hosted a special Celebration of General Johann de Kalb in honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States. This event pays tribute to the German-born hero of the American Revolution.
Sustaining Sponsor Dinner with Minster Jean Froehly
- April 21
The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation invited for the first time all substantial sponsors who have supported the Foundation on its way to become an important and influential stand-alone institution in Charlotte, focused not only on German-American affairs, but also transatlantic relations in a broader European-American sense.
The key note speech was given by Minster Jean Froehly, Head of Economic, Trade and Finance Department of the German Embassy in Washington.
Private Zeitgeist Dinner with Kurk Wilks, CEO Mann + Hummel, Germany
- March 3
Experience an afternoon of global insight and distinguished leadership at the Kurk Wilks. Join Mann + Hummel CEO Kurk Wilks for an intimate conversation on future and inovation for the age driven by human cooperation with artificial inteligence.
Luncheon, co-staged with World Affairs Council Charlotte with Kurk Wilks, CEO Mann + Hummel, Germany
- March 3
Experience an afternoon of global insight and distinguished leadership at the Kurk Wilks Germany Luncheon, co-staged with the WACC. Join Mann + Hummel CEO Kurk Wilks for an intimate conversation on innovation, international collaboration, and the future of advanced filtration technologies shaping our world.
Dinner with Alliance française, celebration of the Anniversary ofthe German-French Friendship Treaty with Francisco Duarte Lopes, Ambassador of Portugal in Washington
- February 3
The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation and Alliance Française de Charlotte cordially invite you to a special dinner celebrating the anniversary of the Traité de l’Élysée (Élysée Treaty), featuring guest of honor Francisco António Duarte Lopes, the Ambassador of Portugal to the United States.
Francisco Duarte Lopes, Ambassador of Portugal in Washington with Queens University of Charlotte
- February 3
The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation, in partnership with the Queens University of Charlotte hosted a presentation featuring H.E. Francisco António Duarte Lopes, the Ambassador of Portugal to the United States.
Portugal, a NATO ally, and a European partner with Francisco Duarte Lopes, Ambassador of Portugal in Washington
- February 3
The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation, in partnership with the The World Affairs Council of Charlotte hosted a WACC Ambassadors Circle Series luncheon featuring H.E. Francisco António Duarte Lopes, the Ambassador of Portugal to the United States.
2025
Christmas Party with Amber-Rose Romero Soprano and Johnathan White Tenor
- December 5
Experience an enchanting evening of German Christmas elegance in song and sound, featuring celebrated soprano Amber-Rose Romero and tenor Johnathan White performing live opera arias.
Gänsebraten / Roast Goose Dinner with Jörg Wuttke
- November 4
The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation hosted to a special Gänsebraten Dinner featuring guest of honor Jörg Wuttke, Distinguished China Expert and former President of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China.
China, Transatlantic Relations, and Global Trade: Perspectives with Jörg Wuttke
- November 4
The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation, in partnership with the World Affairs Council of Charlotte, invites you to a special luncheon featuring Jörg Wuttke, Distinguished China Expert and former President of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China.
State of the Transatlantic Relations with Stefan Liebich
- October 15
The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation is pleased to host an intimate private dinner featuring Stefan Liebich, Executive Director of the Rosa-Luxemburg Foundation’s New York Office and former Member of the German Bundestag.
Private Dinner with ACG with Stefan Liebich
- October 15
The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation, in collaboration with Davidson College, hosted a public lecture featuring Stefan Liebich, Executive Director of the Rosa-Luxemburg Foundation’s New York Office and former Member of the German Bundestag.
The Transatlantic Alliance of the New Right with Juliane Schäuble
- Updated Event
- September 23
We would like to inform you about a last-minute change to our program.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, our originally scheduled keynote speaker, Elmar Theveßen, is unable to share his remarks with us next Tuesday as planned. We sincerely regret this change and apologize for any inconvenience it may cause.
Teleporting an American Auto Icon into the Future with Oliver Wollinsky
- August 26
The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation invites you to an exclusive evening exploring the future of American mobility. Join us for “SCOUT – Teleporting an American Auto Icon into the Future,” featuring keynote speaker Oliver Wollinsky, Chief Operating Officer of Scout Motors, a Volkswagen Group company.
White Asparagus Dinner with Rear Admiral Axel Ristau
- May 21
The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation cordially invites you to an exclusive White Asparagus Dinner featuring keynote speaker Rear Admiral Axel Ristau, Military Attaché at the German Embassy in Washington.
- April 30
Julian Heißler, U.S. Correspondent “Die Wirtschaftswoche, Luncheon with ACG
- February 20
Mark McGrath, Schaeffler - Regional CEO Americas, Luncheon with World Affairs Council Charlotte
- February 14
Valentine’s Ball at Ballantyne’s Ballantyne Hotel
- January 29
Celebration of the German-French Friendship Treaty with Jovita Neliupsiene the Ambassador of the E.U. to the United States, organized with the Alliance Française and Hanns-Seidel Stiftung
2024
- December 6
Christmas Party Firethorne Country Club
- November 19
Gänsebraten / Roast Goose Dinner with Knudt Flor CEO AESC
- September 3
Private Dinner with Axel Bense CEO of Mercedes-Benz Vans
- July 18
Visit of MdB Thorsten Frei delegation of the Konrad-Adenauer Foundation
- June 4
Ambassador Robert Kimmitt former U.S. Ambassador to Germany, U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury White-Asparagus Dinner
10th Anniversary of The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation
- May 15
“Day of the Berlin Airlift” in Charlotte Luncheon at Dressler’s with Rear Admiral Axel Ristau Lt. General Klaus Habersetzer ret.), Maj. General Timothy Zadalis (ret.) PPP-Presentation by Lt. General Klaus Habersetzer Private Dinner
- April 21
“Kaffee + Kuchen mit Kant” 300th Birthday of Immanuel Kant - a Le Salon event at the Beckers residence
- February 23
Valentine’s Vernissage Impressions of an Art Journey to Mecklenburg and Berlin
- January 25
Ambassador Kristjan Prikk Estonia at UNC Chapel Hill
- January 24
Ambassador Kristjan Prikk Estonia in Charleston
- January 23
Ambassador Kristjan Prikk Estonia, Key-note speaker at the celebration of the German-Franco-Friendship Treaty
2023
- December 3
Christmas-Party Cedarwood Country Club
- November 24
Gänsebraten-Dinner / Roast Goose Dinner with Juliane Schäuble, journalist, Der Tagesspiegel, Washington
- October 17
Jonathan Dawley President of KION North America Corporation, (Linde-Forklifts)
- August 29
Dirk Janzen CEO of Lufthansa of the Americas
- June 1-9
TEASE Artist’s Tour in Germany Schloss Plüschow, Rostock, Berlin
- May 10
White-Asparagus Dinner with Roland Nelles as key-note speaker. Roland is Washington Bureau-Chief of SPIEGEL-ONLINE
- May 1
Dr. Robert Engelhorn President of BMW Mfg.
- April 13
Stuart Sandlin President of Hapag-Lloyd North America
- January 25
Ambassador Key-note speech of Ambassador Marek Magierowski at UNC Chapel Hill
- January 23
Key-note speech of Ambassador Marek Magierowski Poland at a Gala-luncheon organized with the World Affairs Council Speech at Queens University
Celebration with Ambassador Magierowski of the German-French Friendship Treat with the Alliance Française
2022
- December 17
Christmas-Party Cedarwood Country Club
- September 15 - 16
Karl Haeusgen President and Thilo Brodtmann, CEO, VDMA
- June 10
Delegation of Bavarian Federal Parliamentarians in cooperation with the ACG
- May 26 - 28
“Day of Europe” with Stavros Lambrinidis Ambassador at the Embassy of the E.U. to the United States, and Martin Weiss Ambassador of Austria to the United States. Charlotte and Charleston
- May 11 - 12
Hanns-Seidel Foundation Delegation of Bavarian Business Leaders
- Apr 24 - 30
TEASE – Transatlantic Exhibition of Art in the SouthEast, Charlotte and Charleston
- March 1 - 5
Lt. General (ret.) Ben Hodges formerly Commander-in-Chief of the American Army in Europe, and Brigadegeneral Frank Gräfe, and Kapitän zur See Ivo Schneider, Embassy Washington, “NATO & its Challenges – A German and an American View”
*Charlotte on March 1, at UNC Chapel Hill on March 2 and in Charleston on March 3
- January 27
Ambassador Jean-Arthur Régibeau in Chapel Hill Krasno Global Events Series, “Ambassadors and Distinguished Statesperson Forum”, organized by Prof. Dr. Klaus Larres at UNC Chapel Hill, and Ambassador Barbara Stephenson
- January 26
Ambassador Jean-Arthur Régibeau in Charleston Lecture at the Mroz Global Leadership Institute / College of Charleston, Lecture at The Library Society, "Walker international Studies and Diplomacy Series"
- January 25
