U.S. Entry Meeting

The U.S. Entry Meetings are aimed at companies that are considering entrance into the U.S. market or are already delivering to the United States, but have not yet established a subsidiary there. We strongly encourage the formation of a U.S. subsidiary for liability reasons and because of the tax law “branch office issue.” This is one of the reasons why the Entry Meetings cover the subject of company foundation at length.

Moreover, in the one-day seminars we talk about the following topics: funds, possible advantages of incorporating in Delaware, practical aspects such as bank account and sales structure, and topics in Employment Law.

Events

09.04.2025
09.07.2025
17.09.2025
05.11.2025

COLOGNE         
MUNICH           
BERLIN             
ZURICH            

Agenda

08:45–09:00 Registration

09:00–09:20 Welcome & Introduction of the Participants
• Overview of today’s program & agenda
• Short round of introductions of the participants

09:20–10:30 The US Branch
• Founding a company
• Operating sites
• Choice of the legal form
• Tax-optimised company forms
• Liability issues & corporate bodies
• Equity, Loan & Contribution in kind
• Formation process
• Drafting joint venture agreements

10:30–11:15 Contractual Aspects / Sales Structure & Reps
• Relevant contract types
• Agency, Sales, Reps & Distribution
• Contractual Risk Management
• Manufacturer‘s Limited Representations & Warranties
• Inter-Company Agreement & Transfer Prices
• Employment Agreements

11:15–11:30 Coffee Break

11:30–12:00 Site Selection
• Why choose a specific location?
• Brief economic geography of the USA
• Logistical considerations
• Legal and regulatory differences between states
• The growth perspective – where is the journey heading?

12:00–12:45 Recruitment, Executive Search
• American approaches to generating candidates
• Avoiding “job hoppers”, keeping turnover low – how to select and retain good employees
• Remuneration: fixed salary, variable elements, fringe benefits, long-term incentives
• America ticks differently – recognizing pitfalls – a panel discussion

12:45–13:30 Lunch Break

13:30–14:00 VISA & Work Permits
• Procedure & Costs
• Visa & Esta
• B-1 Business Visa
• L-Work Visa
• E2-Investor visa
• Spouses and children
• Green Cards

14:00–14:45 Protection against Product Liability
• Manufacturer liability
• What is product liability?
• Development and prevention
• Adaptation of products and documents
• Technical Standards and Certifications
• Warning Signs & Linguistic Drafting
• Timing & Procedures

14:45–15:25 Insurance
• Certificate of Insurance (COI´s) and Additional insured status
• GL / product liability / Manufacturer’s errors & Omissions
• Manufacturer versus distributor
• International program versus locally insured
• Workers comp / employers liability
• Automobile / Hired not owned Automobile Liability (HNOA)
• Property and Business Interruption (BI)
• D&O / Employment Practises Liability (EPL)
• Cyber
• Benefits / Professional Employer Organization (PEO) / versus brokerage model

15:25–16:00 US-Taxes – The Essential Principles
• Basics of US tax law
• Once again: permanent business premisses
• Expats in the USA
• Sales tax – no value added tax

16:00–16:15 Tea Break

16:15–17:00 Marketing & Sales in the USA
• Typical difficulties and risks in market development
• Market entry preparation: Market intelligence comes before market entry
• Market Preparation Guide: Checklist
• USA – The world champions in marketing
• Ways to successful Marketing Communication
• Successful sales concept

17:00–17:30 Installations in the USA
• Visa Issues
• Tax implications
• Contractor’s License

17:30–17:45 Feedback from the Participants

17:45–19:00 Cocktail Reception / Networking / Confidential Questions & Farewell

* Subject to change

Here you have the possibility to download the newest flyer for the U.S. Entry Meeting: