GreenCard Winner's Conferences Hyatt Hotel

The 6th Annual Winners’ Conference was held on August 18th in Berlin. Guests of THE AMERICAN DREAM and GreenCard lottery participants were feted at the Grand Hyatt Hotel at Potsdamer Platz, in the very heart of the “New Berlin”. As usual, the turnout was great – about 250 people out of the nearly 900 lottery winning participants.

The program and festivities were presided over by Holger Zimmermann and Marcus Sieber, the company’s heads, who personally welcomed all participants and guests and congratulated the winners.

U.S. immigration lawyer Liam Schwartz, a licensed practitioner in New Jersey and Tel Aviv (Israel), was in attendance at the conference with the sole purpose of informing the new GreenCard applicants of their rights and obligations. The interesting lecture was followed by role playing scenarios and questions from the audience.

Tax expert Ralf Zschieschank, from Frankfurt, explained the extremely complicated US tax system. He provided details about the double taxation convention between Germany and the U.S.; and (citing the examples of specific US states) illustrated the relatively lower income taxes in the U.S. as a whole. Mr. Zschieschank was also available for specific advice after the seminar.

The final agenda item was a presentation by Mr. Georg Mehnert, head of THE AMERICAN DREAM’s visa department, on social services, retirement and health insurance in the U.S. He also talked about the return and adjustment to life in Germany after a prolonged stay in the U.S.

Participants interacted and also exchanged contact information. By authorizing the entry of their address into a database, they could maintain contact with each other and with future winners of the GreenCard lottery.

Of course, THE AMERICAN DREAM will continue to support successful participants, well after this seminar has concluded, with tips and advice for a smoother transition to life in the U.S. We extend our deepest gratitude to all those who provided us with constructive, positive feedback at the conclusion of the conference. These opinions will help us continue to deliver unmatched services to you, our cilents, now and in the future.

GOOD LUCK!

THE AMERICAN DREAM Team