2024 | Ambassadors' Gala & EU-Texas Economic Leadership Forum

Description

Ambassador Neliupšienės' visit emphasizes the strong bilateral trade and investment ties between Europe and the Lone Star State, leveraging Texas' significant role as a leading exporter to Europe and a hub for European investment in the United States.

Ambassador Takács' presence marks a remarkable celebration of the dynamic transatlantic relationship between Hungary and Texas. Hungary is Texas’ fifth largest export partner. From January 2013 to December 2022, Hungarian companies made $13.9 million  in capital investment in Texas.  In 2022, Texas exports to Hungary totaled $729 million and total trade totaled $1.3 billion.

On the eve of Hungary's historic mission to send an astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS), both Ambassadors will be accompanied in Dallas by two Hungarian astronauts. They will join us from training at NASA before their 30-day mission to the space where they will test various equipment and conduct scientific experiments aboard the ISS.*

*The attendance of Hungarian astronauts at our event is subject to change based on their training schedules. We appreciate your understanding.

- Trade, Industry, and Defense in the Space Economy -

TIME:  8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

LOCATION:  Cox School of Business, SMU

EACC Texas Members: FREE

Non Members: $100

Join leading minds in the space economy to explore how emerging technologies, regulatory frameworks, and international partnerships are shaping the future of the space economy. 

Discover the pivotal roles Texas and the EU play in advancing global space innovation.

6:00 pm | 7:00 pm - Ambassadors reception & silent auction

7:00 pm | 9:00 pm - Gala dinner

LOCATION: FAIRMONT DALLAS

Selection of exquisite Hungarian wines, specially curated by Aqueous.

EACC Texas Members: $225

Non Members: $275

Join us for an elegant evening at the Ambassadors' Gala, the perfect setting to celebrate the strong transatlantic connections between Texas, the United States, and Europe.

This Gala is a unique opportunity to network with local and global business leaders, clients and colleagues, fostering new connections and strengthening existing relationships.

The evening will include an exclusive silent auction, offering guests the chance to take home a piece of this memorable event as the stars of Texas, the United States, and Europe align!

Dress code: Black tie optional. Formal suits or cocktail dresses are also appropriate.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES!

Elevate your company's visibility to the European business community and support the most important trade partnership in Texas through sponsorship.  

Contact us to explore sponsorship opportunities and benefits

Our Guests of Honor: 

Her Excellency Jovita Neliupšienė

Ambassador of the European Union to the United States

Jovita Neliupšienė became the Ambassador of the European Union to the United States on January 1, 2024. Before that, she was a Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania from September 2022, where she was responsible for the coordination of European Affairs, European bilateral and regional issues, as well as national sanctions coordinator.

From 2020-2022, she was Vice Minister of Economy and Innovation of Lithuania, tasked with investment and export promotion, international cooperation, including policy coordination of state-owned enterprises, as well as chairing the interagency commission for export control.

In 2020, she held the post of Chancellor and State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania. This position included responsibility for staff coordination, legal and consular affairs. Between 2015-2020, she served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the EU. These years were marked by the migration crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.

From 2009-2015, she worked as an advisor and chief foreign policy advisor to the President of the Republic of Lithuania Ms. Dalia Grybauskaite. She was responsible for foreign policy coordination, inter-institutional relations, as well as the role of sherpa/EU advisor, and in this respect took a leading position in preparing and coordinating the Lithuanian presidency of the EU Council in 2013. In 2014, she was awarded the State Decoration Order “For Merit to Lithuania” Commander’s Cross.

READ FULL BIO HERE

His Excellency Szabolcs Takács

Ambassador of Hungary to the United States

MEET AMBASSADOR SZABOLCS TAKÁCS

Szabolcs Takács is currently the Hungarian Ambassador to the United States. Prior to his arrival to Washington D.C. in November 2020, he was the Ministerial Commissioner for BREXIT in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Budapest between 2019 and 2020. He is also the Head of the Hungarian Delegation to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) since 2016. During the Hungarian Chairmanship year of IHRA in 2015-2016 he was the Chair of the organization.

Prior to these positions he was State Secretary for European Union Affairs at the Prime Minister’s Office between 2015-2019. Before that he served as the Deputy State Secretary for Security Policy (Political Director) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He also served as the Deputy State Secretary for Global Affairs between 2012 and 2013, and as a Director General of the Asia-Pacific Department between 2011 and 2012.

His earlier assignments included working as a director at the Office of the Deputy State Secretary for Global Affairs in charge of bilateral relations with non-European countries and International Development Cooperation. Between 2005 and 2009 he was the Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Hungary in Doha, State of Qatar, and prior to that worked at the Department of Asia-Pacific since joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2002.