The United States remains a leading destination for foreign direct investment, reinforcing its position with the upcoming 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit. Scheduled to occur from May 11–15 in Maryland, the summit offers Austrian businesses an opportunity to explore the U.S. market.
The U.S. Embassy in Vienna invites Austrian firms considering U.S. expansion to register before May 1 at www.selectusasummit.us. An invitation from the embassy emphasizes that the U.S. has maintained its rank as the leading global destination for foreign direct investment for 13 years, according to the 2025 FDI Confidence Index.
“The U.S. offers a dynamic environment for innovation and growth. SelectUSA promotes direct investment, and the new administration is reinforcing its support through initiatives like the U.S. Investment Accelerator, announced by President Trump on March 31,” said Ken Walsh, Senior Commercial Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Vienna. “We encourage all interested Austrian companies to take part, explore the U.S. market, and connect with the right partners.”
Michael Zettel, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Austria, noted: “The U.S. is Austria’s second-largest export market. In a year marked by economic challenges—such as recession, weaker domestic demand, and a struggling German economy—the U.S. offers substantial opportunities for Austrian businesses. In-person engagement is more important than ever given the new landscape for transatlantic trade.” Austria has maintained a positive trade balance with the U.S. for more than two decades, with Austrian investment reaching nearly €17 billion.
The summit is organized by the U.S. Department of Commerce and serves as a hub for international companies to connect with U.S. market opportunities. “The Summit is a one-stop shop for discovering investment and growth opportunities in the U.S.,” said Andrea Wimpissinger, SelectUSA 2025 Project Lead at the U.S. Embassy in Vienna, who will accompany the Austrian delegation. More than 5,000 attendees are expected, including over 2,500 international firms from 90 countries.
The program includes networking opportunities, over 100 sessions on trade and investment policy, and an exhibition hall. Participants may also engage in personalized meetings with officials for investment advice and industry connections.
Past participation illustrates valuable engagement, as in 2024, 21 Austrian delegates were part of the Summit, leading to reported investments exceeding $20 million. SelectUSA has hosted 174 Austrian delegates and facilitated nearly $3 billion in Austrian investments in the United States.
Testimonials from participating companies underline the Summit’s utility: Jakub Oliverius from Greiner Packaging stated, “As an internationally active business, we are always seeking opportunities to enhance our competitiveness and better serve our customers.” Don Manvel from AVL Americas acknowledged how the Summit facilitated connections with U.S. governmental leaders. Meanwhile, Thierry Le Compte of Borealis highlighted the Summit’s role in expanding their technological investments in North America.
For further details, interested parties can contact Ken Walsh at ken.walsh@trade.gov or Andrea Wimpissinger at andrea.wimpissinger@trade.gov. Registration can be completed through the SelectUSA Summit website.