A Strategic Leap Forward: AmCham Greece Establishes US Office in Washington DC
Business Partners | May-Jun, 2025

On May 22, 2025, the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce celebrated a significant milestone with the official inauguration of AmCham GR-US in Washington DC. This new venture realizes the Chamber’s longstanding vision to establish a permanent presence in the United States, fortifying bilateral trade relations during a pivotal moment of historic highs in US–Greece relations.

 

 

A Legacy of Purpose and Partnership

 

Since its founding in 1932, the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce (AmCham Greece) has served as one of the most enduring and dynamic business institutions in Greece. With a mission to strengthen economic, trade, and investment ties between Greece and the United States, AmCham Greece has consistently worked to foster dialogue, open markets, and support business-friendly reforms and opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic.

Over the course of more than nine decades, the Chamber has built bridges—between companies, governments, industries, and ideas. It has advocated for transparency, innovation, and extroversion in Greek entrepreneurship. It has forged a trusted relationship with US government institutions, including the US Embassy in Athens and the US Chamber of Commerce, and maintained an unwavering commitment to advancing shared values of democracy, rule of law, and open markets.

Today, AmCham Greece boasts an extensive and ever-growing base of more than 1,000 member companies, including leading Greek enterprises, US multinationals, SMEs, startups, and professional organizations. Through its 25+ committees—covering sectors from energy and education to healthcare, real estate, tax policy, and innovation—the Chamber serves as both a thought leader and a platform for action. It facilitates public-private dialogue, supports policy reform, and creates strategic business opportunities.

But AmCham Greece has never been content with resting on its accomplishments. For many years, its leadership envisioned a more direct presence in the United States—one that would mirror the strength of US–Greece relations, respond to member needs, and provide a permanent gateway for business collaboration in the world’s largest and most influential market.

 

 

Vision Becomes Reality

 

On May 22, 2025, that vision became a reality with the official inauguration of AmCham GR-US, the Chamber’s permanent US office in Washington DC. The new office represents a strategic leap forward—one that reflects the Chamber’s ambition, agility, and enduring relevance in a rapidly shifting global economic landscape.

The new office’s opening ceremony was attended by a distinguished roster of guests, including prominent members of the Greek-American business and diplomatic communities and former US Ambassadors to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt and David D. Miller—both strong supporters of the Chamber’s work and of the growing strategic partnership between the United States and Greece.

 

“This is more than a new location. It’s a strategic leap forward, expanding our role in strengthening the economic and strategic partnership between Greece and the United States. We knew we had to be present at the heart of global decisionmaking—not just to observe, but to engage.”

– Nikolaos Bakatselos, President of AmCham Greece

“A giant leap into the future, Into THE future. Expanding its activities in the United State by actually opening this wonderful place, the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce in the capital of the United States, in Washington, DC.”

– Ekaterini Nassika, Ambassador of Greece to the United States

 

Indeed, Washington DC, as the nerve center of global policy, diplomacy, and influence, offers unparalleled opportunities for engagement, advocacy, and visibility. The Chamber’s presence in the US capital reflects a sophisticated understanding of today’s economic diplomacy and the importance of strategic presence in global affairs.

 

“This new chapter is the culmination of a longterm strategy to enhance our international presence and better serve our members in both countries. It reflects our commitment to evolving with the times while remaining true to our founding mission: to promote and strengthen Greek-US economic relations. The Washington office will give us direct access to the US policy and business ecosystem and will help amplify Greece’s voice at the global level.”

– Elias Spirtounias, Executive Director of AmCham Greece in Athens

 

Years in the making, the new office was made possible thanks to the Chamber’s committed work and determination and with the steadfast support of key members of the Greek-American community. Notably, longtime Chamber ally and prominent Greek-American leader Drake Behrakis played an instrumental role in facilitating the establishment of the Washington office, generously helping secure and support the premises that now house AmCham GR-US. His commitment to advancing US–Greece ties and empowering institutions that bridge the two nations stands as a testament to the enduring impact of diaspora leadership.

 

A Platform for Access, Advocacy, and Entrepreneurship

 

The establishment of AmCham GR-US is not merely symbolic; it is operational, purposeful, and designed to deliver concrete value for member companies. The new office will serve as a platform for business facilitation, advocacy, and strategic partnerships, offering Greek and US-based organizations direct access to networks, resources, and institutions on both sides of the Atlantic.

For Greek companies, AmCham GR-US will provide crucial support in navigating the US market, whether through market entry strategies, regulatory insights, introductions to potential partners, or participation in targeted events and forums. For US companies and institutions, it offers a direct link to Greece’s business ecosystem and to broader opportunities in Southeast Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.

The new branch will also act as a Center for Hellenic Entrepreneurship, with a particular focus on fostering innovation, investment, and cooperation between Greek businesses and the successful Greek-American community—many of whom are active in business, academia, research, and philanthropy across the United States. These diaspora connections represent a powerful and underutilized asset in Greece’s economic diplomacy, and AmCham GR-US is uniquely positioned to help activate them.

 

“Offering a new, premium platform for our member businesses, professionals, and nonprofit organizations seeking opportunities in the United States and Greece, we aim to bridge the most dynamic and extrovert part of the Greek business world with the successful Greek-American community.”

– Katerina Sokou, Executive Director of AmCham GR-US

 

With a background in journalism, policy analysis, and international political economy—and more than a decade of experience in Washington DC—Katerina Sokou, the newly appointed Executive Director of AmCham GR-US, brings deep expertise and strong networks to the role. Her leadership will be instrumental in shaping the branch’s focus and aligning its initiatives with the priorities of the respective governments and business communities in the United States and Greece.

 

Future Goals: Strategy, Engagement, and Growth

 

AmCham GR-US enters the US policy and business landscape at a time of tremendous momentum in US–Greece relations. Strategic cooperation in defense, energy, and technology is at an all-time high. Greek exports to the United States are growing, tourism between the countries is booming, and joint investments in sectors such as infrastructure, logistics, and renewable energy are accelerating.

Looking ahead, AmCham GR-US has outlined an ambitious agenda:

 

Strategic partnerships: The office will actively promote US–Greece cooperation in high value sectors such as defense and security, clean and renewable energy, digital technologies, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing. It will act as a facilitator for bilateral business partnerships, trade delegations, and sector-specific forums.

 

Policy advocacy: As a recognized voice of the Greek business community, AmCham GR-US will engage directly with US institutions, think tanks, and policy stakeholders to ensure that Greece’s perspectives and priorities are well represented. This includes promoting Greece as a stable, innovative, and strategically located partner within the European Union and the broader region.

 

Diaspora engagement: AmCham GR-US will seek to activate and collaborate with the vibrant Greek-American community, working closely with Greek-American organizations, universities, and entrepreneurs to foster innovation and promote investment in Greece.

 

Member services: The new office will provide tailored support to AmCham Greece members, including market briefings, regulatory updates, business introductions, and curated events. It will also serve as a landing point for delegations and Greek companies exploring expansion in the United States.

 

Partnership with institutions: The office will strengthen collaboration with the US Chamber of Commerce, fellow AmChams across Europe, and key institutions such as the US Department of Commerce, SelectUSA, and Enterprise Greece to promote joint initiatives and elevate Greece’s economic profile internationally.

 

 

 

A Legacy That Begins Again

 

The inauguration of AmCham GR-US is more than the opening of a physical office: It is the continuation of a strategic vision for AmCham Greece’s role in the 21st century. As the presidency of Nikolaos Bakatselos comes to a close, he leaves behind a living legacy of strategic boldness, extroversion, and forward-looking leadership.

 

“This office represents everything we’ve worked toward as a Chamber: presence, purpose, and progress.”

– Nikolaos Bakatselos, President of AmCham Greece

 

As AmCham GR-US begins its journey in Washington DC, it stands ready to connect, empower, and represent the Greek business community with professionalism, credibility, and ambition. It is a natural evolution of a Chamber that has always seen beyond borders and always believed that the best way to shape the future is to be present in it.