If anyone still believes Thanksgiving is just an American holiday, they clearly haven’t been to Luxembourg in late November.
This year’s Thanksgiving Gala Dinner, hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Luxembourg (AMCHAM), was less about stuffing and sweet potatoes and more about geopolitics, economic gravity and cultural choreography — all served up in style at Cercle Cité in the heart of Luxembourg City.
Welcome to the Table: Ambassador Feinberg Makes Her Debut
The 2025 edition of the AMCHAM Thanksgiving Gala carried extra diplomatic weight with the arrival of H.E. Stacey Feinberg, the newly appointed United States Ambassador to Luxembourg, making one of her very first formal appearance in the Grand Duchy. Her mission? Clear, she says: business first.
“Business is my priority. That’s why I am here,” said Ambassador Feinberg, addressing a 250-strong guest list of senior executives, politicians and dignitaries.
In her speech, Feinberg made it clear Luxembourg wasn’t a consolation prize. Offered “larger and sunnier posts,” she lobbied hard — reportedly all the way to President Trump — to secure Luxembourg.
“I want to make a difference. I want to work. I stuck to my guns to get Luxembourg,” she said.
“I’m grateful to serve in the Jewel of Europe.”
It may be diplomatic etiquette to show enthusiasm for one’s posting, but Feinberg’s delivery had the conviction of someone who genuinely means to move the dial.
Transatlantic Ties: More Than Just Talk
Luxembourg may be small in size, but in American strategic terms, it punches above its weight. The Grand Duchy is home to a growing North American expatriate community and plays host to hundreds of U.S.-affiliated firms operating in finance, technology, logistics and legal services. AMCHAM — the largest international business chamber in Luxembourg — has long served as the connective tissue for this transatlantic network.
And it’s not just crémant and speeches. Luxembourg’s economic relationship with the U.S. is anchored in substance — from multi-billion euro trade flows and dual taxation treaties to deep financial interconnectivity. Nowhere is this more evident than in the fund industry, where Luxembourg remains the leading European domicile for U.S. asset managers seeking access to global investors. With over €5 trillion in assets under management, much of it cross-registered in the U.S., Luxembourg functions as both a gateway to Europe for American capital — and a launchpad for European capital heading west.
Birds of a Feather: Diplomats Talk Turkey
One diplomatic anecdote stood out on the evening’s seating chart: Ambassador Feinberg and the Chinese Ambassador to Luxembourg were placed at the same table. A bold move? A calculated one, certainly — and a signature moment for AMCHAM Chairman Paul Schonenberg, who continues to blur the lines between business networking and quiet diplomacy.
If soft power had a scent, it might well be the aroma of roast turkey served with a side of pumpkin pie.
A Tradition with Purpose
Thanksgiving, at its core, is a celebration of gratitude. But in Luxembourg, it doubles as a statement: a statement of openness, of collaboration, and of staying power.
For AMCHAM, now firmly established as an anchor institution in the local business ecosystem, the annual gala is more than a dinner — it’s a calendar event, a networking platform, and, in many ways, a reflection of Luxembourg’s unique position as a European crossroads.
Forbes Under 30 Joins the Table
At Forbes Luxembourg, we mark Thanksgiving by shining a light on the next generation: the inaugural class of Forbes Under 30 – Luxembourg 2025. These emerging talents — founders, technologists, scientists, and creatives — are reshaping the future of business in the country.
This year, as they joined the celebration, the message was clear: Luxembourg’s strength lies in its diversity, its ambition, and its ability to punch far above its demographic weight.
Editor’s Note:
The AMCHAM Thanksgiving Gala Dinner 2025 took place on Friday 21 November at the Cercle Cité, Luxembourg-Ville. The event was attended by dignitaries including Minister of Finance Gilles Roth, Ambassador Feinberg, and senior business leaders.
