WEIDEN, Germany - Nearly 200 local and regional business representatives gathered Oct. 29, 2026, for Vendor Day, hosted jointly by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) Regensburg for the Oberpfalz / Kelheim and the County Artisan Chamber Nordoberpfalz.
The event enabled the 409th Contracting Support Brigade to show prospective vendors how to register in the U.S. Army contracting systems and compete for contracts to support the military community in Bavaria.
Experienced vendors also shared lessons learned from working with the U.S. government and explained the importance of meeting American customer expectations.
Kerstin Schug, owner of Delicado Wein Shop & Delicatessen, said American customers often approach shopping differently.
“Americans shop with more enthusiasm,” Schug said. “They expect and love good service and react with, ‘That’s amazing,’ unlike Germans, whose most enthusiastic reaction is more reserved, like: ‘This is not bad.’”
Monika Riedl, with the U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria Directorate of Family, Morale, Welfare, and Recreation, then briefed the attendees on marketing opportunities with the garrison to make their services and businesses known to the Bavarian military communities. Opportunities include sponsoring events and advertising through DFMWR.
German companies bring that customer-focused approach to their work with the U.S. Army, said Lt. Col. Quammie Semper, commander of the 928th Contracting Battalion.
“In my experience, German companies are very willing to go the extra mile to make sure the troops, Soldiers and Families are taken care of over the span of that contract,” Semper said.
Semper said the Vendor Day helps the Army attract more businesses to compete for contracts. More competition gives the Army more options, helps it secure better value and prices, and strengthens its stewardship of U.S. taxpayer funds.
The event strengthened relationships with the local business community and gave prospective vendors a clearer path to pursue U.S. Army contracting opportunities.
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