The Economic Council –
Baden-Württemberg’s largest association of entrepreneurs

Numbering more than 2,500 entrepreneurs, the Economic Council of the CDU e.V. represents Baden-Württemberg’s successful mix of medium-sized companies as no other association can do. From select professional venues to large-scale events, the Economic Council acts as linchpin between various political levels, business, academia and civil society. The Economic Council regards itself as custodian of the social market economy envisaged by Ludwig Erhard.

The members of the Economic Council are conscious of their duty to support politicians in shaping the economic and soci- al order. And because it would be difficult to find hardly any political decisions that do not impact on the business world, the Economic Council duly plays a part in parliamentary and governmental work by providing qualified advice. In Karlsruhe, Mannheim, the Swabian Alb and in the Black Forest: the entre- preneurs in the Economic Council both represent their own local interests and provide expertise and expert influence at regional and economic policy level.
The council organises 300 business events annually in all regions of Baden-Württemberg. Output-oriented regional commissions and strong membership growth are possible thanks to the in- teraction of socially committed entrepreneurs at local level and a multidisciplinary team of legal minds, economists and social scientists in Stuttgart.

A business association for small- and medium-sized enterprises –
network and think tank

Captains of industry are always a minority in terms of number. So, in order to achieve their justified aims, they need to be better informed, better organised and offer better arguments than other groups.
The Economic Council provides information on subjects and takes a stand on matters of particular importance for business. This is achieved mainly via organised talks and discussions with top politicians like the head of the FDP Christian Lindner at Lorch in Albstadt, Federal Minister of Finance Dr Wolfgang Schäuble in Ortenau or high-flying managers like Google CIO Dr Frederik Pferdt at Altatec in Wimsheim. And, in particular, by conducting a direct dialogue with politicians across the spectrum at Euro- pean, national and regional level and with other social groups.

Matters of concern to businesses and entrepreneurs which must be taken into account in political decision-making are thus revealed in this process. The Economic Council draws attention to the consequences of planned action by the legislature and drafts its own improvement suggestions.
An important part of the council’s economic policy expertise is invested in federal and state commissions. In these commissions Economic Council members work together with elected representatives, association delegates and academics.

The digital transformation is currently responsible for a fundamental change. It is transforming our economy and society, and thus also our businesses. How can enterprises align their business models with the digital future, and which opportunities are presented? How does digitisation affect traditional areas of social and business life?

Aimed at setting the right course, key entrepreneurs in Baden-Württemberg’s commissions therefore engage intensively with the following topics:

• start-ups & new entrepreneurship,
• digital business,
• family-run companies,
• young generation (Young Economic Council) and women in management (Network of Female Entrepreneurs),
• education, labour market, universities,
• trade fairs, tourism, event industry.