AmCham Croatia Delegation on the West Coast

As part of its ongoing mission to foster innovation and strengthen transatlantic business ties, the American Chamber of Commerce in Croatia (AmCham Croatia) recently led a high-level business delegation to the United States focused on digital transformation and the future of AI.

The West Coast tour from June 7-15, featured exclusive visits to some of the world’s most influential technology companies, providing Croatian business leaders and company owners with direct insight into cutting-edge developments shaping the global economy.

Applied Ceramics, a prime example of a successful transatlantic company with operations in both Fremont and Sisak, welcomed the delegation with an in-depth look at advanced ceramics used in chip manufacturing. Matt Sertic’s team offered a powerful example of Croatian innovation in global high-tech supply chains.

At NVIDIA, AmCham Croatia experienced firsthand how AI has moved from perception to action. Thanks to the support of Vertiv, the delegation gained valuable insights into AI infrastructure and the role of system-level design. The visit was marked by inspiring discussions and a showcase of the evolving AI ecosystem, including Italy’s new AI data center built on NVIDIA and Vertiv platforms.

A highlight of the trip was the discussion on agentic AI—AI capable of independently completing tasks—during visits to Visa, Salesforce, and Google. These meetings demonstrated how digital assistants and unified data strategies are transforming industries from financial services to customer experience and public policy. Google's forward-thinking approach emphasized responsible AI development as a shared priority between the private and public sectors.

The delegation also had the opportunity to visit Sanmina, a leading Silicon Valley-based electronics manufacturing services company. CEO Jure Sola, originally from Croatia, shared insights into Sanmina’s global operations and its pivotal role in enabling complex, high-reliability products for industries including aerospace, medical, communications, and defense. His inspiring leadership story stood out as a testament to the Croatian diaspora’s contribution to global technology.

The delegation also explored the human side of digital change at KPMG, American Management Association, and Management Center Europe, where the focus was on leadership, strategic alignment, and real-world implementation of AI. The message was clear: successful digital transformation starts with a clear vision and the right culture.

Further conversations at Hypothesis Group, Insigniam, and Elixirr Digital examined how Generations Z and Alpha are shaping new consumer expectations, offering insights into the future of market research and customer behavior.

Finally, the visit to Lionsgate Studios, supported by Blitz Film & Video Distribution, showcased how the entertainment industry is embracing digital innovation in storytelling and production.

From Silicon Valley to Hollywood, this journey showcased the bold ideas and collaborations that are defining the next chapter of global business.

AmCham Croatia extends heartfelt thanks to all our hosts and partners for their hospitality, insights, and commitment to deepening the transatlantic innovation dialogue.