The conferences were inaugurated in 1973 as biennial meetings designed to give promising young Americans and Germans the opportunity to gain a better understanding of current policy issues, to exchange ideas, and to forge bonds with their counterparts. It was conceived and initiated by John Diebold, a prominent venture capitalist and Vice Chairman of the American Council on Germany. Upon invitation by the Board of Directors of the ACG, the Atlantik-Brücke joined the program as a partner organization, and in collaboration with Christopher Emmet, a founder of the ACG and its full-time Director, the first conference was held at Haus Rissen in Hamburg. Since 2005, these conferences have been sponsored solely by the American Council on Germany, with the Atlantik-Brücke holding their own.
