Dear Members and Friends,

It is hard to believe that another year is rapidly coming to close. It seems like just yesterday we were welcoming everyone to an exciting 2009 season, and what a season it was indeed. Sweden can take pride in completing an exciting presidency of the European Union which began on 1 July 2009. The many achievements of the Swedish presidency included a climate summit at the White House in early November with U.S. President Barack Obama and Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, representing the EU Presidency, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, and EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, in which among other topics, a new energy cooperation was discussed.

Highlights of our Chamber's events during the past year included the presentation of the esteemed Wilhelm Wachtmeister Award to immediate past U.S. Ambassador to Sweden, Michael M. Wood; a private corporate members' breakfast with Swedish Trade Minister Ewa Björling at House of Sweden where a frank trade policy discussion was held; our annual SACC-DC Embassy Open Golf Tournament at Old Hickory Golf Club with award reception at the Swedish Ambassador's residence; and of course our "sold-out" Holiday Reception in early December that was graciously sponsored by corporate member, Ericsson Inc.
 
You should have recently received a letter in the mail from SACC-DC explaining our decision to raise membership rates next year to meet rising corporate operating costs that are being incurred by our Chamber. However, we decided to pass along a valuable "loop-hole" to our rate increase by enabling all members to renew for 2010 at the previous rates by submitting their payment for their membership renewal on or before January 31, 2010. Please take advantage of this offer without delay.

Please mark your calendars now for a great new year ahead with even more interesting events than in 2009. We hit the ground running with our Annual Meeting on January 21, 2010 at House of Sweden with a social event held immediately following the business aspects of the meeting. Such social aspects will include the presentation of the Wilhelm Wachtmeister Award for 2010 and a must-be-there-to-win raffle with a chance to win a pair of complementary round-trip airline tickets to travel from Washington, DC area to Stockholm.
 
The SACC-USA E-Days, USA version, will be held on May 5-7, 2010 in Seattle, Washington in conjunction with the City of Seattle's "Swedish Week" celebration. During that week, the Swedish Consulate in Seattle and the City of Seattle are sponsoring a week-long celebration of the 100-year Anniversary of the Swedish Hospital, and the Scandinavian Department of University of Washington, among several others. Please note that Southwest Airlines and Virgin America Airlines are currently offering convenient and price competitive flights to Seattle (SEA) from the greater Washington, DC metro region.
 
In conclusion, on behalf of all of SACC-DC, we wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.
 
Best regards,