| A Newsletter from SACC Washington DC | Volume 24, December 2010 |
Dear Members and Friends,
I hope that your fall business activities have been as productive as our chamber's have been through the fall and early winter season. We just completed one of our most exciting fall event schedules, and for those who could participate, we provided a variety of business and social events for our members.
It seems like a long time ago, but our annual crayfish event in September, co-sponsored by Volvo Group North America, was a great success and is still being warmly referenced. Following closely on its heels was our eagerly awaited annual SACC-DC golf tournament held on October 28, in which close to 100 golfers participated on a beautiful Indian summer day at the Old Hickory golf course in Woodbridge Virginia. Thanks to the generosity of Nammo A/S, our Platinum sponsor, and Gold Sponsors Skanska Infrastructure Development, Saab North America, Inc. and Volvo Cars Corporation together with Martens Volvo, our tournament was a financial success and provided a much needed shot in the arm for our chamber during this challenging economic cycle. We especially wish to thank H.E. Ambassador Jonas Hafström and his wife Eva for opening up their residence to host the awards and post-tournament reception. Their hospitality was especially appreciated by all attendees.
With respect to roll-up-your sleeves business activities, in early November, we held a breakfast briefing by the new President of Saab North America, Inc., Dan-Åke Enstedt, who is also now a member of our board of directors, on the topic of "The Future of Saab on the U.S. Market - Visions and Challenges." The attendees were treated to a multi-media presentation by Mr. Enstedt and left with a much greater understanding of the variety of cutting-edge defense and civilian sector technology offered by this Swedish corporate giant.
In the second week of November, our parent organization, SACC-USA, sponsored its E-Days entrepreneurial event in Gothenburg Sweden in which no less than 450 delegates attended. Over 120 attendees came from the U.S., including a delegation from the Commonwealth of Virginia and from Minnesota. This multi-day trade event was punctuated by distinguished speakers, such as H.E. Amb. Matthew W. Barzun, the current U.S. ambassador to Sweden. In what has become its trademark, the business matchmaking activities (one-on-one short introductory meetings) at the E-Days were again extremely popular. Please plan to attend the 2011 E-Days event when it will be held in Växjö and Karlskrona, Sweden in September 2011.
Our chamber also co-sponsored a business roundtable with SNS (Studieförbundet Näringsliv och Samhälle) which loosely translated means the Center for Business and Policy Studies on November 9. This roundtable included Professor Sören Holmberg, Swedish Radio correspondent Ginna Lindberg, freelance journalist Martin Gelin, Minister Counselor Pontus Melander of the Embassy and Jonas Ivarsson, President of Mercuri Urval. Ms. Barbara Heineback brilliantly led the discussion of the results of the recent Swedish elections, the more recent U.S. mid-term elections, and the likely collective effect on Swedish-American business relations.
The month of November concluded with our annual holiday event with business theme. This year's event was again generously hosted by Ericsson, Inc. The theme of this year's event was showcased by the amazing multi-photo exhibit entitled "Technology for Good" referencing communication technology from Ericsson. The exhibit revealed how telecommunications have brought positive changes to life, business, and communities around the world. Attendees were also treated to remarks by the noted Joel D. Selanikio, M.D., Director, DataDyne.org and Assistant Professor, Georgetown University, Dept. of Pediatrics. Dr. Selanikio spoke on how even simple technology, such as hand-held texting devices, can connect otherwise isolated human societies in underdeveloped lands and facilitate much needed pediatric care for those otherwise not fortunate to reside in more developed urban environments.
In conclusion, we are grateful for the continued professionalism and dedication shown our chamber by our executive manager, Ms. Maja Persson, who has made the foregoing events run so smoothly as a consequence of the many hours of her efforts. We also thank Anna Wiinberg, our intern for the fall season, who showed remarkable abilities in her time with us.
We look forward to seeing you at our annual meeting, to be coupled with business and social aspects, scheduled to be held on January 20, 2011 at the House of Sweden. We will hold a number of exciting business and social events in the winter and spring of 2011, so please look to our web site for future events: www.sacc-dc.org.
No matter what holiday you traditionally celebrate this time of year, on behalf of all of us at SACC-DC, we wish you a safe and enjoyable holiday season and a Happy New Year!
Bradley J. Olson
Chairman
SACC Washington DC |
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Please Welcome Our New Individual and Young Professional Members:
Niklas Kylvag
Eva McFall
Allan Mutén
Maria Posey
Andreas Scheja
Linda Slatar
David Stone
Steve Trowe
Barbara Wennerholm
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SACC Washington DC
Board of Directors
Click name to send an email.
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Volvo Car Corporation
 SACC-DC would like to extend a warm welcome to our new corporate member, Volvo Car Corporation (VCC). The VCC has a long history that begins in 1927 in Gothenburg, Sweden. Today, the company has operations worldwide. A few months ago VCC hired Katherine Yehl to be Director of Government Affairs and opened a Washington, DC office located in House of Sweden. The company continues to innovate and produce several new models each year and is committed to safety, quality and the environment. As a new member of SACC-DC, the VCC is interested in deepening its Washington, DC professional network and possibly sponsoring future SACC-DC events. |
20th of January:
Annual Meeting 2011
Join us and make your voice as a member heard! Elections of board of directors followed by networking reception. More details about this event will come soon.
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Venue: House of Sweden, generously sponsored by House of Sweden/Property Board Sweden. |
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Swedish Holiday Reception:
Technology for Good
sponsored by Ericsson Photo credit: Alan Schlaifer
On November 30th, SACC-DC and Ericsson organized and hosted an exhibit called Technology for Good, which allowed attendees to view how communications technologies can advance global goods, reconnect refugee families, promote access to health care, enhance the environment, and economically transform communities around the globe in countless positive ways.
With a packed agenda, including speakers from the Federal Communications Bar Association and SACC-DC, 175 attendees enjoyed a traditional Swedish holiday smörgåsbord, as well as an exciting drawing for prizes along with a beautiful St. Lucia procession. The keynote speaker, Joel D. Selanikio, M.D., a practicing pediatrician and professor at Georgetown University, spoke about his work using mobile applications in the developing world to combat childhood disease and illnesses. Dr. Selanikio also highlighted the impact Ericsson's technologies have made on his life and in his work.
Bryan Tramont, President of the Federal Communications Bar Association, briefly spoke and noted that Ericsson's corporate philanthropy is a model for other technology companies in the U.S. and around the world. Technology, especially wireless services, provides the tools to enhance the quality and length of lives here and abroad. Ericsson should be recognized for all that it has done in promoting broadband adoption and investing in digital literacy. |
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Panel Discussion: the Swedish and American Election Results
Ivarsson, Heineback, Lindberg, Holmberg, Gelin, Melander
Photo Credit: SwedishScene.com
On November 9th, SACC-DC and SNS (Swedish Center for Business and Policy Studies) hosted an engaging panel discussion regarding the recent Swedish and American election results. The panel featured a host of accredited professionals, including: Professor of Political Science at the University of Gothenberg, Sören Holmberg, Swedish Public Radio Correspondant, Ginna Lindberg, President of Mercuri Urval, Jonas Ivarsson, Journalist, Martin Gelin, and Minister Counselor of Political Affairs at Embassy of Sweden in Washington, DC, Pontus Melander. The panel was eloquently moderated by Barbara Heineback, a renowned professional in communications, who was once a presidentially-appointed press officer to the First Lady during the Carter administration. The evening was widely attended and had an active audience that asked many intelligent questions concerning Swedish and American voting, political party shifts and campaign financing. Thank you to all who took part in the panel discussion! |
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Breakfast Meeting with
Dan-Åke Enstedt,
President of Saab North America, Inc.
On November 3rd, the chamber proudly hosted a breakfast meeting for our new board member, Mr. Dan-Åke Enstedt, President of Saab North America, Inc. Mr. Enstedt gave an exceptional presentation complemented by visuals of Saab's innovative security and defense product line. Mr. Enstedt also addressed Saab's strategies for expanding the U.S. market, as well as challenges that it might face. After the presentation, Mr. Enstedt answered questions from the audience that included topics on Swedish management, new strategies for green innovation, and key points critical to Saab's success in the U.S. market. With close to 50 attendees, the event was a success.
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Swedish Embassy Open 2010
Platinum sponsor team Nammo
For those of you that did not get a chance to see our special edition golf newsletter, the Swedish Embassy Open hosted on October 28th was a wonderful tournament. We had a record number of participants and fabulous weather, making for a fun tournament. After the golf, Ambassador Jonas Hafström and his wife, Eva Hafström, graciously hosted the evening reception in their residence. Thank you again to all of our sponsors and players! We hope to see many of you back next year.
For the golf edition newsletter, please click here. |
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SACC-DC hosted a happy hour at the Front Page in Dupont Circle on October 7th, 2010. We had a great turnout with a mix of individual and young professional members. Thank you to those of you that attended and contributed to an enjoyable evening! |
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SWEA Washington DC's Donations and Scholarships
SWEA, the Swedish Women's Educational Association, offers donations and scholarships of up to $1,000 to those interested in promoting Swedish history, culture, education and traditions. Non-profit organizations, students and individuals may apply for a donation or scholarship; however, applicants must have ties to the Washington metro area or have a desire to move to the region. This year's applications are due April 30, 2011. For more information, please email: sweadcstipendier@gmail.com
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Next Issue of SACCess
The next SACCess will be issued in February, 2010.
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you would like to contribute to the next issue. We welcome members to submit articles for the newsletter. |
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