Glad Sommar!

In this issue of FLASH, we'll look back at a couple of very successful events, and forward to others. One common theme in all of these events is our members' expertise and experience, and what can happen when our members say "Yes!" to planning and/or participating in these events. We couldn't do it without your help, and our Chamber is so much richer for it. Thank you for your support!

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This month we received an interesting invitation from SACC West Sweden. The planning committee for Amerikadagen - scheduled for October 22 in Gothenburg - is looking for members of SACC chambers to participate as either speakers or on panels. This year's program is entitled "Amerikadagen - See the Opportunities - Explore the Possibilities: The Gateway to USA". The day focuses on how to start a business in the U.S., and will feature topics such as the following:

 

-          The American Business Culture

-          Contracts and Negotiations

-          Fundraising and Financial positions

-          Networking and Mingling - the American Way

-          First Steps

-          Becoming a subcontractor to the Swedish Industry

-          Office, Staffing, Leadership

-          Manufacturing in the U.S.

-          Differing economic conditions

-          Regions and states - clusters and developments

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Please consider participating as a way to tell your success story and network with Swedes while sharing your expertise and experience. If you're interested, please contact Gunn at the office who will put you in touch with the Amerikadagen planning committee.

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I also want to extend a warm welcome to SSAB and Partex - new Corporate and Business Members. We are thrilled to have these prestigious companies as members of the Chicago Chamber.

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Finally, and most importantly, as we were wrapping up this issue of FLASH, we learned of an important pending transition at the Chicago Swedish Consulate. Our thanks and best wishes go to Ulf Anvin, Honorary Consul General and honorary board member of SACC-Chicago, and Kerstin Brorsson, Honorary Vice Consul, who have announced their retirements at of the end of this month. We are so grateful to them for the work they have done and their support for SACC-Chicago.

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We are thrilled to hear that Gerd Sj�gren, member of SACC-Chicago's Board of Directors, has been named Designated Honorary Consul General, and that Anna Engstr�m, also a member of SACC-Chicago, will be the Consular Assistant. Welcome to both of you in your new diplomatic roles! We look forward to working together.

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Best,

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Janis Anderson Rueping

President, SACC-Chicago

 

Upcoming Events  
                                       
Professionals Networking Event, July 15 & August 19

During the summer, the Professionals Networking Events will take place at the wonderful Terrace of the Ivy Boutique Hotel. This monthly event is a great way to network with other professionals from Chicago's International business community.

 


Annual Crayfish Party, September 12 
Get ready to put on those silly hats and warm up your vocal cords because it's soon time for the Annual Crayfish Party!   This is a Swedish tradition that you don't want to miss! Expect an evening of singing and dancing to live entertainment, and of course consuming a lot of crayfish. This year, we will be heading back to Sheridan Shore Yacht Club so make sure to clinch your spot early, as we anticipate a sold-out event. 
Please keep an eye out for the invite and don't forget to RSVP! 


 

Annual Lucia Luncheon, December 4 

The Annual Lucia Luncheon is one of the chamber's signature events. Last year, 230 guests came to mingle, drink some gl�gg and watch the beautiful Lucia procession. Make sure to mark December 4 in your calendars, as you will get to experience a unique Swedish tradition when the 33rd Annual Lucia Luncheon takes place at the Drake Hotel.


 
Past Events                                         

The Future of Food - Healthy Global Farming, April 21

Together with the Lund University Foundation, SACC Chicago co-sponsored 

the event "The Future of Food - Healthy Global Farming," on April 21 at the DePaul Art Museum.

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It all came about when Bianca Blake, Development and Foundation Relations at Lund University Foundation contacted Linnea Sandstr�m Lange, VP of Programming and a member of our board, to find out if SACC might be interested in inviting our members to an event. We joined forces and the event drew a large crowd of about 80 likeminded individuals eager to hear more from our speakers, Lennart Olsson, Professor of Geography at Lund University and Founding Director of Lund University Centre for Sustainabilty

Studies (LUCSUS) and Wes Jackson, Founder of The Land Institute, Salina, KS. They gave us exclusive insights into the future of food and farming. LUCSUS and the Land Institute are joining forces to advance agriculture towards more sustainable agro-ecological production systems.

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We learned about how we can rethink agriculture based on ecological principles and how we can make small adjustments for a better quality of life for all. Obviously, we would all benefit from eating real food grown in healthy soil without pesticides or fertilizers. 

 

Each of us left the evening thinking about how we can help improve the environment and thereby our own lives.   

 

Thank you Lennart and Wes for opening our eyes to the agricultural possibilities and to Bianca who made this event possible! 

 


The Digital Strategy, Communications and e-Commerce Scene in Chicago, May 19

It was an evening of insights and camaraderie. Three Swedish digital 

entrepreneurs who successfully have established Chicago operations shared their experiences in a dynamic panel discussion led by Guy Turner, managing director of Hyde Park Venture Partners. The entrepreneurs were:

  • Sallo Bah; Head of Global Sales - Cloud, EPiServer
  • Niclas Mollin; CEO, inRiver
  • Jonathan Pettersson; President/Founder, Nansen

They have much in common, and in fact they're all business partners. They all chose Chicago as a point for US expansion. EpiServer came first, followed by Nansen and inRiver, who could provide add-on functions for EpiServer's customers. They all cited logistical advantages with Chicago, such as its central location, international airport access, and the "only-7- hour" difference with Sweden as reasons to choose Chicago. Other attractive features include world-class institutions and the business demeanor of Midwesterners. Business Sweden had been a source of support.  They also credited SACC Chicago's Gunn Johnsson for her valuable support.

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In the digital marketing and e-commerce sector, they've found the U.S. to be somewhat behind Sweden in certain areas. This translates to more opportunity to fill the market's open space. In hindsight, the entrepreneurs thought they might have benefited by entering the U.S. market earlier. They cautioned Swedes to account for the longer-than-expected work visa process and other practical challenges when starting up a business here. These independent, yet interconnected digital enterprises provided many other valuable insights for the attendees.

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Thank you to Sallo, Niclas and Jonathan!  And a big thank you to the evening's moderator, Guy Turner, managing director at Hyde Park Venture Partners; host company TechNexus; and co-sponsor ITT.  The evening closed with recognition of Magnus Waller for his many years as VP of Finance for SACC-Chicago and well wishes as he and his wife, Agneta, relocate to Arizona.

 

Kajsa Johnson

 

To view more pictures from the event click here

Learn More

 

 

Annual Scandinavian Golf Outing, June 12

What a great turnout for this year's Golf Outing! We'd like to thank all players, sponsors, the golf outing committee, the Arboretum Club and photographer Keith Olson for helping SACC Chicago make the event an outstanding golf outing. THANK YOU!

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The day started with rain, but as the shotgun start began, the weather improved. In all, there were 72 golfers including 4 teams from Ericsson (we wonder if anyone is going to challenge that next year) and 90 guests at the BBQ. It was a great day! 

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Team Hilton won the Les Nelson Trophy and the Open Category. Team SKF won the Handicap Category. Closest to pin winners were Oskar Berg and Brian Davis, Longest Drive Men was Erik Ellevog and Longest Drive Women was won by Marie Landfors. Anthony Deato and Matt Swanson shared a win for the Straightest Drive at Hole #3. Congratulations to all of you!

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To all of our 2015 Sponsors - we couldn't have done it without you, Thank you! The 2015 sponsors were: 

 

Gold Sponsor: JR Carlson Laboratories, Inc.

Sport Sponsor: Wilson Sporting Goods

Drink Sponsor: PERL Mortgage, Inc. and @properties

Entertainment: Nilas, Inc.

Hole Sponsors: Combi Wear Parts, Inc., Michael Thomas Salon and Day Spa, Thorelli & Associates, Wayne Messmer & Associates, LOVA Collection, Hugo Tillquist, Danish Home Foundation and SkyBridge Resource Center.

Longest Drive Sponsors: Eleiko Sport USA and SSAB Americas.

Closest to Pin: CEJN, Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C  and Fanning Investment Partners, Inc.

Raffle and other Sponsors: Michael Silver & Company, The Drake, Tasteful Adventures, Combi Wear Parts, Inc., Swedish American Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Corporate Concierge Services, SACC Chicago, Desmond Clark, Dental office Paul R. Muhr, WASA/Barilla America, Inc., SAS, Lone Viking Production, CEJN, Golf Galaxy and Xante.


 

To view more pictures from the event click here   

    

Many Thanks to Our Golf Outing Sponsors for Your Support!


                          

                    

                               

 

                             

                                  
   
                              

Partex Marking Systems Grand Opening Celebrations

On May 7, one of our new corporate members, Partex Marking Systems - USA, hosted a grand opening of its new headquarters in Lombard, IL. Partex had invited SACC Chicago to join in the celebration. The Office staff and Stefan Gruvberger, VP of Membership participated.   

 

Sophie L��f, who is the third generation Swedish co-owner of Partex Marking Systems, cut the ribbon together with the General Manager, Barbara T. Susmilch. Partex was founded in 1948 by Sophie's grandfather and was then called Electro-L��f.  Today, Partex operates in France, Poland, England, Germany, USA, Brazil, Russia, Dubai and India.

 

In addition to running Partex, Sophie L��f also operates L��f Foundation, which is a non-profit organization that aims to contribute to the development and wellbeing of others, both locally and globally. Sophie also told us that she would help out at a soup kitchen close to the office later that evening. 

 

We enjoyed participating in the grand opening and wish Partex much success in the future! 

 

Meet our New Members

Corporate
Partex Marking Systems

Business
SSAB Americas

Individual
Keith Olson

Young Professionals
Jon Blomquist
Olivia Flasch
Carl-Johan Roll
Emma Sadikovich
Jolanta Sadowska


Sponsors of the Year








Useful Links

                     

                           

              

FLASH Editorial Team 

Agneta Rosenberg                                      Gunn Johnsson                                            Sandra Olsson
VP of Communications                             Executive Director                                Executive Assistant
 SACC Chicago | (312) 257-3002 | [email protected] | www.sacc-chicago.org
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