Trustee members:
   

Newsletter
Finnish American Chamber of Commerce, Florida
Issue 8
Volume 5
August 2014
 


 

Global business travel spending will reach a record $1.18 trillion this year, up nearly 7 percent from 2013, bolstered by growth in China, a U.S. trade group said. Norwegian Air and Finnair are both seeing South Florida as an opportunity to grow business.

 

Also consumer confidence among Floridians rose two points in July to 84, hitting another post-recession high for a second consecutive month, according to a new University of Florida survey.

 

As you see from this newsletter, there are many new opportunities from internship to new jobs. If you are considering brining your business to Florida or taking it to Finland, let us help you to make the first connections for you.

 

 

At your service,

 

Lena Hartikainen

FACC-FL President
Join FACC-FL
 

Membership info 

Become a member  

Current members 

 

Quick Links

FACC-Florida 

Embassy of Finland

News from Finland

State of Florida 

News from Palm Beach

News from Miami

Enterprise Florida  

 

 

Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter  View our profile on LinkedIn 

 

mailinglist
 
Internship opportunity at 
FACC and the Honorary Consulate 


FACC and Honorary Consulate of Finland in Lake Worth have already provided 7 internship opportunities over the years. Now the position is open again and application are being review. The position is a shared position with these two organization and will last 6 months. Please read more about this great opportunity to improve your international business skills here. 
Application maybe sent directly to info@facc-fl.com
You may also read about the experience from a past intern here.
 

Palm Beach County Commissioners Forum

business-lunch.jpg
FACC is offering an opportunity to meet  with the candidates for Palm Beach County Commissioner election (District 6) in a relaxed environment to discuss the County's future.

September 23rd
Forrest Oaks Golf Course, 144 Lucerne Lakes Blvd N., Lake Worth
Time: 4pm - 6pm
Price: $15/members  and $20/future members (FACC, SACC and Lantana Chamber members) includes food/buffet style plus one drink 


Want to play golf before the panel discussion?
The Forrest Oaks Golf course is offering a special for the day 9 holes only $15.00.

Looking for a job?


On of our newest member HappyOrNot is hiring a Service Support Specialist in Florida! Check out the ad here.

HappyOrNot provides easy and affordable solution for continuous customer satisfaction.

Is your company looking for more professionals to join your team? Let us know and we will spread the word! faccflorda@gmail.com or call us at 561-582-2335

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/02/26/3960951/um-researchers-make-small-but.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/02/26/3960951/um-researchers-make-small-but.html#storylink=cp

Members making headlines


FACC member, HUDstar was featured in the Finnish newspaper
Helsingin Sanomat. Congratulations Tom Kuutti at HUDstar for your success and hard work. 

HUDstar makes Heads-Up Displays, Telemetry, Sensors, Instrumentation and Integrated Voice & Data Communications Systems. 

Do you have interesting news to share? 

Let us know and we will spread the word! faccflorda@gmail.com or call us at 561-582-2335

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/02/26/3960951/um-researchers-make-small-but.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/02/26/3960951/um-researchers-make-small-but.html#storylink=cp

Do you have what it takes to be a leader?


FACC is currently accepting applications for board and committee member  positions for 2015.
If you have leadership skills and want to have an  influence not only on your business, but to the local business community. 
We are looking for "go getters" who not only have ideas but are also willing to make things happen.

We have a fun, supportive and professional board and would love to have you join us!

Please write a short motivation letter and email it to info@facc-fl.com 

 

Need some help, hire an Intern 

Looking for a way to increase your company´s productivity, while also giving back to the community? Hire one of Palm Beach State Collage's Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) degree seeking students through a new internship program the Collage will be offering this fall!
Interns bring new ideas and perspectives, relieve overwork and are among the most highly motivated member of the workforce. 

For more information, contact Dr. Tom Wilson
wilsont@palmbeachstate.edu or 561-868 4110

www.PalmBeachState.edu/programs/Bachelor


News from Florida

Applications sought for Small Business Mentoring Initiative
The mentoring initiative is designed to promote small business development, enhance business knowledge and foster increased opportunities. Read more here.

Florida leads nation in international real estate sales
Florida again topped the nation as the state of choice among international real estate buyers, capturing 23 percent of sales transactions in the latest yearly report from the National Association of Realtors. Read more here. 

Builders bringing 1,700 new homes to C. Fla. in next 2 years
Homebuilders in Central Florida are staying pretty busy, with plans to build 1,700 new homes in the region by the end of 2016. Read more about the economic impact  here.
 
Growing Florida's Startup companies
Across Florida, private sector entrepreneurs and researchers at state and private universities are constantly developing products and ideas that can be commercialized, and the economic impact of developing the startup companies born from those ideas within the state can be significant. Read more here. 
 
Growth outlook positive for Florida's middle-market companies 
Most middle market companies in Florida are expecting both revenue and employee growth, according to a survey by the National Center for Middle Market. Read more here. 
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/02/26/3960951/um-researchers-make-small-but.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/02/26/3960951/um-researchers-make-small-but.html#storylink=cp
   

 News from Finland
 
Finnish based Trulia sold to Zillow and the Co-Founder rows across the ocean
Zillow, leading US real estate site buys Trulia for $3.5 billion (€2.6 billion) in a stock-for-stock transaction. The combined company will maintain both the Zillow and Trulia consumer brands, offering buyers, sellers, homeowners and renters access to information about homes and real estate for free, and providing advertising and software solutions that help real estate professionals grow their business. Read the full story here.

Finland develops energy system of the future
Researchers in Finland have launched a project to develop the storage of solar and wind energy. Read more here.

Waste textile better than new!
The VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is developing a processing method that will regenerate worn-out fibres from waste textiles.The process then makes textiles that are as good or better than new.

Finland is the world's least fragile country
Finland has placed last in The Fragile States Index, which rates nations based on their brittleness through factors of risk. The indicators used by the list compiled by the Fund for Peace include demographic pressures, human flight, economic decline, and public services, among others. Read more here.

Helsinki tests car free project
The Finnish capital Helsinki is set to test an idea next year eventually designed to make car ownership redundant. Read more here.

Finland first in wireless networks
Finland has placed first in wireless broadband connections per capita in the world in a report released by the OECD. Read more here. What kind of business possibilities does this offer?

Walkbase brings passenger flow management to Airports
Helsinki Airport is the world's first airport to introduce passenger flow management technology covering the whole passenger path way from car parks to departure gates. The new tools for managing the flow of people through the airport have been developed by Walkbase, a Finnish company specialized in retail tracking analytics and indoor wifi positioning systems.

FACC Upcoming events

 

  • October                                 Meet the members - event
            • Come and learn what FACC can do for you and your business. 
            • Learn what you can do in FACC and how you can participate and receive more out of your membership
            • A great possibility to meet old and new members and to network
            • Location TBA
  • November                            The economy in Finland and EU
            • Speaker: Mr Eero Lehti, Member of the Finnish Parliament and Honorary Doctor of Economics
            • Location: M-Trading (FACC Trustee member), Lantana, FL  
  • December                             Winter gala
            • Come and celebrate the end of the year with the chamber, its members and others!
            • Location TBA 
  • February                                 VIP Polo Event
            • Come and enjoy a nice day with Polo and networking!
            • Location: International Polo Club Palm Beach 
  • March                                      Nordic Summit
            • A great networking opportunity together with the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce and the Norwegian-American Chamber of Commerce.
            • More information to be released soon, stay tuned.
  • March                                      Open doors event
            • Come and get to know one of the FACC members even better! 
            • A great speaker and a great location (This could be your company!)
            • More information soon, stay tuned
  • April 13-14                             World Strategic Forum
  • The World Strategic Forum is presented by the International
    Economic Forum of the Americas to address the major governance challenges of the new world economic order, focusing on the central role of the Americas in the global economy.
  • Phenomenal world class speakers and global leaders gather at these events to discuss the future. 
  • A perfect possibility to learn & participate and to network!
  • Location Biltmore Hotel, Miami
  • Curious? Read more on the event website or on the FACC blog about the previous event from April 2014.

Do you want your business to receive more awareness?
 
Do you want to invite FACC members and others to get to know your business and organize or co-host an event? 
Do not hesitate to contact through email faccflorida@gmail.com or call +1 561-582-2335
 

Other events 

Friends of International Trade: Financing Your Exports.

August 6
Orlando

A critical part of every sales is how you finace the transaction, especially in international trade. Join the Central Florida International Trade Office for a fast-paced session designed to spotlight a variety of local, state and federal resources dedicated to helping you finance your international trade opportunities.

Doing Business with Florida´s Aerospace Industry

August 6
Orlando

Looking to do business with the aerospace industry? This seminar will provide valuable insight on how to work with Boeing and Lockheed. You will also learn what statewide resources are available to exporters. This event is brought to you by the National Entrepreneur Center and the Central Floridan International Trade Office. 


Trade Americas & ConnectAmericas Expo

 

September 3-4

Miami

 

The Latin Trade Group in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank's ConnectAmericas initiative presents Trade Américas & ConnectAmericas Expo: "The Infrastructure Powerhouse Gathering in the Americas". Participate in a highly interactive two day event where you will learn, from high-level business and government leaders in the region and beyond, about the latest trends and opportunities in the infrastructure sector in Latin America and the Caribbean. During the expo, the Trade Américas secretariat will organize individual one-on-one business matchmaking sessions - an opportunity for your company to meet with government executives and other businesses, investors, and service providers within the infrastructure sector. 

 

Special Rate for Enterprise Florida Inc. members of $349 per participant. Use ID Code: TAEFI1.

Code is valid until August 15, 2014. To register with the code, please click here 

 

For more information, contact Stephanie Portillo, sportillo@latintrade.com or 305-749-0884.

 

 

The Private Wealth Latin America & The Caribbean Forum

 

October 23-24

Miami, Florida

 

The Private Wealth Latin America & The Caribbean Forum is a pan-regional wealth management, wealth planning and investment management international meeting for private banks, HNWIs, wealth managers, and family offices. The Forum brings together 500+ industry leaders from Latin American and Caribbean Private Wealth Management field for a two day conference discussing strategies to protect, preserve and grow wealth. The forum provides direct and unique access to the growing private wealth management community. Attendees include 100+ private bank delegates, 75+ family office delegates and 100+ wealth protection strategists and gatekeepers from around the world. Register here.


 

 

 

We hope you find this newsletter useful and we love to get feedback and suggestions how we can make it better. We also have many volunteer opportunities within the chamber so let us know how you want to be involved.

 

Sincerely,

 

Lena Hartikainen
Finnish American Chamber of Commerce