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Trustee members:
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Newsletter Finnish American Chamber of Commerce, Florida
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Issue 2
Volume 7
February 2015
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Greetings!
consumer confidence reaching its highest point since 2007, while house prices and homes sales continue to rise in the United States. "A more positive assessment of current business and labor market conditions contributed to the improvement in consumers' view of the present situation. Consumers also expressed a considerably higher degree of optimism regarding the short-term outlook for the economy and labor market, as well as their earnings," said Lynn Franco, Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board.
Also optimism about short-term business conditions rose to 18.4% and consumers are more confident that jobs will rise.
Meanwhile Finland is struggling with pessimism and job losses. Even that consumer confidence was slightly up to 6.0 in January of 2015 from 4.40 in December 2014, it is still a far cry from its all time high 22.90 in September of 2010.
It is said, that when the US sneezes world catches cold, but perhaps the positive trend in America will also reach Europe? At least, the current trends gives great trading opportunities between the two.
If you are considering expanding to the US market, don´t hesitate to contact us!
At your service,
Lena Hartikainen
FACC-FL President
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FACC Upcoming events
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- February 22 VIP Polo Event
 - Come and experience world class Polo while networking!
- Time: 2:30pm to 5pm
- Location: International Polo Club Palm Beach
- RSVP needed and limited tickets available. Please register to this event at our website.
- February 26 Corporate Tax Seminar
- Breakfast seminar on corporate taxes in Florida
- Location: Lake Worth Golf Course
- Time: 8am-10am
- Price: $15/members and $20/non-members
- This event is organized together with Lantana Chamber of Commerce
- Registration and more information coming soon about the event at our website
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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.
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Location Biltmore Hotel, Miami
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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
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News from Florida
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Why Florida's business leaders are not yet toasting the advent of closer trade ties to Cuba
Florida cattlemen, shippers, bankers and telecom makers are eager to open a new market for their goods and services, taking advantage of their close proximity to the needy island. But they see many obstacles to overcome before Cuba becomes a suitable place for investment and trade, including its hostility to capitalism, a repressive government and an impoverished population of 11 million with very little buying power. Full story here.
Governor Scott names Bill Johnson to lead Enterprise Florida
Miami-Dade's longtime port chief -- and current head of the water-and-sewer department -- was named Thursday to head Florida's economic-development arm. Bill Johnson succeeds Gray Swoope as CEO of Enterprise Florida, a post that also came with the title of Commerce Secretary (Jeb Bush's first state job). The hire makes Johnson the top economic ambassador for Gov. Rick Scott, who was just reelected on a platform that centered around job growth. Full story here.
Golf is not only a game in Florida - economic impact in billions
GOLF 20/20 - the collaboration of leading organizations representing all segments of the United States golf industry - reports golf's direct economic impact in Florida was $8.2 billion in 2013, an increase from $7.5 billion in 2007. Read full story here.
Florida´s housing sector going strong
Florida Realtors' statewide housing data indicates that the market is now growing along "normal" trend lines, according to Dr. Brad O'Connor, meaning that the pace of sales, median sales price increases and other statistics show moderate, sustainable growth. "For the first time in a couple of years, we're seeing new listings outpace sales," he said. Read full article here.
Is America becoming a low-wage nation? Few states reflect the growing gap between the rich and not-so-rich as much as Florida, two studies released this week show, and Southwest Florida is a perfect example.
The wealthiest 1 percent of Floridians saw their incomes grow nearly 40 percent between 2009 - when the Great Recession officially ended - and 2012, according to an analysis by the Economic Policy Institute. Full story here.
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/02/26/3960951/um-researchers-make-small-but.html#storylink=cp
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News from Finland
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Finnish Food and Staples Retail company, Kesko 5th most Sustainable Corporation
Kesko ranks 45h most sustainable corporation on the 2015 The global 100 most sustainable corporations. Companies were assessed on 12 sustainability indicators in the areas of economic, social and environmental responsibility.First on ranking is Biogen Idec, a U.S. based biotechnology company. Full story here.
Finland ranks second for women on corporate boardrooms
Finland has one of the highest proportions of women in corporate boardrooms according to a study of 20 major economies by Catalyst Inc., a New York based organization, which advocates for more women in the workplace. The US and Canada have about 20 per cent while Portugal, India, and Ireland each have 10 per cent or less. Source.
4.5 million views for snowboarding film Approach & Attacck, by Antti Autti
Autti spent two years making his new film and took time in between to participate in the Snowboard World Cup Half Pipe competition at Ruka, coming in fifth place. Autti was the first European to win the X Games snowboard half pipe competition and he snagged two gold medals at the snowboard world championships. Teaser here.
Finland world's 4th most innovative country - US taking the 6th place
Finland was the fourth most innovative country in 2014, according to Bloomberg Rankings. Previous year Finland was ranked in the ninth place. South Korea, Japan and Germany hold the three top spots. Read full report from Bloomberg here.
Esa-Pekka Salonen named composer in residence at New York Philharmonic
Salonen, the former music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, will hold the title for the next three years. In his new position, Salonen will have a number of responsibilities, though he won't be conducting any of his own work. He is expected to lead the orchestra in a number of pieces by familiar classical and contemporary composers over the next three seasons. Full article here.
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Other events | |
Complying with U.S. Export Controls and Export Control Reform
February 10-12, 2015
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Complying with U.S. Export Controls - February 10-11, 2015
This two-day program is led by BIS professional counseling staff and provides an in-depth examination of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The program will cover information exporters need to know to comply with U.S. export control requirements on commercial goods. Register here.
MiaGreen Expo & Conference
February 11-12, 2015
Miami, Florida
MiaGreen Expo & Conference (7th edition) is the only trade show and conference in the USA with a focus on sustainability, that targets domestic and international major markets at the same time, like East USA, Florida, PLUS Latin America & the Caribbean (40 countries under one roof!). The event showcases cutting-edge technologies, services, know-how & education serving the green building, solar, cleantech & energy saving industries. Contact Jose A. Garcia at mail@MiaGreen.com or 305-412-0000 for more information.
World LEADERS Conference
March 4-5, 2015
West Palm Beach , Florida
Designed to provide participants with a uniquely personal experience in an intimate setting, the World LEADERS Conference brings together top executives in business and ministry with prominent leadership experts from around the world. The two-day conference provides opportunities for interacting and networking with other business and church leaders, and focuses on the critical issues and trends that are shaping business and the church today.
The Conference will feature noted speakers Ben Carson, Drew Brees, Ken Blanchard, Bill Hybels, Suzy Welch, Henry Cloud, Erwin McManus, Nido Qubein, Jon Gordon, Bonnie St. John, James Blanchard, H. Wayne Huizenga Jr., Matthew Kelly, Mark A. Floyd, Jim Loehr, Mark Sanborn, Claire Shipman, and Paul Leone. More here.
2015 International Days
April 7, 2015
Tallahassee, Florida
Join the Florida Chamber and Florida's international business community for a two-day event to hear from the top international trade and industry experts on how we can work together to implement recommendations found in the Florida Chamber Foundation's Trade & Logistics Study 2.0. Together we can help Florida become the number one hub for global trade. CLICK HERE for additional information.
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American Finland Swedes wanted
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"ALLT FÖR SVERIGE" (The previous working title of the show was Great Swedish adventure) is conduction a nationwide casting for season 5. Season 4 was beyond successful with the highest ratings ever of 46% in shares (2 million out of the 9 million population watched it)
They are looking for out-going fun adventurous people and they have to be Americans of Finland Swede descent. Plenty of the Finland Swedes back in the day when they immigrated had to chose whether they were from Sweden or Finland. Since they lived in Finland on Swedish ground they automatically became Finnish here in the US. We are looking for those people that spoke Swedish as their mother tongue but came from Finland.
The deadline to apply is Feb 11. The show is shooting in the summer 2015 in Sweden and hopefully the Swedish part of Finland.
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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
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