WORDS FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
In the past couple of eCurrents, we have discussed the prevalence of voter polling during this presidential election season. Turns out, the polls were off. Most people, Republicans included, did not expect Donald Trump to win because pollsters had told us Hillary Clinton was ahead. But as we all now know, Trump did win. Pundits explain it with that more people than expected turned out to vote and the number of late deciders was high, but it also reveals the frustration of many who feel left behind.
Although the result of the presidential election is in, many questions remain. It has been an election that many considered to be crazy, but this election has also revealed and stressed many important issues, including trade. The question is, how will these issues be dealt with? Let us give the new Trump administration time to settle in. I don't think that isolationism and protectionism will be the answer. SACC-USA believes in the power of trade. The United States is one of Sweden's most important trading partners and Swedish companies employ almost 400,000 people in the U.S. A market full of opportunities. The fact that there are as many as 19 Regional SACC Chambers across the U.S. proves that our trade relations are good and tight. The SACC-USA network will continue to work really hard to promote, connect and expand trade between Sweden and the U.S., trade that creates jobs and wealth for both our countries.
Sincerely,
Executive Director
|
|
APPLY FOR SWEDISH INTERN NOW!
|
The SACC-USA Trainee Program offers American companies the opportunity to host interns and trainees from Sweden on a J-1 visa.
Interns support your company hands-on in their area of study up to 12 months, and Trainees provide support up to 18 months in their occupational field.
A highly motivated, bilingual and well educated Swedish exchange visitor will
contribute enthusiasm, knowledge and a European perspective to your company.
Apply now, we have your candidate!
|
THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
Donald Trump was elected to be the next president of the United States of America. Heading into election day Hillary Clinton was leading in the polls by an average of 3.3%, so this was an upset victory by Trump.
The republican nominee secured key wins in important battleground states such as Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, and maybe the biggest one throughout the night, Pennsylvania. This election truly came down to the wire, with Pennsylvania being called at about 2 a.m. E.S.T.
Secretary Clinton put on a very well respected campaign and she fought a hard fight all the way to the end.
Trump met with Obama today to discuss
the transition of power. He will be inagurated
on January 20th.
|
SACC SUMMIT 2016
Our premier networking event brought inspiring speakers in one room
L
ast wee
k SACC Summit took place at
the House of Sweden and was a
huge success. We gathered our regional chambers, members, partners, and fantastic speakers. Day one was open for the public while day 2 held internal chamber discussions.
The keynote speaker Torsten Jansson, CEO and founder of New Wave group, held an interesting speech about how he became one of Sweden's most successful retail entrepreneurs. Among the speakers were
Natalia
Brzezinski, CEO of
Symposium Stockholm, spoke
about American and Swedish values and businesses ties, and
Ebba Blitz, CEO of Alertsec, who spoke about her journey from being a well known media reporter to an IT entrepreneur in Palo Alto. She also talked about her company and the
importance that
cyber-security plays in the upcoming future.
The first day also included three interesting panels. The first gave
insigh
ts
from the Embassy of Sweden regarding trade, the economy, culture and politics.
The second consisted of Brandon Pollak, co-CEO of 1776; Yomi Abiola, founder of Stand Up for Fashion; and Anders Frostenson, President of Doberman NYC. It was moderated by Natalia Brzezinski. They discussed innovation, how to turn D.C. i
nto the next Silicon Valley, and the impacts that startups have on the ever changing world.
The first day concluded with a panel about the U.S. election. Panelists were Ambassador Laurie S. Fulton; Craig Burkhardt, conservative election attorney; Fabian Wallen, economist and media personality; and Ch
ris Core, well known American radio host. It was moderated by Thomas Siebert, former
Ambassad
or of the United States to Sweden. They had a very intriguing debate that raised questions on the outcomes of the election and what would happen if either candidate is elected.
Day 2 was for Regional Chamber Representatives and included internal panels about how to strengthen the SACC network even further. Many interesting thoughts and ideas were discussed and will help SACC in the future. Ingvar Krook, Foundation for Swedish Youth Abroad and Ziba Zareie,
Swedish Institute were the guest speakers of the day.
For more pictures from our event, please see our
We are so happy for those of you who joined us and contributed with ideas and thoughts at SACC Summit 2016. We had a wonderful turnout and hope that you all enjoyed the event as much as we did. Looking forward to next year!
|
SAS offering special deal to SACC Members
Scandinavian Airlines, SAS, is offering all participating members of the SACC network a discount
on trips if you join SAS Credits by December 31! SAS Credits is a corporate loyalty program where companies can earn credits on future travel while still earning individual frequent flyer points. When you sign your company up for this loyalty program you will receive 300 credits ($300 value) as a bonus. SAS has expanded its fleet, updated their services and cabins, and opened four new routes to meet traveler demand.
This deal can be extended to family and friends and will include the lowest airfare with exclusive availability on flights to Europe, Scandinavia, the United States, and Asia. The offer only applies to SAS operated flights and cannot be used in conjunction with other offers. This is a limited time deal so book your flights today with SAS!
|
IKEA ADDING A STORE IN FLORIDA
Plans to Open up a Jacksonville Store Next Fall
Ikea has found contractors to build a new store in Jacksonville, Florida. Currently there are four other stores in Florida located in Orlando, Tampa, Sunrise, and Sweetwater. The new Jacksonville store will be the first store to open up in the northern region of Florida. This new store will be the 45th store in the U.S.
The U.S. president of Ikea, Lars Petersson, commented, "this store will provide a more convenient Ikea shopping experience for current and potential customers throughout North Florida and Southern Georgia, complementing our growing southeastern U.S. presence." The new store will provide over 500 jobs during construction, which will be provided by Marcobay Construction, and nearly 250 jobs once the store is finished and ready to open in the fall of 2017. Read more about the new store here!
|
SWEDISH INSTITUTE DEVELOPS WEBSITE
Website Provides Tools for Presenting Sweden
The Swedish Institute has developed the great and useful website
http://sharingsweden.se/ as a one-stop shop for material about Sweden. The website has material to help with professional or academic events and presentations related to Sweden including a template for PowerPoint presentations to use and many great pictures for marketing material. The tools can be used for anyone who is looking to do a presentaion a Sweden. Learn more
here!
Photo Credit: Lena Granefelt/imagebank.sweden.se
|
HOUSE OF SWEDEN: 10 YEARS LATER
Architects Come back to Speak on their Masterpiece
The House of Sweden was officially finished in 2006, making this year the ten-year anniversary. The
architects, Gert Wingårdh and Tomas Hansen, and the artist, Ingegerd Råman, were invited back to talk about their wonderful design. H.E. Björn Lyrvall, Ambassador of Sweden to the United States, kicked things off with opening remarks. "I can't help but notice the architecture and design every day that I come to work here," he said about the beautiful building.
Wingårdh and Hansen were very focused on sustainability, openness, and transparency when designing the House of Sweden. They wanted it to feel very Swedish when you walked in. Hansen said "the area provided endless opportunities, from the Potomac river to the beautiful nature, it was an ideal place to showcase Swedish values."
|
SWEDISH ACADEMY AWARDS BOB DYLAN
American Singer-Songwriter Recieves Nobel Prize in Literature
On October 13 Bob Dylan was awarded with the Nobel Prize in literature by the Swedish Academy. The Academy awarded Dylan "for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition." He is the first American to win the prize in literature since Toni Morrison in 1993. Permanent secretary Sara Danius, called Dylan "a great poet in the English speaking tradition and a wonderful original sampler."
The award is one of five of the Nobel Prizes (chemistry, economics, peace, literature, and physics) and is named after the Swedish inventor, Alfred Nobel. Dylan has been creating music since the 1960s and has released 37 albums. The prize comes with 8 million Swedish Kronor, which is about $900,000. He will be presented the award on December 12, in Stockholm. Congratulations Bob Dylan and welcome to Stockholm.
Read more
here!
|
SWEDEN TOPPING THE LIST OF THE GOOD COUNTRY INDEX
Officially Ranked "Goodest Country" in the World
The Good Country Index ranks 162 countries based on a variety of indicators from sources such as the United Nations and the World Bank, and Sweden was recently ranked the best country on the list. The poll is an indicator of how well a country can serve the interests of its people while eluding harming effects to other nations and the environment. The index was based on seven different categories, everything from science to security to the environment. Following Sweden in the rankings were Denmark, Netherlands, United Kingdom, and Switzerland to round out the top 5, the United States ranked 20th overall. Sweden was the only country to score first in two different categories, prosperity & equality and Health & well being.
The brainchild behind the index, Simon Anholt, created the index to try and help nations start global discussions about how their countries can serve the interests of their people and still maintain their own responsibility to the world and other nations. Sweden sets a perfect example scoring in the top ten in 5 out of the 7 categories. Congratulations Sweden, keep up the great work! Read more about the index here and more about the overall scores
here.
Ola Ericson/imagebank.sweden.se
|
ERICSSON LEADING THE CHARGE TO THE NEXT GENERATION
The Arrival of 5G Connectivity, finally a good sign for Ericsson?
The 5th generation of wireless connectivity is almost upon us. Ericsson, the Swedish based telecommunications company, is leading the way to 5G across Europe. Currently across the world a majority of users have 4G or 3G connectivity, but with 5G close to being completed, users will have a more advanced wireless system to look forward to. With a 5G network people can expect a much faster internet connection, more mobile users per area unit, and will allow consumption of higher or unlimited data quantities.
Dr. Håkan Andersson, Head of 5G Product Strategy at Ericsson, said "What we are seeing now in conjunction with the timing of 5G is interest from a lot of industries who want to use connectivity in their processes." Industries across all sectors can benefit from a 5G wireless network, all the way from phones to transportation to mining. Ericsson is working with New Boliden, a mining company, to leverage 5G connectivity to give New Boliden the capabilities of remotely controlling trucks underground to transport ore. Read more about Ericsson and a new 5G network
he
re.
|
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE CAN MAKE BIG IMPACTS ON ECONOMIC GROWTH
Sweden's Economy Can Double by 2035
Artificial intelligence, where will it take us? Nobody really knows but the strategy and consulting company, Accenture, conducted a study that shows how artificial intelligence can boost national economic growth. Artificial intelligence (AI) is the development of computer systems that can perform tasks that normally require human intelligence. This study included nations from all over the world and then calculated how much their annual economic growth can increase by when AI is considered as a factor of production. Some countries that were showcased in the study include the United States, Sweden, Germany, Finland, and many more. The study showed each nations baseline economic growth and then factored in AI to the economic growth. The usage of AI can boost Sweden's economy by 37% by 2035 which was the highest out of all the countries that participated in the study. This will increase their real gross value added (GVA) from 1.7% to 3.6%. The United States can increase their economy by 35% and their GVA will go from 2.6% to 4.6%.
AI has the possibility of boosting labor productivity by 40%, even though people would be working less. This boost comes from the fact that people can use their time more efficiently therefore leading to new innovative ideas. Read more about artificial intelligence
here
and learn more about the study
here.
|
AMERICAN STUDENT TRAVELS TO SWEDEN FOR EXPERIENCE
At the end of August, Audrey Fletcher embarked on her journey to Sweden as a trainee through SACC-USAs trainee program. As a young professional, she earned a one year scholarship from Linnaeus University where she is also completing an internship with AIF Management as part of the scholarship. A
t Linnaeus University she is in pursuit of her master's degree in international business strategy. AIFM specializes in private equity fund structures. Audrey will support and work closely with management and AIF´s establishment in USA.
Thomas Dahlin is Audrey's supervisor at AIFM and says "we are looking for a young person who has a vision and a curious side to them. If they happen to be easy to work with, it's a match. On top of that if we can find someone who can take initiative and make things happen we found a winner. We believe that Audrey is just this person who is also a quick learner." Mr. Dahlin was a former trainee when he was a student and loved it, "Due to my own career and my firm's American focus I thought: why shouldn't we implement the same idea but with an American student coming to do a Swedish internship and combining this with studies at a Swedish University. Wouldn't that be a perfect triple helix model with an international approach?"
Before Audrey left for Sweden she was finishing up an internship at Boeing in Seattle, Washington. She has been in Seattle the past four years for her undergraduate degree, which she obtained at the University of Washington in June of this year. At the University of Washington, she majored in business with a focus in finance and international business focusing on China.
Audrey is thrilled to be in Sweden, and will stay until June 2017. "It's been very rewarding, I learn something new every day whether it be at my internship with AIFM or just learning a new word in Swedish," she says.
|
SAS OFFERING DEAL TO SACC MEMBERS
New Corporate Loyalty Program Hitting the Markets
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is offering all participating members of the SACC network a discount on trips if you join SAS Credits by December 31! SAS Credits is a corporate loyalty program where companies can earn credits on future travel while still earning individual frequent flyer points. When you sign your company up for this loyalty program you will receive 300 credits ($300 value) as a bonus. SAS has expanded its fleet, updated their services and cabins, and opened four new routes to meet traveler demand.
This deal can be extended to family and friends and will include the lowest airfare with exclusive availability on flights to Europe, Scandinavia, the United States, and Asia. The offer only applies to SAS operated flights and cannot be used in conjunction with other offers. This is a limited time deal so book your flights today with SAS!
|
Offer to SACC Members from Volvo
Benefits with Volvo's A-Plan Plus membership
Volvo's transformation is in full bloom with new models and new product investments such as Drive-E power trains and connectivity that links Volvo cars to the world. Refined Scandinavian design and safety strengthen Volvo's commitment to its "Designed Around You" philosophy.
Volvo would therefore like to invite SACC members to become A-Plan Plus members, which is a level of service developed exclusi
vely for SACC members that is only available through Volvo's A-Plan Plus specialists at Volvo Cars of North America. The offer includes:
-Transparent A-Plan discounted pricing, being approximately 6% off MSRP on eligible models (
the same price Volvo Car USA employees pay).
-An additional $500 bonus on top of any local incentives and offers on eligible models.
Choose where to pick up your new Volvo in the U.S. or in Sweden through our Overseas Delivery Program.
|
Offer to SACC Members from Orrefors & Kosta Boda
40% Discount on Opening Order for all Products
F
or almost 275 years, Orrefors and Kosta Boda have created crystal and glassware of the finest quality, influenced by the beauty of Sweden's nature.
Orrefors
released a line of Craft Beer glasses
and has also worked with Volvo to create a crystal gearshift for the new 2016 Volvo CX90. Kosta Boda is renowned for its ingenious and dynamic designs and is a leader in the glassware and art glass field.
Together these companies hold a strong role in the international market and are expected to continue to grow.
SACC members can enjoy a 40% discount off of retail prices on your opening order for all Orrefors and Kosta Boda products.
SACC members: please contact Donna Nardella, Corporate Director, at [email protected] for the discount.
|
|
SACC REGIONAL CHAMBER EVENTS
What's Happening at Our Regional Chambers
SACC Houston is hosting a night of networking and traditional Swedish food on Thursday November 24, from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm, together with friends from other Nordic and European Chambers of Commerce in Houston.
Learn more here on SACC Houston's webpage!
November 26th
SACC Arizona is honored to support the much appreciated and well attended SWEA Arizona Christmas Market.They stocking up with more Glögg than ever before in anticipation of a great 2016 Lucia Celebration.
Learn more here on SACC Arizona's webpage!
December 8th
SACC-DC and Ericsson invite you to attend their annual holiday festivity. The evening will include Swedish delicacies, glogg, live music, and a traditional Lucia procession.
|
|
|
|
|
