Since 1989 SACC-DC has offered a platform for developing U.S. – Swedish lucrative commercial ventures and professional opportunities through our network, business and social events. The SACC-DC Newsletter will help you stay on top of what’s happening in the Swedish-American business community and find the perfect opportunity to create new business connections in the greater Washington D.C. area and Mid-Atlantic region. | | WORDS FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | | |
Dear friends,
With big thanks to Volvo Group’s SVP Jonathan Miller for sponsoring SACC-DC’s annual Crayfish event, I want to reiterate what the Ambassador of Sweden to the U.S. Urban Ahlin emphasized - Swedish companies mean business and create tremendous job opportunities across the United States. In total, Swedish companies support over 330,000 jobs in the U.S., of which more than 16,000 are located in the DMV area. Sweden now ranks 9th among countries for its foreign direct investment (FDI) per capita in the U.S., up from 10th place.
And thanks to ABB’s expansion in Virginia, this figure is expected to grow further. In this Newsletter, Jim Creevy, VP of ABB’s government relations and public affairs and SACC-DC board member, offers compelling insights about ABB’s operations.
During the past month, I have had the pleasure of visiting the opening of the Norwegian American Defense Industry Council (NADIC)’s new location in Georgetown. It was inspiring to hear about the close collaboration between NADIC and NorCham, a Norwegian-American partner with SACC-DC each year.
On October 16th, we’ll host our flagship golf event, SACC-DC Open – a wonderful opportunity for friendly competition, relaxation, and networking. If you haven’t registered yet, please do so as soon as possible. Spots are limited, and due to high demand, we unfortunately had to turn away late registrations for the Crayfish event. Additionally, if your company is interested in gaining more positive exposure, there is still an opportunity to become a sponsor. If interested, please reach out to our team at info@sacc-dc.org
This year, the annual SACC USA Summit will be held in San Diego from November 11th to 13th. The Summit promises to be a fantastic opportunity for engaging and relevant discussions, as well as meaningful networking, featuring expert panels across five tracks:
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Cleantech: The Future of Renewable Energy
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Life Sciences: What’s Next in Life Sciences
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Communications: Past, Present, and Future
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Defense: U.S.-Sweden Collaboration on Security and Resilience
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International Relations: Topic to be announced soon
Considering the diversity of topics, I’m confident that one or more of these tracks will be of interest to you. For more details and to register, please visit SACC San Diego’s website: SACC-USA Summit 2025, San Diego – Nov. 11-13.
Looking forward to meeting you at the upcoming events!
Robert Andersson
Executive Director
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The 37th Annual SACC-DC Open is back!
This flagship event has become a tradition in the SACC-DC calendar, bringing together business leaders, professionals, and golf enthusiasts for a full day of competition, networking, and excitement. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Whiskey Creek Golf Club, participants can look forward to an unforgettable experience on the course along with engaging activities, prizes, and exceptional networking opportunities. The day will conclude with an exclusive dinner reception, providing the perfect setting to connect with distinguished companies, executives, and young professionals from across the DMV area. Non-golfers are welcome to join us for the reception and dinner immediately after the golf tournament ends
In addition, the SACC-DC Open presents a unique platform for sponsorship opportunities. By becoming a sponsor, your company will gain valuable visibility both on and off the course, strengthen existing client relationships, and build new connections. Explore our sponsorship packages to see how your brand can take center stage at one of our most prestigious events of the year.
October 16 | Whiskey Creek Golf Club - Ijamsville, MD
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SACC Summit is Approaching!
Get ready for the annual SACC Summit, hosted by SACC San Diego, an exciting event filled with insights, innovation, and high-level networking as Swedish-American business leaders, innovators, and policymakers come together to shape the future of transatlantic collaboration.
This year’s program features expert panels on:
- Cleantech & AI for Sustainable Innovation
- The Future of Life Science
- Defense, Communications & International Relations
November 11–13 | San Diego, CA
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On September 9th, SACC-DC hosted its annual Crayfish Party, one of our most beloved traditions and a true highlight of the year. Members, partners, and friends of the chamber gathered to enjoy an authentic Swedish celebration filled with crayfish, snaps songs, music, and laughter. This year’s celebration brought together young professionals, executives from Volvo Group, congressional staff members, and corporate leaders from across industries, creating a truly unique platform for networking and exchange.
We were honored to welcome two distinguished guest speakers: Congressman Pat Harrigan (R-NC-10) and Ambassador of Sweden to the U.S. Urban Ahlin. Both shared insightful remarks about the importance and strength of U.S.–Swedish relations, underlining the unique bond between our two countries and the many opportunities for collaboration in trade, innovation, and global challenges. Their words set the tone for an evening that not only celebrated tradition but also looked toward the future of transatlantic partnership.
The Crayfish Party was made possible once again with the generous support of our corporate member, Volvo Group, whose commitment and collaboration helped make this memorable evening such a success.
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This September, the Swedish Chambers International (SCI) Board visited Washington, D.C., hosted by SACC-USA and representing Brazil, China, France, India, Japan, Netherlands, Singapore, Sweden, UK and the U.S.. Among other activities, the program featured an incisive discussion with SACC DC Board member Nancy Fischer, Global Head of Regulatory Affairs at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP on “Navigating Trump 2.0: U.S. Market and Trade Policy Impact on Swedish Companies.”
The visit concluded with a reception at Say Cheese Café together with SACC-DC Board Members, where our Chair, Jesica Lindgren, General Counsel at Blue Star Strategies, highlighted the importance of the Swedish-American relationship and the value of continued transatlantic collaboration.
| | INSIGHTS FROM OUR MEMBERS | | Given the changing political and economic landscape, and ABB’s recent expansion in Henrico County, Virginia, we sat down with Jim Creevy, SACC-DC’s Golf Committee Chair and Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs at ABB, to hear how ABB views investing in the U.S. and how he sees the future for Swedish-American business relations. | | |
From your perspective, how do political changes, both in the U.S. and internationally, influence the opportunities and challenges for companies like ABB?
It is certainly a dynamic time in Washington, and around the world. The volume and pace of change in the policy world have boosted the profile of our function within the company, and I believe we have delivered value to the company with our insight and analysis as the businesses find their way. In particular the attention given to global issues like trade has given my team the opportunity to collaborate more with our global colleagues which I have found really rewarding.
We operate around the world, and have for 125 years, so we’ve encountered all manner of political landscapes. We’ve always found a way to work within those contexts to support our customers and deliver value to our shareholders. I think the current political situation is no different from that perspective.
ABB recently announced a major expansion in Henrico County, Virginia. What does this investment mean for ABB, both locally and nationally?
ABB is deepening our commitment to U.S. manufacturing with a new $110 million investment across four sites, including a $30 million expansion in Richmond, Virginia. The Richmond expansion will double the facility’s footprint and add nearly 100 skilled jobs in production and engineering. We celebrated it with a ceremony in September with Governor Youngkin and nearly 200 ABB employees.
This move is part of a broader strategy to meet surging demand for advanced electrification solutions driven by data centers, grid modernization, and manufacturing investments. Over the past three years, ABB has invested more than $500 million in its U.S. operations, its largest global market, expanding facilities in Wisconsin, New Mexico, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. ABB’s “local for local” approach ensures that over 75% of its U.S. product sales are now manufactured domestically, strengthening supply chains and speeding delivery.
Electrification is at the heart of ABB’s growth. Our products support critical infrastructure, from data centers and hospitals to manufacturing plants and utilities, helping customers operate with confidence in an era where uptime is everything.
What skills or mindsets do you believe are most important for young professionals navigating today’s fast-changing business environment?
In today’s business world, shaped by technology, remote work, and constant change, young professionals need more than just technical skills. While expertise and quality work are essential, people skills, a positive attitude, and flexibility are still key to thriving.
Being able to work well with others, communicate clearly, and show empathy makes a big difference. Staying positive doesn’t mean ignoring challenges—it means facing them with a can-do mindset and looking for solutions. Flexibility is also huge. Things shift quickly, and being open to new ideas, roles, or ways of working shows you’re ready to grow.
And don’t overlook the value of hard work, even on tasks that seem small or boring. Showing up, doing the job well, and being reliable builds trust and opens doors. These moments often lead to bigger opportunities down the road. Even with all the changes in how we work, the basics still matter. Being kind, curious, and willing to learn will always stand out. The business world may look different, but these timeless skills are just as important as ever.
| | SWEDEN ANNOUNCES HISTORIC DEFENSE INVESTMENTS | |
The Swedish government has presented its most extensive defense package since the Cold War, citing the serious security situation in Europe and Russia as the primary threat. In the 2026 budget, defense spending will increase by SEK 26.6 billion, an 18 percent rise from 2025, bringing Sweden’s defense expenditure to 2.8 percent of GDP in 2026, with a goal of reaching 3.5 percent by 2030 in line with NATO targets.
The investments include significant funding for materiel and equipment, with upcoming acquisitions across the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as new support for defense industry innovation and research. Additional resources will strengthen Sweden’s civil defense capacity and expand cooperation within NATO, while continued aid to Ukraine remains a priority.
A central focus is on personnel growth,. This means that daily allowances for conscripts and officer cadets will be raised for the first time since 2017, alongside increased funding for recruitment, training, and career development within the Armed Forces.
| | SWEDISH GOVERNMENT INVESTS IN MINERAL PROSPECTING | |
In the 2026 budget proposal, the Swedish government is allocating SEK 20 million annually from 2026–2028 to strengthen the Geological Survey of Sweden’s (SGU) mapping of ore-rich areas. From 2027, SGU will also receive SEK 23 million per year to promote the mining and mineral industry.
The goal is to secure Sweden’s mineral supply, attract investment, and improve competitiveness. Expanded geological data and support for the Mineral Information Office in Malå are expected to draw more prospecting companies to Sweden.
Minister for Energy, Business and Industry, Ebba Busch, stressed the importance of the initiative: “Sweden is literally sitting on a goldmine. Minerals and metals are key to digital and climate-smart products, and this government continues to make historic investments in the mining industry.”
The investment highlights the strategic importance of Sweden’s mineral resources in light of global demand and Europe’s need for critical raw materials.
| | OTHER HIGHLIGHTS FROM TEAM SWEDEN | |
SIREUS
Explore Study and Research opportunities in Sweden!
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with representatives from ten leading Swedish universities at the Study in Sweden Tour student fairs!
Sweden is internationally recognized not only for its world-class education, with over 1,000 English-taught Master’s programs, but also for its vibrant research environment, innovative industries, and leadership in sustainability and technology.
Whether you're considering studying in Sweden, pursuing research opportunities, or launching a career there after graduation, this is your chance to meet university staff, alumni, and industry professionals who can offer valuable insights and guidance.
| | Find news from the Swedish Embassy and SACC-USA through the links below. | | |
BUSINESS SERVICES PROVIDED BY SACC-DC
SACC-DC holds a unique position to provide members valuable connections with other member companies or small businesses, potentially resulting in new collaborations, clients, and partnerships. Read more about our B2B Matchmaking service and how to make a request here. Your company has the opportunity to be assisted by a Business Associate or a trainee with short-term projects aiming to increase your knowledge about specific markets. Read more about our Trade Services and how to make a request here.
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INTERESTED IN JOINING THE SACC-DC COMMUNITY?
Visit our membership page to join as a new member, or renew your membership through the membership portal. SACC DC organizes many events throughout the year to give our members access to professional networking. We also tailor trade missions for Swedish companies interested in the Greater Washington, D.C. area. Whether an individual with a keen interest in or connection with Sweden living in D.C. or a company looking to establish new relationships, we can help you reach your next goal!
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