Member Spotlight: Jasmin Utter General Manager Region Americas SAS

Words from the Manager Björn Porlein, SACC-Summit, Crayfish Party 2023, Virtual event with Orrefors, Young Professionals event, Upcoming SACC-DC events.

Since 1989 SACC-DC has offered a platform for developing U.S. – Swedish lucrative commercial ventures and professional opportunities through our network and 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 Manager Björn Porlein

Member Spotlight: Jasmin Utter, General Manager Region Americas SAS

Could you please share your journey in United States with SAS? 

I have been working for SAS for more than 30 years in many different functions, such as Corporate Finance, Operational Management, Marketing and Sales to name a few. Besides working at our head office in Stockholm, Sweden, I have also had positions in Brussels, Belgium and London, UK. I have been the General Manager for SAS in the Americas since December 2020.

SAS is a new member of SACC-DC. Could you share the story of how you initially got involved with our network?   

SAS has a strong presence in North America, and we have been established in this market since 1946. We fly to seven cities across the United States: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami, Washington D.C and Boston. In New York we fly both to Newark and JFK. In addition to this, we also fly to Toronto in Canada. It is important for us to have a close relationship and partnership with Scandinavian and Finnish companies that are established in the US and Canada, as well as US companies that have a link to Scandinavia, Finland, or Northern Europe. Being members of the Chamber is a natural extension of our presence in this market, and we are very happy to have joined a partnership with SACC (Swedish American Chamber of Commerce), with the purpose of better communicating our products and services as well as offers to the various chambers and to their members.

What opportunities lie ahead for SAS in the United States, and what do you look forward to? 

The US has bounced back quickly post-covid, and the economy is overall developing very well. A combination of reduced inflation and a strong dollar means Americas are again interested in traveling abroad, and Europe is high on their list of destinations they want to travel to.

In addition to that, with the introduction of the Inflation Reduction Act and the investments in new technology and sustainable aviation fuel among other things, the US will become even more important to us in the future. The increased access to SAF will result in us fueling more in the US. This is a step in the direction towards net zero emissions by 2050.

Could you share any personal or professional insights gained from your journey with SAS in the United States that you believe would be valuable for aspiring business professionals? 

 The US is a vast country, and each state is different. I would recommend anyone who wants to come here to do your homework properly to understand your market. This is not Sweden. And it is not the US you encountered during your vacation either. In addition, each state has its own set of rules and regulations and the cultural differences between the states can be quite significant. In order to be successful personally and professionally, you need to be aware of what is applicable in the market you want to do business in.



SACC-SUMMIT IN DETROIT 2023

SACC-USA team, SIREUS team and the SACC-DC team.

We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to SACC-USA for organizing the exceptional SACC Summit in Detroit a few weeks ago. Our experience was truly remarkable, from connecting with interns representing various chambers to gaining valuable insights on "Smart, Safe, and Sustainable" through the inspiring speeches. Exploring the vibrant city of Detroit for the first time added an extra layer of delight to our visit. We thoroughly enjoyed every moment and were honored to be part of such a fantastic event!

SACC-DC CRAYFISH PARTY X VOLVO GROUP 2023

We wish to express our deepest gratitude for all ours guests wholehearted participation in last weeks remarkable Crayfish Party and a delightful collaboration with Volvo Group. Also a big thank you to all speakers at the event. We sincerely hope that you enjoyed the evening as much as we did. We eagerly look forward to the pleasure of your presence at our upcoming SACC-DC events!

VIRTUAL EVENT WITH ORREFORS

Last tuesday, SACC-DC, together with SACC Chicago and SACC New England, hosted a virtual event featuring the two brands Orrefors and Kosta Boda. We want to thank everybody who attended, and extend a big thank you to Orrefors Kosta Boda for an informative and enjoyable virtual event. We hope all participants enjoyed it as much as we did.

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS EVENTS

We're excited to announce the first exclusive company visits during this fall season for our Young Professionals members! Mark your calendars for our upcoming lunch visit to our beloved member, Axis Communications, on October 19. Join us for an insightful opportunity to delve into their cutting-edge technology and innovation.

Our second company visit this fall will be to Nammo. Nammo on October 26. Nammo stands at the forefront as a global leader in the provision of specialized ammunition and rocket motors, supplying to both military and civilian clients. Their remarkable journey began in 1998 when they consolidated ammunition businesses across Sweden, Norway, and Finland. Today, Nammo boasts a presence in 12 countries worldwide.

Do you want to host a company visit for our young professionals? Contact mathias.petersen@sacc-dc.org

UPCOMING EVENTS

35TH ANNUAL SACC-DC OPEN

Prepare for a thrilling day brimming with opportunities for networking alongside prominent DMV companies, engaging in premier golfing, enjoying in delightful activities and vying for exciting prizes! Mark your calender for October 12th as this year's tournament takes place at the prestigious Westfields Golf Club in VA. Ensure you do not overlook the chance to partake in exclusive dinner reception, adding an extra layer of excellence to your experience.

We are proud to present our sponsors for our 35th annual golf tournament. A special thank you to Nammo for being our platinum sponsor.

For registration contact

bjorn.porlein@sacc-dc.org

Save the date for our Nordic Sustainability & Innovation Forum at the Norweigan Embassy at November 15. Join us to learn more about sustainable packaging. We are proud to present SAS as one of our sponsors.



Does your company want to participate at this event? Contact bjorn.porlein@sacc-dc.org.

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM SACC-DC

News From SACC-USA And The Embassy

We want to encourage you to stay updated by reading the newsletters from SACC-USA and the news from the Swedish Embassy!

We highly recommend taking the time to read these news regularly to stay informed and connected with the Swedish-American community. As always, SACC-DC remains committed to providing our members with the resources and information they need to succeed.

Read news from the Swedish embassy here.

Read SACC-USAs newsletters here.

BUSINESS SERVICES PROVIDED BY SACC-DC

SACC-DC holds a unique position to provide members valuable connections with other member companies or small business, 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.

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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