SACC-GA MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

MONTHLY NEWS & UPDATES

OCTOBER

Greetings!

Thank you to all of you who attended our October events. We had great success with our multi-chamber Virtual Mixology and Networking event. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn how to mix some Swedish inspired cocktails and to network with SACC members across the country. A perfect mix of business and pleasure! We heard that the participants were able to make valuable business connections while having fun.

We are happy to announce that we are having a second multi-chamber networking event on November 18. If you are new to virtual networking you will be pleased to learn from the tips from networking expert Stepahnie Thoma before you get the chance to make valuable connections with SACC members from nine different SACC regional chambers in the break out rooms.

Virtual events have allowed us to facilitate opportunities for networking across our large 20 chamber SACC USA network. Our aim is to provide our members with many occasions to connect.

To network locally please join us on Friday November 13 for an online wine tasting with SACC board member and Hand Selected founder Niklas Karlsson.

Best Regards,

Ida Pond

Executive Director SACC GA

UPCOMING EVENTS

NOVEMBER 13

Virtual Wine Tasting Event with Niklas Karlsson

Join SACC-GA and Niklas Karlsson, one of the founders of Hand Selected and importer of the wine, as he guides us through a virtual wine tasting. He has provided a mouth-watering list of wines to amuse our taste buds! View the list here.

We suggest you grab a friend or date to join you physically at a 6' distance to join the Zoom together. Register here.

NOVEMBER 18

Networking in a Virtual World

We are nine chambers of The Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce who are co-hosting a virtual networking event together. This way, we open up the opportunity to network over the regional borders of our organization. Join us for a 90-minutes session starting off with a workshop hosted by Stephanie Thoma on how to network virtually, followed by the networking itself. The event is free for all members. Register here.

WHAT WE HAVE BEEN UP TO THE PAST MONTH

Virtual Neworking and Mixology Event

Our multi-chamber Networking and Mixology Event took place on October 22 and the participants got the chance to work on their mixology skills while expanding their network! We have received some positive feedback and hope to continue hosting virtual events with a twist! Thank you to Chris LeBeau for showing us how to make some delicious Swedish-inspired drinks and also a huge thanks to Greensfelder law firm for sponsoring this event.

SACC USA Executive Forum 2020

The SACC-USA: Executive Forum 2020 covered the latest on innovation and how revolutionary technologies are creating new ways of doing business, the Covid-19 pandemic affect on business and particularly trade, and insights and predictions for the 2020 U.S. elections. Did you miss this? View highlights from the forum here.

ADDITIONAL NEWS YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS

Interview with

Mats-Ola Bydell

An interesting interview by SACC-USA (Swedish-American Chambers of Commerce) with Mats-Ola Bydell - the real deal headhunter!

Mr. Bydell started his career as a teacher in Sweden. After a couple of years, he became the Headmaster and later he worked as the Director of Education in two municipalities. However, when he was in the middle of his career, at the age of 37, he left teaching for recruiting. This developed into working for executive search and talent management firms. Today he is a Partner and the head of Odgers Berndtson’s Industrial Practice in the US.

Read the rest of the interview here.

Sweden Innovation days November 17-19

Sweden Innovation Days is a three-day worldwide online event around one of the hottest topics of our times: artificial intelligence! You will learn more about the Swedish strategy, the national AI ecosystem and its challenges, listen to thought leaders from the industry, public sector and academia talk about key AI focus areas, amongst many other interesting things!

Sweden Innovations Days are organized by AI Sweden, The Swedish Energy Agency - Energimyndigheten, Ignite Sweden, SISP - Swedish Incubators & Science Parks, and Vinnova - Sweden's Innovation Agency.

Read more and register here.

The Metro Atlanta Chamber lists upcoming events in November.

During the month of November, metro Atlanta will serve as the backdrop for a wide array of events, including Zane Venture Fund's Virtual Design-A-Thon, Techstars Atlanta Startup Week, The Siggie Awards, and more, demonstrating that Atlanta is a thriving innovation hub continuing to grow. Read more here.

SACC-USA BUSINESS SURVEY

SACC-USA Business Survey did a great coverage in Dagens Industri about the upcoming election and the economic development after the pandemic.

The SACC USA Business Survey was conducted in September 2020 and the survey aimed to find out how SACC USA members perceived the public opinion situation ahead of the upcoming presidential election, but it also aimed to try to capture members’ perceptions of economic development in the US in in connection with COVID-19. More than 200 SACC members across the United States participated in the online survey. SACC members bring together a dynamic and diverse mix of entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors and professional experts, as well as representatives of various organizations and academia.

Read the full articles here and here.

Pictures: Dagens Industri

SJÖBLOM GLÖGG - CHRISTMAS IS CLOSING IN

Christmas is closing in and what is more tasteful than some Swedish Glögg?

Sjöblom Winery was founded in August 2000 and is located in Napa, California. In previous years Sjoblom Winery has generously sponsored our annual Gloggparty with their delicious glögg.

As the first producer to create an authentic Swedish glögg in the United States, Sjoeblom Winery has created gloggclub.com to provide with the most amazing glögg this country has ever tasted.

Glögg from Sjöblom Glögg can be purchased here. But, hurry up! Someone whispered that they are soon out of stock.

Photo: Jeanette Stewart

i-Kandi SACC GA Exclusive Discount Code

Candy is a must for Halloween so we reached out to Neda Zeighami, the founder of Swedish candy store iKandi. Please read the article below for the background of the company and an exclusive SACC GA discount code.

What is the idea behind iKandi and why did you decide to get into the candy business?

iKandi was founded because I saw an opportunity to introduce Swedish candy to the American market. Personally, I don't think that American candy is tasty, and I thought the American market was an exciting market with big potential to explore. The idea behind iKandi came after visiting my cousin in Florida where I was unable to find great candy. Sweets are important to Swedes and I was further encouraged by my hairdresser who had visited New York, and loved it, but also found the candy selection lacking. From there, the idea was born and in 2013 I visited LA for the first time, with a full load of Swedish candy!

What type of candy do you sell? And who are your customers?

Our assortment consists of licorice (of course!), chocolate, but also sour and yellow candy.

The majority of my clients are Americans since I have worked hard for almost six years to gain market share. In the beginning, my customers were mostly Swedes, and still, many Swedes order from us of course. I have noticed that Americans love sour and yellow candy.