This newsletter contains news, updates and relevant information from the Swedish American Chambers of Commerce Inc.

WORDS FROM OUR CEO

Friends,

Hurricane Milton is yet another stark reminder of the state of affairs, the state of the planet. Hurricanes come with a whole slew of calamities. In addition to the obvious ones there are also tragedies pertaining to pressure on secondary cities receiving climate refugees, premature births, mental health stresses, and nature's lesser known phenomena such as swamp gas. Alternative strategies are needed. These will come through accelerated R&D and innovation. SACC-USAs Green and Blue Economy program is a collaboration with the Institute for Sustainable Development ISD which pairs Swedish green transition innovation with US markets and capital. ISD is setting up field operations where companies can demo their services, products and innovation; environmental and other such as employee activation and housing. 

A SACC survey featured in Sweden’s pink paper business daily Dagens Industri had it that more than 70% of the Swedish and Swedish-related companies surveyed in the US believe that Harris will win the 2024 presidential election. Blockbuster free trade initiatives may not be in the cards as of date as neither party is as staunch a free trade proponent as Sweden. It is said that a Harris administration would be more prone to green transition which ostensibly could undergird a US demand for European and Swedish cleantech. The audience for European thinking in Washington D.C. seems however limited; one think tank estimated that there are only approximately 30 lawmakers focused on EU-related priorities, compared to around 300 dedicated to Chinese affairs. 

With that I shall leave you to peruse the October edition of e-Currents, featuring articles on the U.S. elections and updates from the embassy on Sweden’s impact on job creation in the U.S. along with SACC alumni stories and photos.

Karin Hammar

CEO 

Swedish American Chambers of Commerce USA, Inc. 

NEWS FROM SACC-USA

SACC Summit 2024: a Success!

In September, SACC-USA hosted the annual SACC Summit, along with SACC-Chicago. The Summit took place in Chicago, Illinois, and consisted of two eventful days where keynote speakers, panelists, members, intressents, SACC executives, board members, young professionals and sponsors came together to network and inspire each other.

The first day of the Summit featured a networking event at SACC-Chicago's rooftop, bringing together professionals from diverse fields. Attendees enjoyed delicious food and beverages, accompanied by live music and speeches while the fun was setting over the skyline, creating a vibrant atmosphere for meaningful connections.

The second day of the event started off with a surprise we had kept a secret for some time, and that really set the tone for the rest of the day; the first speaker of the day was no other than JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois! He came to the SACC Summit to give welcoming remarks and spoke on the topic of business relations between the US, specifically Illinois, and Sweden. Did you know that at the turn of the century, Chicago was home to the second-largest Swedish population in the world, surpassed only by Stockholm? Governor JB Pritzker knew.

The day continued with keynote speeches from Nikki Nemarich, Head of Americas Marketing at Axis Communications, and Brendan Sullivan, Corporate Creativity Coach and founder of BPS Communication Skills, as well as five panels on topics related to the theme "Reaching for the Summit":

• Reaching for Financial Success
• Business Dynamics in Cultural Differences
• Reaching New Heights through Gender Diversity
• Reaching the Summit with Team Sweden
• Private/Public/Academia: Active Collaboration and Innovation

Following the conclusion of day two, a third internal day was held exclusively for SACC-USA and its chambers. This provided an opportunity to review past achievements, discuss current initiatives, and strategize future developments within the organization. With all chambers spread across the country, it is always fun to connect in person during the SACC Summit!

Dagens Industri recently published an article about Governor JB Pritzker and his views on the upcoming US presidential election, where the SACC Summit was featured. Read the full article (in Swedish) here!

Below are a few photos from the SACC Summit. Press here to see all photos from the SACC Summit 2024.

Photo Credit: Emma Loew

Per Cedergren, Chair at SACC-USA, welcoming everyone to the SACC Summit 2024.

JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois, giving welcoming remarks at the beginning of day two.

Panel: Reaching for Financial Success, with Melissa Widen, Nancy Bonges, Emily Mattes, and Kate Vrijmoet.

Keynote: Nikki Nemarich, Head of Americas Marketing at Axis Communications.

Panel: Business Dynamics in Cultural Differences with Elin Ajax, Anders Forsberg, Vicky Paavilainen, Inger Tanderup.

SACC-Chicago: Emma Söderqvist, Beata Krakus, Maria Loew, Stina Vansvik.

Panel: Reaching New Heights Through Gender Diversity with Beata Krakus, Gabrielle Buckley, Alex Lederhausen Nabavian, Vanessa Richmond.

Keynote: Brendan Sullivan, Corporate Creativity Coach and founder of BPS Communication Skills.

Panel: Reaching the Summit with Team Sweden with Kitty Kurth, Peter Ekdahl, Charlotte Kramer, André Persson

Patrik Melander, Per Cedergren, Karin Hammar, André Persson, Helene Honeybone, Joakim Cederlund.

Panel: Private/Public/Academia - Active Collaboration and Innovation with Carl Källén, Ulf Landin, Abin Kuriakose,

All gold sponsors alongside Governor JB Pritzker; Legion Collective, Wendella Tours and Cruises, UB Greensfelder, Thorelli & Associates, Axis Communications.

NEWS

”EU och Sverige skulle troligen dra större fördel av den amerikanska marknaden och ekonomiska tillväxten under en Harris-administration”

- Karin Hammar

In an article written by Emanuel Sidea and published by Dagens Industri, our CEO, Karin Hammar, shares her perspective on the upcoming US Presidential Election in relation to the Swedish-American market.

The article is written in Swedish, but below are two main takeaways for our English-speaking audience.

Candidate Preferences: Polls show a close race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump in the US presidential election, but only 29% of Swedish entrepreneurs in the U.S. think Trump can win, with many favoring Harris.

Economic Views: Most Swedish entrepreneurs believe American voters see Trump as better for the economy and more business-friendly, even though his tariffs might raise prices for consumers.

Read the full article here!

POLICY CORNER

Fördel Harris på upploppet

Article by André Persson (in Swedish).

"Med en dryg månad kvar till valet liknar den amerikanska presidentkampanjen mest en rafflande politisk thriller med ständiga dramaturgiska vändningar som bara fortsätter att generera läsare, tittare och kommentarer. Analysföretaget Nielsen konstaterade nyligen att intresset för presidentvalet 2024 verkar bli rekordhögt, samtidigt som medieinvesteringarna väntas öka med drygt 30 procent jämfört med förra valet 2020. […]" (excerpt from article)

Read full article here.

André Persson is Chief Communications Officer at SACC-USA and President and Chairman of the Board at SACC Houston. He writes and reports about American economy and politics in Swedish news magazine Fokus.

Amerikas födelseplats avgör valet

Article by André Persson (in Swedish).

"När blickarna i de amerikanska presidentvalets slutspurt återigen riktas mot de sju så kallade vågmästarstaterna och deras elektorsröster intar i år Pennsylvania en särställning. Till dessa delstater räknas i år Arizona (med 11 elektorsröster), Georgia (16), Michigan (15), Nevada (6), North Carolina (16), Pennsylvania (19) och Wisconsin (10). The Key Stone State (hörnstensdelstaten), är alltså störst, med lika många elektorsröster som Illinois, och med en diversifierad och snabbrörlig väljarbas. Just för att segermarginalen för den som får flest röster i delstaten och därmed kan räkna alla dessa elektorsröster i sin kolumn oftast är knapp, ser många The Key Stone State som presidentvalets viktigaste slagfält. Också för dess potential att skapa en trend som även påverkar närliggande och viktiga delstater som Michigan och Wisconsin. […]" (excerpt from article)

Read full article here.

COMPANY SPOTLIGHT

Watza:brand is a consultancy that strengthens businesses by aligning leadership with brand identity. They offer brand audits, marketing and digital strategy development, coaching, and more.

To learn more about Watza:brand, click here!

TALENT MOBILITY

UPCOMING EVENTS

Green Connections is the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce in San Diego’s annual Cleantech conference and flagship event. It takes place every fall with the aim of creating sustainable relations between the Nordics and California. Visionaries, experts, motivators, practitioners, exhibitors and decision-makers from different regions are invited to share and exchange knowledge, ideas and technologies.

Companies who want to learn from others, or are looking to establish in California or the Nordics, will find great benefits in attending Green Connections! 

This year's theme is Renewable Energy Innovations. 

DC Open 2024

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Join SACC-DC on the golf course on October 17th at Whiskey Creek Golf Club in Ijamsville, MD, as an individual player or team. Get ready for an exciting day full of networking opportunities with leading companies like Nammo, ABB, Volvo, Haypp, Forbes Tate Partners etc, premier golfing, enjoyable activities, and the chance to compete for fantastic prizes!

For companies and individuals who would like to participate - click here for more information. To register, simply send an email to SACC-DC by clicking the button below.

What else is happening at SACC?

Did you know that SACC-USA offers an event calendar where you can view all regional chambers activities and events in one convenient place? Click on the calendar below to explore upcoming events and stay informed throughout the year!

In addition to the exciting events hosted by our regional chambers throughout the year, SACC-USA also organizes annual signature events. The dates for our 2025 events are set, and planning is well underway!

Transatlantic Day - Stockholm: February 6, 2025

Transatlantic Day - Gothenburg: February 20, 2025

Executive Forum - Washington D.C.: June 5, 2025

SACC Summit - San Diego: November 12-13, 2025

Simon Pettersson's career journey reflects the power of persistence, adaptability, and strategic networking. From an intern at the The Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce - Los Angeles (SACC) to a leadership role shaping global partnerships, Simon has turned his aspirations into reality. His career path is a great example of how taking the right opportunities can lead to long-term success.

Simon’s introduction to SACC came at a key moment in his life. “I always wanted to work in the U.S., but I didn’t know how to make it happen,” he remembers. It was through his SACC internship in Los Angeles that doors started to open. “SACC gave me not only professional experience but also the network I needed to start making real connections in the U.S.,” Simon explains.

During his time with SACC, Simon learned how tech and entertainment were becoming more connected. This experience helped him realize his career focus: managing partnerships between creative industries and digital platforms.

In his current role, Simon leads global partnerships at a music company, connecting platforms like TikTok and YouTube with a diverse range of teams and clients. His work takes him across the world—whether it’s New York, Stockholm, Seoul, Los Angeles, or Malaysia—managing these relationships means juggling different time zones and perspectives, keeping him constantly on his toes.

But what excites Simon most is how these platforms are transforming the way people interact with music. “The way music is shared and consumed is changing fast, and it’s amazing to be part of that shift,” he explains. Platforms like TikTok have redefined how songs go viral, and Simon’s role puts him right in the middle of this digital evolution.

However, Simon’s career didn’t come without its challenges. Moving from Sweden to Los Angeles was a big step, both personally and professionally. “Relocating across the world and starting fresh wasn’t easy,” Simon admits. “I had to adjust to a new culture, build my network from the ground up, and prove myself in a competitive industry.” The process required persistence and a lot of hard work, but Simon remained focused. A key factor in navigating these challenges was the support and connections he developed through SACC. “SACC wasn’t just an internship—it was where I made key connections,” he reflects.

Even though Simon has already achieved a lot, he’s not slowing down anytime soon. He’s always thinking ahead, exploring new opportunities and possibilities. For Simon, the future holds the potential for growth, not only within his current role but also in pursuing new projects, including starting his own business. “I’ve got a few ideas I’m really excited about,” he shares, “but I’m in no rush. I want to make sure everything lines up before taking the next step.” “I’m always thinking about how to create something new and bring fresh ideas to the table,” Simon says. For him, staying open and flexible is key, not just in his own career but in the advice he gives to others. For those wanting to follow a similar path, Simon’s advice is straightforward: “Say yes to opportunities, even if they don’t seem perfect at first. The connections and experiences you gain can take you further than you expect.”

As he looks back on his journey, Simon recognizes how the experiences and connections he’s built have played a crucial role in his success. "I always believed I could make it, but looking back, I’m grateful for how each opportunity—whether through SACC or the partnerships I’ve worked on—has helped me get here." For Simon, it’s a reminder that hard work and staying open to new possibilities can lead to great things, but it’s the people and experiences along the way that truly shape the journey.

Written by: Disa Cronsioe, September 2024

Press here for original article.

“Since the first Swedes arrived in the US in 1638, Swedish entrepreneurship and business have been an integral part of the US economy. Today Sweden is the 10th largest investor in the US”

- Urban Ahlin, Ambassador of Sweden to the United States

Learn more here.

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