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. |
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Word from the Executive Director
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Dear Friends,
In this space I have on several occasions written about the making and baking of President Biden’s infrastructure plan. Today as I wrote this page the President and a group of centrist senators agreed to an infrastructure plan, securing a long-sought bipartisan deal on overhauling the nation’s transportation, water, and broadband infrastructure.
“We have a deal,” Mr. Biden told reporters at the White House. “We’ve all agreed that none of us got what we all would have wanted,” he added. The art of the deal.
$973 billion are expected to be spent over five years and $1.2 trillion if the program continues over eight years. Lawmakers have discussed financing the package with a mix of public-private partnerships, existing federal funds, and revenue collected from enhanced enforcement at the Internal Revenue Service.
Lawmakers and the White House will now have to shepherd the plan through a closely divided Capitol Hill. Watch the space.
When you have digested today’s breaking news, please scroll down to peruse the newsletter so expertly crafted by two of our trainees, editor-in-chief Rasmus Jonsson, and proofreader extraordinaire David Gronqvist. I will for sure miss them though I am only going to the next-door suite, to SACC-USA, as their new Executive Director. The Swedish American Chambers of Commerce have a broad reach with 20 offices across the country and with in-depth knowledge of regional and local markets to help members make informed and strategic investments. If you are not a member, please continue joining today!
Finally, do not miss out on our June 26, 9 am plogging event at Hains Point to pick up trash along our Swedish American business community-run; show your stripes and sign-up here.
With that, I wish you a fantastic summer!
Best wishes,
Karin
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Thank you Karin
The Swedish American Chambers of Commerce of the United States (SACC-USA) has selected Karin Hammar as its next Executive Director. Karin will succeed Johan Marcus who after six years of leading the organization is moving back to Sweden from where he will continue to be involved in the SACC-USA flagship event Executive Forum and other strategic projects.
Karin has been the Executive Director of the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce of Washington D.C. directing the organization’s work in the greater Washington D.C. metropolitan area. We would like to thank Karin for her dedication and hard work towards the Chamber. Best of luck in the future, you will be missed!
/ Rasmus, David, Thea, and the Board.
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Welcome Charlotte "Lotta" Kramer
We are pleased to welcome Charlotte "Lotta" Kramer as the new Executive Director of the Swedish -American Chamber of Commerce, Washington DC.
Ms. Kramer is a senior professional in the energy and environmental industry with over 10 years of global work experience in project management, change management and engineering with companies such as ABB, Vattenfall, Aker Subsea and Siemens. She has been an active member of SACC-DC since 2016.
Ms. Kramer will remain as the President of the chamber during the remainder of 2021.
Welcome and best of luck in your new role.
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Volvo Cars to Explore Use of Fossil-Fuel Free Steel
Swedish steelmaker SSAB (member in SACC-DC) is teaming up with Volvo Cars to develop fossil-free steel for use in the automotive industry. Volvo Cars will be the first carmaker to secure the greener steel, SSAB said in a statement on Wednesday. Volvo Cars will use the material for testing and possibly in a concept car.
For the automaker, the project is about cutting carbon emissions to supply an increasing number of consumers looking for a car that’s as sustainable as possible, said Kerstin Enochsson, global head of procurement.
The steel is made from hydrogen-reduced iron from a pilot plant in Lulea, Sweden. The Hybrid project, run by SSAB with iron ore producer LKAB and utility Vattenfall, seeks to remove fossil fuels from the highly polluting steel-making value chain by replacing coking coal with hydrogen and clean energy. Commercial-scale production is set to start in 2026.
Researched & Written by Rasmus Jonsson, Business Associate
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AMERICAN GIANT COSTCO OPENS IN SWEDEN
Next fall, the US-based chain Costco will open its first Swedish store in Täby, north of Stockholm. A contract with the property owner Trophi for premises of 13,000 square meters is ready. Costco Wholesale Corporation is engaged in the operation of membership warehouses in the United States and Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Japan, Australia, Spain, and through its subsidiaries in Taiwan and Korea.
As of June 2021, the company operates 804 warehouses across the world. The Company's average warehouse space is approximately 144,000 square feet. The Company's warehouses on average operate on a seven-day, 70-hour week.
The discount store chain, which is based on membership, has just over 270.000 employees world wide. During the most recent financial year, ending in August 2020, sales increased to $ 166.8 billion. Costco is number two in the US market after Walmart. The chain's sales mainly consist of food but also rare goods, such as white goods, garden tools, electronics, and clothing.
Costco's business model with paid membership has been adopted in Sweden by Axfood, which now plans to open its second Snabbgross Club store, which is similarly aimed at the general public.
The largest part of Costco's 13,300 square meter store in Täby will be groceries. The store will be slightly smaller than Costco's standard model of 15,000 square meters, but still big in Swedish terms.
Researched & Written by Rasmus Jonsson, Business Associate
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Thank you and Farewell Thea.
It is unbelievable that my time at SACC DC is coming to an end, this year has gone by so fast. As I am leaving this extraordinary traineeship, I can look back at a great professional and personal growth as well as long-lasting friendships. The chamber has given me exclusive insights in the Swedish-American trade relation. My experience in conducting business professionally and internationally with business leaders, diplomats and interests groups will be highly beneficial in my future career. After the SACC DC traineeship, I have received several attractive job offers which I’m endlessly grateful for.
Despite never being physically in Washington D.C. I was still offered insightful lessons, the cross-culture experience and a valuable network. It amazed me how much I was able to socially network and connect with individuals internationally even during socially distancing times. I feel eternal gratitude to my brilliant, hard-working and amusing SACC DC team. Thank you, Karin, for being an excellent mentor, you’re a true inspiration. I’m grateful to have had Oscar, Noel, David and Rasmus on my team – you’ve taught, supported and entertained me every day. It has also been an honor to work with the SACC DC Board. I can’t wait to come visit everyone in Washington D.C!
"Thea has been a great colleague and an even better friend. We had a lot of fun together but now I wish her best of luck in the future". - David, Business Associate.
"It has been an absolute pleasure working along side Thea. She has been a great mentor, colleague, and friend. I am very excited to continue follow Thea and I am sure she will accomplish big things!"
- Rasmus, Business Associate.
"It has been a pleasure working with Thea, in addition to her stellar academic credentials, I particularly appreciated her pleasant demeanor while juggling multiple deadlines. Thea is always fun to be around and I hope to see more of her in future incarnations"! - Karin, Executive Director
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What do you want to read and hear about next?
Take the survey below to let us know what topics you want to see in future newsletters and webinars.
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Use the white button above to take the survey. |
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Upcoming Events and Webinars |
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**NEW DATE
Plogging June 26th
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Join SACC-DC for a plogging midsummer event. An event where we as a chamber can contribute to making the streets of D.C. cleaner. Plogging is a portmanteau of the Swedish words "plocka upp" meaning "to pick up" and English jogging. RSVP to trainee Rasmus Jonsson
Location: Haines Point
Date & Time: June 26th at 9:00am
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SACC-USA 2021 Executive Forum:
N.B. New Date: September 30th
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The Swedish-American Chambers of Commerce of the United States of America (SACC-USA) cordially invites you to our flagship event, the Executive Forum, on September 30, 2021, in Washington D.C. The event is held in collaboration with the Embassy of Sweden in House of Sweden. This year’s theme – Business and Trade Opportunities under the Biden Administration – will give the latest insights in business and politics. |
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Join SACC-DC's annual Crayfish
Celebration Party at House of Sweden on September 9th.Secure your ticket for one of our flagship events, the Crayfish Celebration Party sponsored by Volvo Group North America. Celebrating and eating crayfish in the late summer is an old Swedish tradition so take the opportunity to network at House of Sweden while enjoying some delicious food. This is an evening you don't want to miss.
See you there!
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The 33rd Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce Open |
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Play with a purpose. Take the opportunity to support our Chamber and contribute to a great cause, the National Breast Cancer Coalition, while enjoying Westfields’ wonderful golf course.
Please review the sponsorship options by clicking the picture below.
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Webinar Opportunities: Sustainability Series 2021
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Renewable energy, green financing, bio-based materials, circular economy, sustainable logistics etc. - sustainability is a highly popular topic!
We are currently looking for sponsors and hosts to our Sustainability Webinar Series. There is a great interest in sustainability in our Swedish-American network. Are you and/or your organization a sustainability-enthusiast and wants to update us about the latest innovations within this field? Do not hesitate to host, sponsor and/or participate in a webinar, discussing your topics with other experts and business leaders!
Please contact Business Associate Thea Nguyen at rasmus.jonsson@sacc-dc.org for further information!
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Past Events: Chamber celebrates Swedish National Day with lunch
The Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce celebrated Sweden’s National Day on Sunday with a luncheon of Swedish food at Mikko Nordic Fine Foods on R Street in Dupont Circle.
Sweden’s National Day celebrates the date on which Sweden left the Kalmar Union and Gustav Vasa was elected king in 1523. This laid the foundation of Sweden as an independent state, and on the same date a new, important constitution was adopted in 1809.
From 1916 until 1983, June 6 became the Swedish Flag Day, celebrating the fact that Sweden had acquired its own flag following the dissolution of the union with Norway in 1905.
Sweden’s National Day is celebrated by waving flags, but it is not as prominent as its Midsummer celebration, which will be held this year on June 26. The menu was a choice of Swedish meatballs with potato salad or a Swedish hot dog, each followed by a piece of Princess Cake.
Written By: Jerry Hagstrommer
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Secure your membership today!
SACC DC organizes many events throughout the year to give our members access to professional networking. Our annual flagship business events include SACC Summit, the Young Professionals program, and other corporate events, seminars, and workshops. 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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