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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From
the Executive Director
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Dear friends,
We hope that everybody is staying safe and healthy.
The balancing act between slowing the epidemic and keeping the economy going is ever present and has put a finer point on the art of forecasting. Not even the weatherman with all his quantitative muscle can make 100% predictions. As we grapple with an unpalatable number of variables amidst the worst health, social and economic crisis in modern history, we may have to take a leap of faith, and embrace uncertainty while still holding on to our mission.
SACC-DC continues its mission as the premier forum to advance business between the U.S. and Sweden in the DC-MD-VA region. We work in close collaboration with 19 other chapters in the network of Swedish-American Chambers of Commerce. Let our network help you navigate the new normal and undergird your mission in uncertain times by investing in a
membership
at a modest price tag.
I look forward to connecting.
Be well,
- Karin Hammar, Executive Director of SACC-DC
PS SACC-DC will keep you posted on future events pending guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other federal agencies. Our office is operating remotely – please contact us if you think we can be of assistance.
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Like many of our members, XDIN has successfully married the best of their Swedish pedigree with the American innovative spirit to provide consulting, project management and studies on demanding engineering challenges. Last month, Swedish owned XDIN, Inc, merged on the branding side with the international consulting company ALTEN Group. Going forward, XDIN will be doing business as ALTEN USA, and the goal is to better assist customers in meeting an accelerating need to adapt to new technologies. ALTEN is active in most engineering and hi-tech technology industries including automotive, rail, marine, and aerospace helping them to expand their local industrial facilities. ALTEN specializes in cross-functional support in the design of complex systems and business functions such as electrification and autonomous systems for vehicles, Industry 4.0, Studio Design and styling, advanced simulations, both in our customers facilities as well as in our North Carolina engineering center.
As the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many companies to transition to new ways of working and managing projects, Alten USA has also stepped up its remote operations to provide remote engineering expertise. According to Mattias Kihlman, Executive Vice President at Alten USA, the company has been able to transition almost seamlessly to remote working whilst integrating customers’ projects into their digital infrastructure to offload strained organizations. Alten USA has managed to remain active throughout the economic turndown largely thanks to a flexible organization with a high capacity for remote working and a diverse range of clients. According to Mattias, the rapid changes in the economy could actually benefit some of their customers who produce innovative products by accelerating them to the market, as long as they adapt to the “remote new normal”. One major challenge however is to continue securing top-notch engineering talent. As job opportunities in the US dwindle during the crisis many engineers may be forced to return to their home countries, leading to a critical shortage of qualified engineers as the economy reopens. Alten USA nevertheless stands ready to assist companies in accessing new Swedish talent through their E-2 Visa program and consulting services, capable of acting as a key partner both during and after the crisis.
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“SACC has been a great support for XDIN over the years. We started with only a few people in 1997 and now we are over 300 engineers. Many of the relationships with customers we are working with today have started through SACC, and we want to continue to be an important piece of the Swedish-American network”
says
Mattias Kihlman
, as their journey continues under the new name ALTEN USA.
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For Alten USA and Mattias, the Swedishness has never left but rather merged with the best of American and European identities. As a company owned by a Swedish parent, based in North Carolina and partnered with a European corporate group, innovation, flexibility, and openness has become key values critical to the company’s success. Mattias personal experience is similar; his two decades in the US has meant a strong connection to the country, but he still returns several times a year to Sweden as his children are learning Swedish from their grandmother. The network provided by SACC-DC and the many SACC chambers across the US has also been an important source for connecting with likeminded professionals and companies.
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NORDIC COOK-ALONG WITH CHEF MIKKO
- Authentic Nordic Cuisine with a Local Twist
Chef Mikko
has prepared his Nordic cuisine for ambassadors, politicians and royalty across the world—On Thursday May 28, he will share hishighly celebrated and innovative dishes with you! Nordic cuisine is unique in its simple, yet versatile, presentation. Using traditional cooking techniques and ingredients sustainably and sparingly, but with intention, every plate delivers a distinct and refined taste. Together with SACC-DC, Chef Mikko and his sous chefs will instruct you on how to prepare several classic yet delicious dishes at home which you can try at the same time!
On the menu is gravlax on Rye with pickled cucumber and mustard sauce, cocktail bite yellow beet root salad and cocktail bite Swedish meatballs – All available to enjoy during the demonstration through home delivery from Chef Mikko for only $30! Of course, you can simply take in the experience with a beverage of your choice and get some new inspiration for your home cooking!
- Two gravlax cocktail bites
- Two yellow beetroot cocktail bites
- ½ pound of Swedish Meatballs
- 2 Nordic Old Fashions to-go!
You will find additional information about the food, ordering and delivery
here
.
Chef Mikko also offers delicious take-out and groceries delivered to your door, which you can find here:
Please join us on Thursday, May 28, 2020
5:00 PM EDT
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SAVE THE DATE:
SACC-DC Open
It is time to mark your calendar with the date for one of SACC-DC's most anticipated annual events, the 32nd SACC-DC Open. The classic tournament will be played at Westfields Golf Club offering an excellent opportunity for meeting new people and have a pleasant day on the beautiful golf course. Companies, members and sponsors will also have the opportunity to mingle afterwards at House of Sweden dinner reception, even if you are not an avid golfer!
More information will be made available soon, please keep an eye out for sponsorship and player offers!
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SAVE THE DATE:
Crayfish Celebration
Please join us at House of Sweden in Georgetown Harbor for a traditional Swedish "Kräftskiva" business casual networking event! As dictated by Swedish custom, the evening will offer fun and engaging socialization as well as tables filled with the best crayfish with condiments to be found on the East Coast.
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Renew
your individual membership for 2020 today!
SACC DC organizes many events throughout the year to give our members access to professional networking. Our annual flagship business events includes 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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THE NEW NORMAL - FROM TRADE TO PUBLIC HEALTH
Peter Dahlen
,
Managing Director, American Chamber of Commerce in Sweden, and
Jonas Hellman
,
Managing Director of Politics and Social Analysis at Prime Weber Shandwick in Stockholm joined us
for a conversation on navigating into the new normal,
moderated by Foreign Correspondent and Broadcast Journalist
Tomas Kvarnkullen
.
Read Jonas' latest piece on the Swedish approach to COVID-19
here
!
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NEW STIMULUS, TRADE AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS WITH PILLSBURY
In a time of global crisis, businesses are beset by challenges hitherto unthinkable. As international companies face disruptions to global supply chains, a need for navigating unpresedented government interventions into the economy and a rapidly changing political environment, SACC-DC and Pillsbury teamed up to shed some light on these issues. The conversation with Pillsbury partner and SACC-DC Chairperson
Nancy Fischer
, partner
Elizabeth Vella Moeller
and partner
Matthew Oresman
covered a range of business implications surrounding COVID-19 providing valuable advise for any organization impacted by the crisis.
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NETWORKING IN THE WORK FROM HOME AGE
Did you miss our webinar with
Alan Gregerman
, author of
The Necessity of Strangers,
who joined us to discuss why meeting strangers is an opportunity for unlocking your potential?
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The Embassy of Sweden in Washington DC is issuing a weekly newsletter with incisive articles, webinars and virtual cultural events including tours of the exhibitions at House of Sweden - a perfect read whilst at home!
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Pillsbury’s experienced professionals are closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak, combining capabilities in crisis management, insurance law, cyber security, employment law, supply chain, and other areas to provide critical guidance to clients in an urgent and quickly evolving situation. They have built a
library of information and resources
, available for free to the public.
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Barnes & Thornburg LLP have created a
dedicated information portal
for specialized updates, with particular focus on tax and employment matters related to the COVID-19 outbreak.
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To offer insights from across Foley & Lardner LLP's many practice disciplines, they have set up a
Coronavirus Resource Center
. It contains resources providing key insights into how companies can navigate the multidisciplinary challenges brought about by the COVID-19 outbreak in the US.
Latest
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Make remote working successful! Motivf is offering first-time clients disrupted by social distancing free project sprints covering remote project management, facilitation, market research and business development. Direct message them at
@hello_motivf
or
info@motivf.com
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