Words from the Executive Director | Fall events | Changes in the board of directors and in the SACC-DC team
| NATO summit 2024 | Highlights | Other highlights |
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Since 1989 SACC-DC has offered a platform for developing U.S. – Swedish lucrative commercial ventures and professional opportunities through our network, 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 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | |
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Dear SACC-DC Members,
Happy August! We hope your summer has been filled with joy and relaxation, leaving you refreshed and ready for an exciting fall season with us.
We're thrilled to announce a vibrant lineup of events and activities that promise to engage and delight. First, let's extend a warm welcome to our new office trainees, Maja and Markus. You’ll have the chance to meet them at our upcoming events, so please join me in making them feel at home. They are introducing themselves in this newsletter.
Kicking off the season, join us for a Back-to-Work Happy Hour at the Sequoia Bar on the Georgetown waterfront on August 29th. This is a perfect opportunity for new members to mingle and experience the essence of our Chamber in a stunning setting. We look forward to seeing you there!
Mark your calendars for September 10th, when we celebrate our annual Crayfish Party at the House of Sweden. This cherished Swedish tradition is a seafood feast not to be missed. It dates back some hundred years, reflecting the historic ban on crayfish fishing in Sweden between November and early August. Tickets are selling fast, so secure yours soon!
Our SACC-DC Open golf tournament is set for October 17 at the picturesque Whisky Creek Golf Course in Maryland. We invite all golf enthusiasts to join us for a day of fun and friendly competition.
On October 24, we are excited to co-host a Women’s Leadership Seminar with the French-American and British-American Chambers. This is just one of the many seminars, webinars, and speaker events we have planned, so stay tuned for more details. Let's make this fall a season to remember!
Warm regards,
Anna Wramner
Executive Director
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Back-to-work Happy Hour
Date: August 29th
Location: Sequoia, Georgetown Waterfront
Time: 5.30PM
Kick off the fall season with us next week! Join us for a fantastic opportunity to mingle, network, and reconnect with both familiar faces and new acquaintances. It’s the perfect chance to enjoy some easygoing socializing while embracing the change in seasons.
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Crayfish Reception
Date: September 10th
Location: House of Sweden/Embassy of Sweden
Time: 6.00PM to 9.00PM
Our much-anticipated annual Crayfish Party hosted together with Volvo Group is a cherished Swedish tradition that brings together our members for a delightful evening of Swedish-style crayfish, snaps, chanting and networking.
To read more about the event and purchase tickets, click here
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36th Annual Golf Tournament
Date: October 17th
Location: Whiskey Creek Golf Club
Time: TBA
Golf enthusiasts - you will want to mark your calendars for our 36th annual SACC-DC Open. A premier flagship event, offering a dynamic day filled with unparalleled networking and opportunities alongside distinguished companies. Open for all members!
It is also a great opportunity for sponsorship and put your company in the spotlight, with different sponsor package offerings. Your company will gain exposure towards your most important clients and built new business relationships. Sponsors will benefit from extensive brand exporter on and off the golf course - so sign up and read more about the different packages here
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CHANGES IN THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND
IN SACC-DC TEAM
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New Member Committee Chair | |
Dorothy Hildebrandt
We are thrilled to announce that Ms. Dorothy Hildebrandt has taken on the role of Chair of the Membership Committee.
Dorothy is the Senior Director of Corporate Procurement at Hilton, where she leads global cross-functional teams to drive efficiencies, solve challenges, and achieve long-term goals across Hilton’s extensive network of 22 brands and 7,400+ properties in over 123 countries. Her team also supports Hilton Supply Management’s Group Purchasing Organization, offering strategic purchasing solutions to numerous independent properties.
Dorothy's impressive career includes roles in management consulting, legal, and business transformation within the supply chain across various industries and prominent global companies. She holds a dual-degree BA and an MBA from The George Washington University and a Graduate Marketing Certificate from Cornell University. Recently, she earned the NACD Directorship Certification, reflecting her commitment to excellence in board oversight and continuous learning.
| New Program Committee Chair | |
Jim Solyst
We are also excited to announce that Jim Solyst has taken the role of Chair of the Program Committee. Jim has been an integral part of SACC-DC since joining the organization in 2010, and he became a board member a few years after. With over 40 years of experience in science policy and regulatory work in Washington, Jim has had a distinguished career. Jim Solyst has been an integral part of SACC-DC since joining the organization in 2010, and he became a board member a few years after. He joined Swedish Match in 2009, initially serving as vice president before transitioning to a consulting role as principal at JMS scientific engagement.
We asked Jim about his primary goal for the program committee this fall, where he said that it is to enchance and expand the professional network opportunities. He is focused on increasing the number and diversity of the program committees networking events to foster more connections within the community. For instance, the successful events like the one held on May 21 at Say Cheese! café, which featured an engaging discussion with Swedish Embassy Trade and Economic Affairs staff.
We are excited to benefit from both Jim’s and Dorothy’s extensive experience and leadership as they step into their new roles with SACC-DC.
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New Interns - Introduction | |
Maja Lindström
Business and Marketing Developer
Hi Everyone! My name is Maja and I'm taking over after Ulrika Henriksson as the new Business and Marketing developer intern here at SACC-DC. I hold a Bachelor degree in European Studies with a major in Political Science from the University of Gothenburg. During my studies, I completed a year as an exchange student in Gqeberha, South Africa and six months in Rabat, Morocco as an intern at the Swedish Embassy.
With a strong desire to deepen my understanding of marketing and business development while immersing myself in American culture, I believe that SACC-DC offers a vibrant and dynamic environment. Here, I am excited to gain valuable hands-on experiences and engage with a diverse and influential community. As we navigate this historic election season, I see this internship as a unique chance to not only enhance my professional skills but also to explore the intersection of business, marketing and politics. The current political climate provides a clear backdrop for understanding the broader implications of not only politics per se, but also market trends and strategic communications in a time of significant change.
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Markus Robertsson
Business Associate
Hey Everybody! My name is Markús Róbertsson and I joined the team in July 2024 as the new Business Associate Intern. I just finished my bachelor's degree in finance from the School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg. I have also spent half a year in China, where I studied finance at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
After my exchange semester in Shanghai, I wanted to gain more international experience. Doing so in the US, a country that is Chinas opposite in many ways, I felt like this opportunity seemed like the perfect next step. Here at SACC-DC, I hope I will further work, collaborate and learn from world-leading companies in the most politically exciting city in America. Furthermore, to see who becomes president and to be physically present at the inauguration is something I have always wanted and now looks forward to experiencing.
We both look forward to taking advantage of these opportunities to build meaningful connections, contribute to important projects, and help shape SACC-DC's strategic activities for and with you, our members!
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On July 10th, NATO marked its 75th anniversary with a summit in Washington D.C., focusing on five critical areas: strengthening alliances, increasing defense spending, supporting Ukraine, enhancing cybersecurity and emerging technologies, and addressing climate change and security. During the summit, NATO welcomed Sweden as its thirty-second member and highlighted the historic accession of both Finland and Sweden, which bolsters the alliance's security and strength, particularly in the High North and the Baltic Sea.
Leaders underscored the significance of NATO’s Article 5, emphasizing the commitment to treat an attack on one member as an attack on all. They stressed efforts to enhance interoperability among member forces and modernize military capabilities to address contemporary threats. The discussions also covered adapting NATO’s strategic posture to confront new challenges, including hybrid warfare and geopolitical shifts driven by the assertiveness of global actors such as Russia and China.
Member states committed to meeting or exceeding NATO's guideline of allocating at least 2% of their GDP to defense, with a strong push for equitable burden-sharing among allies. Some nations were encouraged to accelerate their defense investments to ensure NATO remains capable and responsive.
Support for Ukraine was a major focus, with pledges to provide advanced military equipment, training, and intelligence sharing to aid in its defense against aggression. The summit also explored enhancing Ukraine’s integration with NATO structures, preparing for a future where Ukraine could be more closely aligned with the alliance in recognition of its significant contributions and alignment with NATO values.
The need to strengthen NATO’s cyber defenses against rising threats from state and non-state actors was also emphasized, including efforts to boost member states' capabilities to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber-attacks. Additionally, there was a focus on investing in and leveraging emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and space capabilities to maintain a technological edge in defense.
Leaders acknowledged that climate change presents a security risk by exacerbating natural disasters, resource conflicts, and displacement. Consequently, NATO's strategy now incorporates environmental considerations into defense planning and operations, alongside a call for adopting more sustainable practices within NATO’s operations and infrastructure to minimize the environmental impact of military activities.
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The SIREUS team is pleased to invite you to their research forum, a webinar together with Sweden-US Green Transition Initiative (GTI) where they will explore the critical need for sustainable housing solutions in America. Speakers who will attend are the CO-founder of MOD X and PhD Ivan Rupnik, as-well as Chief Technology Officer at VBC, Helena Lidelöw. Additional speakers like Gustav Jansson will also attend, so don't miss out on this interesting webinar! | |
Together with our friends at the British-American and French-American chamber of commerce, we will host an exciting seminar on women's leadership on October 24th. Meet DC´s top women in international relations, foreign affairs and business who will talk about everything from leadership tools and tactics, to workplace politics and getting ahead in global business. Only for women, breakfast and lunch included - so sign up today! | |
News from SACC-USA and the Embassy | |
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Stay updated on reading the newsletter from the Swedish Embassy and SACC-USA.
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BUSINESS SERVICES PROVIDED BY SACC-DC
SACC-DC holds a unique position to provide members valuable connections with other member companies or small businesses, 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.
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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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