Dear SACC Texas Friends!
We are certainly living in turbulent times. Already on the other side of the election, we do know that this kind of political uncertainty is not ideal for business development. However, Sweden is well positioned, sins Swedish businesses have so much to offer the United States. Especially in the areas of infrastructure build-up and sustainability development. Innovation is key and we need to look to the possibilities ahead!
Personally, I am an optimist, and SACC Texas stands ready to assist all Swedish-American business opportunities. It is indeed a pleasure to be a part of the SACC USA network with 19 regional chambers that are constantly striving to create value for current as well as for new members. Earlier this fall, SACC Texas took the initiative to create and execute the start of SACC USA Business Survey. An idea originally brought up by André Persson in Dallas, who in a very short time also executed the project involving all SACC chambers across the USA. I want to thank all of you SACC Texas members who took the time to participate in the survey. The result of the survey gave us the middle spread in Dagens Industri, Sweden’s biggest business daily, as well as coverage in large daily medias such as Expressen and Sydsvenska Dagbladet, interviewing the SACC USA president Johan Marcus about the survey. And this is not without reason. Our network consists of business professionals, experts and members of the academy, with deep knowledge in most trades, and I am glad that Swedish media acknowledged that. This is also a very good example on how SACC can work with cross collaboration, and I am also super happy that this was a Texas initiative. The extraordinary result of the survey has inspired us to continue and we will be back with new surveys within short.
Given the pandemic, SACC Texas has continued to work with interesting virtual events and will continue doing so until it’s safe to meet in person. One exception was The Houston Chapter, who arranged the yearly Nordic (former Scandinavian) golf tournament at Tour 18. Previously, the tournament has been arranged by SACC and NACC. But this year we also invited the Danish and the Finnish chambers, which turned out to be a success. 15 teams competed, and the winning team that has to come back next year to defend, was Champion Fiberglass. A very nice and pandemic safe event, as well as another example of cross collaboration between different chambers.
Looking ahead, The Houston Chapter continues with the Houston Live, focusing on facilitating business. Next up on November 25th is Björn Arvidsson, Head of Trade and Economic Affairs at the Embassy of Sweden, Washington D.C. Also don’t miss the SACC TX-Houston: Annual Thanksgiving Dinner on Wednesday Nov 25, 2020 Thursday Nov 26, 2020.
SACC Summit, this year was a virtual event and all 19 chambers had many developing and fruitful discussions. The SACC USA network are working together better than ever and the opportunities are growing. Next year the SACC USA Summit will be hosted by the Arizona chapter.
Being in November also means that Christmas is coming up. Unfortunately, none of the Texas chambers will have any physical Christmas Party this year. But all of our chambers do offer digital alternatives this year. Read more about this and other interesting event below.
Until next newsletter: Stay safe, be Good and Stay Healthy!
Warm regards from Houston,
Hans Cederlund, President SACC Texas