2020 has, to say the least, been a tumultuous year. We’ve talked to the chairmen of our chambers in Dallas, and Houston to hear how they have handled the past pandemic year.
Patrik Melander, chairman of the board, SACC Dallas:
How would you like to summarize the pandemic year 2020 for SACC in Dallas?
Despite 2020 being a challenging year for everyone I must say we have made the most out of it. We focused on collaborations with other chambers in DFW and in the USA to create really first-class online events with CEO spotlight’s of Glocal entrepreneurs and leading companies such as IKEA and Ericsson. We also managed to have fun with Quarantinis and virtual festivities.
What has been the biggest challenge for SACC Dallas during a year like this?
Not to meet our members and having in person events. SACC Dallas strives to be the best networking platform for professionals, and it is truly challenge not to be able to do that in person. It is something special with meeting in person.
Is there any event arranged in 2020 that you are particularly pleased with or would like to highlight?
The CEO spotlight with Rashid Skaf (Co-Chairman & CEO of BiAmp) on leadership insights, Kristien Verbeke on IKEA core values and pivot forced by Covid-19, the CMO of Node Pole Christoffer Svanberg and Hans Amell (CEO of DragonWave-X) on Agility and bringing his group of companies to Dallas were really interesting. The virtual Lobster Party and just recently the virtual Christmas Dinner were delicious and fun – even though held remotely. I also would like to mention SACC USA Business Survey – an initiative that came from us here in Dallas – that we did in collaboration with all other SACC’s and became a big success. The year ended on a high note with the virtual tour and introduction of the Ericsson 5G Smart Factory giving us all a fascinating glimpse into the future which is already here.
Jonas Dahlstrom, chairman of the board, SACC Houston:
How would you like to summarize the pandemic year 2020 for SACC in Houston?
It has of course been an extraordinary, strange year. Like most people we were taken by surprise and just cancelled all events and tried to hibernate. But when we realized that this pandemic was here to stay, we kicked of “Houston Live” a bi-weekly update on Covid-19 and implications. This program has become SACC Houston’s strategy to try to bring value to our members in a very unique time and environment. And by the response we get it seems to work very well.
What has been the biggest challenge for SACC Houston during a year like this?
Biggest challenge has been to learn a totally new way of communicating with our members. It with very ambitious and skilled trainees Elvira Makk Frid and Alejandro Escobedo we managed to handle the new challenges.
Is there any event arranged in 2020 that you are particularly pleased with or would like to highlight?
I came back to the Houston Live, we have had 11 sessions and managed to get very interesting speakers to every event. Doctor Kristina Hulten has been giving updates and crash courses on Covid-19 and vaccines every session and we have had other speakers on travel restriction, working remote, the new business environment, ambassadors view and financial planning in turmoil just to mention a few.