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In addition to official relations, the symposium also emphasized the more unofficial relations, ranging from the first Finnish settlements in Delaware in the 17th century to today's foreign trade.
During our September 10 Networking Season Opener, Mr. Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, President and CEO, Nokia Corporation, will talk about how the mobile industry will be developing and the challenges of doing business in the U.S. through the years. Don't miss out, stay active and start off the fall by networking at our season opener. FACC New York   The taste of milk is back (minus the lactose) Valio USA is launching Valio Real Goodness Brand, the only lactose free milk that actually tastes like real milk - rich, creamy and delicious - and is not sweet like other lactose free brands. Real Goodness is made with a proprietary ultra-filtration process that gently removes lactose without removing the delicious taste of milk. Reas Goodness is enjoyed by millions of lactose intolerant people around the world and is now available for the first time in America.
Christopher Franco, President & CEO, Valio USA. Top
News from CFCC Toronto
Two FACC-NY members handle sale of Cerebricon to Charles River Laboratories Cerebricon brings together MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) techniques, biomarkers, and behavioral measurements in gold standard assays for acute neurology (such as stroke and spinal cord injury), chronic neurology (including multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases) and psychiatry (exemplified by ADHD, schizophrenia and depression). CRL is a global provider of solutions that advance the drug discovery and development process, including research models and associated services, and outsourced preclinical services. The company operates in two segments: Research Models and Services and Preclinical Services.  Relaunching of the European-American Chamber of Commerce in the United States New York, May 12, 2009: The European-American Chamber of Commerce in the United States (EACC US) announced today that it had eJected a new Board of Directors and new officers to lead the Chamber through the next stage of its growth and development. "The 'transatlantic business partnership faces bigger opportunities and challenges than ever," commented Serge Bellanger, Chairman of the EACC and President of the French-American Chamber of Commerce. "Collectively, we represent the overwhelming majority of the largest and most influential American and European multinationals, as well as thousands of middle-market companies." "We are uniquely well-positioned both to advance transatlantic business and to provide an unrivaled business network for all our member companies. Moreover, we will be ananging a number of programs over the coming months to provide all these companies with networking and other business development opportunities." The other new officers of the European-American Chamber of Commerce are Dr Benno Bunse (President of the German-American Chamber of Commerce) as President; Richard Fursland (CEO, BritishAmerican Business and CEO, British-American Business Council) as Vice President; Cesaltine Gregorio (President of the Portugal-US Chamber of Commerce) as Vice President; Stephen Dreyfuss (Vice President of the French-American Chamber of Commerce) as Secretary and Treasurer. The European-American Chamber of Commerce is a 'Chamber of Chambers; consisting of: the Belgian-American Chamber of Commerce; the British-American Business; the DanishAmerican Chamber of Commerce; the French-American Chamber of Commerce; the FinnishAmerican Chamber of Commerce; the German-American Chamber of Commerce; the HellenicAmerican Chamber of Commerce; the Ireland Chamber of Commerce in the United States; the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce; the Luxembourg-American Chamber of Commerce; the Portugal-U.S. Chamber of Commerce; the Romanian-American Chamber of Commerce; the Spain-US Chamber of Commerce; the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce; the SwissAmerican Chamber of Commerce; the US-Austrian Chamber of Commerce. Contact: Marelle Sassine, French-American Chamber of Commerce, President's Office, 520 Madison Ave, 37th Floor, New York, NY 10022. Tel: 212 715 4444, Fax: 212715 4441, Email: sbellanger@cicny.com. Top Recent FACC Events
 FACC Annual National Meeting in Washington D.C., May 12
The FACC Annual National Meeting was held at the Embassy of Finland in Washington D.C. Ambassador Pekka Lintu welcomed everybody to the event that was co-chaired by Ole Johansson, FACC Helsinki, and Jerry Akman representing both FACC-New York and the FACC-Washington. Twenty representatives total from seven chambers attended (FACC NY, FACC Helsinki, FACC Washington, FACC Southeast, FACC Midwest, FACC Pacific, FACC Canada). The FABG Dallas/Ft. Worth and FACC Northwest were not able to attend this year.
Each chamber present made a presentation about their activities. This year’s meeting was productive. Prior the meeting, on May 11, Ambassador Pekka Lintu hosted a reception at his residence for Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb where the FACC group attending the National Meeting was invited. TOP: Ms. Laurel Colless, Ambassador Pekka Lintu and Finland's Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb at the May 11th reception. BOTTOM: Chamber representatives at the National Meeting at the Embassy of Finland on May 12.  European Chambers of Commerce Networking event, May 20
The FACC NY was one of fourteen European Chambers participating in the spring networking event on May 20, 2009, held at Brasserie 8 1/2 at 9 W. 57 Street. 430 guests attended and there was lively networking. The FACC, as a member of the European-American Chamber of Commerce in the United States, Inc. can offer an opportunity/platform for members to broaden their networking. The HSBC Bank was Platinum Sponsor of the event and Renault EuroDrive Gold Sponsor. The next European Chamber networking event is on October 27, 2009, on board World Yacht. Jaana Otero, Meeting Consulting, Inc. FACC member networks with Elisabeth Shuman and Johannes Hofer, Austrian Chamber of Commerce.  Annual Membership Meeting in New York, June 2FACC New York held its Annual Membership Meeting on June 2 at the Consulate General of Finland in New York. Neal Beaton of Holland & Knight LLP continues as President. The members of the board are: Jorma Sahlstedt of M-real USA Corp. (Vice President), Jerome Akman of Bingham McCutchen LLP, Nina Andersson of Brown Rudnick LLP, George Caraberis of Fredricks Michael & Co, Christopher Franco of Valio USA, Inc., Ilkka Kalliomaa of Consulate General of Finland, Timo J. Karppinen of Nokia, Leonard Kopelman (Honorary Consul of Finland, Boston), Bo W. Long of International Business Partners, Helen Marx (Honorary Consul of Finland, NJ), Mary Nummelin of Polar Electro, Inc., Sue Pregartner of iittala, Inc., Thomas Silbiger of Cameron LLP, Tuula Vartiainen, Voss Water USA, Kalle Virtanen, Nordea Bank Plc Finland, NY Branch, Ann-Christine Westerlund, Westmusa, Inc. Erkka Hopponen, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken, and Sidney Weiss, Law Offices of Sidney N. Weiss joined as new Members of the Board. Ex-officios are Ritva Jolkkonen, Consul General of Finland, Lasse Baldauf of Finpro and Kerstin E. Nordin, Executive Director of the Finnish American Chamber of Commerce, NY. PHOTO, FROM LEFT: New FACC board member Erkka Hopponen, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken; FACC board member Kalle Virtanen, Nordea Bank; Vice Consul General Laura Kamras, and new FACC board member Sidney Weiss, Sidney Weiss Law.  Lars Colliander honored at FACC Annual Meeting, June 2
Lars Colliander was honored with the Medal of Merit from the Central Chamber of Commerce in Helsinki for his long service for the Finnish American Chamber of Commerce and also for his long work experience in Finnish companies both in Finland and in the United States. Lars joined the Finnish American Chamber of Commerce (FACC) in Helsinki in 1962 and then the FACC in New York in 1971 and he has been a board member from 1972-2007 and is still a member of the FACC New York. He was President of the FACC New York twice, in 1977-80 and 1994-1995. He was also member of the Export Committee of the Central Chamber of Commerce in Helsinki (Keskuskauppakamarin) from 1976 to 1971. Colliander worked for Aviation Central-Oylimalukeskus and Kar-Air Oy 1956 to 1967 and then held various positions within Valmet (Valtra, Valmet Machinery) from 1967 to 1989. From 1971 to to present he is also Procurator for Berner Brothers. Colliander has a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the Swedish School of Business Administration/Economics, Helsinki, and a degree from the Institute of Charter Ship brokers in London as well as a degree from the Harvard Advanced Management Program, Harvard Business School, Boston and is a Bachelor of Fine Arts of the State University of New York. Lars Colliander is thanked by FACC NY President Neal Beaton at Annual Meeting.  “Nordic Forum – Green Leadership” FACC New York in cooperation with the other Nordic Chambers of Commerce in New York, June 3The June 3, 2009, event was very successful, with dynamic speakers offering interesting presentations followed by a lively Q&A session. The event was held at Scandinavia House and organized in cooperation with the American Scandinavian Foundation. A very nice reception in conjunction with the forum facilitated networking for about 100 guests. The FACC New York was one of the best represented chambers at the event. The consensus is that the Nordic Forum in May is a good annual tradition to be continued in between the Nordic Chambers of Commerce.
The speakers presented “green” from various fields. Mr. Christoph Luenenburger, Egon Zender, talked about leadership in corporate sustainability; Kati Ihamäki presented Finnair’s new environmental policies; Kristian Olafsson, Icelandic Glacial, talked about leadership in sustainable beverages; Peter Bjerager, DNV Energy North America, described how to incorporate environmental strategies into DNV’s strategy; and Elizabeth Heider, Skanska talked about green opportunities in construction.
Upcoming FACC New York Events
Sep 10 Season Opener Networking event with presentation by Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, President and CEO, Nokia Sep 25 FACC Speaker Luncheon with Finland's Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen at the Consulate General of Finland Oct 15 "Nordic Open" Golf at Minisceongo Golf Club in Pomona, NY Oct 27 FACC & European Chamber Networking onboard World Yacht Nov 10 "Cleantech Venture Day" event in Boston, with FACC and other European Chambers of Commerce and corporations from various European countries Dec 3 FACC Annual Christmas Luncheon at Scandinavia House May 27 At Manhattan Center for our 10th Annual European Chambers of Commerce Networking Event. FACC and 13 other European Chambers of Commerce
Boston Cleantech Venture Day, November 10 For more information visit www.cleantechventureday.com. This includes information about the schedule, sign-up, the organizers and the advisory board, which includes several prominent investors and players in the field. The event is being organized to provide an opportunity for European companies involved in the clean tech field to present their companies and meet with potential partners who can ad value to their U.S. expansion efforts, especially investors and business partners. The event is being organized in conjunction with the Massachusetts Fifth Conference on Clean Energy www.greenovationconference.com, and attendees and presenting companies at the Boston Cleantech Venture Day will have the opportunity to participate in the Massachusetts Clean Energy Conference. For more information contact nandersson@brownrudnick.com, FACC NY, BCVD committee member. Finnish Cultural Events
Sep 16 Magnus Lindberg: Expo (World Premiere), New York Philharmonic www.nyphil.org Sep 21, 24, 28, Oct 3, 6, 10, 14, 17 Karita Mattila and Juha Uusitalo performing "Tosca" by Giacomo Puccini www.metopera.org Sep 30, Oct 1, 3 Alan Gilbert conducts works by Lindberg, Ives, Beethoven www.nyphil.org Oct 8, Nov 7 Exhibition by Eric Aho dcmooregallery.com Nov 12, 16, 21, 24, 28, Dec 2, 5 Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting "From the House of the Dead" by Leos Janácek at the Metropolitan Opera www.metopera.org Dec 17 Magnus Lindberg conducting New York Philharmonic www.nyphil.org Feb 13 (2010) Clarinetist Kari Kriikku performing with the New York Philharmonic www.carnegiehall.org Mar 1 (2010) Osmo Vänskä conducting the Minnesota Orchestra www.carnegiehall.org Mar 13 (2010) Kronos Quartet performing in Carnegie Hall www.carnegiehall.org Apr 17, 20, 24 (2010) Karita Mattila performing "Tosca" by Giacomo Puccini www.metopera.org Apr 23, 26, 30, May 3, 6, 10, 14 Juha Uusitalo performing "Der Fliegende Holländer" by Richard Wagner www.metopera.org Top
Nord Star is seeking to build its presence in North America and presently exporting to 13 countries including Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Greenland, UK, France, Japan and Russia. WindMarine/Nord Star USA is a corporate member of the Finnish American Chamber of Commerce. For more information about Nord Star contact John Uljens, President, Nord Star USA, 1-800-833-1219, info@nordstarusa.com, www.nordstarusa.com Nord Star, a truly "green" environmentally friendly boat;  Introducing the New Chairman of the Board of the Finnish-American Chamber of Commerce, Helsinki FACC Helsinki has chosen a new Board of Directors at its Annual Meeting on June 4th, 2009. Mr Heikki Malinen, CEO of Pöyry PLC was elected as the Chamber of Commerce’s new President. Mr Malinen succeeds Mr Ole Johansson, CEO of Wärtsilä Corporation, who served as Chairman for three years. President’s Message: It is an honor to be the new Chairman and President of the Finnish American Chamber of Commerce in Helsinki. I would like to sincerely thank my predecessor Mr Ole Johansson for his contribution and dedication over the past three years. I am excited about the opportunity to help promote bilateral business success based on our excellent, longstanding Finnish-US relations. The year 2009 is an exciting one for Finnish-US diplomatic relations as it marks 90 years since the beginning of this transatlantic relationship. It is incredible to think of the technological, societal and economical changes that have taken place during this time – even the past year has seen many changes. However, the Finnish-US relationship remains solid and will be further strengthened through our continued networking efforts. We are also awaiting the arrival of the next US Ambassador to Finland. It is always an honor to welcome the US Ambassador to participate in our discussion forums. These forums and networking meetings are excellent channels in which we build the personal and economic relationships that are so important for business success. I also have strong ties to the United States. I have spent nearly 10 years studying and working in the country and have watched the relationship between these countries grow and develop during my career. I am looking forward to carrying out and further developing the aims of the Finnish American Chamber of Commerce. Heikki Malinen For more information about FACC Helsinki, visit www.facc.fi  Finnish 15-year-olds are world champions in skills demonstrated in the class room. They have repeatedly scored the highest or close to the highest marks in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), whether they have been assessed in reading skills, mathematics, or scientific literacy against peers worldwide. At the time of taking the test, the Finnish teens are close to the end of the comprehensive school. This is a uniform school system throughout the whole country, where every student completes a curriculum designed by state school authorities. The PISA scores prove the success of Finland’s education policy, which is based on public schools only. There are no private schools in the country. Also noteworthy about the Finnish test results is the small variance between the highest and lowest performing students. Source: City of Helsinki Communications Office Photo: Children in front of Helsinki Cathedral. Credit: City of Helsinki Tourist & Convention Bureau Material Bank.Education Update: The Finnish Minister for Education and Science, Henna Virkkunen, wants to turn Finnish education expertise into an export item. A taskforce, whose responsibility is to prepare the export strategy, has already been established. Virkkunen believes that Finland's excellent ranking in the PISA-research will enhance the demand on Finnish services. Finland's high position in the research in 2001, 2004 and 2007 has attracted thousands of visitors into the country with the interest of familiarizing themselves with the Finnish education system. Source: Scandinavian Leadership news, August 4, 2009  The best of Finnish design from recognized masters to Generation Y and trendsetters can be found within an area just hundreds of yards wide in downtown Helsinki, called Design District. The Finnish design icons Marimekko, iittala and Artek have their showrooms and shops on the Esplanade, which forms a “design avenue” from the market Square to the Stockmann department store (the largest department store in Scandinavia). Steps away are Design Forum Finland and their galleries, as well as Design Museum – two leading authorities in Finnish design. The streets of the neighboring blocks are home to galleries, studios and boutiques that sell fashion, jewelry, furniture, and interior decorating items. Design District Helsinki is on 25 streets and comprises 170 sites. Many restaurants and cafes offer dining and refreshments in design interiors. Design hotels provide accommodation for the design-minded. www.designdistrict.fi Helsinki has entered a competition to become European Design Capital 2012. Source: City of Helsinki Communications Office Marimekko - a Finnish design icon. Credit: City of Helsinki Tourist & Convention Bureau Material Bank.Top
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Best regards and wishes for the upcoming year. Please feel free to contact us at faccnyc@verizon.net or me personally at neal.beaton@hklaw.com for any questions or suggestions that you may have.
  
We are proud to welcome the following recent new members: |
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Nord Star USA is building its presence in North America
