Savannah, Georgia has become a primary gateway to the United States for businesses in Europe, particularly Sweden, because of its entrepreneurial attitudes, cultural diversity, and access to port facilities and related infrastructure. "Entrepreneurs and innovators are attracted to Savannah, the heart of The Creative Coast, because of economic opportunity and cultural relationships," says Savannah businessman and community leader, Mr. Howard Morrison. An example of this international entrepreneurial relationship is the ongoing preparation for spring, 2009 when the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce Georgia, SACC-Georgia, will host SACC Entrepreneurial Days in Savannah.

Beginning in 1997, the Swedish-American Entrepreneurial Days, E-Days, has been held annually at various locations in Sweden and the United States. The program offers three days of effective networking, interactive exhibits, custom-tailored business matchmaking, panel discussions, and other special interest programs. Business-to-business cluster programs specific to the event host’s region, B2B trade missions, and business matchmaking are just some of the tools used to encourage business and trade between the two countries.

With business matchmaking in focus, SACC E-Days has become the biggest event of its kind, providing a platform for companies of all sizes to meet. Each fall the event is held in Sweden, and each spring the event is held – usually on alternating coasts – in the US. Jonas Hafström, Ambassador of Sweden to the United States attended last month’s SACC E-Days event in San Diego. In his opening remarks he stated, “The United States has a lot to offer." Ambassador Hafström continued, "because of Sweden’s cutting edge hi-tech products, the U.S. is the place where great ideas and new products can grow, finding the financial support needed to accelerate on the market.”

On September 15-16, 2008, Clarion Hotel in Stockholm will be the home to SACC E-Days in Sweden. On the agenda: Stellar speakers from the U.S. and Sweden will share their keys of successfully navigating the U.S. market.

The Swedish-American Entrepreneurial Days 2009 in Savannah, Georgia is about connecting the creativity and innovation in Sweden and in the United States both industrially and culturally to cement historic relationships. The event in April, 2009 in Savannah will link thought leaders in Sweden and the United States to create mutually advantageous and long lasting business relationships and friendships. “The event is an intersection point between cultures, competencies, knowledge, experience and business, which makes it a perfect environment for Swedish and U.S. companies to expand trade between the U.S. and Sweden/Northern Europe”, says Ms. Mee Linden, Executive Director for SACC-Georgia. The SACC E-Days event provides an unbeatable platform for Global innovation, Entrepreneurship and Investments and creates an important opportunity not only for Savannah businesses but also for business throughout Georgia and its coastal region.


SACC-Georgia is welcoming nine of their newest members to the organization: SEDA (Savannah Economic Development Authority), LINC (Georgia Logistics Innovation Center), Mr. Howard J. Morrison, FCDA (Fayett County Development Authority), The International U.S.A. Chamber of Commerce, Swedish American Connection Inc., Plasma Surgical Inc., Munson International and Financial Alternatives Inc.

digg this!