Strategic Planning Retreat and Annual Board Meeting

We have several exciting developments approaching the week of the Annual Board Meeting. First of all, we want to welcome the Honorary Consul of Denmark, Hon. Martin Cunningham; Honorary Consul of Iceland, Hon. Greg Beuerman; and the Honorary Consul of Norway, Hon. Jimmy Baldwin.

Next week at our Strategic Planning retreat and annual board meeting, representatives from each state and the consuls from 3 Scandinavian countries will meet May 7, 2010 to develop plans for Pemtec as well as the August Trade Mission in which 14 other Scandinavian companies will be coming to our region with the intention of expansion, manufacturing or distribution.


Pemtec will be meeting with various companies and individuals regarding their plans to establish their U.S. headquarters in Arkansas, Tennessee or Mississippi. Pemtec manufactures and sells ground-source heat pump collectors and complementary equipment for geothermal energy. The Sustainable Technologies Fund, controlled by Andre' Heinz (heir of Heinz ketchup) recently invested 1.5 million in Pemtec. 

Already, we have seen success with Kight Energy, located in Madison, Mississippi. In the last week, they signed an additional company Ad Air Design/Clean Air Options. Kight Energy also represents Solar Venti, Cellux, Sunmax, and Suntrica.


Finally, we are incredibly excited to welcome our first Scandinavian board member, Ingvar Haglof, owner of Haglof Inc. He will tremendously benefit our alliance acting in an advisory capacity and opening doors for us in Scandinavia. Haglof, Inc. produces and distributes forest inventory software and products in well over 200 countries.


The bottom line is... we are forming a pipeline between companies in our region and all of Scandinavia to promote trade and business expansion, bringing new technologies which will result in the creation of new jobs.

The 2009 U.S. edition of the SACC Entrepreneurial Days will be held in Savannah, GA on April 20-22, 2009 at the Savannah Marriott Riverfront. Stellar Speakers from Sweden and the U.S. will share their keys of successfully navigating the U.S. market. Featured Industry Deep Dives within Logistics, Industrial Design and Renewable Energy. On the agenda you will also find the Edays Banquet Dinner, VIP Reception, Golf Tournament, Business Matchmaking, Seminars and Workshops and lots of Networking.

Presidential DebateWatch

The Commission on Presidential Debates has asked SACC South Central to host four DebateWatches following each of the 2008 Presidential and Vice Presidential Debates. SACC South Central is hoping to get a diverse group of 40 individuals to participate in all four DebateWatches.

The purpose of a DebateWatch is to enhance voter education in the community. It allows citizens of all different ages, nationalities, backgrounds, and party preferences to come together and discuss the various issues pretended during the debates and each candidates responses and stances on the issues.

The three Presidential Debates are scheduled for Friday, September 26th; Tuesday, October 7th; and Wednesday, October 15th. The Vice Presidential Debate is to be held on Thursday, October 2nd. All debates start at 8pm Central Time and last 90 minutes.

DebateWatch participants are asked to arrive at the Justice Complex on Crawford Street in Madison, MS at 7:30pm. There they will watch the debates on a large screen TV and take notes. Afterwards, participants will break up into small groups to discuss what they learned from the candidates, share their opinions on the various issues, and formulate topics they wish to be discussed in subsequent debates. Participants are strongly encouraged to commit to all four DebateWatches.

SACC South Central was honored with the chance to host a 2008 DebateWatch because of the tremendous effort put forth from the Chamber and the City of Madison to organize a reception for the international and national media on September 23rd, prior to the first Presidential Debate in Oxford, MS.

If anyone is interested in attending the DebateWatch, please contact Steve Vassallo by email at

sovassallo@aol.com by September 19th. For more information about the DebateWatch visit http://www.debates.org.

Thorsby, Alabama's Annual Swedish Festival

Thorsby, Alabama will be hosting its 21^st annual Swedish Fest on Saturday, October 18^th. The downtown parade is scheduled for 9AM followed by opening ceremonies at 10AM in Richland Wood Park. Event Coordinator, Tracia Bussey, and her team are planning a full day of activities. The founding fathers of Thorsby were from several Scandinavian countries in addition to Sweden. As recently as the 1930’s, many townspeople still spoke their native languages. At one time, this area of Alabama was known as “the Scandinavian colony of the South.”

Although history is a significant part of Thorsby’s Swedish Fest, there are additional ample opportunities to enjoy the day. There is considerable food, musical entertainment, arts and crafts, exotic animals, and more. Thorsby is located approximately 93 miles southeast of Tuscaloosa and 40 miles north of Montgomery, in Chilton County, Alabama. For more information contact The Chilton County Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-533-0493 or via email at chiltonchamber@bellsouth.net.

August 28th Wine Tasting

The Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce South Central U.S. is hosting a wine tasting featuring eight different wines across the world. Wines will be presented by Certified Sommelier Scott Jackson. Hors d'oeuvre will be served.

Thursday, August 28, 2008
6:30-8:00pm
Lost Rabbit Sales Office
218 North Natchez Drive
Madison, MS 39110

Tickets sold in advance and at the door.
SACC Members: No Charge
Non-Members: $20

R.S.V.P.: Jennifer Harkins, 601-966-3626