Mix & Mingle Networking event

Finnish American Chamber organized their first joint networking event together with The Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce Fort Lauderdale & Palm Beach.

Event was held at the Wine Dive at West Palm Beach which was perfect place for our event of 50 people. Presidents of The FACC and SACC gave a little speech and then it was time for mingling.

This event was great opportunity to reach out a larger Scandinavian population in south Florida and create new business contacts.

SACC's president Peter Hult & FACC's president Lena Hartikainen

LINKEDIN Your Secret Weapon for Business

Finnish-American Chamber of Commerce attended a Tech Forum: LinkedIn, Your Secret Weapon for Business -Learn how to harness the most powerful social media for business success! organized by The Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce.
Four different panelist shared advises, how to use social media and especially LinkedIn in the most efficient way.
One of the speakers Debbie Wemyss, Independent LinkedIn Specialist DW Consulting Solutions encouraged all to join the LinkedIn and complete the profile to the All Star level to get most out of LinkedIn. Debbie Wemyss highlighted the importance of endorsements which is an excellent way to show your know-how. Debbie advised to give endorsements to your contacts, that way you will receive those too!
LinkedIn is a great tool to get contacted with people in different businesses, you are not only contacted with your first contacts but the second and third level as well. Your network can be over a million people!

Finnish Game Industry would also be an opportunity for US publishers

The Finnish game industry is a true success story and keeps growing rapidly. Titles like Angry Birds, Clash of Clans, Alan Wake and Trials have sold phenomenally and are constantly followed by new game companies and great products.

Finland has become an interesting opportunity for many international gaming companies and game know-how has also started attract International publishers to Finland. Good news from Finland published recently an article telling about the European-Japanese Playground Publishing seeking growth by expanding to Finland.

— Finland is currently one of the most interesting places in the international game scene, says Maarten Noyons, CEO of Playground.

According to Wilhelm Taht, Chief Operating Officer of Playground the reason for successful Finnish game developers are:  

1) Great technical knowledge

The educational infrastructure around engineering is amazing and Finns love computers and mobile phones. 

2) Public funding

Public funding has traditionally been geared towards building things as opposed to promoting things. This makes a great set-up for a strong developer scene. 

3) Strong demo scene

There is an abundance of talent that arises from this buzzing scene combining audio and moving images.

4) Nokia’s demise and its great Bridge programme

A great deal of strong technical knowledge is available in the market. This affects not only game development but also the tech entrepreneur scene in general. 

5) Change in mentality towards entrepreneurship

It’s now OK and ‘cool’ to have your own company and be in charge of your own destiny.

6) Inflow of venture capital

Because of the games talent bred in Finland and the strong community element, Finland is one of the most interesting places to look at from a venture capital investment perspective. 

7) Inspiration – success breeds success

Rovio and Supercell have been amazing global phenomena. That doesn't mean that everyone can be as successful as them, but they are an amazing source of inspiration for entrepreneurs in this industry.

Hopefully US publishers would also find out these opportunities that Finnish gaming industry has to offer. We are just waiting for the news telling that American gaming industry companies are coming to Finland! 

Read the article about Playground Publishing here.

Brainstorming 5/30/2013

Board of Finnish American Chamber of Commerce, Florida gathered together for the annual Brainstorming meeting where events for the next twelve months were planned. The board has worked very hard in providing its member base relevant events networking opportunities and bringing in interesting speakers. 

The members are encourage to join us in organizing, sponsoring and executing these events to maximize your exposure to the business community.

Here is the preliminary plan:

• June                                 Networking event, possibly Bowling

• September                       Lecture about Obama Care         

• October                            Networking Event

• November                        Lecture with a Business theme – Technology/Life Science

• December                        Christmas party

• January 2014                   Welcome to Florida, Tervetuloa Floridaan

• February                          Lecture about Finnish Education (CIMO)

• March                              Lecture about Taxation/Immigration

• April                                 Palm Beach Strategic Forum

• May                                 ABICC Inauguration of the year 

Inauguration of the 13th ABICC World Business Month 2013

Finnish American Chamber of Commerce Florida attended Inauguration of the 13th ABICC World Business Month 2013 on Monday April 29th in Miami.
The event started with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and followed by a Networking Reception.

Chamber of Commences around the world had prepared dishes from their countries and we got to taste specialties among the others from Ecuador, China, Nicaragua, Sweden, and India!

Swedish specialties, salmon tartar, blueberry cream and lingonberry drinks!

Delicious dishes from Chile

Night was filled with good food, nice talk and the India US Chamber of Commerce had organized Indian Folk Dance to perform for us!

What is ABICC? 
It is the cooperative association, or "umbrella" organization, for the bi-national chambers of commerce in Florida. ABiCC has approximately 40 member organizations, with a total membership of approximately 8,000 international business members located in Florida, constituting a major part of the international business community.

What is their mission? 
to promote foster, articulate, and advance the common interests of all bi-national chambers of commerce in Florida, to assist members of said bi-national chambers of commerce to develop business contacts in the overseas countries represented by such bi-national associations of commerce, to foster, promote and develop commercial relations and exchanges between the United States and such overseas countries.

As a member of FACC you are also a member of ABICC, hope you will attend this event next year with us!  

Find out more about ABICC.

FACC at Palm Beach Strategic Forum 2013

The third edition of the Palm Beach Strategic Forum was held on 8^th and 9^th April at Convention Center, West Palm Beach. A two-day event that brought together leading policy makers, business executives, entrepreneurs, government officials, and civic leaders to discuss strategies to accelerate growth in the economy and develop business opportunities. Participants from across Florida, the United States and the international community gathered to share their views about critical financial, economic, energy and global trade issues.

Finnish American Chamber of Commerce, Florida attended the forum together with Consul General, Ambassador Jukka Pietikainen from New York,. During the two days we were privileged to listen honorable speakers such as Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs, Canada, E. Gerald Corrigan, Managing Director, Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Chairman, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Former President and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of New York and a delightful conversation between Governors Rick Perry, Texas and Rick Scott, Florida. The Chamber representatives, together with Jukka Pietikainen had also a possibility to meet privately with Prime Minster of Namibia, Hage Geingob and Governor Rick Scott. You may see a full list of distinguished speakers here.

Following the Forum, Finnish American Chamber of Commerce organized a reception in honor of Consul General, Jukka Pietikainen.  The event was focused on finding collaborative partners between Finland and Florida with special emphases in Life Science. We had a pleasure of hosting Dr. Matthias Haury, the new COO of Max Plank Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Dr. Bernadette Russell, Provost from Palm Beach State Collage, Michael Gregson, President and Founder of Life Science Technology HUB, Melody I,. Sanger, CEO of Drug Study Institute and many other FACC members and friends.

The event was sponsored by Optimus Consulting Group Inc, providing soft landing services to Finnish Companies in the United States and Polatsek, Counsellors-at-Law, providing Immigration and Naturalization services.

                 

G-Star School of the Arts for Film located at West Palm Beach, Florida, was named number one High School for Film in the World

Each year the Washington Post ranks the best high schools out of 37,000 high schools in the country.  In the just-released report G-Star, the largest Film, Acting and Television Production high school in the nation, had one of the highest advances in the rankings by jumping past 315 other top ranked schools.

Four years ago when Mrs. Kim Collins became Principal she implemented a new educational plan working with each department in the school and the school's administration.  In that four year period G-Star achieved full national accreditation from AdvancED, began a new International Baccalaureate World School Program, and installed a new Digital Media Career Path in 3-D animation and film.  Today G-Star is an "A" rated school that graduates 99% of its students with 97% going on to college.  This past semester 41% of G-Star students have a 3.5 Grade Point Average or above; and 21% have a 4.0 GPA or above.  In addition, the Raindance Film Festival, Europe's largest independent film festival, held in London, UK, named G-Star "The Number One High School for Film in the World".  Also during this time, G-Star built the largest motion picture sound stage in Florida where major film stars, celebrities, and corporate productions (NIKE, Rolex, Abercrombie & Fitch, etc.) work with their students as interns on their sets. 

  

The school is committed to helping young people improve their grades, promote a drug-free lifestyle, open doors to new skills, give them pride in their workmanship, keep them in school and focused on attaining a college education, and to encourage them to explore new career opportunities through the "hands-on" training and expertise they ultimately develop in writing, directing, producing and starring in TV programs and film making - and to help create a film and TV industry here in Palm Beach County for their future employment. Those G-Star students who have good grades and good behavior will receive real-world, hands-on experience working on the sets of multi-million dollar feature films, commercials, music videos and more.

The mission of G-Star is “to prepare and educate students to demonstrate mastery in the arts and academics, to achieve physical, social, emotional, and intellectual wellness and to implement career goals and strategies.”

More about G-Star School visit:

http://www.gstarschool.org/newsite/index.html

PBI gets non-stop flights from Montreal, Canada

The Palm Beach International Airport welcomed the inaugural Air Canada nonstop flight from Montreal, Canada this week. Air Canada is flying an Airbus 319, with 120 passengers on its weekly Sunday service to and from Montreal and Palm Beach International Airport. This is the first non-stop flight from Montreal to The Palm Beaches. The flight will depart Montreal on Sundays at 4:30 pm and touchdown in West Palm Beach at 7:50 pm. The return flight will leave Palm Beach International Airport at 8:45 pm and arrive the next day in Montreal at 12:10 am.
Read more here.

New Census Data 2010

The United States has released its new Census data for 2010. The population change for the whole country went up +9.7% and was as per Apri 1, 2010 a whopping 308,745,538 people.
Florida's population growth was even higher and it increased by +17.6% putting Florida on the 10th place on population density by state with its 18,801,310 people.
You may read more about this date here.

ATM that dispenses gold

Boca Raton mall unveiled ATM that dispenses gold. Is the purpose to start exchanging gold in stead of dollars or is it just a great gift idea instead of those gift cards that can get lost you would give a ton of gold!

The gold ATM is made by a German company called Gold on the Go, which had its first machine operational in Abu Dhabi this year, and has had its gold vending machines operating in Germany, Italy and Spain. The one in Boca Raton will be the company's first in America.

You may read more about it here.

Member of the Year 2010 announced

Mr. Timo Vainionpaa with USAsuomeksi.com was given a Member of the Year 2010, plague. Timo has been a vital asset to our organization with his willingness to help in so many different ways and always with great attitude. Not only does he give help when asked but he also takes the initiative and brings suggestions to the table. This is the only way an organization such as our can move forward and create value to our members.
Thank you Timo for your contribution and we look forward of working with you in 2011!!

Palm Beach counties mixed picture in commercial real estate

Investors are snapping up shopping centers and apartment complexes but shunning offices. That’s according to LoopNet’s analysis of investment in commercial real estate in Palm Beach County for the 12 months ended Sept. 30.

LoopNet tracks institutional-grade deals of $2.5 million or more. Its findings:

Sales of retail properties soared to $295 million in the past year from $47 million a year ago. Capitalization rates rose to 7.8 percent from 7.4 percent last year. (The “cap rate” is a common valuation measure for commercial real estate. The higher the rate, the less optimistic investors are.)
Apartment sales rose to $425 million from $134 million. Price per unit soared to $138,234 from $76,856 a year ago, while cap rates fell to 5.6 percent from 6.5 percent.
Office sales fell to $90 million this year from $186 million a year ago. Prices per square foot plunged to $108 from $185, while office cap rates jumped to 9.6 percent from 8 percent.

By Jeff Ostrowski
Source: Palm Beach Post

Finns visit Lake Worth in an effort to strengthen Sister City ties

Finns visit Lake Worth in an effort to strengthen Sister City ties

Finns to the left, Finns to the right as Lake Worth fetes visitors from its Finnish sister city

Finns to the left, Finns to the right as Lake Worth fetes visitors from its Finnish sister city

Finnair to Codeshare on American Airlines' New Chicago-Helsinki Route

American will begin operating its new Chicago- Helsinki route in April, 2011, the flight will depart Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) at 3:30p.m. and arrive at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL) at 8:30a.m. the next day. The flight from HEL back to ORD will depart at 2:p.m., arriving at ORD at 3:20p.m.. This flight will give more flight options not only to the West coast but also to the MidWest and East coast.

http://www.airlinesanddestinations.com/airlines/finnair-to-codeshare-on-american-airlines-new-chicago-helsinki-route/

Shipbuilder STX Finland to Slash Hundreds of Jobs

Shipbuilder STX Finland to Slash Hundreds of Jobs

Finland did it again: The Best Education

Higher Education Strategy Associates (HESA) has released the second edition of its Global Higher Education Rankings of Affordability and Accessibility. Using the same approach as its groundbreaking 2005 international comparative study, which used a composite of six different measures of affordability and four of accessibility, the results show unambiguously that Finland has both the most affordable and accessible system of higher education in the world.
"Finland's results are very good across the board," said HESA President Alex Usher, who was also the report's lead author. "They have reasonable education costs, a strong and generous system of both loans and grants, high participation rates and an egalitarian student intake. From a student perspective, there is a lot to like there."

Source: http://www.ireg-observatory.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=103&Itemid=1

The full report can be accessed at http://higheredstrategy.com/publications/GHER2010_FINAL.pdf

Suggested design for Lake Worth casino rehab

Lake Worth is moving forward with its $6 million dollar, 25,419 square feet, eco-friendly casino plan in hopes of luring more business activities to the beach area.
Read more about this project below.

Suggested design for Lake Worth casino rehab blends traditional architecture, Earth-friendly features

HELP WANTED: Membership secretary

We are currently looking for a enthusiastic membership secretary to join the board. This is a great opportunity for someone who wants to get involved of making FACC-FL grow and find new ways to help our business community.

Duties include:
- keeping track of our member files
- sending out renewal reminders
- participating in board meetings
- other tasks as need be

We are looking for a fun loving, energetic person, who can share our vision of FACC-FL being a major contributor for the well being of our business community.

Please contact us if you are interested or if you know of someone who might be a good candidate.
info@facc-fl.com
or call 561 460 2735/Lena

Finland, the Best Country to Live

A Newsweek study of health, education, economy and politics ranks the world’s best countries to live. Despite it’s long, dark and cold winter, FINLAND was ranked the highest overall, the best small country, the best high-income country, and the best country for education.

More about the study at
http://www.newsweek.com/2010/08/15/interactive-infographic-of-the-worlds-best-countries.html

Join us in our November event to discover what we can learn from each other (see previous post).