Date: October 30, 2024
Time: 18.00 – 20.00
Venue: Kantoorgebouw Vesta
Herikerbergweg 181
1101 CN Amsterdam
Join the Swedish Chamber’s Young Professionals for an exclusive evening with, among others, Roland van Pooij, CEO of Handelsbanken, Kerstin Gerlagh, CEO of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce, and Rebecca van Dorrestein, MSc Business Administration, who will give an interactive presentation about Swedish-Dutch Business Culture.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn Swedish-Dutch business culture’s do’s and don’ts, meet up with the young professionals of Handelsbanken over drinks and bites, and connect with key business leaders.
Program
17.30 Doors open
18.00 – 18.30 Meet Roland van Pooij, CEO of Handelsbanken, and Kerstin Gerlagh, CEO of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce.
18.30 – 19.00 Interactive presentation highlighting the business culture between Sweden and the Netherlands by Rebecca van Dorrestein
19.00 – 20.00 Mingle and drinks
20.00 End of event
Speakers List:
Handelsbanken Netherlands: Personalized Banking with a Local Touch
Handelsbanken Netherlands is a trusted financial partner with a strong local presence and personalized service. The bank focuses on savings, residential mortgages, real estate loans, and wealth management, emphasizing customer-driven solutions and sustainability. With a decentralized model, decisions are made locally, allowing the bank to understand the unique needs of the Dutch market and provide direct, personal service. This approach results in flexible financial solutions aimed at long-term relationships and financial stability.
Swedish Chamber of Commerce
The Swedish Chamber of Commerce functions as a unique networking organisation within the Swedish-Dutch business community. The extensive business network represents a range of Member companies of different sizes working in a variety of sectors.
We arrange more than 40 events per year for our 200+ members and relations. We provide our members with a dynamic platform fostering Innovation, Sustainability and Diversity & Inclusion.
Business Culture
Rebecca van Dorrestein is the Business Development Manager at HEUSSEN and the Consular Officer of the Swedish Consulate in Amsterdam. With both Swedish and Dutch heritage, Rebecca holds a master’s degree in International and Cross-Cultural Management, giving her valuable insights into the national and business culture differences between Sweden and the Netherlands.
In her upcoming workshop, Rebecca will share her knowledge on the phenomenon of culture and offer practical tools to effectively manage cultural differences in a business setting. Whether you’re aiming to better understand your colleagues or foster true cross-cultural collaboration, this workshop is for you. Rebecca will help you avoid common pitfalls and provide guidance on successfully working within multinational organizations.
Expect key takeaways on how to make others feel heard and understood while maintaining meeting efficiency, how to communicate effectively across cultures, and how to overcome common misconceptions. This talk is essential for any professional looking to thrive in an international environment.
Would you be interested in hosting events or do you want to learn more about the Young Professionals? Reach out to our Young Professional Team at yp@swedishchamber.nl.
See you on October 30
Not yet a Member of the Young Professionals of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce? Click here for more information and to sign up
Date: November 14, 2024
Time: 18.00 – 20.00
Venue: Weteringschans 24,
1017 SG Amsterdam
Get ready for our second Business Gathering of the season with the Young Professionals of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce. Join us for an exclusive company visit to Svalner Atlas Group at the city centre of Amsterdam, where you’ll gain valuable insights into their operations. Learn about their industry, strategies, and connect with fellow professionals. A catered buffet will be provided, offering a variety of delicious options to enhance your experience. Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn, and enjoy an enriching evening at Svalner Atlas Group!
Svalner Atlas Group
Atlas, the largest tax-only advisory firm in the Netherlands, has recently become part of the Svalner Atlas Group. From offices in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Helsinki, Turku, and Amsterdam, we provide integrated tax, legal, and financial services across Scandinavia and the Benelux. We offer in-depth expertise in both national and international matters for clients worldwide. With more than 270 professionals, we deliver innovative, entrepreneurial, and dedicated solutions, continuously investing in the future with new services, expertise, and technology.
Tickets are selling fast—secure yours before the November 6 deadline!
Would you be interested in hosting events or do you want to learn more about the Young Professionals? Reach out to our Young Professional Team at yp@swedishchamber.nl.
See you on November 14
Not yet a Member of the Young Professionals of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce? Click here for more information and to sign up
Date: December 13, 2024
Time: 18.00 – 20.00
Venue: Stromma Headquarters
Keizersgracht 270
1016 EV, Amsterdam
Get ready for one of our most iconic events of the year – the traditional Lucia celebration! This year, our Patron member Stromma is hosting the event at their beautiful office in central Amsterdam. Experience the magic of Swedish tradition with the Young Professionals as we treat our members to an unforgettable evening filled with Lucia choir, songs, candlelight, glogg, and gingerbread. Amidst the fantastic atmosphere and good spirits, there’s plenty of room for laughter and fun. Join us on December 13 for a taste of Sweden in the Netherlands and celebrate Lucia with us before we all head off for the holidays.
We’re looking for a cozy venue for this special event. Do you have any ideas? Feel free to share them with the YP Team at yp@swedishchamber.nl. Stay tuned for more details!
ABOUT THE SWEDISH LUCIA TRADITION
The annual candlelit Lucia procession on 13 December is perhaps one of the more exotic-looking Swedish customs. Girls and boys clad in white full-length gowns sing songs together.
The real candles are now sometimes replaced with battery-powered ones, but there is still a special atmosphere when the lights are dimmed and the sound of the children singing grows as they enter from an adjacent room.
Tradition has it that Lucia is to wear ‘light in her hair’, which means a crown of electric candles in a wreath on her head. Each of her handmaidens carries a candle, too. The star boys, dressed in white gowns like the handmaidens, carry stars on sticks and have tall paper cones on their heads.
Alongside Midsummer, the Lucia celebrations represent one of the foremost cultural traditions in Sweden. They clearly refer to life in the peasant communities of old: darkness and light, cold and warmth.
Lucia is an ancient mythical figure with an abiding role as a bearer of light in the dark Swedish winters.
The many Lucia songs all have the same theme:
The night treads heavily
around yards and dwellings
In places unreached by sun,
the shadows brood
Into our dark house she comes,
bearing lighted candles,
Saint Lucia, Saint Lucia.
All Swedes know the standard Lucia song by heart; everyone can sing it, in or out of tune. On the morning of Lucia Day, the radio plays some rather expert renderings by school choirs or the like.
The Lucia celebrations include gingerbread biscuits and sweet, saffron-flavoured buns (lussekatter) shaped like curled-up cats with raisin eyes. You eat them with glögg, Swedish mulled wine or coffee.
Source: Sweden.se
Photo: Swedish Chamber of Commerce
THIS EVENT IS HOSTED BY:
