On september 27th, he members of the SACCFL were offered the opportunity to visit the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Miami Branch in Doral. It was a unique experience that started with an economic discussion led by Shari Bower, Vice President and Regional Executive and ended with a visit of the Fed’s cash operation. The timing couldn’t be better after the pandemic and with inflation figures on the rise. Shari and her team delivered some insights about the Fed’s job and the key indicators it is watching in an effort to navigate the so-called ‘soft landing’.

We had the exclusive opportunity to visit the Fed’s cash operation and a ‘tour of the vault’ where we saw (and smelled) a shocking amount of money. Truly an experience only a few people get to have. Thanks to Shari Bower and Marycela Diaz who hosted us and our Chairman, Rene Riedi and Vice Chair, Katharina Weibel for organizing the event.

Swiss American Chamber of Commerce South Florida and SKAL Club Miami, Miami Chapter of Skål International, the largest organization of travel and tourism executives in the world, presented a joint networking event at Smith & Wollensky Restaurant of  South Beach.

The main speaker of the night was Mr. Rolando Aedo, COO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau – GMVB. Mr. Aedo, together with Mr. Jose Sotolongo discussed the impact and opportunities with World Cup 2026 for South Florida, specially for the Tourism and Hospitality Industries.

Fantastic evening of networking, delicious food, and exceptional raffle prizes such as Isla Bella Resort Key Marathon, NIZUC Cancun, The Biltmore, IWC watchmaking company, Hilton, Frontier Airlines, Conrad Fort Lauderdale, Doubletree Grand Miami, The Palms, Thriller Miami, Smith & Wollensky.

On June 29 2022, the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce, Florida Chapter (SACCFL), had its first networking event in 2022. The event took place at ASTRA, a well-known rooftop lounge/restaurant in Wynwood, Miami’s hip artsy neighborhood.

Despite the typical Miami temperatures and humid weather this time around, the event was attended by 30 members and guests who over drinks and appetizers got engaged in exciting conversations. Their presence got rewarded with a spectacular sunset. We would like to thank ASTRA for its hospitality. The service was exquisite and without a doubt, we will go back to this scenic and perfect place, which turned out to be ideal for future corporate functions.

Likewise, we thank all the attendees some of which came as far as Vero Beach for taking the time despite their busy schedules to join the event, which we value a lot.

The next event will take place in September. As usual, details will be available on our website: www.saccfl.com.

In the meantime, we wish you all wonderful summer holidays wherever this may be and look forward to seeing you all soon again.

We have the pleasure to announce the visit of best-selling Swiss author Diccon Bewes with a talk about Swissness and what it means, both from an insider point of view and from the outside. Being British as well, Diccon Bewes offers a very entertaining insight on Switzerland with that unique British humor. He is often referred to as “The Englishman who makes the Swiss laugh” and has written several books about Switzerland. So come and join us for what promises to be a truly entertaining evening!

Registration is required. Limited availability. No fee.
The presentation will be followed by a cocktail sponsored by Villiger Cigars
From 7:30 – 8:30 pm for registered guests only.

If you wish to have your books signed by the Author please pre order by clicking here.
For more info about Diccon Bewes please visit his website.

May 26th, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
at Books & Books in Coral Gables
265 Aragon Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134

REGISTER NOW

This prestigious price is awarded to exceptional personalities who have made great contributions between the Sister Republics Switzerland and the USA.

This year the award went to Hansjörg Wyss, entrepreneur and philanthrope who as Chairman of the Wyss Foundation has made large contributions to academic institutions in Switzerland and the USA and has steered crucial innovations to success.

Our Board Member, Schumetta McLendon assisted to the Ceremony in Geneva, and she kindly share with us her experience.

Gallatin Awards 2022

I wanted to go back to Switzerland after travel opened up again and the Gallatin Award was an excellent opportunity to meet people in the Chamber from other chapters.

Before the event began, we had time to socialize and learn about some of the projects the Wyss Foundation is supporting.

What impressed me the most was the kindness of the Chamber members and the time and dedication of the scientific teams to their projects.  One guest was a gentleman who helped me with my luggage on the train just an hour earlier.  As I spoke to the Wyss Foundation researchers, their commitment to their work was evident.  I am looking forward to seeing how their projects benefit the lives of many in the future.

I found the speeches during the award ceremony to be sincere and heartfelt.

University Presidents, Prof. Martin Vetterli and Prof. Joël Mesot, were a pleasant surprise.  They were quite funny in their presentation and it was nice to see the collaboration between EPFL and ETHZ to honor Hans Jörg Wyss.

Although it was not confirmed at the time, it appears that the Presidents got their wish for Mr. Wyss to become an owner of Chelsea FC.  Hopefully, they will get their second wish for Chelsea to keep N’golo Kante.  They also reminded us that FC Barcelona was founded by Swiss businessman, Joan Gamper.

National Councilor Isabelle Moret spoke eloquently about her region’s contributions to Swiss American relations.  I was not familiar with Ms. Moret prior to the event and I’m always happy to see women represented in leadership positions.

Hans Jörg Wyss’ acceptance speech embodied a spirit of entreprenuership, ingenuity, and generosity that clearly showed why he is the recipient of the Gallatin Award.  He reflected on the past while also urging us to consider the impacts that our actions have on the future.

The closing remarks by Silvio Napoli, CEO of Schindler and Chairman of the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce, honored Mr. Wyss’ legacy in Switzerland and the US.  He also shared how Mr. Wyss was a personal inspiration in his professional life as an engineer and Harvard graduate, which are two things they have in common.

It was quite touching to see the respect that Mr. Wyss was given by Mr Napoli and all of the speakers.

At the end of the evening, I was fortunate to meet Liana Wild-Soldati, the Chamber Events Manager, and Alexandra Syz, Martin Naville’s new Assistant.  They organized a wonderful evening and I hope to see them in person again soon.

Visit the full  Gallery (amcham.ch)

‘Soul of a Beast’, directed by Lorenz Merz with Pablo Caprez in the leading role, was shown on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at the Silverspot Cinema in Miami Downtown. ‘Soul of a Beast’ is a love story, a pulsating affair set in a crumbling urban world and following a delirious summer rush.

After the film screening and a Q&A session that took place immediately after the showing at the cinema, both Lorenz Merz and Pablo Caprez joined the Swiss American Chamber of Commerce, Florida Chapter for a cocktail reception at the Cubaocho Art Cafe, one of the iconic landmarks in Little Havana, where art, music, dance, cigars and mojitos converge.

We would like to say thank you to the management of Cubaocho who were extremely forthcoming in hosting us and making us feel at home. We would also like to thank Pablo and Lorenz for being such nice guests of honor.

Annual Meeting of Membership

On Thursday, April 14, 2022 at 6:30pm the Annual Meeting of the SACCFL Members took place with the following agenda:

• 1. Election of new Directors of the Board.
• 2. Financials
• 3. SACCFL new website
• 4. Past and future Events
• 5. Ideas/Expectations for 2022
• 6. Apero – Cebada Rooftop.

On March 11, 2022, the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce, Florida Chapter (SACCFL), has held for the 3^rd consecutive time its Swiss Miami Golf Open at the Club at Weston Hills, home of two magnificent golf courses, created by world-renowned designer, Robert Trent Jones Jr.

This year we teamed up with ‘The First Tee Miami’ an organization that is focused on impacting the lives of young people. They provide educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf! A substantial portion of the proceeds was donated to this fabulous organization that was present on the day of tournament with three skilled young girls who challenged the players in a ‘Beat the Girl’ competition.

The success of this year’s event would not have been possible without the great support of our sponsors such as Sealand, Bacardi, Norqain, Dufry, Edelweiss, Villiger, Royal Caribbean Group, Ulysse Nardin, Fracht USA or Vontobel. Their contributions whether in the form of generous cash donations or fantastic prices such as an Ulysse Nardin watch, two business class tickets TPA-ZRH-TPA with Edelweiss Air, a cruise to the Caribbean with Royal Caribbean and many more were highly appreciated.

We would also like to thank the Club at Weston Hills who has been supportive in making it easy for us to organize this event. Last but not least, we would like to thank all the participants who made this year’s golf tournament a successful and memorable event.

The 2023 edition of the Swiss-American Golf Open will be announced on SACCFL’s new website in time and we look forward to welcoming every player irrespective of his/her handicap or affiliation to the SACCFL.

Thank you to all participants for making the cocktail reception for H.E. Jacques Pitteloud, Ambassador of Switzerland to the United States and his spouse Madame Angelique Gakoko Pitteloud a memorable Miami evening during 2021 Art Basel Miami.

We would like to extend our thanks to the Consulate of Switzerland in Miami, represented by its Honorary Consul Ferdinand Kurt, but also to Mr. John A. Bernhard, Honorary Consul in Houston, Texas, and Mrs. Christine Pfister , Honorary Consul of Philadelphia who both happened to be in town.

Our special thanks go to our sponsors: General Consulate of Switzerland in Atlanta, Bank Vontobel and Villiger Cigars North America as well as The Ritz-Carlton South-Beach under the leadership of Mrs. Jacqueline Volkart for hosting the event.

We wish you a Happy Holiday Season as well as a good start to an exciting New Year!

Rene Riedi
Chairman of the Florida Chapter of the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce

Speaker:
Tobias Meyer, General Counsel Corporate & Chief Compliance Officer, Dufry Group

Topic:
Environment, Social & Governance – Differences between Switzerland and the USA

Other Guest Speakers:
Roman Tschannen, Global Real Estate Advisor – International Division at ONE | Sotheby’s International Realty
Sascha Lang, VP Architectural & Design, Newbuild & Innovation – Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
Marc Streit, Board Member – Norqain (and Swiss Ice Hockey legend)

Topics covered:
Real Estate Market in South Florida (Swiss Perspective)
Future of the Cruise Ship Industry
Mark Streit on his book “Against All Odds”

The Swiss Club Miami and the Florida Chapter of the Swiss American Chamber of Commerce organized the 2nd edition of our joint annual Golf Tournament for the Swiss community and Friends of Switzerland in South Florida!

The event took place at the spectacular Crandon Golf Course.
In Key Biscayne on May 1st, 2021.

We welcomed 100 golfers for the tournament followed by a buffet luncheon and the award ceremony. In addition, organized a “warm-up get together” for our sponsors and participants!