Hello 2021: Lessons in 2020 Resilience

As we acutely feel the anticipation and excitement of 2021, we are reminded of all that we take with us from 2020 – a year of extraordinary circumstance, exceptional innovation, and extreme flexibility. Despite months of home-office and frequent moratoriums on in-person gatherings, 2020 was a year of much activity for us here at AmCham, arguably more than any previous year. Thank you all for your collaboration and resilience, joining us on roller-coaster 2020. We wanted to look back on some of the high-points:

Events

Despite a continuously shifting spectrum ranging from in-person to virtual to hybrid and back again, 2020 was filled with insightful meetings and refreshing events spanning the Nordics like never before.

AmCham’s greatly anticipated Arendalsuka, 20th Anniversary Golf Tournament, and Thanksgiving Charity Dinner traditions all took on a different form. We were thrilled to offer a safe version of each gathering, thanks to loyal sponsors and a creative members who socially distanced on the golf course, streamed our Møteplass Oslo Panel, and picked-up their Thanksgiving meals to-go!

Our ongoing Financial, Sustainability, and Digitalization Forums maintained their cross-industry strength throughout the year, providing an established venue that welcomed speakers from industry and government alike.

Together with our Nordic counterpart organizations, we hosted a six-part election series in the leadup to the 2020 US Elections, engaging speakers from the US and Nordics including CSPAN’s Steve Scully, Fox’s Jon Decker, former White House trade negotiator Kelly Ann Shaw, Transatlantic Task Force Executive Director Bruce Stokes, and Ambassador Barry B. White.

The AmCham Healthcare Committee picked up speed, meeting frequently to discuss relevant topics with key stakeholders in the private and public sectors including Dr. Stig Slørdahl, Dr. Kjetil Taskén, and Assistant Director General of the Department of Health and Care Maiken Engelstad.

Programs

The annual Mentorship and Rising Leaders programs had strong years – each with record numbers of participants and applicants. Virtual and hybrid meetings became the norm as participants met with industry leaders to discuss what it means to be a leader and build a career.

Policy

With the rapid pace of innovation in 2020 and ever-changing international economy, there was a slew of policy issues relevant to our members. AmCham published Position Papers on the Healthcare Industry as well as the Food and Beverage Industry, two of our largest member groups. We also worked with members to comment on the European Data Protection Board’s Recommendations and joined together with members and partners in response to VAT Compensation Changes for International Schools in Norway.

We contributed again to 2020’s informal trade talks between the US and Norwegian governments, which were moved to an abridged, digital format.

Publications

In addition to our many meeting recaps, Leadership Interviews, and the launch of our three-question interview series, we delivered our annual Membership Guide and an important new Foreign Multinationals in Norway Report. Including statistics on the economic contributions of foreign multinational companies to Norwegian society, the report is shared widely and referenced by public and private stakeholders domestically and internationally.

We contributed again to 2020’s informal trade talks between the US and Norwegian governments, which were moved to an abridged, digital format.

Thank you!

Looking ahead, we know there is much to be done, and many learnings from 2020 to bring with us. We look forward to building upon the work we started, growing our reach, and collaborating with all of our members to contribute to the strengthening of the Norwegian economy and transatlantic relationship.

Cheers to a New Year, we cannot wait to get to work!