Networking in Motion: SACC YP hit the Harbour on 7 May

SACC Young Professionals Run Club in Sydney

Following the success of its inaugural event, the SACC Young Professionals Run Club returned on 7 May, bringing together members and friends for another fun and active evening of networking in Sydney.

Starting at the iconic Sydney Opera House, participants enjoyed a run through the beautiful Royal Botanic Garden, taking in spectacular harbour views and the city skyline. With options to run 3 km, 5 km or 7 km, or simply enjoy a leisurely walk, the event welcomed people of all fitness levels.

The evening concluded at Opera Bar, where participants relaxed over drinks and continued the conversations, making new connections and catching up with fellow members of the Swedish-Australian community.

The growing popularity of the Run Club highlights the success of SACC Young Professionals’ active networking events, combining health, wellbeing and professional connections in a relaxed and social setting.

A big thank you to everyone who joined us—we look forward to seeing you at the next SACC Young Professionals Run Club!

SACC Perth WA – After Work Networking at Skøl – 20 May 2026

Join Us for a SACC Afterwork Networking Event at Skøl – 20 May 2026

The SACC Perth WA Chapter invites members, friends, and the wider Swedish-Australian community to join us for a relaxed afterwork networking event on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, at Skøl in Scarborough, WA.

This informal gathering is a great opportunity to connect with fellow professionals, entrepreneurs, and members of the Swedish-Australian community in and around Perth WA. Whether you are a SACC member or new to the network, we welcome you to come along, expand your professional connections, and enjoy an evening of engaging conversations in a friendly atmosphere.

Set against the vibrant coastal backdrop of Scarborough, Skøl offers a Scandinavian-inspired venue that perfectly reflects the spirit of the Swedish community. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy Nordic-inspired food and drinks while networking with like-minded professionals.

Event Details
Date: Wednesday, 20 May 2026
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Skøl, 35 Ewen Street, Scarborough WA

This is a free event, however registrations are compulsory so that we can keep track of attendee numbers. Food and drinks will be available for purchase at bar prices.

We encourage you to bring a colleague or friend who may be interested in joining the Swedish-Australian business network.

We look forward to welcoming you for an enjoyable evening of networking and community.

SACC Perth WA Chapter

How Arjo is Advancing Sustainable Healthcare Solutions

The Swedish Australian Chamber of Commerce is pleased to showcase the sustainability initiatives driven by our member companies across Australia.

🌱 At Arjo, we are proud to present our innovative sustainability initiative:
Arjo ReNu is the first TGA-certified & ISO-accredited medical device reprocessing facility in Australia.

🔄 What We’re Doing
Our reprocessing program is helping hospitals reduce waste, extend product life, and lower environmental impact through a fully water‑based, chemical‑free process.

🌍 Why It Matters
The Australian healthcare system generates approximately 35.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions annually, primarily from single-use medical products. Arjo ReNu offers a practical path to circular healthcare, supporting environmental goals and responsible resource management without compromising safety or efficiency.

🔗 Learn more: Arjo ReNu | Arjo

 

ArjoReNu ArjoAustralia DrivingSustainableChange SustainabilityInnovation SwedishAustralianImpact

Electrify Tomorrow Forum 2026 | 2-3 June Brisbane | ABB

Electrify Tomorrow Forum 2026 | Brisbane

SACC member company ABB invites Chamber members to its upcoming Electrify Tomorrow Forum 2026 in Brisbane—bringing together key players from across Australia’s most critical sectors, including Data Centres, Commercial Buildings, Transport, Oil & Gas, Mining, Utilities, and Renewables.

Powering Australia’s path to 2032

Join senior leaders from across Australia’s most critical sectors—Data Centres, Utilities & Renewables, Mining, Oil & Gas, Transport, Buildings, and Healthcare—for two days of strategic insights and practical solutions.

As Queensland prepares for the 2032 Olympics and Australian industry navigates unprecedented grid constraints, this forum brings together C-suite executives, senior engineers, consultants, EPCs, and government representatives to explore how cutting-edge electrification and digital technologies can power the future.

Discover innovative approaches to energy security, load management, and sustainable growth, while connecting with decision-makers shaping Australia’s next generation of critical infrastructure.

What to expect:

  • Insights from leading voices across ABB’s customer and partner network, including some of Australia’s most influential organisations
  • Live, hands-on demonstrations showcasing the latest innovations in electrification across ABB’s portfolio
  • Opportunities to connect and engage with industry peers across key sectors

Speakers confirmed so far:

  • Anna Meares OAM, Olympic cyclist
  • Simon Cooper, Group Chief Development Officer, NEXTDC
  • Mitchell Peden, General Manager, Volvo Bus Australia & New Zealand
  • Darren Beattie, General Manager, Engineers Australia Queensland
  • Brenton Stokes, General Manager – Sales, Trivantage Manufacturing
  • Stuart Thompson, Global President, Electrification Service Division, ABB

Join industry leaders and peers for an engaging forum focused on innovation, collaboration, and the future of electrification.

Event details
📅 Date: 2–3 June 2026
📍 Venue: The Star Brisbane, Lvl 5/33 William St, Brisbane City QLD 4000

👉 Find out more and register here: https://events.abb.com/ElectrifyTomorrow2026

Swedish Chambers APAC Online Event 27 Aug: Asia Pacific – Risk or Opportunity? Asia’s macro outlook under pressure

This Swedish Chamber APAC event we will take a closer look at the region’s macroeconomic outlook and how ongoing geopolitical uncertainty is shaping growth, risk and business conditions across Asia Pacific.

Across Asia Pacific, businesses are navigating a complex mix of geopolitical pressure, shifting domestic priorities and rapid technological change. At the same time, AI is reshaping growth expectations across the region – creating both new opportunities and new uncertainties.

What does this mean for companies operating in Asia Pacific, and what should business leaders be watching next? Together with SwedCham’s sister chambers in the region, join us for an online APAC session with Eugenia Fabon Victorino​, Head of Asia Strategy at SEB​, for a sharp regional macroeconomic update on the forces shaping Asia Pacific’s outlook.

Eugenia brings deep experience across the region and is a highly regarded speaker, regularly sharing her analysis with international media, including CNA, BBC and Bloomberg.

Event details:

📅 Thursday, 27 August 2026
⏰ 6:00 – 7:00 pm (AEST)
👉 Register: SACC Members Free, Non Members $15
This is an online event. Login details will be sent to registered participants prior to the event.

Agenda:

This event is organised by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Singapore in collaboration with Swedish Chambers in the APAC region.

SACC Online Event 22 May: Unpacking Why 80+% of AI Projects Fail and What To Do About It

AI continues to transform how organisations operate – but why do so many projects fail to deliver on their promise?

At times, the fields of artificial intelligence, business analytics, and data science are subject to extreme hype – including exaggerated promises of future technologies and extravagant claims of transforming the lives of consumers. These claims risk an erosion of trust in the data-driven approach to decision making and business transformation. This presentation offers a balanced perspective – acknowledging the future possibilities and tempering the hype that many data science projects fail to achieve their stated aims – perhaps as many as 80 percent – is the basic premise of the presentation. The presenter will share his learnings based on decades of real-world experience at leading organisations worldwide as well as years of thorough research on why data science projects fail and how to make them a success. There are lessons that all practitioners of business analytics and data science can learn from their experiences, and strategies that firms should adopt to maximise their return on their AI and analytics investments.

Join us for a virtual session exploring the realities behind AI and data-driven transformation. While the potential of AI is widely recognised, many initiatives fall short—often due to overhype, misalignment, or lack of practical implementation strategies.

In this session, Dr Evan Shellshear, Principal at Boston Consulting Group X (BCG’s Data Science and AI division), will share insights from decades of global experience and research, unpacking why up to 80% of AI and data science projects fail—and what organisations can do differently to succeed. The discussion will be led by Aldo Gutierrez, Director of Data Advisory, Analytics & AI at McGrathNicol.

What you will gain:

  • A realistic perspective on AI beyond the hype
  • Key reasons why AI and data science projects fail
  • Practical strategies to improve success rates and ROI
  • Lessons from real-world implementations across industries

Event details:

📅 Friday, 22 May 2026
⏰ 12:00 – 1:00 pm (AEST)
👉 Register: SACC Members Free, Non Members $15
This is an online event. Login details will be sent to registered participants prior to the event.

About the Speakers

Dr Evan Shellshear is currently a Principal at BCG X (Boston Consulting Group’s AI and Data Science division). He has a BA and BSc from the University of Queensland, a Diploma and PhD from the Nobel Prize winning Institute of Mathematical Economics at the University of Bielefeld in Germany and over fifteen years of experience in building global AI and statistical algorithms for industries from manufacturing to retail, HR to supply chain, oil and gas to energy. He has published or co-published four books on topics ranging from the Amazon Best Seller Innovation Tools to AI in Medicine as well as the Wiley best seller Why Data Science Projects Fail: The Harsh Realities of Analytics and AI, without the Hype. He is currently an Adjunct Professor at the University of Queensland and Queensland University of Technology, having taught topics from business analytics to AI strategy.

Link to book https://www.amazon.com.au/Why-Data-Science-Projects-Fail/dp/1032660309

Aldo Gutierrez is currently Director of Data Advisory, Analytics & AI at McGrathNicol. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Financial Management from Tecnológico de Monterrey and Masters degrees in Mathematical Modelling & Simulation, Economics, an MBA and DBA Strategic Management, Data & Technology, all from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden. He is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). With more than 25 years of experience across banking, finance, investments, and data strategy, he has been guiding organisations diverse sectors to become AI and analytics-driven enterprises through tailored data strategies, governance programs, and AI solutions. He has two forthcoming books — one as sole author and one as co-author — and is a sought-after keynote speaker at conferences. He currently serves as an Advisory Board Member and Non-Executive Director, providing strategic guidance on AI governance and ethical AI practices.

This event is organised by the Swedish Australian Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the Swedish Chambers in APAC

#AI #DataScience #DigitalTransformation #Innovation #BusinessStrategy

SACC Melbourne Event 21 May | Exclusive Digital Lab Tour at the University of Melbourne

Join SACC Melbourne for a special event featuring an exclusive tour of the Digital Lab at Melbourne Connect, University of Melbourne, followed by networking drinks nearby.

We are pleased to be hosted by Dr Davood Shojaei, Manager of the Digital Lab and Senior Lecturer at the University of Melbourne, who will share insights into how the lab leverages digital technologies to capture, analyse, and visualise data—driving efficiencies across cities in Australia and globally.

We will also hear from Andres Torres, Strategic Product Manager at Ericsson, who will present the latest insights on how enterprises are creating new business value through digitalisation, including the role of connectivity, cloud, AI, digital twins, and immersive technologies.

The guided tour will commence at 6:00 pm sharp, followed by networking drinks from 7:00 pm at the Prince Alfred—an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow members and the broader Swedish–Australian business community.

Event Details

📅 21 May 2026
⏰ 6:00 – 8:30 pm
📍 Melbourne Connect & Prince Alfred, Carlton
🎟️ Members: Free, Non Members: $15 (Registration is required, places are limited to max 24 participants.)
👉 Register early to secure your spot

Schedule
📍 6:00–7:00 pm: Digital Lab, Melbourne Connect, Level 1, 700 Swanston St, Carlton.
📍 7:00–8:30 pm: Prince Alfred, 191 Grattan St, Carlton.

About the Digital Lab

The Digital Lab is a leading hub for spatial intelligence, supporting research, development, and teaching across areas such as smart cities, digital twins, IoT, infrastructure, and urban planning. Located at Melbourne Connect, it brings together cutting-edge technologies to address real-world challenges and drive innovation across industries.

About Ericsson

Ericsson is a global leader in telecommunications and digital infrastructure, headquartered in Stockholm. With operations in over 180 countries, Ericsson is at the forefront of connectivity, 5G, and digital transformation, enabling industries to innovate and grow sustainably.

We look forward to welcoming you!

SACC Melbourne Chapter

#SACCEvents #MelbourneEvents #DigitalTransformation #Innovation #Networking #SwedenAustralia

SACC Brisbane QLD – After Work Networking Event 7 May

SACC Brisbane QLD – Networking Event with the Dutch, Maltese, Norwegian, Brazilian and Swedish Chambers!

This business networking event is a great opportunity to expand your network with other international chambers in Brisbane QLD.

Join us for good laughs and a nice drink in a relaxing atmosphere and the Dutch will of course throw in some famous Bitterballen. Feel free to bring friends and colleagues along!

When: Thursday, 7 May, 5:30 – 7.30 pm
Where: Riverland, 167 Eagle Street, Brisbane CBD
Please register to confirm your attendance here: https://events.humanitix.com/business-networking-borrel-may2026

There is no cost attached to this invitation. Drinks at bar prices.

We are looking forward to seeing you there!

SACC Brisbane QLD Chapter

AI and China: Speed as a Superpower – Swedish Chambers APAC Online Event 23 April

On 23 April 2026, the SACC welcomed members and guests to the Swedish Chambers APAC online event “AI and China: Speed as a Superpower”, featuring Folke Engholm, Founder and CEO of Viral Access.

Drawing on more than two decades of experience in China and over twelve years based in Shenzhen, Folke shared valuable insights into how China’s rapid adoption of artificial intelligence is transforming the way businesses innovate, develop products and bring solutions to market. He highlighted how AI has become deeply embedded across organisations, enabling faster decision-making, shorter innovation cycles and organisation-wide transformation.

The session explored the key differences between AI adoption in China and many Western markets, emphasising the importance for businesses to move beyond experimentation and begin integrating AI into everyday operations to remain competitive. Participants also gained practical perspectives on emerging trends, commercial applications and what organisations can learn from China’s pace of innovation.

Thank you to Folke Engholm for sharing his expertise and to everyone who joined this insightful discussion.

Missed the webinar or would like to hear it again?

👉 Listen to the audio recording here

We look forward to welcoming you to future SACC webinars exploring the latest trends in innovation, technology and business transformation.

SACC Perth WA Business Networking Event with the Ambassador of Sweden 21 April

The Swedish Australian Chamber of Commerce Perth was pleased to host a business networking event with His Excellency Klas Molin, Ambassador of Sweden to Australia, on 21 April in Perth.
The event brought together members of the Swedish and Australian business community to strengthen relationships and discuss the many opportunities for collaboration between Sweden and Western Australia, particularly across mining, technology, sustainability, advanced manufacturing, and the energy transition.
We were also honoured to welcome the Honourable David Michael, Western Australian Minister for Mines and Petroleum, who spoke about the importance of Swedish companies and technology in supporting Australia’s mining and industrial sectors. He highlighted the strong opportunities for partnerships between Swedish and Australian businesses and the value of closer collaboration between our two countries. Minister Michael also shared his own Nordic heritage, noting his Finnish background and the personal connection he feels to the region.
Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to a very successful evening of networking and discussion.