2016 has hit the ground running!
It started in snowy Boston in February, where I was happy to receive my American counterpart in Denmark, the American ambassador to Denmark, my friend Rufus Gifford. Rufus accompanied me on a visit to 3 successful Danish companies in New England. The tour included visiting DONG Energy in Boston, who have invested in the site permits for two major off-shore wind farms off the coast of Massachusetts and New Jersey. Additionally I was pleased to tour the Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, who have recently announced a multi-million dollar investment in expanding their U.S. presence in West Lebanon, New Hampshire. Finally Ambassador Gifford and I were given a tour by the Danish footwear company ECCO, who I have fond ties to as they are from my home town in Denmark! I was inspired by their business strategy and excited to learn that 1 in every 4 men’s shoes sold at Nordstrom in the U.S. is an ECCO shoe!
The American-Danish Business Council is constantly striving to create stronger commercial ties between the U.S and Denmark. We are doing this through numerous ways and one of them is through hosting collaborative networking events such as our up-coming Nordic Trade Council event on the 15th of March 2016. This event is a cooperative composition of the Nordic Trade Councils and the American-Danish Business Council.
April is going to be busy. We are pleased to announce several high-level ADBC activities. We begin with a reception on April 1st with participation from the highest level of politics, where we will invite all current and potential ADBC members to celebrate what has been achieved in American-Danish business relations as well as to plan the future.
Later in April, on the 15th, the Embassy in partnership with the Library of Congress is proudly hosting the opening ceremony of Danish born photographer Jacob Riis’ (1849-1914) exhibition named –Jacob Riis: Revealing “How the Other Half Lives”. We hope to see many of our ADBC members at this event, which provides a unique chance to stress the political and cultural ties between US and Denmark.
Lastly I would like to commend the American Danish Business Council for its positive development by welcoming yet more prominent business members like Arla, Vestas, LEGO and Google and for arranging numerous trade related events for its members. We are steadily approaching our goal of 40% new members. This wouldn’t be possible without the support from our members through membership funding and sponsor packages. I would like to extend my thanks for the financial support received so far and would encourage all members to consider an even more active support of our Council.
All in all 2016 is starting to blossom in a productive and innovative way. I look forward to seeing you soon.

Lars Gert Lose.