In this issue:

April 2006

Our calendar year begins in the dead of winter, but this is the season of new beginnings. This is certainly the case for the rest of nature and, in truth, also for us. When January rolls around, we are just holding on, waiting for winter to pass through its apparently endless course. But now is the time, that it is brought home to all of us once again, that all winters mercifully do end. We can shake off the last remnants of hibernation and once more begin to make our plans and commence our projects.

And so it is with the DACCNY. We have a number of events planned, but we know that our Members, inspired by the warmer season and the energy that comes with it, will also have ideas for speakers and events. We urge our members to advise us if they have an idea for an event or know of a person, who could make an interesting presentation to the membership, to contact our Executive Director Nargis McGuinness (tel.: 212 705 4945; e-mail narmcg@um.dk).

This is also a good time of the year to remind our Members that the greater the membership an organization has, the more it can do. The Members of the DACCNY are urged to look around their circle of business contacts and acquaintances and encourage those who might be interested in joining our organization.

Sadly, these last few months have cost us some good friends. Rasmus Andersen and Erik Norup were good friends of the Chamber and great friends to those of us who were fortunate enough to have known them. While looking forward to life ahead, we should also always remember to look back and be humbly grateful for the privilege of having met all of the wonderful people that we have known during the course of our lives.

Latest meetings in the Chamber

The Danes at Heller Gallery
From April 8th through April 28th Heller Gallery will exhibit Danish Contemporary Studio Glass which features unique sculptures and vessels from six of Denmark's most acclaimed artists working with glass: Lene Bødker, Marianne Buus, Steffen Dam, Micha Karlslund, Tobias Møhl and Stig Persson.

On Tuesday, April 11th The Danish American Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the American Scandinavian Society and the Danish American Society hosted a tour of the exhibition followed by a reception. Heller Gallery is located at 420 W. 14th Street (between 9th and 10th Avenues) across from the Bodum store in New York City's Meatpacking District.

Speaker Luncheon with the Danish Ambassador to the US, Friis Arne Petersen
On Monday, February 13th the new Danish Ambassador to the US, Friis Arne Petersen, was the guest speaker at a DACC luncheon at the New York Athletic Club. The Ambassador shared with the DACC members his view on the Danish-US political partnership, Denmark in a global world, Danish economy, and Danish exports to the US.

News from the Chamber

The Danish American Chamber of Commerce in New York has created an event committee and a newsletter committee consisting of members who have volunteered their time and effort. The members of the event committee are Ulrik Meinertz (Usine.dk), Tanja Ibsen Nørskov (VisitDenmark), Dennis Blynov (LeisureTime Bowl), René Olsen (Majesty, Inc.) and Nargis McGuinness (DACC) while the members of the newsletter committee are Heather Nissen (VisitDenmark), Helle Meinertz (Invest in Denmark), Louise Dyhrberg (Danish Consulate General), Peter Hessellund-Jensen (DACC) and Nargis McGuinness (DACC). Please remember that articles from all our DACC members are most welcome. If you would like to be in one of the existing Chamber committees or would like to suggest a new one, please contact the secretariat at 212-705-4945 or daccny@daccny.com.

The Danish American Chambers of Commerce in the United States have created a joint website, www.dacc-usa.com, which guides its visitors to their selected chamber(s) of interest. Member (name, company, chamber and type of membership) and board information (name, company, e-mail and website) is listed and it is possible to search the chambers using different criteria. The website will function as an overall site where all the participating chambers can post news and information they want members of the other chambers as well as visitors to know about.

As a DACC member, take advantage of the great offers for Danish Design products offered through the "members only" DACC website. Participating companies are Icelandair, Bang & Olufsen, Carl Hansen, GUBI, Fredericia Furniture, Erik Bagger, Normann Copenhagen og Ugly Duckli. For further information on the "members only" website, please contact the DACC office.

We have lost a good friend in Erik Norup

He was born in Kalundborg to Peter Christian Norup and his wife Olga Augusta Ingrid on September 7, 1927. Upon finishing his military service in the Royal Danish Guards' Regiment, Erik graduated from the Niels Brock School of Business Administration in 1949.

Before joining Fritz Hansen in Denmark in 1955, Erik spent time in London working with Finmar Ltd., a British textile and furniture company trading with Scandinavia. In 1962, Erik was transferred by Fritz Hansen to be President of their subsidiary in New York, Fritz Hansen, Inc., Erik developed the U.S. market for Fritz Hansen and subsequently became Director of Larsen Furniture, a division of the textile company, Jack Lenor Larsen, Inc. Erik later became manufacturers' representative for a number of Danish exporters, including d line A/S of Denmark.

He was President in 1972-1973 of Designer Saturday in New York, an organization founded to introduce new designs to architects across the country.

Erik was a member of the Board of Directors in the following organizations: The Danish American Society, The American Scandinavian Society, The Hans Christian Andersen Storytelling Society and, of course, the Danish American Chamber of Commerce. Erik was head of the Danish Trade Council from 1973 to 1977.

The foregoing only describes what Erik did; it does not describe what he was. Erik was an intelligent, courageous and decent man, with a great sense of humor and a wonderfully positive outlook on life. He will be greatly missed by his many friends and we extend our deepest sympathy to his wife Evelyn.

A memorial gathering is planned for a future date to be announced. Contributions in his memory my be made to the Visiting Nurse Association of New Milford.

The Hans Christian Andersen Storytelling Society will hold a special storytelling event in Central Park this summer in Erik's name. The storytelling event will take place on Saturday June 24 at 11 am by the Hans Christian Andersen statue by the Conservatory Pond. Enter the park at 72nd Street.

Members' article: Danish Consulate General - Beyond Consular Issues and Down to Business

When asked what they think an Embassy or a Consulate does, most people answer "consular affairs - assist their countrymen when they are in trouble and issue visas for foreign visitors" which is correct, but it is far from all they do. Below is a short explanation which should demystify these institutions somewhat.

The Danish Consulate General in New York has a consular department which handles visa and passport issues as well as provides assistance to Danes in need. The Consulate also has a culture- and information department which, among many other things, assists Danish artists in the US and educate and inform Americans on Denmark and Danish culture. Furthermore, the Consulate has a department for investment promotion (Invest in Denmark), and finally a trade department - which is the main focus of this article.

The main purpose of the Consulate General's trade department is to provide Danish companies with expert export counseling in the United States. The Consulate General's areas of expertise are furniture (retail & contract), giftware, home improvement (building products & construction) and UN procurement.

At the Consulate General a separate showroom exhibits a variety of Danish Design products which all fall within the Consulate's fields of expertise. The fact that Danish designers and manufacturers are able to physically showcase their products without extremely large expenses has proven to be a major help and a great entryway into the North American market. After identifying the company's specific needs, which range from identifying retailers, contract dealers and architects to business- and market development, logistics solutions, cash management, complete business setup and establishment of subsidiaries, the Consulate General's trade staff, each with a solid background in their respective fields, work closely with representatives from the Danish company on fulfilling these needs through an extensive network and market specific knowledge and skills. Most of the companies showcased at the Danish Consulate General attend various fairs pertinent to their specific field. Attending a fair is a unique opportunity to get in contact with the US market. It enables the company to get a feel for how people react to their products and get names and contacts which would otherwise have been very hard to obtain. The Danish Consulate General arranges for Danish companies to attend the ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair) and NYGS (New York Gift Shows) every year.

As an example on how business and culture can work together and create something much bigger than the sum of its parts, the Consulate General's trade- and culture departments have - in collaboration with Danish companies put Danish Design on the New York City and US maps. The largest scoop was when MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) decided to furnish their galleries, restaurants and cafés with Danish Design. The latest example of the trade and culture departments working together was when Danish Crafts' Collection debuted in the MoMA Design Store in February this year. With this new MoMA exclusive collection, CC+ for MoMA, Danish Crafts is increasing its presence in the US. The collection is a result of a close collaboration between Danish Crafts, the Danish Consulate General and the Museum of Modern Art. Twenty of the most talented, young Danish design-makers were selected and chosen to participate in the collection, which were on display in MoMA's two design stores from February 22nd through April 22nd. Increasing international attention and recognition have lead to this unique opportunity for display and sale of contemporary Danish crafts and design.

Danish Crafts, an independent institution established under the Danish Ministry of Culture, worked with emerging designers to develop a diverse collection of products across the categories of home accessories, tabletop, jewelry, and gifts. The designers worked in materials as varied as porcelain, ceramics, glass, silicone, plastics, and textiles. Unified by common forms and finishes, CC+ for MoMA is intended to evoke the colors, vitality, and lightness of spirit associated with Danish design across a collection of more than 50 products. For more information about Danish Crafts, please visit www.danishcrafts.dk.

Elvira von Wieding Lidin

The First Hemostasis Research Center in the US

The Danish healthcare company Novo Nordisk has for 80 years worked with innovation and achievement in diabetes care. In February this year Novo Nordisk opened the first hemostasis research center dedicated to life threatening bleeding in North Brunswick, NJ, an area recognized for high-technology and novel biomedical research.

The 30,000 square-foot facility has unique Scandinavian design and a central research square surrounded by offices and laboratories. The research center is designed to create an open environment facilitating employee interaction and communication.

Novo's goal is to be a world leader in hemostasis care, and the research center certainly brings them a step closer while creating an advanced environment for the scientist at the same time.

"Since it was founded in Denmark over 80 years ago, Novo Nordisk has played a key role in enhancing transatlantic dialogue and cooperation around the world by opening the door to exciting business opportunities for Danish companies and beyond," said Denmark's Ambassador to the United States, Friis Arne Petersen. "Novo Nordisk Research US is yet another testament to the mutual benefits these collaborations with Danish companies allow."

Summer holiday in Denmark

If you are planning on spending your summer holiday in Denmark, here are a few suggestions on what to see and do.

If you are interested in visiting museums you will be happy to learn that several museums in Denmark have dropped their admission fees completely. Others have free admission on certain days (usually Wednesdays), and more than 100, including the Hans Christian Andersen Museum in Odense and the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, have no admission fees for young people under the age of 18. The Viking Ship Museum offers extended sunset cruises aboard a restored Viking ship this summer. The cruise lasts 3½ hours, refreshments are served and everyone aboard helps sail the ship. The museum also offers shorter day trips five times a day from June through August and in May and September on weekends.

If glass art is your big passion, Ebeltoft in Jutland has a great centre of exhibitions. Big Danish glass artists such as Micha Maria Karlslund and Steffen Dam, who, as mentioned above, are currently exhibiting at Manhattan's Heller Gallery, have had some of their exhibitions there. Another big glass art centre in Denmark is the "Baltic Sea Glass" on Bornholm where the world famous glassblower Pete Hunner and his wife Maibritt Jönsson exhibit and sell their glass art during the vacation period.

For further inspiration for your summer vacation in Denmark, please visit the website for The Official Tourism Organization of Denmark, www.visitdenmark.com.

Grundlovsdag (Danish Constitution Day)

On June 5th Denmark commemorates the democratic Constitution dating back to 1849. In celebrating Constitution Day, we honor Denmark's long established democratic traditions, cherished anew by each succeeding generation. This year, the Danish American Coordinating Council of Greater New York in cooperation with the Danish American Society and other Danish American organizations celebrates the 157th Danish Constitution Day in the park surrounding the Danish Home in Croton-on-Hudson, New York on Sunday June 4th. This year's celebration is especially significant as it coincides with the Danish Home's 100th anniversary, which will be observed.

Before the official proceedings start with traditional cannon salute at 1.30 pm the Danish Seamen's Church Pastor, Kristian Hein, will hold a service at 11 am. Following tradition there will be great music by the Ridgewood Concert Band from 1 pm, performances by the Annie Galle Dancers, classical jazz by the swinging young Danish AMI Trio and great food and drink (who can say no to frikadeller, smørrebrød, strawberries, Danish candy and Carlsberg on a beautiful and sunny June day - and it will be sunny! The official program starts at 1.30 pm, and this year's distinguished Grundlovsdag speaker will be Ambassador, Consul General Torben Gettermann. As always you can purchase raffle tickets to contribute to the Grundlovsdag celebration and for the chance to win wonderful prizes - the grand prize of course being a round trip ticket to Copenhagen offered by SAS. Other great prizes are a personal portrait by Birgit Jacobsen, two Skagen watches and two kransekager from the Copenhagen Bakery.

Please note that Grundlovsdag, which is an important Danish-American community event and a great family day, has no participation fee. The Coordinating Council is therefore dependent on sponsorships and would greatly appreciate financial support. In return the Council will gratefully acknowledge contributions by including your company's name in the program and releases. The suggested contributions are as follows:

Benefactor: $500
Sponsor: $300
Patron: $200
Supporter: $100

Other:
Please make a contribution check payable to the Danish American Society and mark it "For Constitution Day". Then please mail it along with this return form to:

The Danish-American Coordinating Council
George Jacobsen, Treasurer
90 Foster Avenue
Malverne, NY 11565

US pharma companies: Increasing interest in Medicon Valley pipeline

More and more American life sciences companies are looking for opportunities in Medicon Valley. Over the past years, Invest in Denmark has been working intensively on informing pharmaceutical and biotech companies about the interesting pipeline offered by Danish companies.

Within drug discovery, Denmark has an expertise and a know-how which is world class. This is recognized more and more by global pharmaceutical companies such as GlaxoSmithKline who has visited Denmark several times to meet potential partners. Simon Jose, managing director for GSK Denmark says: "Within clinical research, Denmark is the best place in the world". Furthermore, he also points out that Denmark has an excellent research environment with good access to qualified employees.

According to Gitte Pedersen, Investment Manager at Invest in Denmark in New York, Denmark has leading edge competencies within development and production of pharmaceuticals. "This is a message that we continuously pass on to big pharma and big biotech companies who are looking out for new products for their portfolios." She adds, "We always start by having a dialogue with the companies to find out what they are looking for, and usually, Denmark is capable of delivering the right products."

An analysis by Boston Consulting Group reaches the same conclusion. Denmark is among the top countries in the world when it comes to developing drugs for treatment of illnesses related to CNS, diabetes, inflammation, and cancer. Ernst & Young has also recently placed Denmark as one of the most important European countries within life sciences.

A Bit of Biz News

Danish-US Trade Great for the Danish Trade Balance
In 2005 Denmark sold pharmaceutical products from Novo Nordisk, pork products from Danish Crown, oil from the North Sea, windmills from Vestas, furniture from Fritz Hansen and lots of other Danish goods totaling 33 billion Danish kroner to the United States. With a 27% increase from 2004 the US is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing markets for Danish products thanks to a gigantic increase in US consumption. Since Denmark does not import anywhere near as much from the US, the United States has become the largest contributor to the Danish trade balance surplus with 20 billion Danish kroner out of last year's 52.7 billion.

TDC No Longer on the New York Stock Exchange
After almost 12 years TDC is no longer listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) received an order granting the application of TDC to withdraw its American Depository Shares (ADSs) and its ordinary shares from listing and registration on the New York Stock Exchange with effect at the opening of business on April 19th, 2006. In its application TDC referred to, among others, the decrease of the number of holders of ADS in the US and of the trading of the ADS on New York Stock Exchange in connection with the completion of the tender offer for all securities by Nordic Telephone Company APS (NTC) by the end of January 2006. The SEC stated that the basis for the granting of the application was a consideration of the facts stated in the application and with due regard for the public interest and protection of investors.

Baugur Group Interested in Matas
Icelandic Baugur Group, which owns Illum and Magasin are very interested in buying the lucrative Matas chain, which is for sale. Executive Director in Baugur Group, Skarphéoinn Berg Steinarsson, sees great potential in Matas and plans to expand the chain internationally - where, however, Steinarsson does not mention. Over the last five years Matas increased sales by a third - which is significantly more than the regular increase seen in retailing.

Changing Danish Coffee Culture
The Danes still drink a lot of coffee, but the younger generation is more interested in exclusive and higher priced coffee compared to the older generation. A new survey examining Danish coffee consumption carried out by Analyse Danmark shows that the younger Danes drink more espresso and cappuccino and purchase their coffee in special coffee boutiques in stead of in the supermarkets. Lars Wiinblad, who worked on the survey, notes that the younger Danes are willing to pay a higher price for their coffee beans in specialty stores because they appreciate the extra story and higher quality. In other words the younger generation's coffee habits are connected to the modern and urban lifestyle seen in the big cities. Wiinblad states that tendencies show that the coffee market much like the beer market is moving from standardized and homogenous discount consumption to a special and exclusive market.

Upcoming meetings in the Chamber

Leif Hansen event
On Wednesday May 17th at 5-7 pm the Danish American Chamber of Commerce invites its members to an after work meeting on cooperation across the Atlantic - advantage for the customer with presentations by Thornton Tomasetti Group Inc., Leif Hansen Consultants & Planner A/S, Studio Daniel Libeskind and 3XNielsen. Invitations will be sent out shortly.

ICFF 2006
On Sunday May 21st from 3 to 5 pm members of the Danish American Chamber of Commerce are invited to view the outstanding Danish pavilion at this year's International Contemporary Furniture Fair. There will be a special reception with music by DJ Master Fatman and Tina Dickow. Invitations will be sent out shortly.

Sustaining Members' Dinner
On Wednesday May 24th at 7 pm The DACC's sustaining members and a few corporate members, who are selected on a rotational basis will be invited to the next sustaining members' dinner. Printed invitations will be sent out shortly.

Bowling event with the DAS and the ASS
On Tuesday June 6th from 6 to 9 pm the Danish American Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the Danish American Society and the American Scandinavian Society will host an evening of bowling at Leisuretimebowl by Port Authority on 42nd Street and 8th Avenue. Invitations will be sent out shortly.