Town Hall meeting: attracting Finnish business to Keweenaw

HANCOCK, MI – A “Town Hall” discussion and reception will take place Thursday, June 20, 2013, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., in the Chapel Auditorium of the Finlandia University Jutila Center for Global Design and Business, Hancock.

The public event is presented in conjunction with FinnFest USA 2013.

Town Hall speakers will share their recent experiences helping Finnish businesses establish locations in Minneapolis and the Chicago area, and interest in starting a Keweenaw chapter of the Finnish American Chamber of Commerce will be gauged, says Bonnie Holland, director of the Jutila Center for Global Design and Business.

“FinnFest USA 2013 is bringing an abundance of business and cultural activities to our community, including opportunities to attract Finnish companies to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula,” Holland notes.

Town Hall speakers include Jukka Pietikäinen, Consul General of Finland, New York; Jouko Sipila, Finnish American Chamber of Commerce Minnesota; Keith Raisanen, president and CEO of TyloHelo, an international producer of saunas and steam baths; Julie Badel, Finnish American Chamber of Commerce Midwest; Greg Seppanen, treasurer of the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce; and Phil Musser, director of the Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance (KEDA).

Sponsors of the Town Hall include the Keweenaw Area Chamber of Commerce, KEDA, MTEC SmartZone, the Finlandia University Jutila Center, and the Midwest and Minnesota Finnish-American Chambers of Commerce.

The Finlandia University Jutila Center for Global Design and Business is located at 200 Michigan St., Hancock.

For additional information, contact Bonnie Holland at 906-487-7344.