From the Latvian Chamber of Commerce we wish you a happy holiday season and a most joyous, healthy, prosporous new year.  Let's make 2010 a year where we take care of business.  To the Chamber this means, get focused, and target the things we can do well.  In addition, to make sure that in this year each member reaches out and continues to help and aid those that are in need of the gifts and skills we have been granted.  Let's make 2010 a year of leadership and the wisdom to look out for others.

Certainly 2010 holds out promise for the global economy.  However, there are no laurels to rest on.  If we stray from our daily efforts to improve the global economy we are likely to slip back into the mistakes of the past.  Let's work together to make this vision of growth and prosperity a reality and not think this is the time to rest.  The old adage of think global and act local just makes good sense.

We have much to be thankful for in 2009.  In 2009, the Chamber officially launched at the US Baltic Foundation's annual gala and business program.  The Chamber led the business program.  In 2009, over 50 members joined the Chamber.  We thank you!  We hope your participation has been rewarding and we will work to make 2010 a better experience.  In addition, we opened our offices at the Northern Virginia Regional Commission in Virginia and also had the pleasure of working with our first intern.  We sponsored the Riga Business School Choir, co-hosted events with the Nordic Chambers of Commerce, and launched our NY Chapter.

For 2010 we will continue to develop ideas for the chamber focused on promoting Latvian-American business opportunities.  This will require continue to focus our operations in NY and Washington DC, and when opportunities and interests arise, we are prepared to launch new Chapters accross the United States.

In the spirit of being granted the wisdom to do the right things, the Latvian Chamber wishes everyone a 2010 that is full of peace, hope and joy. In the spirit of the season, be good, be healthy, be safe, stay warm and help others. Let this spirit carry you into the new year and lets continue to work on those ideas and projects that can make the world a better place for all. We look forward to working with one and all in 2010.