A trophy cup and great prizes went to the team of the US Embassy with the highest combined score, 1009 pts. The runner-up team, combined of several players from companies Gateway & Partners and Task Analytics, collected the second highest score of 991 pts. The Best Player of the tournament was Ģirts Ķēbers of Lursoft IT with a combined score of 377 pts. The runner-up was Mike Ritchie of the US Embassy with 331 pts. Mike also was the first to hit three strikes in a row. Overall 72 participants in 18 teams joined the Joint Bowling Tournament at the Pepsi Center. Congratulations to the winners!

Members of the AmCham Labor Force work group discussed plans for 2020. Among priorities will remain attracting talent and promoting upskilling and lifelong learning. An event on the topic of diversity and inclusion in the workplace will be organized this year. If you'd like to join the group, please contact the office!

90 members and guests enjoyed the new production of THE QUEEN OF SPADES by Pyotr Tchaikovsky along with a kick-off reception at the Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga, an insightful lecture about the opera and its composer by CEO of GroGlass, Sasha Kelberg and a small reception at the Red Hall of the opera house during the first intermission.

AmCham members met the new LIAA Director to hear his priorities and discuss topic of increasing trade with the U.S. Priority sectors for investment attraction to Latvia include: GBS, Smart Materials, Life Sciences, Smart City development. On the topic of attracting foreign talent, AmCham members were pleased to learn that LIAA is directing its resources in producing a new relocation guide to help attract foreign and remigrant talent.

On February 7, Santa Purgaile, Head of FCMC addressed AmCham members on recent developments in the financial sector. Substantial work has been done to restore the reputation of the Latvian financial sector, however, much remains to be done to support the sector, including developing capital markets and introducing new technologies. Among key FCMC tasks is communication, both international and local, to minimize negative impact on investors willing to do business in Latvia.