
Skål is the only international organization that brings together all branches of the travel and tourism industry. Representing the industry's managers and executives, Skålleagues meet at local, national and international levels in an
environment of friendship to discuss subjects of common interest. The first Club was founded in Paris in 1932 by travel trade managers who had been on an educational tour of Scandinavia. The idea of international friendship gained such popularity that in 1934, Skål achieved international status with the formation of the Association Internationale des Skål Clubs (A.I.S.C.), on the initiative of the first President of the Paris Skål Club and the man considered the "Father of Skål", Florimond Volckaert. From that modest beginning, Skål now has more than 25,000 members in over 500 Clubs, spread throughout 80 countries.

Meetings are usually held on the 2nd Monday of each month with the exception of August. Our club has three special-event meetings every year; one of which is our Installation and Past President Recognition Dinner another is our Annual Holiday Party/Wine Pull and Auction and our newest is our Annual Salute To Tourism, where we award deserving members and industry leaders for their commitment to tourism. Event days are subject to change based on venue availability. 
Membership in Skål is open to qualified persons in a senior, executive or management position in the travel and tourism industry or supplier for this industry. Prospective members are sponsored by a current Skål member and are officially inducted after attending two meetings. The one-time initiation fee is $165.00 (currently waived). Yearly fees are $550.00 which includes membership dues and all meals.
If you are in the Tampa Bay area in a managerial position with a minimum of 3 years’ experience in travel or tourism, please consider joining us at an upcoming event to get to know who we are and what we are all about.
For us it means foremost FRIENDSHIP but there is an explanation why our founders picked this word:
Again, the flight our founders took and met was a flight to Stockholm. The word Skål comes from Scandinavia and has a long tradition. The "Skål", a bowl with a welcome drink, was offered to visitors when they entered the home. One would say Skål is a sign of friendship! The letters of the word SKÅL mean:
- Sundhet (Health) Kärlek (Love) Ålder (Long Life) Lycka (Luck)
"To fellow Skålleagues everywhere - Happiness; Good Health; Friendship; Long Life; SKÅL!"
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02/22/2023 6:00 PM • Belleair
UPCOMING SKAL MEETINGS
November 14, 2022 - Salute to Tourism - Harold Seltzers Steakhouse - St Petersburg December 12, 2022 - Annual Holiday Fundraiser - Winter Wonderland - Clearwater January 9, 2023 - Presidents Installation Dinner - Dolphin Beach Resort - St Pete Beach February 2023 - TBD March 13, 2023 - Tacky Tourist Contest - Bahama Breeze - Tampa
Birthday wishes go out to the following SKAL Tampa Bay Members celebrating birthdays in August, September and October 2022
Stephen Ekstrom - Nov. 01 Crystal Rivera - Nov. 08 Mari Czyszczon - Nov. 10 Andre Brouillard - Nov. 14 Masterson Dempsey - Nov. 18 Danah Heye - Nov. 19 George Hoch - Nov. 30 Toni Koster - Dec. 08 Steve Hayes - Dec. 13 Gregg Nicklaus - Dec. 18 Larry Butterfield - Dec. 21 Crystal Talbert - Dec. 21 Mark Hubbard - Dec. 29 Lyndsay Brunstetter - Jan. 03 Colette Florido - Jan. 09 Thomas Fraher - Jan. 14 Missy Hahn - Jan. 26 Jen Carlisle - Jan. 31 Lisa Mansell - Feb. 01 Eric Class - Feb. 02 Bill Linville - Feb. 09 Kathleen Slaven - Feb. 15 Danielle Reeves - Feb. 22 Eric Braendel - Feb. 23
Mike Gruendel, Pres.
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Kylie Diaz, Dir
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Julie Cortina, VP |
Dan Peretz, Dir. |
Danielle Taylor, Sec. |
Oliver Kugler, Dir. |
Fran Bartlett, Treas. |
Hoyt Hamilton, Dir. |
Kristina Alspaw, SUSA Rep
Colette Florido, Dir.
Sonny Flynn - Dir
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Bill Linville, Dir.
Eric Class, Dir.
Steven Rodriguez, Past Pres.
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SKAL Tampa Bay Executive Secretary/Treasurer
Steven Rodriguez
TampaBaySkal@gmail.com
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