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Welcome to the Tampa Bay Chapter of Skal International

The International Association of Travel and Tourism Professionals
What is  Skål?
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.

Skål Meetings

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.

 

Who is eligible to join Skål?

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.  


Often we are asked about the meaning of Skål

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!"


Upcoming events

06/13/2023 6:00 PM • Clearwater

Skal Club News

UPCOMING SKAL MEETINGS


June 2023 - OCC Roadhouse and Museum - Clearwater

July 10, 2023 - Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park - Tampa

September 11, 2023 - Hilton Garden Inn - St Pete Beach

October 9, 2023 - Sonny's Green Acres - Clearwater

November 13 2023 - Salute to Tourism - Fenway Hotel - Dunedin

December 11, 2023 - Annual Holiday Party/Fundraiser - Floridan Palace Hotel - Tampa

January 8, 2024 - Installation Dinner at Bon Appetit - Dunedin



Birthday wishes go out to the following SKAL Tampa Bay Members celebrating birthdays in February, March, April and May 2023


           

Lisa Mansell - Feb. 01    Eric Class - Feb. 02

Bill Linville - Feb. 09    Danielle Reeves - Feb. 22

Lisa Faller - Mar. 01    Pauline Navarro - Mar. 02

Cynthia Dominick - Mar. 10     Alana Owens - Mar. 18

Mike Gruendel - Mar. 21    Adam Thomas - Mar. 22

Edward Shevitz - Mar. 29       Larry Graves - Apr. 02

Theresa Crane - Apr. 02          Charity Brady - Apr. 03

Christopher Park - Apr. 10    Ellen Hale - May 01

George Bentley - May 02    Julie Cortina - May 04

Mark O'Donnell - May 16        Rosemarie Windsor - May 18

Cameron O'Connell- May 20    Michael Helmstetter - May 20

Jolynn Lokey - May 26      

 

                                                                                                                   
SKAL International Tampa Bay | Founded 1959
Executive Committee and Board 2023 

            Kristina Park, Pres. 

 Kylie Diaz, Dir                  

        Julie Cortina, VP  Colette Florido, Dir.
            Sonny Flynn - VP  Eric Class, Dir.
            Fran Bartlett, Treas.  Hoyt Hamilton, Dir.

            Danielle Reeves, Sec.

            Oliver Kugler, SUSA Rep

 

 Bill Linville, Dir.

 Mike Gruendel, Past Pres.

 

  SKAL Tampa Bay Executive Secretary/Treasurer
                           Steven Rodriguez                               
TampaBaySkal@gmail.com




© Skal International Tampa Bay 

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