Skål International San Juan was a luxury host for 81 Skålleagues who participated in the meeting held from June 2 to 4, with the participation of Annette Cardenas, Vice President of Skål International and Chary Gonzalez de Delli, President of CAS.

The National Committee of Skål International Argentina, headed by its President Carlos Asensio, held its National Congress in the city of San Juan, organized by the local Club presided by Silvia Yafar.

"As President of the National Committee, I am proud to have participated in this excellent congress in San Juan, a province deeply identified with the postulates of the great master of America, Domingo F. Sarmiento, wherever you go you breathe culture, art and sports activities with a great participation of all residents of the province in the preservation of the environment and ecologically committed. I invite all those who have participated in this meeting to promote San Juan, a province to have as an example and model", said Carlos Asensio, President of Skål International Argentina.

"Conceptually, our Congress was thought with the values of sustainability and care for the environment. We proposed to our Skålleagues friends the three R's: Recycle, Reuse and Reduce. An example of this was that the bags delivered were entirely made with discarded material", explained Silvia Yafar.

Variety of activities

On Friday, June 2, the formal opening of the event took place at the Teatro del Bicentenario, San Juan's most important and avant-garde cultural center. The presidents of the country's clubs attended, wearing their classic necklaces, accompanied by representatives of their clubs.

"We want to thank the National Committee and the rest of the clubs that have allowed Skål International San Juan to hold a National Congress, for us it is an honor. We have made a great effort and we hope you enjoy the event", said Silvia Yafar, and then thanked the Municipality, the Ministry of Tourism of San Juan "who understood the importance of an event of this magnitude".

On his turn, the President of Skål International Argentina, Carlos Asensio, emphasized that "tourism is a great generator of jobs" with a great potential that makes it a dynamic tool for the economy. He also mentioned the strength of Skål International, which is present in 84 countries in the world with 300 clubs and 12500 members who are in managerial positions in Tourism.

During the day there was a visit to the Holocaust Monument by the San Juan artist Mario Pérez, located on Ignacio de la Roza Avenue and España Street; the recently remodeled 25 de Mayo Square; lunch was at La Coqueta Country Restaurant in Zonda; and there was a subsequent tour of the Anchipurac Environmental Interpretation Center, an educational proposal that focuses on sustainability and has among its purposes to motivate citizens through experience and knowledge to adopt a lifestyle thinking about the generations of today and tomorrow.

In Anchipurac an agreement was signed with the presence of the local Secretary of the Environment, the Director of Anchipurac and Silvia Yafar, as head of Skål International San Juan, in which it was agreed to care for the environment and plant trees. Afterwards, the planting of trees was carried out in the framework of the sustainability commitment assumed by Skål International.

In the evening there was a guided tour at the Juan Victoria Auditorium with a concert by the National University of San Juan Symphony Orchestra.

The Gala Dinner was held at the Syrian Lebanese Club. Awards were presented to the Skål Club of the Year, Skål International Santa Fe - Paraná, for having successfully organized the Congress in 2022; and to Silvia Yafar who was elected Skålleague of the Year.

The National Committee meeting was held very early on Saturday, with the participation of the club presidents.

At 10.30 a.m. there was a walk to Sarmiento's Birth House, a tour and a visit to the Cathedral. Lunch was at El Lagar restaurant and around 4 pm was the departure to Dique Punta Negra with a sunset at Bodega Sierras Azules in Zonda. Dinner was at Sierras Azules Winery.

In this setting, Anette Cardenas, Vice President of Skål International, gave a talk on the Governance of Skål International and there was a networking space with an exchange of business cards among some of the Skålleagues in attendance.

Optional excursions to discover San Juan

During Sunday there were daytime excursions to Ischigualasto Provincial Park for the traditional visit, while other congress attendees opted for a night excursion to the Park, an experiential walk with a full moon and night in Valle Fértil.