Prepared to guide the industry through challenging times.

2020 was a year that no one would forget anytime soon. Before the coronavirus pandemic shook the world to its core in March, the travel industry was on track to reach another record-breaking year as travel continued its meteoric rise. Then COVID-19 changed everything and brought the travel industry – and the world – to its knees.

The industry has been damaged as never before, and Skål International, the most trusted voice in the Travel & Tourism Industry, is poised to do whatever they can to help the industry get back on its feet. Skål International is the only international group uniting all branches of the travel and tourism industry around the world. Skål International's motto of "doing business amongst friends" has never been more critical than it is today.

As news followed about the dismantling of the hospitality and tourism industry due to the pandemic and subsequent community travel cancellations and lockdowns; outgoing 2020 Skål International President, David Ryan, Skål International Sacramento was faced with throwing out all of the strategic plans he had put together for the year and developed a survival plan where Skål International would remain relevant. He put together a series of educational webinars with tourism leaders throughout the country, where they freely shared ideas on how to survive the pandemic and help the industry recover. This year-long program turned out to spur even greater communications than he imagined.

Newly elected officers and leadership team for 2021 are deeply aware of the challenges 2020 left behind and are prepared to face them head-on. Officers consist of:

• Jim Dwyer, President, Skål International New Jersey.

• Holly Powers, International Skål International Councilor, Skål International Boston.

• Arthur Allis, Vice President Finance, Skål International Tucson

• Tom Moulton, Vice President Membership, Skål International Tucson.

• Pam Davis, Vice President Public Relations and Communications, Skål International Hawaii.

• Richard Scinta, Vice President Administration, Skål International Orlando.

• Morgan Maravich, Director of Membership, Skål International Washington DC.

• Mark Irgang, Director of Membership, Skål International Long Island.

• JoAnne Ford, Senior Auditor, Skål International Nashville.

• Robert Lowell, Jr. Auditor, Skål International New Jersey.

• Karen Trevino, Deputy Auditor, Skål International Arkansas. 

2021 President Jim Dwyer has been an Skål International member for nearly 30 years and has a real passion for the organization that he is excited about sharing. He knows one of his largest issues this year will be member retention, as the loss of members due to the damage COVID inflicted on the industry is not yet known but expected to be significant. The Executive Committee is doing all they can to support those members with the dues assistance plan and letting those in need know that Skål International will provide both support and networking if they are struggling. "We are facing the biggest challenge in our history, and we need to stick together," he says... "We need to help each other. I won't tell clubs what I want; I will ask them what they need".

Dwyer also suggests that clubs take preventative action now to retain their membership during these troubled times. "A member can get whatever they want to get out of Skål International. I learned early that if you focus inwardly and never get out of your local environment, you're severely limiting your scope. Right now, clubs have the opportunity to network with any club in the world". He recommends getting involved with other clubs now. Look at the list of membership categories and limit your club to one or two categories. Lastly, he says, have a joint meeting and broaden your network. Meet new friends or travel as a group to another club. It will change your view of Skål International and make your club stronger than ever. Skål International is the largest unified voice in the travel industry today and offers its members a chance to work together to maximize networking opportunities.

This year's Leadership Team is being tasked with engaging with other clubs as much as possible and getting the Skål International name out. "In most major countries, everyone in travel knows Skål International," says Dwyer. "Not so much in the U.S., we need to spread the Skål International gospel far and wide. I never want to hear the phrase "What is Skål International?" after 2021". 

2021 is sure to bring its share of challenges as the travel industry tries to recover from the past year and the Skål International USA Executive Committee is ready to do its part. 

Contact: Pam Davis, (808) 225-8229, info@skalusa.org.

Source: Skål International USA.