Dear Skålleagues,
I am glad to report that Skål International USA had a successful presence at the 2018 IPW in Denver. Thanks to our fellow Skålleague Roger Dow and industry partner US Travel Association; three of our Skal USA Executive Committee members had the opportunity to walk the floor and meet with industry executives in person.
Special thanks to SI Colorado for hosting a great reception on May 22nd at which Skålleagues from the USA and around the globe visiting IPW got together. The reception also had several potential members in attendance. Thank you to SI Colorado President Peter Hellman and his board for hosting such a great evening!
Skål USA EC members David Ryan, VP of Membership, and Steve Richer, Director of PR/ Communications and I met with heads of destination marketing organization where Skål USA is targeting to start new clubs, reactivate clubs or looks for support on growing membership.
We had successful meetings, obtained important leads, and heard great feedback on how Skål USA is perceived among the industry.
The Skål USA Membership team led by Dave Ryan will email your club any leads collected during the IPW for you to contact and invite them to one of your upcoming meetings. We did not get leads for every club.
The membership team and the EC will also work with the industry leaders who expressed an interest in starting new clubs. At this time, we have interest in following cities. Please contact Dave Ryan, anyone on the Skål USA membership team, or EC, if you have any leads that you would like to submit for these prospective clubs:
- Cincinnati, OH
- Detroit, MI
- Lexington, KY
- Milwaukee, MI
- Niagara Falls/Buffalo, NY
- San Diego, CA
- San Antonio, TX
- Shreveport, LA
The most important feedback we received from meeting with industry leaders was as follows:
- There is some knowledge about Skål among IPW participants
- Those who have the knowledge of Skål remember Skål with its old tight rules where the organization was an invitation only organization and limited to high executive levels with minimum meeting participation requirements
- Many leaders have expressed being more aware of Skal and becoming more interested about the organization in the past 6-8 months with its increased visibility in the media
All this feedback shows us that we are moving in the right direction with our public relations/ visibility strategy. We need to do a better job in informing potential members and interested audiences about the changes within Skål in terms of membership requirements, expanded categories, and opportunities for managers to become a member.
At this time, I would like to remind you to take advantage of the special agreement Skål USA has made with PR Newswire. It is a barter agreement that offers clubs free press release opportunities; here is the link to the
Skål USA Website where PR Newswire information can be found;
http://skalusa.org/partnerships/
Skålleagues; let's use the momentum of growing Skål USA! Please join your Skål USA EC in its efforts in starting new clubs; let's spread the word as much as we can! We all are in the heart of the travel and tourism industry. So, let's reach out to all of our contacts and invite them to join our organization!
Following my letter, you will receive an email from our VP of Membership Dave Ryan and his team; where you will be provided some reminders, information on membership development funds and additional tips in regards to organizing new membership events. Fall is the best time to have this event and summer is the best time to start the planning for it.
As always, please feel free to contact me or anyone on your Skål USA EC with any questions, concerns, feedback or need for assistance. We are at your service.
Yours in Friendship and Skål!
Burcin Turkkan
President - Skål USA 2018
