July 7, 2021

Dear Skål Presidents,

As we move to the second half of 2021, we are pleased to see some membership growth in the first six months. The pandemic took its toll with the loss of many members who have left the industry or retired. Despite this most clubs continued to engage their members virtually with cleverly crafted zoom sessions. Some even reached out to other clubs around the world to have a Skål toast or showcase their products with their “Twin” clubs. These same clubs are seeing a growth in membership. 

Skål USA has joined with Skål International in prorating the dues for new members who join between July 1 and October 31. What an opportunity to grow your membership! Some clubs are already planning membership development events and taking advantage of the new dues structure as well as the use of membership development funds.

Are you communicating with your members? Do you use any of the Social Media platforms? Skål USA, as well as many individual clubs, is active on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. They are all free!!! LinkedIn is the favored platform for business professionals. Very soon Skål USA will join much of the world and adopt the Skal.org website platform. This will allow all our USA clubs to build their own club website. All the websites will be linked and integrated.

We are all leaders in the tourism and hospitality industry and know many colleagues who are not Skål members. We may even belong to other business organizations with these colleagues. Why not invite them to a meeting and showcase the benefits of being a Skålleague. Our network is local, national, and global. Skål is the only international organization that gives every member access to its data base. You are welcome to attend any Skål club meeting in the world. What other organization can say that! A true global family!

Skål is about coming together for a common cause i.e., building tourism. A few weeks ago, I was privileged to attend and give the Skål toast at the Skål New Orleans Industry Update event. I witnessed CEOs from the New Orleans Tourism industry boasting how they realized how a lot more could be done for their city by working together. Strength in numbers!  New Orleans is not unique in this regard. It is something we should all be doing. Contact the tourism leaders in your city or area.

Now is the time. If you need help with anything we are here to help. Membership retention and growth should be our top priority and it starts with engagement. 

Best regards and Skål,

Jim Dwyer

President

Skål International USA