President’s Letter
March, 2014

Cheri Rutledge and her staff at The Marriott West Palm Beach provided a beautiful backdrop and a delectable dinner for our March meeting. Cheri was also acknowledged at the dinner for having been chosen as the 2013 Hotelier of the Year in Palm Beach County. A huge thank you to Cheri & her staff!!

A moment of silence and opening toast in honor of Al Walleser which was presented by Dick Stafford, was followed by self-introductions by all in attendance. .

Guests included: Jorge Pesquera (Discover Palm Beach County), Mary Lou Eastep (guest of Jerry Eastep), Tom McDonald (Miami Skål), Lisa Herbach-Orbeck (Marriott WPB), John Ruzich (New York Skål, prospective members Peter Adamowich (Hickory Travel) and Lisa Hamilton (ClubMed) as well as prospective Young Skål Member – Brandon Hall (Discover Palm Beach County).

Our guest speaker, Jorge Pesquera from Discover Palm Beach County gave great insight on tourism in Palm Beach County. A few highlights are: the new non-stop service from PBI to LAX and the new hotel being built adjacent to the convention center. Palm Beach County is definitely moving forward in 2014 and beyond!

Carlos Banks gave everyone an update on the progress of SIUSA under his leadership as President including the positive progress being made in building membership and the new website about to be launched.

PLAN NOW to attend the April 8 Installation of Officer’s Dinner at the Renaissance Hotel in Boca Raton!! Dress for men is business suit and tie and for ladies – business or cocktail attire.

The closing toast was presented by our guest Skalleague, John Ruzich from the New York Skål Club.

Pre-planning for our “Annual Summer Social” (late July/August) is underway and in the next few month’s we will be providing details and asking for your support!

Your Board of Directors’ continues to be focused on increasing our membership and we ask that you contact industry friends and invite them to our meetings. We are also making every effort to plan to have interesting topics of discussion at future meetings. Should you have a topic / guest that you would like to include in our consideration, please do share that info with Dick Stafford, rwstaff@bellsouth.net or Becky Reincke, becky.reincke@otodevelopment.com. Don’t forget to let your Board of Director’s know if you have suggestions for meeting locations / meeting enhancements / other fun & interesting ideas! We really would like your in-put!

See you on April 8th at the Renaissance Boca Raton & don’t forget to bring a guest / potential new member!!

Together in Skål!

Theresa Nix, President
SKAL Ft. Lauderdale & Palm Beaches

Contact any one of your Board members to share your ideas and suggestions for the Club. Don’t forget to check our website www.skal-ftlauderdale-palmbeaches.org to get more information on our club, pictures and the upcoming Skål Monthly Reception & Meeting.