Our June 2009 joint meeting with members of ASME was held at Primavera Restaurant in Ft. Lauderdale. Thank you to our friends from ASME who were in attendance and the staff at Primavera for making this a most enjoyable meeting! Great camaraderie was felt by all who attended the cocktail reception and the dinner following.

Twenty seven members and guests were in attendance. The opening toast was presented by Wilson Carter which was followed by self- introductions of all present. The closing toast was presented by Lee Smolinski.

We were extremely pleased to have 13 guests / potential members in attendance including:

Cheryl Faye - Tropical Catamaran Sailing Charters, Director of Marketing and Business Development
Alexandra Gannon, Royal Caribbean, Manager & prospective member, and her husband Richard Gannon
Opal Gibson - Riverside Hotel Sales Consultant
Milvia Gutierrez - Hyatt Regency Bonaventure Conference Center & Spa, Sales Manager - Business Travel
Dean Morton - past SKAL member, guest of Bill Decker
Anna Russo - Riverside Hotel, Director of Sales
Geoff Silvers - Viva Voyage Travel
Al and Anne Walleser - Al is with Alpines Adventures / SKAL Miami Member
Julie Wernick - HSMAI, Managing Director
Janice Lynne - Celebration Cruise Line, Sr. Vice President Sales
Rachel Mecca - Starwood Caribbean Hotels, Account Director

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!! Announcement was made confirming our upcoming Summer - SKAL Ft. Lauderdale & Palm Beaches Social Evening / Membership Drive which will be held on Thursday, August 6, 2009 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM, at The Mai-Kai in Ft. Lauderdale. Members of ASME, BonVivants, Gold Coast T.I.A., 505, MPI, HSMAI, Palm Beach & Ft. Lauderdale Hotel Associations and other industry related groups who qualify for SKAL membership will be invited to join us. An appetizer buffet and 50% off cocktails and musical entertainment are included in the cover charge of $10.00. Invitations will be sent to you in early July, so plan to attend and bring a new member.

Don't forget, the 3-night / SKAL Holiday Cruise sailing from Pt. Everglades on the Ruby Princess sailing on Thursday, December 17, 2009. Reminder: Availability is limited!! … Members and guests are already making plans (many have already made their reservations) to attend, so why don't you plan to join us? Prices: Outside = $349 / Balcony = $384 / Mini-Suite = $504 (fees & taxes add'l). Contact: Joe Ogni & Palm Coast Travel for more info and availability.

Upcoming Skal Meetings:
The 32nd Annual SKAL International Region IV Congress & Golf Tournament is being hosted by Tampa Bay and is scheduled for the Sheraton Sand Key Resort, Clearwater, Florida, August 28-30, 2009. Should you wish more information, contact: Carlos Banks or check our club's web-site: www.skal-ftlauderdale-palmbeaches.org for registration information.

YOUR Board of Directors continues to seek to make SKAL / Ft. Lauderdale & Palm Beaches an organization where each member is an integral part of our success! We encourage you to share your ideas for upcoming activities which will help us to have more camaraderie and interaction. … PLEASE, feel free to share with us any suggestions which you may have for activities / fundraisers / guest speakers! Contact me at tnix@princesscruises.com, Beth Cohen at CohenKnott@us.costa.it, or Dick Stafford at rwstaff@bellsouth.net, with YOUR suggestions!

Upcoming SKAL Meetings:

• August 28-30, 2009: The 32nd Annual SKAL International Region IV Congress & Golf Tournament is being hosted by Tampa Bay and is scheduled for the Sheraton Sand Key Resort, Clearwater, Florida. . Should you wish more information, contact: Carlos Banks or check web-site: www.skal-ftlauderdale-palmbeaches.org
• October 31-November 6, 2009: Budapest hosts the SKAL International / World Congress, October 31 - November 6, 2009. (SIUSA will meet on October 31 in Budapest.)

Don't forget to check our website www.skal-ftlauderdale-palmbeaches.org to get more information on our club, the upcoming "CALL TO MEETING" for our September meeting.

Wishing you a safe and fun Summer Break!! … See you on August 6 @ the Mai-Kai for our Summer Social Evening & Membership Drive!

SKAL!

Theresa Nix, President
SKAL Ft. Lauderdale & Palm Beaches

2009 FUTURE MEETINGS

We all know someone of management level in Travel / Tourism / Hospitality who is not currently a SKAL member. Invite them to come to a meeting TODAY!