As we reflect on the past year and the current economic situation, we are encouraged by the consistent signs of economic recovery. Global and travel industry economic indicators are reflecting a steady increase in world trade and in the overall travel industry.

We are also looking back at a recent episode which saw the worst peacetime air travel disruption in history, as clouds of ash paralyzed European air space for six days, stranding millions of travelers across the globe.

As outlined and addressed in a recent repositioning document, SKAL INTERNATIONAL will need to redefine ourselves…..”WHO WE ARE” and “WHY SKAL EXISTS”.

It is the goal and mission of SKAL INTERNATIONAL CLUB of Atlanta to carry the torch for re-vitalization within our organization.

We plan to start with a survey to our membership in order to determine how we move forward. The survey will be sent out early July. We encourage all members to respond.

We need to show the value we bring to our membership! We will take your feedback and focus on specific recommendations as we have in the past.

Our plan for the balance of 2010 and beyond is to focus on our core value of developing innovative ways of fostering friendship in the travel and tourism industry worldwide.

Kathy M. Bedell]]> http://skalatlanta.org/presidents-corner/711/feed/ 0 http://skalatlanta.org/photo-gallery/photos-from-sal-grassos-meeting/ http://skalatlanta.org/photo-gallery/photos-from-sal-grassos-meeting/#comments Sat, 03 Jul 2010 16:48:46 +0000 Jack Kennard http://skalatlanta.org/?p=688 ]]> http://skalatlanta.org/photo-gallery/photos-from-sal-grassos-meeting/feed/ 0 http://skalatlanta.org/photo-gallery/2010-past-presidents-ball/ http://skalatlanta.org/photo-gallery/2010-past-presidents-ball/#comments Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:30:57 +0000 Jack Kennard http://skalatlanta.org/?p=559 ]]> http://skalatlanta.org/photo-gallery/2010-past-presidents-ball/feed/ 0 http://skalatlanta.org/updates/sal-depace-2010/ http://skalatlanta.org/updates/sal-depace-2010/#comments Thu, 29 Apr 2010 10:36:15 +0000 Jack Kennard http://skalatlanta.org/?p=612 2010 ATLANTA SKAL CLUB

SAL DePACE MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

INFORMATION plus MEMBER AND GUEST APPLICATION

Bradshaw Contact: Steve Long, www.groupsales@bradshawfarmgc.com

This will be a best-ball scramble, as in the past. There will be a chicken and barbecue buffet with all the trimmings after completion of play.

$75 per player includes green/cart fee, range balls, 2 drink tickets, buffet, and prizes galore!

This tournament will not be in conjunction with our regular meeting. Also, per many requests, we are having it on a Saturday in order to make it convenient for those of us who have to work during the week. We have had tournaments at Bradshaw in the past, and for those who will be 1st timers here, we think you will be delighted with the course.

We encourage you not only to play, but also bring as many guests as possible for a great SKAL gathering and fun golf!

Directions to Bradshaw:
Anyone coming from the city of Atlanta should take 75 N
-75 to I-575
-Exit 11 (Sixes Rd)
-Turn Right off exit
-Turn Right at Chevron Gas Station
-Turn Left at Publix Shopping Center (East Cherokee Rd)
-Travel 3 1/2 miles and turn left onto Bradshaw Club Dr. (Course can be seen from the main road)
-Continue straight on Bradshaw Club Dr. Pass two stop signs, and you will dead end into the golf club.

Heading 400 North
-Exit 7a (Holcomb Bridge Road and go west toward Roswell … not Norcross)
-Stay straight on Holcomb Bridge which will become East Crossville, then West Crossville, then Woodstock Rd/Highway 92.
-Continue on highway 92 until you reach I-575 (about 10-15 miles)
-Make right on to I-575 N
-Directions are the same as above from this point forward

2010 ATLANTA SKAL CLUB
SAL DePACE MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

MEMBER AND GUEST APPLICATION
Member Name______________________________________________ Yes No
Address_____________________________________________ Handicap __________________
Phone_____________________ Email_______________________________________

I would like to have the following in my Foursome:
Name___________________________________________ Handicap_____________
Name___________________________________________ Handicap_____________
Name___________________________________________ Handicap_____________

Place me in a group of your choice

Enclosed is a check for: Myself only $75.00
Myself + ______ Guests ($75.00 per player)
Names of Guests you are paying for:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

Send checks and make payable to: Richard Tilley
4348 Cherokee Trail
Gainesville, GA 30504

Show in the Memo section of your check “2010 ATL SKAL Golf Tournament.” Any questions or prize donations, please contact Richard Tilley, 770-536-7321, or Gail Evilsizor, 770-509-1703.

It is very important to contact ONLY Gail or Richard for ANY changes or cancellations. All checks and golf reservations must be in by Tuesday, May 18th. No changes after Thursday, May 20th.

It is with great pleasure that I take the opportunity once again to write to you through our web-site President’s Corner.

We entered 2010 full of hope and with great expectation for a fruitful and successful year. So far most of the leading indicators have proven to be correct in forecasting a slower gradual increase in business culminating with a relatively strong second period. The economy in the United States appears to be on the ways to stabilizing which will again permit us to plan accordingly, although indicators like unemployment remain behind acceptable levels.

Regarding our Atlanta Club business, I am pleased to inform you that our Skal Youth Program is now structured to the point that in view of this market stabilization as a result, will see the growth of the new and future members of our Skal Youth Club.

In the process I am also very pleased to inform you that with the appointment of one of our own as SIUSA Region IV Vice President, Atlanta is well represented in our region which will permit us within time to be one of the leading clubs in the Southeast Area.

As you all know I have accepted management responsibilities in one of the Starwood family of hotels at the Sheraton Panama Hotel & Convention Center in Panama City, Panama, Central America. We have decided to maintain residence and the ownership of our home in Atlanta/Austell and this will give us the opportunity to visit you not as often as we would like to, but in due time.

Once my responsibilities as your President comes to an end this coming March, I will request transfer papers to the Panama Club and will explore the possibility of one day entertaining the thought of linking the Panama and the Atlanta Clubs as sister organizations.

It has been wonderful enjoying your friendship and a great honor for me to have being your President and I will never forget your kindness and support to Gisella and myself in our transition process.

Yours in Skal,
Cordially,

William A. Torresala

The meeting was opened by the President, William Torresala, and the SKAL toast was given by Kathy Bedell, Vice President.

Introduction of Guests: We had 82 RSVPs which included members, their wives, and several guests to our annual Holiday Luncheon.

Treasurers Report – Laura Heidt gave the Treasurer’s Report: “We have money in the bank,” and mentioned that members should submit their annual membership plans and dues by 28th January.

Welfare: Everyone was reminded to call Pat Lowe or send a greeting card to her new location on Briarcliff Rd. In Atlanta, Ga. Address cards were on each table.

General Business:
The new 2010 Executive Board members were announced from the election results from Ray Sorrell. They are Kathy Bedell, President, Lorene Sartan, Vice President, Laura Heidt, Secretary, Kenny Song, Treasurer, Erwin Johnson, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer and FlagBearer. Other members of the Board are Gail Evilsizor, Terry Kingery, Kerry Ringham, Clark Goodwin.

The Atlanta Food Bank had asked for cash donations due to their buying power for food. We collected food and money, which Ray Sorrel organized to give to the Atlanta Food Bank. We held the 50/50 drawing for the Florimond Volckaert Fund contribution.

Special Auction: We held a silent aution for 2 sets of AIRTRAN  business class tickets. Tickets are good until 12/31/10. Winners to be notified. The annual SKAL Auction will be held on a Friday night in late April at the Mariott NW Hotel instead of downtown this year.

Phelps Hope is working on organizing the Regional Congress to be hosted by the Atlanta SKAL Club. He is considering Calloway Gardens as first choice with Lanier Island Resorts as second. Stone Mountain did not want to handle the event.

Program Review:

• January, 2010 Sherraton at the Airport (Kerry Ringham)
• February, 2010 Serraton Galleria
• March, 2010 Intercontinental Hotel Downtown (Past Presidents’ Ball)
• April, 2010 Mariott NW (Erwin Johnson)- Annual SKAL Auction

Kathy Bedell advised that she is arranging for guest speakers to attend the January and February meetings so far and wants to try to continue this effort by having keynote speakers in the industry at several future meetings.

Respectfully Submitted by:
Lorene Sartan, 2009 ATL SKAL Secretary

This is my first opportunity to dedicate the President Corner message to all of you that have supported me with your friendship through out the years we have been together since my arrival into Atlanta.

For me it is 30 years of service as a member of our Skal club in four continents and once again I am humble to have the great honor of leading our wonderful Skal Atlanta team during the 2009-10 period.

These are very difficult times for the hospitality industry and based on current indicators it doesn’t appear we will have a respite in the immediate future.
Therefore it behooves us to strongly support each other as much as possible now that it is us who are in the front lines facing these complex economic developments.

A great part of my administration will be dedicated to enhance the Skal youth and the Hotel presence in our membership.

To this effect, I will ask our board to approve a plan to develop those two areas of importance by appointing two members of our team who will be responsible for this objective.

As you know in the past few years I have been responsible for maintaining our By-Laws and I have realized there are areas where our covenants could have been followed more precisely as mandated by our SIUSA rules.
To help us in this endearment, I will also ask our board to appoint a “Sergeant of Arms” to help us maintain cohesiveness and compliance in a humorous and fun way.

Finally, I thought of sharing with you a copy of my acceptance Speech which I had the honor to present to all of you during my installment as your President by Phelps Hope our Region IV, Vice President.

INNAGURAL SPEECH
Skal Atlanta Club
William Torresala
March 27 – 2009
Sheraton Atlanta Hotel

Good evening.

Ladies & Gentleman Distinguished Guest, Dear Friends.

It is a great honor for me and with much humility that I accept this appointment
to lead the Atlanta Skal Club through out the fiscal year of 2009.

When I look at you from where I stand I see the wealth of knowledge and
the great experience that collectively and independently you have contributed to the Hospitality Industry.

Many of you are Legends and your legacy is our benchmarks which allow us to serve with integrity and ethically.

The Skal organization is the only one in the world that have united all segments of the Hospitality industry, from Travel – (Agencies, Global wholesalers, travel distribution points of sale) to Airlines, Hotels and now Restaurants.

Back in 1932 our founders at the inauguration of the first Swedish Air Service between Stockholm and Paris invited a group of travel professionals to make an exploratory flight over the new Route. The welcome they received lead to some incredible Friendship. One of our Founders Florimond Volckaert conceived the idea of uniting them into and international organization thus the Skal club was born.

To this date we follow that legacy and we are proud to be parts of our communities were we serve our industry with the underlining values of Friendship and Goodwill through out the world.

Today there are 22000 of us through out 480 clubs in 90 major global cities from Amsterdam and Acapulco to Zagreb and Zurich.

It is indeed my great honor. Thank you

Our three official languages are English, French and Spanish and I ask that you join me in practicing our Skal toast in those three languages.

Would you please raise and stay standing for the invocation by Don Vellk immediately after.