Dear Skålleagues,

I’m writing to you from the Skål International World Congress in beautiful Izmir, Türkiye. The Congress is just starting, but is promising to be a wonderful few days of networking and building new connections among our industry as well as renewing acquaintances with Skålleagues from near and far around the world. I’ve included a photo of myself exchanging banners with Mr. Gustavo Bolio, President of Skål International Mexico, with whom I have been working on a number of projects over several years. I can’t emphasise enough the benefits that the Skål network can bring if you set out to take advantage of it.

One of the highlights of the World Congress is always the announcement of the Skål International Club of the Year. This year, Skål International Gold Coast was a finalist in this competition and while they were pipped at the post this time, it’s a great recognition of their tremendous effort under the leadership of President Dene Harris, that they were a finalist in this significant award.

As I am sure you know, Australia also has it’s own Skål Club of the Year Award. In 2023 this award was presented to Skål International Adelaide during our AGM and National Assembly in Perth in March 2024.

The Skål International Australia Club of the Year Award holds immense importance within the Skål community, as it recognises excellence and leadership among the various Skål Clubs across the country.

This prestigious accolade is a symbol of dedication to Skål’s values of tourism, friendship, and business networking, showcasing the Club that has demonstrated outstanding engagement and contributions throughout the year. Winning this award not only elevates the profile of the Club within the national and global Skål community but also reflects its commitment to fostering strong relationships, promoting sustainable tourism, and supporting its members.

During the recent National Assembly held in Cairns, attendees were given an opportunity to view the current standings in the race for the Skål International Australia Platinum Club of the Year Award. A comprehensive leaderboard was presented, allowing each club to see where they stand in relation to others, offering transparency and encouraging healthy competition. This visibility serves as a motivating factor for all clubs to continue striving for excellence in their activities and engagement with the broader Skål network, knowing that their efforts are being recognised and tracked.

If you’re interested in knowing where your Club stands in the running, please speak to your President, or your delegate at the National Assembly. If you would like to review the criteria for the Platinum Club of the Year Award, please visit https://australia.skal.org/platinum-club-of-the-year

When viewing the criteria, you will see that Clubs across Australia have clear goals to work towards as they seek to accumulate more points in the months leading up to the final announcement. Whether through increased membership, sustainability projects, or fostering stronger industry connections through their social media presence, each Club has the chance to influence their ranking. This dynamic competition inspires Clubs to elevate their contributions, ensuring that the competition for the prominent award remains both challenging and rewarding.

The much-anticipated winner of the 2024 Skål International Australia Platinum Club of the Year Award will be revealed at the AGM and National Assembly in Broome in March 2025. With the event fast approaching, excitement is building as Clubs across the country fine-tune their strategies to earn this coveted title. The award will not only honour the Club that has demonstrated exceptional performance but also inspire other Clubs to continue growing and improving, ensuring that Skål remains a vital and forward-thinking organisation in the tourism industry.

Yours in Skål,

Melinda Brown