Notes from the President

Wow, is summer already over and fall begun? What happened?

I hope all of you had a fabulous and exciting summer. I have just returned from the Skal International World Congress, where I was joined by almost 50 Skalleagues from over 25 of our SIUSA clubs in Sydney. This was a very interesting year, our first without our dearly departed friend and General Secretary, Jim Power. While the number of attendees were down due to the Global Financial Crisis facing not only our industry, but the world in general, and the distance to travel for this Congress, I can tell you the Aussies put on a terrific congress, full of camaraderie and fun, while offering some wonderful opportunities to network with our Skalleague friends from around the world.

I am happy to let all of you know that our former SIUSA President and ISC Councilor, Mok Singh, was elected to the position of Vice President on the Executive Committee of Skal International. This is the highest we have had one of our members on the E. C. in more years than any of us wish to recall. Congatulations Mok on a job well done. I will give more details on the Congress in our final newsletter of 2010.

I want to thank all of you for your continued membership in Skal. This organization is the only one of its kind, representing all facets of the travel and tourism industry. The past few years have been very difficult for many of our members, but I believe the travel industry is beginning to pick up and get back on a positive note. Skal affords you the opportunity to network with members throughout the world, and of course, in your own backyard. For the small cost of membership, you have access to almost 20,000 members in the world and close to 2800 in the United States.

While you may have seen notice that our SIUSA dues are going to increase effective January 1, 2011, the overall effect is very little. Our active and associate member dues will be only $7 more than last years, and for the retired/life members, only $4. This equates to less than the cost of a small coffee/month. I want to encourage all our members to reflect on the friendships you have found in Skal and on the connections you have the opportunity to utilize for business. It does not take a Rhodes scholar to realize that this is money well spent in our business environment.

It continues to be an exciting year as your SIUSA President. I had the pleasure of spending a weekend with over 100 Skalleagues and friends at the Region IV Summer outing in Callaway Gardens in August. Thank you RVP Phelps Hope, and his great team from S. I. Atlanta who organized this wonderful event. I am also excited that this weekend, I am going to have the privilege of presenting the Honorary President award to past SIUSA President and ISC Councillor, Jack Bogrette, from S. I. Central Pennsylvania as well as attend the 50th Anniversary dinner of S. I. Pittsburgh. This is a club, who continues to find ways to increase membership and support their scholarship programs despite the downturn of our economic situation. Congratulations to Jack and all of S. I. Pittsburgh. Way to go, guys.

I look forward to reaching out to each Region at some time in my year as President. I hope to see many of you as I travel this year. Please feel free to contact me on any issue in SIUSA and I pledge to do my best to get you answers. Have a great day and Skal….y’all.

Lou Conkling