Dear Skål International Cape Town Member - August 2023 Newsletter
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SKÅL INTERNATIONAL CAPE TOWN
AUGUST NEWSLETTER
To The Awesome Members of The Best Club in The World
A somewhat overdue newsletter, however keeping up with all the activities and events of The Best Club in The World is somewhat daunting and before you know it, weeks have passed.
The most inspiring way to start a newsletter is with “Igniting our Young Skål Professionals and the future of Tourism in not only the Western Cape but across the Globe.” The Cape Town Club under the auspice of Aimee Lentz, one of our Past Young Skål Presidents initiated a program with the Tourism and Hospitality 3rd year students at CPUT.
1st Session was held at CPUT in May with over 60 Tourism students in attendance who opted to attend on a day that they did not need to be on campus but were so enthusiastic about seeing what Skål was all about.
I am thrilled to report that this initiative has taken off and has evolved into a “Career Travel Workshop” for tourism students to meet Tourism Leaders and discover how to connect Internationally. The potential that this offers our students, who will be our next generation leaders is invaluable. The next session is earmarked for Wednesday 30th August to be hosted at The Diamond Works. The invitation has been extended to a few of the Tourism and Hospitality Tertiary Institutions. As part of this event, we are also inviting current and past Industry leaders to attend and interact with the students.
From left to right: Carol Bayne, Michaela Crowe (CPUT), Kirsten van den Hoven and Aimee Lentz
The Next Generation of Tourism Movers and Shakers
Annual Past Presidents Lunch
A long-standing tradition as always arranged by Carol Bayne. Hosted this year at Vida Nova in Hout Bay. Thank you to Niel Els for being the eternal gracious host and treating our esteemed Past Presidents to the exceptional hospitality that Vida Nova has to offer. As a note to this, Carol sends out the invitation to all current Club Presidents to please pass on to their Past Presidents.
This is an event that is marked in the year for the “Skål Alma Mater” who have been the stalwarts of our association to get together, reminisce and brainstorm where they can be of assistance to the current Office Bearers.…. ( or give them more work 😊 )
From left to right: Shirley Brown, Hazel Burns, Dorette De Klerk, Carol Bayne, Lodewyk De Klerk, Niel Els, Di Dagh and Wayne Bezuidenhout
New Members
Our fabulous club is forever attracting new members and luring past ones back to the family. Over the past few events, we have inducted no less than 7 members, welcomed 2 back to the fold, and celebrated 3 – Ten year membership anniversaries.
INDUCTEES
From left to right: Heinz Erwee, Moegamat Allie and Elmar Schorndorfer at Ikhaya Lodge
From left to right: Kelly Witz and Shireen Onia at Mojo Market
From left to right: Leigh-Ann Khan and Graeme Grant at UCT All Africa House
WELCOME BACK TO THE FAMILY
From left to right: Jandre Boshoff and Michelle Whitehead
10 YEAR AWARDS
From left to right: Miriam Nunes, Penny Fraser and Cany Bugler
Twinning Club Perth
Our Membre d’Honneur, Carol Bayne brought back gifts from our Twinning Club Perth – as a retaliation of our presenting them with a Springbok Flag at the Congress in Croatia.
On that note - It is with immense excitement that I can share the President of our Twinning Club Perth will be attending the 70th Platinum Jubilee celebrations. We are looking forward to welcoming President Michael Collins and his wife Jonine to Cape Town and hosting them in true South African hospitality.
Coast to Coast send-off - Eden on the Bay
Members of the Skål Cape Town Club as well as Clubs around the country were sponsors for the fabulous initiative by Zoe and the team from Save-a-Fishie. Below is the remarkable data from their trip. A very special thanks to Heinz Erwee and the team from Automotion for sponsoring Vinnie the Van that took the team 7895kms around South Africa.
Skål International Cape Town strengthens ties with Qingdao, China through a Memorandum of Cooperation
Our Vice President Johan van Schalkwyk, addressed a distinguished delegation from Qingdao, China, which included Wenpeng Su, Deputy Governor of the Laoshan District Government, and Bangru Sui, Deputy Director of the Qingdao Culture and Tourism Bureau.
A momentous highlight of the gathering was the signing of the MOU, solidifying the cooperative efforts between Qingdao Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism and Skål International Cape Town. The memorandum recognizes the global reach and influential network of Skål International, while acknowledging Qingdao as an exceptional international tourism brand.
Youth Month Networking Lunch at Mojo Market
Our June youth month event at Mojo market saw a swing (literally) on our normal format. Inductions, fake money, food market and a Salsa class. No-one can say we’re a boring Club. As part of the Youth month celebrations, we had a food drive for Aasiyah Food Distribution. Initiated by Aimee Lentz on behalf of the Cape Town Club in conjunction with Heart FM, the food and cleaning donations were dropped off at St Francis Children's Home.
July Networking Lunch at All Africa House
July we “ inducted” All Africa House at UCT into the Tourism and Hospitality realm – Skål Cape Town was the first event to be held at this newest addition to the Mother City’s offering. Consensus was an amazing event with valuable networking and a fabulous venue and luncheon.
Skål Cape Town was invited as the Guest Speaker at the Travel Spaces event by Claire Pohlman at Cape Town Heritage Hotel and Spa, one of the Skål West Coast members.
Thamodran Chettiar - Owner Cape Town Heritage Hotel and Spa
Save The Date
We are excited to bring you more networking lunches in the months ahead:
12 SEPTEMBER 2023:
Rheebokskloof, Paarl
28 OCTOBER 2023:
Platinum Jubilee - Cape Town Club turns 70
The President Hotel, Sea Point
01 NOVEMBER 2023:
Annual Travel and Trade Workshop at Lagoon Beach Hotel
24 NOVEMBER 2023:
Combined Christmas lunch with Skål International Winelands
Details TBA
Pencil these dates in your diary and we hope to see you at one of our Skal events soon
Annual Cape Town Workshop
Here’s your chance to showcase your business to enthusiastic and travel hungry buyers - ranging from PCO's to Tour Operators, Corporate Buyers, Travel Agents and more.
When: Wednesday 1 November 2023
Where: Lagoon Beach Hotel
To book your table, kindly contact Carol Bayne on carolbayne963@gmail.com or on 076 478 5354
Reasons to be a member of Skål International
A reminder as to some of the reasons to be a member of Skål International:
• We are the most important global network in the travel and tourism industry.
• Skål International takes the guesswork out of making new connections.
• You have visibility at important tradeshows both here and abroad.
• Skål offers local value, national representation, and international connectivity.
• You are never alone when you travel.
As a testament to two of the Skål member benefits, see pictures below of Skål Cape Town members travelling and connecting across the globe.
World Travel Expo in Miami
From left to right: Andreas Hayes (Director Skål International), Aimee Rodriguez, Juan Steta (World President Skål International), Jonny Lechtman (Skål Cape Town) and Fernando Harb (Vice President Skål International Miami)
Skål International Lugano in Switzerland
From left to right: Massimo, Michele, Antonella, Lorenzo, Michelle, Francesco, Sonia Spinelli (President Skål Lugano) with Michelle Whitehead (Skål Cape Town)
We had the pleasure of hosting Michelle Sandhu – twice Past President of Skål Singapore and ISC for Asia with her husband Hari, at The Winchester Mansions while on their holiday in The Mother City.
My wish for each and every Skål member worldwide,
HAPPINESS that knows no limits
GOOD HEALTH in every breath
FRIENDSHIPS that warm your heart
LONG LIFE with unending travel memories
Skål
Dawn Smith
President Skål International Cape Town
