President’s Letter
June 13, 2017

It was so wonderful to see so many of you at our clubs 40th Anniversary celebration at the Riverside Hotel. Heiko Dobrikow, Carol Tracz, and their entire team did another wonderful job for us by providing impeccable service, delectable culinary delights and flowing wine.

Talking about wine, thank you to all who donated wine for the wine pull and also to those who so generously bought tickets. Thank you also to those who donated items for the Silent Auction and to those who bid. The money raised will go in part towards our donation to the Joe Neary Fund and a donation will be made by our club to the Garden Route in South Africa where they suffered a devastating fire and many of our fellow Skålleagues lost everything, homes, businesses and all their possessions. Thank you for your generous participation.

Our celebration was also an evening filled with exciting presentations including proclamations from Broward County and presented by Christine Roberts, VP, Convention & Group Sales Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau and another proclamation from Discover the Palm Beaches presented by Jorge Pesquera, President and CEO.

I had the opportunity to read a letter I received from Skål International President David Fisher congratulating our club. He was scheduled to join us for our special evening but due to some visa issues was unable to attend. We also had the privilege of welcoming Holly Powers, President of Skål USA, who made some wonderful remarks about the club and about some of the new initiatives that the organization is undertaking in assisting with membership and new club development. We also put Holly to work by helping us induct six new members; Sharon Malone, Gail Gregory, Shelly Pappas, Lynda Reich, Carol Tracz and Melissa Nessenson. Welcome to you all. We then had Shelly Pappas return to the podium to receive on behalf of the West Palm Beach Marriott the 2016 Venue of the Year Award Plaque.

Holly also helped us to recognize two long standing members Andrew Doctor, 35 years and Cindy Christen 15 years as members of Skål, congratulations to you both. When we speak of long standing members we would be amiss if we did not recognize one of our club's founding members and its second President Bill Pullen. Bill also shared with us that he has published a book and gave us a quick synopsis of what it is about. Bill donated a "first Edition copy" that will be autographed by the author for us to auction off which went for $100.00. Thank you Bill.

We concluded the evening with a picture journey through the 40 years of our club history delightfully narrated by Teresa Nix who was also responsible for its production. While I watched and listened I realized just how proud and honored I am to be a part of such a dynamic and diverse group. Then I looked around the room, thought of all those who weren't able to be there with us for one reason or another, here were people who were brought together in business and stayed together for decades in friendships that were forged in this club ... now that is humbling. Make sure you go to the club website to see all of the great pictures that were taken - thanks to Kate Merchant - during the evening.

Best wishes to our members celebrating birthdays this summer:

Thank you all again for participating in your club's very special evening, and I look forward to seeing you at our Social Event in September. Watch your emails for the date and time. We also want to remind you to save the date for the annual Discover the Palm Beaches Industry Icebreaker that will be held at the Bowery Restaurant at City Place in West Palm Beach on July 19th. Our Skål Club is an Organization Partner for the event and we look forward to having a booth at the Icebreaker again this year to promote Skål.

Remember to log onto our club's website www.skal-ftlauderdale-palmbeaches.org to get more information on our club, event pictures and the upcoming Skål Monthly Reception and Dinner Meetings.

Wishing you all a wonderful summer, safe journeys and may all your travels be an adventure.

Skål,

With Hospitality,

Ian
Ian Black
President Skål International Ft. Lauderdale & Palm Beaches
Skål International Ft. Lauderdale & Palm Beaches