President's Update - May '25
Ash Munn
President - Skål International Australia
Ash Munn
Partnerships & Technology
Dear Skålleagues,
This month, I’m absolutely thrilled to officially announce the launch of our 112th Skål Australia National Assembly, to be held in Adelaide from 5th to 7th September 2025. The team at Skål Adelaide have done a sensational job putting together an exciting, engaging, and comprehensive program. Adelaide have chosen some fantastic venues to host our events with some exciting pre and post tours showcasing the best of Adelaide - this will be a fantastic opportunity to reconnect, collaborate and be inspired. We really hope you’ll join us in South Australia for our Mid-Year Meeting—it promises to be one to remember!
Looking a little further afield, the 54th Skål Asia Area Congress in Colombo, Sri Lanka, is just around the corner next month, happening from June 26th - 29th and it’s not too late to register. If the southern winter is already creeping in, why not escape for a tropical getaway with fellow Skålleagues in the vibrant and historic capital of Sri Lanka? It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet members from across the Asia-Pacific region, expand your network, and experience a part of the world rich in culture and hospitality.
Our very own World President, Denise Scrafton, has been continuing her incredible global journey, recently travelling across the Americas and undertaking a site visit to Cusco, Peru, ahead of the upcoming Skål World Congress. Reports from the visit have been overwhelmingly positive, and it’s shaping up to be a truly unforgettable congress. If you haven’t already, now is the time to start planning your attendance. For those who have booked—please let me know, as I’ll be coordinating group communications in the lead-up.
Since March, we’ve welcomed 24 new members into Skål Australia, which is wonderful to see. However, we are still tracking well below our membership targets for the year. As a membership-based organisation, it’s vital we all take an active role in promoting the values, relevance, and benefits of Skål to our industry colleagues. Bring a guest to your next meeting, share your own positive experiences of being a member, and encourage others to join our global network of tourism professionals.
We all know how vital networking and connection are in our industry. Skål offers us more than just professional contacts—it offers genuine friendship, support, and collaboration. Get to know the members in your club, take the time to support one another, and lean into the incredible strength of our collective knowledge and experience. Whether you’re running a small business, managing a large team, or navigating industry challenges, the Skål community is here to help you succeed.
The Executive Board is also working hard behind the scenes to maximise exposure for club events and industry engagement opportunities. A big thank you to Vice President Tara, who has done a fantastic job coordinating a national industry events calendar, now available on the Skål Australia website under the Events tab. The more information clubs provide us about their upcoming events, the more visibility and support we can offer. We encourage all clubs to plan out the remainder of their 2025 events and send us the details so we can help share, promote, and support your efforts across the network.
I'm also pleased to share that our new Skål Australia membership videos are now live on the Skål Australia website - perfect for anyone wanting to learn more about what Skål is and why it's worth being a part of. These videos are a great resource to direct prospective members to, offering insight into the value of connection, community and collaboration within our Skål network.
We're also in the process of revamping our Membership Benefits page, a dedicated section for member only specials and exclusive deals. These offers are a great way for members to support each other's businesses, gain exposure, and access value when travelling or doing business across Australia. If your business is in a position to offer a special or discount, we strongly encourage you to submit your deal to be featured - let's strengthen the power of doing business among friends.
I'm also pleased to share that our new Skål Australia membership videos are now live on the Skål Australia website - perfect for anyone wanting to learn more about what Skål is and why it's worth being a part of. These videos are a great resource to direct prospective members to, offering insight into the value of connection, community and collaboration within our Skål network.
We're also in the process of revamping our Membership Benefits page, a dedicated section for member only specials and exclusive deals. These offers are a great way for members to support each other's businesses, gain exposure, and access value when travelling or doing business across Australia. If your business is in a position to offer a special or discount, we strongly encourage you to submit your deal to be featured - let's strengthen the power of doing business among friends.
In Skål friendship,
Ashley Munn
President
Skål International Australia
