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What a wonderful way to celebrate the spirit of Skål International Official! The 2026 Inaugural Skål Philadelphia President's Membership Gathering was held at the Cherry Hill, New Jersey home of Greg DeShields, CHE, CDE, and Tom Love. The weather was perfect, the food was Saturday-delicious, and the company was even better. It was a pleasure to welcome such a wonderful mix of tourism and hospitality professionals, friends, and fellow Skålleagues. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended. Special appreciation goes to Jim Dwyer, President of SKAL NEW JERSEY, for delivering the Skål Toast in multiple languages, and to longtime board member Frank Klare for joining us and continuing his steadfast support of our club. We were also delighted to officially welcome and induct our newest member, LaWana Boone MBA, Cultural Humility Consulting. Congratulations, LaWana! We are excited to have you as part of the Skål Philadelphia family. At Skål Philadelphia, we are committed to connecting tourism professionals, strengthening our industry, building meaningful relationships, and fostering global friendship through networking and collaboration. To our fellow Skålleagues around the world: "Happiness, Good Health, Friendship, and Long Life!"

I'm excited to share the newest episode of Something To Say with Greg DeShields Podcast, https://lnkd.in/gjiFXx3c, featuring an inspiring conversation with Andrew Ramer (Eli)—award-winning author, mystic, sacred storyteller, meditation teacher, and co-author of the international bestseller Ask Your Angels. In this thought-provoking episode, Andrew shares experiences that shaped him into a gifted storyteller, the moments that shaped his spiritual journey, and the wisdom he has gained through decades of writing, teaching, and guiding others. Together, we explore: ✨ Spirituality and mysticism ✨ Mindfulness and meditation ✨ Intuition and personal purpose ✨ Healing through storytelling ✨ Creativity, grief, and resilience ✨ The power of slowing down and living with intention What makes this conversation so compelling is Andrew's ability to connect profound spiritual concepts with the realities of everyday life. Whether you're on a personal journey of growth, curious about spirituality, or simply enjoy authentic conversations that challenge and inspire, this episode will resonate with you. Thank you for being part of the Something to Say community. 🎙️ Listen now and join the conversation! https://lnkd.in/gjiFXx3c

I am truly honored and excited to join Hospitality Tech Show Inc, as Director of Partnerships, Sponsorships & Development. My sincere thanks to the entire Hospitality Tech Show team for your warm welcome and confidence in me. I am excited to collaborate with such an innovative organization as we build strategic partnerships and sponsorships that advance the hospitality industry across the United States.

🎧 Thank you for listening. ❤️ Thank you for believing. 🗳️ Thank you for voting!

🌎 Welcome to the Skål family, Cassandra!

One of the highlights of our conversation is Tasha's reflection on Maya Angelou's wisdom and on how authentic leadership creates lasting impact. If you're passionate about leadership, organizational excellence, workplace culture, or preparing your team for what's next, this is an episode you won't want to miss. 🎧 Listen now and join the conversation! https://somethingtosaywithgregdeshields.com/

And one more thing... 🦀 I can't wait for the Skål Baltimore 69th Annual Crab Feast and Fundraiser at Kurtz's Beach, Pasadena, MD, on October 22nd! See you there!

We can't wait to celebrate with you! 🥂🌈✨

✈️ 🌍 Please join us in extending a warm Skål Philadelphia welcome to LaWana Boone! We are thrilled to welcome LaWana Boone MBA, Cultural Humility Consulting, International Flight Attendant, Adjunct Professor, Author, and Travel Writer, as our newest member of Skål International Philadelphia. LaWana's remarkable career reflects a deep commitment to cultural understanding, education, global travel, and meaningful human connections. Her passion for fostering cultural humility and creating inclusive experiences aligns perfectly with Skål's mission of strengthening tourism through friendship, collaboration, and professional excellence. As part of the world's largest network of travel and tourism professionals, LaWana now joins more than 15,000 industry leaders across 80+ countries who believe in conducting "Business Among Friends." We look forward to the insight, expertise, and global perspective she brings to our organization as we continue to connect tourism professionals and build lasting relationships throughout Philadelphia and beyond. Welcome aboard, LaWana! We are excited to have you as part of the Skål Philadelphia family. 🎉✈️🌎

🎉 Please join me in welcoming Karin (Johnson) Aaron, CTA, CSEE, CEO M. Aaron, President & CEO of Green Book Experience, to Skål Philadelphia! 🌍✈️ We are thrilled to welcome Karin as both a new club member and a member of the Skål Philadelphia Board of Directors, where she will play an important leadership role supporting our efforts in Fundraising and Programming. Karin is a respected leader, entrepreneur, and advocate for inclusive travel experiences. Through Green Book Experience, she has helped travelers discover, celebrate, and connect with the rich history and cultural contributions of the African American community. Her passion for storytelling, cultural heritage tourism, and community engagement aligns perfectly with Skål's mission and values. As the world's largest network of tourism professionals, Skål International Official brings together leaders from every sector of the travel and tourism industry to foster friendship, collaboration, and business opportunities worldwide. We are excited to have Karin's vision, expertise, and energy helping us strengthen our organization and create meaningful experiences for our members. 👏 Congratulations, Karin! We look forward to your leadership and to the many contributions you will make to Skål Philadelphia and the tourism community. 🌐 Learn more about Skål Philadelphia: https://lnkd.in/eFGnEmS

🌈✊ Celebrate Pride & Juneteenth with Skål International Philadelphia! ✊ Join Skål Philadelphia for an unforgettable evening of connection, community, and celebration at Liberty Point at Penn’s Landing, featuring breathtaking views of the Delaware River. 🌊✨ As we honor both Juneteenth and Pride Month, we invite you to gather with fellow hospitality, tourism, and business professionals for a vibrant networking experience filled with meaningful conversations, delicious light bites, refreshing drinks, and exciting Bebashi Bingo! 🎉🎱 We are proud to support Bebashi - Transition to Hope, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit dedicated to providing healthcare, social services, and education to underserved communities, including minority and LGBTQ+ populations. ❤️ Together, we'll celebrate freedom, diversity, inclusion, and the power of community in an atmosphere designed to inspire connections, foster relationships, and create lasting memories. 🌟 A night of networking, fun, philanthropy, and celebration—set against the stunning backdrop of Philadelphia's waterfront! 📅 Event Details 📍 Liberty Point at Penn's Landing 211 S Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106 🗓️ Thursday, June 25, 2026 🕠 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM 💲 $50 per person 🎟️ Register today: https://lnkd.in/e9ZTasHv 🚗 Public parking is available nearby at Waterfront Parking and the Hilton Penn's Landing garage. We can't wait to celebrate with you! 🥂🌈✨

🎉 It was a pleasure to represent Skål Philadelphia at the SKAL NEW JERSEY Club Dinner and Induction Ceremony! 🎉 A sincere thank you to Jim Dwyer for the invitation and warm hospitality. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening, especially the Tourism Trivia Challenge, where our team, JersPhila, proudly captured 🥈 Second Place honors! The event at Mosaico in Mountainside, New Jersey, was a wonderful reminder of the power of friendship, networking, and collaboration across our Skål clubs. 🌎🤝 June is officially my Skål Club Tour Month, and I’m excited to connect with fellow Skålleagues in: 📍 Skål International New York 📍 SKAL NEW JERSEY 📍 Skål International Greater Washington, D.C. 📍 Baltimore SKAL Looking forward to strengthening relationships, sharing ideas, and celebrating the spirit of Skål throughout the region. 🥂 To fellow Skålleagues everywhere: "Happiness, Good Health, Friendship, Long Life — Skål!"

SAVE THE DATE! 🌈 ✨ Pride Month & Juneteenth Celebration ✨ 🌈 Skål Philadelphia is excited to partner with Bebashi - Transition to Hope for an unforgettable evening of networking, community, celebration, and philanthropy! 📅 Thursday, June 25, 2026 🕠 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM Join hospitality, tourism, business, and community leaders as we celebrate the spirit of Pride Month and Juneteenth while supporting an organization that continues to make a profound impact throughout our region. 🎉 Get Ready for Bebashi Bingo! 🎉 The highlight of the evening will be our exciting Bebashi Bingo Fundraiser! Purchase your bingo cards and join the fun as you compete for prizes, enjoy friendly competition, and share plenty of laughs along the way. Every bingo card purchased directly supports Bebashi's incredible work providing health education, advocacy, and supportive services that strengthen communities and improve lives. Your participation helps make a difference while creating a memorable and entertaining experience for all. Whether you're a bingo enthusiast or a first-time player, Bebashi Bingo promises to be a lively, engaging, and impactful part of the evening! 🤝 Network with industry professionals 🎊 Celebrate Pride Month and Juneteenth 🎁 Win prizes and support a great cause ❤️ Help advance Bebashi's vital community mission Additional details and registration information will be announced soon. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for an evening of celebration, connection, and community impact! 🌐 Learn more about Skål Philadelphia: https://lnkd.in/eFGnEmS

👏 A special shout-out to John Ruzich, Sue Shapiro, Tom Strodel, Wayne V. Lee, Jr., Jim Dwyer, Frank Klare, Iris Salazar, CTA, Roland C. Mracek and Carolyn Feimster. Thank you for the conversations, laughter, and continued commitment to our Skål community! 😊 🌎✈️ Here's to friendship, networking, and doing business among friends! 🥂

✨ NEW PODCAST RELEASE ✨🎙️ 🚀 Building Brands & Changing Lives with Dave Girgenti is NOW LIVE on Something To Say with Greg DeShields Podcast! 🎧 Listen here: https://lnkd.in/etVQRgAK Join me for an inspiring conversation with Dave Girgenti, an award-winning creative leader, brand strategist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, as we explore the powerful intersection of creativity, innovation, branding, and purpose-driven leadership. 🔥 In this episode, Dave shares: 🎨 His journey through advertising, gaming, hospitality, and nonprofit innovation 💡 The story behind founding Hero Network & Wish Upon a Hero — one of America’s first social helping and crowdfunding platforms 🤝 How storytelling and branding can truly change lives 📈 Lessons in entrepreneurship, leadership, and building impactful campaigns 🤖 His insights on the evolving role of AI in marketing and creativity With more than 25 years of experience leading award-winning initiatives and helping raise millions for charitable causes, Dave delivers wisdom, inspiration, and forward-thinking perspectives that every entrepreneur, marketer, creative professional, and business leader should hear. 🎯 If you’re passionate about innovation, branding, leadership, creativity, and personal growth — this episode is a MUST-LISTEN! 🎧 Tune in now and join the conversation!

✨ NEW PODCAST RELEASE ✨🎙️ 🚀 Building Brands & Changing Lives with Dave Girgenti is NOW LIVE on Something To Say with Greg DeShields Podcast! 🎧 Listen here: https://lnkd.in/etVQRgAK Join me for an inspiring conversation with Dave Girgenti, an award-winning creative leader, brand strategist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, as we explore the powerful intersection of creativity, innovation, branding, and purpose-driven leadership. 🔥 In this episode, Dave shares: 🎨 His journey through advertising, gaming, hospitality, and nonprofit innovation 💡 The story behind founding Hero Network & Wish Upon a Hero — one of America’s first social helping and crowdfunding platforms 🤝 How storytelling and branding can truly change lives 📈 Lessons in entrepreneurship, leadership, and building impactful campaigns 🤖 His insights on the evolving role of AI in marketing and creativity With more than 25 years of experience leading award-winning initiatives and helping raise millions for charitable causes, Dave delivers wisdom, inspiration, and forward-thinking perspectives that every entrepreneur, marketer, creative professional, and business leader should hear. 🎯 If you’re passionate about innovation, branding, leadership, creativity, and personal growth — this episode is a MUST-LISTEN! 🎧 Tune in now and join the conversation!

From award-winning culinary ventures to building an incredible hospitality empire, Chef Garces shares insights, inspiration, and the personal side of what makes him not only a world-class chef but fundamentally a great guy. 🎙️ Watch and listen for the official release on June 5th!