• Ralph Mahana, General Manager, Megan Uram Plauche, Director of Sales & Marketing and the entire staff at The Windsor Court
• Valerie Landry with Element
• CJ Barash for all the help she was to Stu as well as putting up with storing all items in their living room for several weeks.
•  All SKAL New Orleans Members who generously donated items to the auction, as well as several friends of SKAL.
• All bidders whose participation made the auction a success.

• We had 47 silent auction items
• 4 Live auction items

The post Our Christmas Party at The Windsor Court and 6th Annual Holiday Auction Fundraiser was HUGE Success! appeared first on Skål International New Orleans.

A huge thanks to George & Stacey Messina for our fabulous November meeting in their latest 4th Floor addition to The Misi which began with networking over cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres and ended with an absolutely amazing dinner.

What a GREAT combination…great food, great service, great Skalleagues!!!

Click here to see great photos of November 17, 2025!

November 2025 Meeting at the Nouveau River Room of The Misi by Messina’s

The post Fabulous November Meeting at the new “Nouveau River Room” 4th Floor of The Misi by Messina’s in the JAX Brewery appeared first on Skål International New Orleans.

A huge thanks to Rick and Lisa Blount for an amazing October meeting which began with networking in the Hermes Bar and ended with a delicious dinner and decadent flaming Baked Alaska!!!

Great food, great service, great Skalleagues!!!

ESTABLISHED IN 1840, ANTOINE’S IS THE COUNTRY’S OLDEST FAMILY-RUN RESTAURANT.
Antoine’s Restaurant, 713 St. Louis St. in the French Quarter!

The post Great October meeting at Antoine’s! appeared first on Skål International New Orleans.

• Element New Orleans for linens, stage furniture & photo op backdrop
• Encore Global for the speaker’s special monitor and sound system for the jazz band
• The Windsor Court for the hotel rooms and special F&B for Skal International & Carnival VIPs
• N.O. Morial Convention Center for designing and printing marketing materials, program, signs 
• American Luxury Limousines for sponsoring our wine during dinner
• New Orleans Jazz Museum for sponsoring the N.O. Jazz Museum Band
• National WWII Museum and Sodexo for their continuous support in working with our budget
• Limousine Livery for Airport transfers for our Keynote speaker plus transfer on event night
• Riverview Photography for memorializing our very special event with over 400 fabulous photos.

Click the link below to view and download any of the photos taken at the event…

https://zenfolio.page.link/xHqce

Password:  skal75 (lowercase)

 

Huge thanks to all our Table Sponsors for 2025…

 

GOLD SPONSORS ($2000)

• Concord Shore Services
• New Orleans & Company
• New Orleans Morial Convention Center
• The Windsor Court

SILVER SPONSORS ($1500)

• ACCENT New Orleans DMC
• BBC Events/Alamo Services
• Greater New Orleans Hotel Lodging Association
• Hilton New Orleans
• Hosts Global/Element New Orleans
• Hyatt Regency
• Messina’s Catering & Events
• Royal Sonesta
• UNO School of Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Administration

 

BRONZE SPONSORS ($1250)

 

* Ballard Brands * Four Seasons New Orleans * Gray Line/New Orleans Steamboat Company * Historic New Orleans Collection * Hotel Monteleone * Louisiana Office of Tourism *

MC&A * Miles Partnership * Mid South Women In Tourism * National WWII Museum * NOLA DMC * Port of New Orleans * Valentino Hotels & Sightseeing * Visit The Northshore

 

And last but not least…

THANKS TO OUR 2025 ANNUAL INDUSTRY UPDATE COMMITTEE!

 

Meg Baird

Stu Barash

Tim Hemphill

Valerie Landry

Bobbi Mannino

Kim Priez

Jim Szeszycki

Megan Uram

 

KIM PRIEZ SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, TOURISM SALES

DIRECT: +1 504-566-5033 KPRIEZ@NEWORLEANS.COM

2020 ST. CHARLES AVENUE NEW ORLEANS, LA 70130

NEWORLEANS.COM

THE OFFICIAL DESTINATION MARKETING AND SALES ORGANIZATION FOR THE NEW ORLEANS TOURISM INDUSTRY

The post Our 10th Annual Industry Update/75th Club Anniversary was a HUGE SUCCESS! appeared first on Skål International New Orleans.

The post President of Carnival Cruise Line, Christine Duffy, Keynote Speaker at Skal New Orleans 10th Annual Industry Update appeared first on Skål International New Orleans.

While we are still collecting RSVPs for our special May 19th Skal dinner adventure, it is definitely not too soon for us to request your RSVP for our Annual Industry Update event taking place on Wednesday, June 25 at the U.S. Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center at The National WWII Museum.   We expect an attendance of over 300 professionals from our state-wide Tourism Industry.

This is a very special year because not only is it our 10th Annual Industry Update event but we are also celebrating Skal New Orleans 75th Anniversary as a club in Skal International.   Yes…in 1950 Skal New Orleans became an official chapter of Skal International.

Our Keynote Speaker is Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line.  “50 years on the Water, 30 years in New Orleans…More Than Just Anniversaries.   The Future of Tourism.” 

We are 7 weeks away and have over 250 seats sold + 4-5 SKAL Members tables.   We still have room for additional reserved table sponsors…contact Bobbi if your company is interested in sponsoring a table of 10!

At this time, as a SKAL member, we are requesting your RSVP that you will be able to attend this great event and will be sitting at one of our designated SKAL RESERVED TABLES.    This is also the time to let Bobbi know if you will be bringing any guests with you.

Individual guest tickets are $110 per person and will include a lovely dinner, two glasses of wine, a fabulous program as well as networking with industry professionals.

To RSVP…simply send Bobbi an email with your Yes or No and if you would like to purchase any tickets for your staff or clients.

Based on the tables sold thus far, here is a list of Skal Members who will be in seated at their own tables…

Glen Armantrout
Meg Baird Atkins
David Bilbe
Doug Bourgeois
Bonnie Boyd
John Boyd
Steven Caputo
Yvonne Collazo
Kristin Crawford
Mavis Early
Steve Gauthier
Dr. Yvette Green
Tim Hemphill
Greg Hoffman
Valerie Landry
Diane Lions
Stacey Messina
Donna O’Daniels
Ester Oh Kostecky
David Piscola
Kim Priez
Sharon Reuther
Mark Romig
Scott Snipes
Tammy Syock
Jim Szeszycki
Stephanie Turner
Megan Uram
Emily Valentino
Susan Zimmermann

Plus…here’s the individual RSVP list thus far…
Stu Barash
Terrie Birkel + guest Violet Peters
Michael Brink
Sandra Dartus
Kevin Kelly
Greg Lambousy
Bobbi Mannino
Al Schof
Lois Sutton
Kristi Taglauer
Judy Weitz

Confirmed Sponsorships thus far…

GOLD Table Sponsors — SOLD OUT!

New Orleans & Company

Concord Shore Services

New Orleans Morial Convention Center

The Windsor Court

SILVER Table Sponsors – 

1. Hosts Global/Element New Orleans

2. Royal Sonesta

3. UNO HRT

4. Accent DMC

5. Hilton New Orleans

6. BBC EVENTS

7. Messina’s Catering & Events

8. GNOHLA

9. Hyatt Regency

10. SKAL USA/SKAL CANADA/N.O. Board

BRONZE Table Sponsors thus far…more available!

1. Valentino Hotels & Sightseeing
   

2. Gray Line/New Orleans Steamboat Company

3. NOLA DMC

4. Louisiana Office of Tourism

5. Four Seasons New Orleans

6. Visit The Northshore

7. Hotel Monteleone

8. Miles Partnership

9. Port of New Orleans

10. Ballard Brands

11. MC&A

12. National WWII Museum

Additional Sponsorships confirmed…

• Wine Sponsor – American Luxury Limousines
  

• Linens/Decor – Element New Orleans
  

• Entertainment Sponsor – New Orleans Jazz Museum
  

• Housing for Speakers – The Windsor Court

• Program – Compucast Web (design)/Pel Hughes Printing (print)
  

• Photographer – Riverview Photography

The post First RSVP Request for Skal New Orleans’ 10th Annual Industry Update on Wednesday, June 25th at the National WWII Museum appeared first on Skål International New Orleans.

Our Keynote Speaker is Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line.  “50 years on the Water, 30 years in New Orleans…More Than Just Anniversaries.   The Future of Tourism.”  More speakers to be announced soon.

Here are the Sponsorships available…

• Platinum Sponsorship  – $5,500 –  only 1 
  3 minute speaking opportunity
  Title Sponsorship
  Reserved Table of 10 in Prestige location
  Sign on table
  Logo on all marketing material

• Gold Sponsorship @ $2,000 each — 4 sold/SOLD OUT!!!
  Reserved Table of 10 in Premium Plus Location
  Sign on table
  Logo on all marketing material

• Silver Sponsorship @ $1,500 each – 9 sold; 1 more available
  Reserved Table of 10 in Premium Location
  Sign on table
  Logo on all marketing material

• Bronze Sponsorship: $1,250 – 13 sold; more available
  Reserved Table of 10, best available location based on time purchased.
  Sign on table

Other “in-kind sponsorship” opportunities which will be verbally recognized by the MC as well as acknowledged on all marketing materials.  

Please let us know which level of sponsorship you are interested in.

Confirmed Sponsorships thus far…

GOLD 

1. New Orleans & Company

2. Concord Shore Services

3. New Orleans Morial Convention Center

4. The Windsor Court

SILVER

1. Hosts Global/Element New Orleans

2. Royal Sonesta

3. UNO HRT

4. Accent DMC

5. Hilton New Orleans

6. BBC EVENTS

7. Messina’s Catering & Events

8. GNOHLA

9. Hyatt Regency

BRONZE

1. Valentino Hotels & Sightseeing

2. Gray Line/New Orleans Steamboat Co.

3. NOLA DMC

4. Louisiana Office of Tourism

5. Four Seasons New Orleans

6. Visit The Northshore

7. Hotel Monteleone

8. Miles Partnership

9. Premium Parking

10. Port of New Orleans

11. Ballard Brands

12. National WWII Museum

13. The Historic New Orleans Collection

Additional Sponsorships confirmed…

• Wine Sponsor – American Luxury Limousines

• Linens/Decor – Element New Orleans

• Entertainment Sponsor – New Orleans Jazz Museum

• Program – Compucast Web (design)/Pel Hughes Printing (print)

• Photographer – Riverview Photography

The post Sponsorships Opportunities for Skal New Orleans’ 10th Annual Industry Update + our 75th Anniversary Celebration taking place on Wednesday, June 25 appeared first on Skål International New Orleans.

The post 10th Annual Industry Update – June 25th – Keynote Speaker – Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruises appeared first on Skål International New Orleans.

Please see the photos from the very enjoyable evening at the Monteleone Hotel in Criollo Restaurant!   Use this link – https://www.skalneworleans.com/gallery/feb-17-2025-meeting-at-criollo-in-the-monteleone-hotel

We thank the entire culinary staff for a delicious meal with fabulous service and we thank Steven Caputo for hosting us and giving us a very special parking rate!

For those of you who were unable to be there, especially the large number who were not feeling well enough to attend, Steve Caputo was pinned as our newest member and we distributed the proceeds (a total of $14,562)  from our Annual Holiday Silent Auction to our two beneficiaries, Louisiana Hospitality Foundation and UNO HRT Foundation specifically for their HRT Scholarship Program.

Look forward to seeing all of you at our March 17th Dinner Meeting at Drago’s Restaurant in Metairie.   The RSVP request will be sent out next week.

Happy Mardi Gras!

To fellow Skalleagues Everywhere!

Happiness!
Good Health!
Friendship!
Long Life!

SKAL!

The post Fun February Meeting at Criollo in the Monteleone Hotel appeared first on Skål International New Orleans.

  Happy New Year!

The post Skal New Orleans Christmas Party and 5th Annual Auction was Huge Success! appeared first on Skål International New Orleans.