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

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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.

Jay Dardenne, our Keynote Speaker, was absolutely amazing! His presentation on New Orleans and Louisiana was a history lesson and showed just how far we have come!

We were honored to have the Presidents of Skal USA and Skal Canada, Karen Trevino and Serge Doyon, present at this special event.

Special thanks goes out to our Presenting Sponsors, namely, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans & Company, Host Global/Element New Orleans as well as our wine sponsor, American Luxury Limousines. We also thank dozens of additional businesses and organizations who purchased whole tables for their staff, clients and members.

Next year will be a milestone with it being our 10th year to produce this Industry Event and the AIU Committee will certainly have to pull out all the stops to top what took place in 2024.

Congratulations to all involved in producing this great event.

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The post Skal New Orleans Save the Date June 18 2024 appeared first on Skål International New Orleans.

Skalleaugues…

This past Monday evening at the beautiful INTERCONTINENTAL Hotel, Skal New Orleans held our Christmas Party and 4th Annual Silent Auction Fundraiser to benefit the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation and the UNO HRT Foundation.   It was an AMAZING EVENT as well as a HUGELY SUCCESSFUL Fundraiser!

An enormous thank-you goes to our two Skalleagues/Hosts for the evening. GINA CHIMENO and RANDY PARKINS!   Y'all rolled out the red carpet for us and we are so appreciative.   The room looked fabulous and the food presentation was incredible as well as absolutely delicious.   Special thanks to SHANNON BUCKLEY, our Catering Sales Manager, and BRIAN PARKS, Food & Beverage Manager, who both went out of their way to be so extremely helpful.  Kudos to Chef Gaetan and Chef Patrick for creating their culinary delights.

Our 4th Annual Silent Auction was absolutely fabulous and successfully grossed a whopping $15,086!!!  Skalleague STU BARASH gets the Hat's Off Award for another incredible job…single handedly orchestrating the entire silent auction.   Much thanks to his amazing wife, CJ BARASH, for all her on-site assistance!  We had lots of happy "winning bid" winners but the BIG WINNERS for the night were the LOUISIANA HOSPITALITY FOUNDATION and UNO HRT FOUNDATION…the beneficiaries of our fundraiser.     We thank everyone who donated items as well as everyone who bid on these items.   Please know that without your help our fundraiser would not have been this successful.   

For those of you who were not able to join us on this super fun evening, it's not too late to contribute to this total amount of money raised.   Call Bobbi with your credit card in hand and she will be happy to take your contribution over the phone and send you a TAX DONATION paid receipt.

Mark your calendars for our first meeting of the new year, Monday, January 15, 2024 where we will be at the Higgins Hotel…networking at Killroy's Lounge and then dining at Cafe Normandie.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year …  Happiness!  Good Health!  Friendship!  Long Life!   SKAL! (Y'all)

The post Skal New Orleans Christmas Party and 4th Annual Fundraiser is a HUGE SUCCESS! appeared first on Skål International New Orleans.

Skal International New Orleans is very excited about our 4th Annual Silent Auction fundraiser taking place during our annual Holiday party at the Intercontinental Hotel on Monday, December 18.

The funds raised from our auction will be split between the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation* and the University of New Orleans Hotel Restaurant and Tourism Foundation**.

"Last year's auction we generated $16K and I will be thrilled to raise at least one more dollar this year" says Stu Barash, Skal New Orleans Auction Chair.

Here's a PREVIEW listing of all items available on this year's auction…

1.  Breeze Airways –   20,000 Breeze Points     ($200 value)

2.  Beau Rivage –  1 night and $150 F&B Credit     ($600)

3.  Fair Grounds Exotic Animal Race –   Jan 13, 2024 for 6     ($200)

4.  Destrehan Plantation –  2 night stay plus 2 tours for 2      ($600)

5.  Scarlet Pearl Casino  – 2 night, 2-$150 cards for Steakhouse + $40 food credit    ($740)

6.  Intercontinental Hotel –   2 night stay          ($540)

7.  Sazerac House –   Private Tasting for 10      ($600)

8.  New Orleans A La Carde –   Fishing Charter for 2      ($700)

9.  Silver Slipper Casino –   1 night stay and buffet for 2      ($275)

10.  Eliza Jane  –  Weekend Stay for 2  + $200 Certificate to Covant     ($1,125)

11.  Gambel Communications –   100 word story/video or photo online     ($500)

12.  Airboat Adventures -Gift Card for 2 Airboat tour w/hotel pickup +$100 at Court2Sisters ($178)

13.  Provincial Hotel –  2 nights and parking ($551)

14.  Hotel de la Monnaie –  2 nights One bedroom Suite + $100 Court 2 Sisters   ($450)

15.  Houmas House –  One night stay in their cottage and breakfast     ($350)

16.  Omni Grove Park – 2 nights, breakfast for 2 & round of golf ($1,200)

17.  Vintage 329 – Goldtone Chanel Earrings    ($1,200)

18.  Modernist Cuisine Gallery – 2 Coffee Table Books ($200)

19.  Four Seasons Hotel – 2 nights in a Premier Room and breakfast  ($1,575)

20.  Jazz Museum VIP Tkt & Backstage Pass to Improv Gala 2024 for 2  ($650)

21.  Residence Inn FQ & CBD  – 1 night in a studio suite    ($150)

22.  PJ’s Coffee –  Basket Assorted items    ($400)

23.  NOLA DMC –   3 Hour Limo Ride    ($350)

24.  Omni Royal Orleans –   2 nights Deluxe Queen accommodations    ($738)

25.  LA Lt Gov's Office –  Louisiana State Parks Gift Card    ($300)

26.  Monmouth Historic Inn – 2 nights, breakfast each morning and dinner for 2    ($750)

27.  Chateau St Denis – 2 nights including breakfast for 2    ($750)

28.  New Orleans Steamboat Co.  – Dinner Jazz Cruise for 2 & Ghost Tour for 2     ($488)

29.  Antoines Restaurant –   Gift Certificate    ($200)

30.  Hilton Riverside & Drago’s  –  2 nights and $100 at Drago’s at the Hilton  ($850)

31.  NOCCI –  Congo Square Framed Poster    ($500)

32.  Windsor Court – 2 night/Club Premium Ste & Dinner for two Grill Room      ($2,185)

33.  Premium Parking –  $100 Credit on the Premium Parking App     ($100)

34.  New Orleans Paddlewheels –  Dinner Jazz Cruise for 2 on the Creole Queen    ($119)

35. Mahoney’s Po Boys & Seafood Restaurant –  $100 Gift Card    ($100)

36. Bullseye Event Group Saints VIP Tailgate Party F&B   ($220)

37. City Sightseeing New Orleans Hop on Hop Off tour for 4    ($184)

38. Felix’s Restaurant $100 Gift Card      ($100)

39. MC&A DMC –   6 bottles of wine 3 red & 3 white    ($210)

40. MC&A DMC –   6 bottles of wine 3 red & 3 white    ($210)

41. Game On Social Hub in Kenner –  4 $25 Gift Cards      ($100)

42. Louisiana Northshore –   1 night, $100 at Abita Roasting + Golf     ($500)

43. Friend of Hospitality – Family Gras VIP Pass   ($500)

44. Messina's at the Terminal – Mother's Day Brunch Buffet for 6 — ($500)

Friend of Hospitality —  14 framed collection of paintings  ($300ea)

LIVE AUCTION  #1

Big Wave Yacht Charters Sunset cruise on Lake Pontchartrain ($750) Plus
Pigeon Caterers Food for Sunset cruise ($275) Plus
American Luxury Limousines Mini coach for 20 for Yacht cruise ($500)  TOTAL Value ($1,515)

LIVE AUCTION  #2

Sodexo –  Pelicans Suite for 20 with Food & Beverage   (PRICELESS)

*Louisiana Hospitality Foundation helps tourism workers at hotels, restaurants and bars in the New Orleans area who find themselves in a personal crisis and can apply for some financial aid.

**UNO HRT Foundation will use their funds for scholarships to help HRT students to complete their curriculum so they can become successful new colleagues in our tourism industry.

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