On behalf of Skål Sydney, we would like to warmly welcome you to the Skål World Congress Information website. We hope you will join us down under for the 71st Skål World Congress 7-12th October 2010. It is appropriate that Sydney is playing host to the World Congress in the same year in which we are celebrating our 50th Anniversary.
Although the Congress is the responsibility of the Sydney Club, all three Sydney Clubs are working closely together to prepare for the Congress, supported by the other eighteen Australian Skål Clubs, and together we will ensure the 71st World Congress will be one to remember.
There are some very exciting pre and post touring offerings being organised through the various Skål Clubs of the region which can be booked through our Conference Organisers Odyssey Travel. We hope you will be able to spend a little extra time in Australia, either before or after the Congress or perhaps even both, to experience some of the world famous tourism experiences we have to offer.
Skål International Sydney celebrates its 50th Anniversary
Skål Sydney celebrated their 50th Anniversay Lunch in June at the Four Points Hotel in Sydney. Skålleagues from near and far came to help us celebrate. We had Dan Daley, Fire Chief from New York City (9/11) as our guest speaker and Four Points Hotel provided special rates for those Skålleagues accommodation.
Skål International Sydney was formed on the 1st of June 1960, Skål International - Sydney was the first Skål Club in Australia, with Skål International - Australia now boasting 21 strong and healthy Clubs.
Sydney city is unique in the Skål world as it hosts three Skål Clubs, Skål International - Sydney having sponsored the formation of Skål International - Sydney North, inaugurated in January 1994, and Skål International - Sydney South inaugurated in 1999. Over the years Skål International - Sydney also sponsored the formation of new Clubs including Newcastle, Melbourne, Illawarra and Canberra.
Like most clubs worldwide, membership numbers have varied and continue to be a challenge. Skål International - Sydney has experienced membership highs of 288 plus waiting lists, to lows of 125. Today, Sydney is the largest club in Australia with a membership of 163. In 2007, Sydney Club inducted 30 new members, receiving Skål International Membership Campaign Certificate in Antalya. The Club prides itself in offering members a vibrant, innovative, progressive and healthy Club, with excellent networking opportunities, in the spirit of Skål - "doing business among friends".
Skål International - Sydney is also very active with its funds raising activities for various sponsored charities. With a reputation for being forward 
thinking, the Club hosted the inaugural meeting in 2002 of the 3 Sydney Skål Clubs, resulting in the formation of a joint venture to host the first ever Skål Clubs of Sydney Ball in 2003. This Ball has now been held every year for the past 7 years and is established as the Travel Industry’s social event of the year.
Skål International recognised Skål International - Sydney with the Skål Club of the Year award in 1994.
The Club has been fortunate to have had some very eminent members over the years which have included:
- Max Kingston - Past President Skål International 1991/92, Honorary President of Skål International
- Phil Fogg - Membre d'Honneur, Skål International and Order of Merit
- Percy Bell - Founding President and Membre d"Honneur
- Brian Kirkham - Order of Merit, Skål International
- Guy Stockdale - 1st President Skål International - Australia and International Councillor for Australia
- Jon Hutchison - Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
The Congress Theme - "Linking the World down under"
Sydney is one of the most famous destinations in the Southern Hemisphere; its Bridge and its Opera House being two instantly recognisable icons which clearly identify the city. A Skål International World Congress hosted by Sydney will imbue the forum with all the renowned multi-cultural mateship, the welcoming sunshine, the fresh air and the sparkling waters for which Sydney is famous.
Truly Sydney will be the unique venue that will inspire Skålleagues the world over to attend the 71st Skål World Congress. "Linking the World down under" see you in October.....
