October 9, 2017 My Dear Fellow Skalleagues

My Dear Fellow Skalleagues,

My name is Toni Koster…and I am running for President of Skal USA.

It has been a privilege for me to serve on the Skal USA Executive Committee as VP of Membership, VP of Administration, and Region III VP over the past few years.

The friendships I have established over the years through Skal, both domestically and internationally, are indescribable. They are, I believe, to be the essence of what Skal is all about. Relationships and doing business among friends! And my Skal relationships and friendships are all a priceless part of the fabric of my life.

The President is entrusted with the duty and responsibility of representing its entire membership and I believe that I can do that and that I am the right person for the position. I am always looking at what is best for the membership. That is my mantra!

I believe that Skal USA and Skal International need major changes. I believe that the Skal USA Executive Committee has done a tremendous job this year with changes that were greatly needed. My goal is to continue with what we have put in place and to expand on things that still need to be done. We need to look forward and not look back. Now is the time for us to soar into the future!

Our membership has dropped over the past few years and we must curb and reverse that trend. As VP of Membership this year, I believe that we have been able to turn the tides somewhat but there is still more to do. We are growing membership every month; we have opened a new club in Richmond, Va. and we are working to restart the clubs in Phoenix and Fresno, while forming new clubs in Naples, FL and possibly Savannah.

In addition, it is imperative that we make Skal relevant! Membership is the nucleus of our organization. We need to continue to grow our Young Skal members as they are the future of Skal! We need to enhance the Skål brand and to achieve the recognition of the industry as a premier travel organization. We need a long-term plan for subsequent Executive Committees, we should find one or two global tourism issues of consequence per year that we should advocate nationally and internationally.

I have attended nine NAASC/NASC Congresses and the 2013 World Congress cruise out of New York. I took special pride in co-chairing the 2000 NAASC Congress, which was hosted by our club and held in Reno/Tahoe. In addition, we hosted the 2012 SIUSA Winter Board meeting.

I have been a member in good standing since 1992 of Skal International Reno/Tahoe #479. I have had the honor of serving as President of our club twice and have been the SIUSA Representative eight times.

For more than 38 years, I have thoroughly enjoyed my work in the travel and hospitality industry, holding management positions at Trans International Airlines, Budget Rent-A-Car, Avis Rent-A-Car, Sands Regency Hotel and Casino, Atlantis Casino Resort Spa and currently Vice President of Sales for ZoomAway Inc.

Being an active member of our Reno/Tahoe Executive Board for over 25 years, my passion and commitment to this organization are immeasurable. I embrace the philosophy of Skal to the very core of my being and have complete and total trust in the value and credence of this organization. On occasion, during the past seven years, our club has entertained the notion of dissolving our membership in Skal, but as a steadfast member of the board, I stood firm and was instrumental in retaining SI Reno/Tahoe club’s membership during a wavering and challenging economy.

My dedication to the principles of Skal is often conveyed to the new members of our organization. Through my own personal insights and experience, I often find myself in the role of “mentor” as I listen to the ideas and even the apprehensions of the upcoming generation of Skalleagues. My desire is to share with them my devotion to Skal, with the hope that they too will become verdant and loyal members of our organization. I brought in our first Young Skal member.

Please allow me to share the insights of some of my fellow Skal members who believe in my leadership and my dedication:

“Toni is one of the most passionate and determined people I know, and would represent Skal USA with the strength and vitality necessary to make sensible decisions for both our region and SKAL as a whole.  It is an honor for me to be able to make this recommendation”

“As a founding member of the Reno Club, a past president, and an active member for more than 30 years, I have not experienced the dedication and hard work that equals that of Ms. Koster.  From being a board member for years and working her way up to being President multiple times, she has shown leadership in keeping our club together and profitable.”

Sacramento SKAL Club would highly recommend Toni Koster for the Skal USA President. With her guidance, Sacramento SKAL hosted the 2013 NAASC Congress that was a huge success, her leadership and experience helped us to put on a great congress. Toni is an excellent leader, very helpful and supportive always available to chat and help with any questions we have as a club.

I would like to be the voice for the Skal USA Executive Committee and will help Skal USA move forward in a positive way.

I ask for your vote in the upcoming election as President. My promise to you is commitment, respect, integrity and most of all friendship!

Please, if you should have any questions, feel free to call me at 775-848-9666 or email me at tropcs@sbcglobal.net or toni@zoomaway.com.

Happiness! Good Health! Friendship! Long Life! Skal!

Warmest regards,