Skal International MIAMI Newsletter February 2009 Club #65 Message from the President Dear Skalleagues, It is with great sadness that I announce the tragic passing of a fellow Skalleague, TATIANA FURRY, this past week. Tatiana was the head of marketing for Magic City Yacht Charters. Her father, Jack Furry and brother William Furry are fellow SKAL members. Our heart-filled prayers are with them and the rest of their families. May God grant them serenity, and may Tatiana Furry rest in peace. We have a new president! Not only in the USA, but in SKAL, Ms. Hulya Asianteas, International President. She is from the Istanbul Club and her theme is "Bridging the Cultures". She states that we belong to the most valuable network of professionals in the travel and tourism industry, bonded with ties based on global friendships. Which other organization has this strength? We thank our fellow Skalleague Mr. Ricardo Acevedo for a most wonderful evening at the Four Seasons. We are looking forward very much to the Johnson & Wales delight that our very own "Mac" McGregor will showcase! SKAL! Ramon Antelo This Month's Meeting This is a non-prepaid meeting, the cost for Members $45. Guests are $55. WHEN: February 10th WHERE: Johnson & Wales TIME: Cocktails 6:30 pm | Dinner 7:30 Hors d'Oeuvres Smoked Beef Filet Canape with Yellow Pepper Marmalade and Horseradish Tiliapia Ceviche Oven-Cured Tomato and Kalamata Olive Tapenade in Cucumber Cup Raw Bar Shrimp with Cocktail and Remoulade Sauces Clams on the Half Shell Oysters on the Half Shell Soup Shrimp Bisque with Lobster Foam Salad Pheasant Salad with Foie Gras, Shitake Mushrooms, Tamarind, Asian Pears and Hazelnut Vinaigrette Entree Mixed Grill of Double Frenched Lamp Chop, Half Maine Lobster Tail and Petite Filet Mignon Grilled Asparagus and Rissole Potatoes Dessert Surprise There will be an Executive Board Meeting at 5:00 PM Member Spotlight David Ross Vice President of Sales eGroup Communications, Inc. David Ross began his career in the travel industry as early as his years in College at San Diego State University.  During the summers he and a close friend were the roadies for the Bahamas Road Shows, organized by his father, Henry Ross (SKAL CLUB member Nassau, Bahamas) of the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board.  Industry veterans remember David and friends keeping up the rigorous schedule of trade shows setting up the ballrooms across the Mid West and East Coast for their promotions in cities from Chicago, Boston and Miami.  David also worked with close friend Lori Godbold for Cozumel Caribe Hotel during their highly successful run of SPLASH Diving programs each October in the 1990’s.  David handled entertainment for the event which was widely promoted and sponsored throughout the SCUBA Industry.  Moving to Miami in 1995 to join Sandals Resorts head office, David was mentored by long time SKAL member from Nassau, and family friend John Corry and they quickly became the faces of Sandals Resorts in the MICE markets.  David’s tenure with Sandals lasted twelve years, during which time Corporate Groups became an important market segment for the rapidly growing Caribbean hotel chain. In 2007 David decided to try the incentive industry from the perspective of a buyer and became Vice President of Sales for Advanced Incentive Travel of California.  Building on his success in the industry, David became an independent planner in 2009 through strategic partnerships with both Advanced Incentive Travel and Performance Strategies Inc. of Indianapolis.  This allowed him to apply his sales and marketing skills into “e” commerce as Vice President of Sales for eGroup Communications Inc. Born in New Zealand, and raised in the travel industry in the Bahamas, California and Chicago, David was blessed with parents that shared a world view having lived in the Far East, Europe, North America and the Bahamas.  The travel industry is truly in his blood. Letter from Ann Lyons, Miami Children's Hospital Dear Mr. Meyer: Big thanks, and even bigger smiles, are being sent to you from our patients for the gifts that you donated during this past holiday season. Nothing makes a child feel instantly better than when he or she are given a toy, and our staff make sure that the patients received an appropriate gift during their visit to Miami Children's Hospital. Taking care of a child also means ministering to the whole family. Through our Child Life Department we bring our Big Apple Circus Clown Care Unit bedside; Radio Lollipop provides entertainment in the evening; dogs are brought bedside and students read, play games and create artwork through Bedside Buddies. Toys are given out throughout the year. But sometimes we reach a low level in the toy closet around August. We are really appreciative of your support over the holidays and would like to suggest that you consider a summer toy drive to help throughout the year. Thank you for keeping the patients at Miami Children's Hospital in your thoughts. Get your Johnson & Wales reservations (Feb. 10) in early. Seating is limited. First come, First serve. Guests will be limited. Have you moved, changed jobs or your email? Please let us know! WWW.SKALMIAMI.COM Want to check what upcoming events are in store for Miami Skal? Like to read the By-Laws? Want to see a newsletter from six months ago? How about the full set of pictures from an event?  Want to link to Skal International or SIUSA websites? Be sure and just go to www.skalmiami.com We keep it up to date, just for you This message was intended for you a SKAL MEMBER Skal International Miami. 9240 SW 66 Street, Miami, FL 33173