Skal International MIAMI Newsletter December 2008 Club #65 Message from the President Dear Skalleagues, What a beautiful event we had at Koven Center at FIU! It was so great to see the School of Hospitality and all the wonderful students who will eventually be leaders in our industry!  We thank Dean Joseph West for a most wonderful evening!   It is truly unbelievable that the year has gone by so quickly! May I remind you that our dues have gone out and we have extended the discount if you pay them by the 15th of January 2009.  Our Holiday Party at the wonderful Hyatt Regency Coral Gables is this coming Tuesday Dec. 9th where our host General Manager Gabe Castrillon will once again enhance our holiday experience. We will have music and dancing with a fantastic vocalist, Cindy Lewis. And don't forget the Raffle! Here's just a sampling of some great prizes, 2 - 42" LCD TVs 2 - Olympus digital cameras Hotel stays in Brazil, Panama and Prague 22 other gifts That’s Holiday cheer, SKAL style. Please don't miss this great evening! Keep in mind that our January meeting will be on the 6th. Mark your calendars for the Four Seasons Hotel! What a way to start the year with our friend Ricardo Acevedo!   My sincerest wishes for this Holiday Season and may the New Year bring Peace and Health to you and your families!  SKAL! Ramon Antelo This Month's Meeting WHEN: December 9, 2008 (the Second Tuesday) WHERE: Hyatt Regency Coral Gables, 50 Alhambra Plaza TIME: 6:30-7:30 SKAL Miami Annual Holiday Dinner Meeting Dinner and dancing with the vocal stylings of Cindy Lewis. Great food and good company. As part of the SKAL Holiday tradition, bring an unwrapped toy for a boy or girl for Miami Children's Hospital. Or make a $15 donation. HAPPY HOUR 6:30-7:30 APPETIZERS: Hors D'Oeuvres: Coconut Shrimp, Sesame Chicken Tenders, Quesadilla Cornucopia with Smoked Chicken CASH BAR DINNER (with wine) 7:30PM First Course: Goldcoast salad with diced tropical fruits, toasted almonds and raspberry vinaigrette. Main Course:Grilled beef sirloin with shallot and red wine confit and chardonnay sauce, garlic mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables Fish dinner TBD Dessert: Chef's choice. Starbucks coffee, decaffeinated and iced tea Cost: Guests $55 Please RSVP as soon as possible. Valet Parking is $8.00. Member Spotlight Bob Burke President, eGroup Communications, Inc. Bob Burke began his career in the hospitality industry as a hotelier in New York. He moved to Miami where he both managed and marketed two deluxe hotels in Coral Gables and Coconut Grove. In 1984 he went solo in order to pursue a career which would allow him to share the knowledge he acquired as a hotel marketer with others in the hospitality, travel and tourism industries. Initially teaming up with the original Pan American Airways, he was able to manage and massage their vast databases and turn them into effective distribution channels for industry suppliers. Bob pioneered fax broadcasting in the travel industry changing forever the way suppliers do business. Faxing evolved to email broadcasting and databases expanded from travel agents to other industry segments, including meeting planners/incentive buyers, etc. and ultimately to consumers. eGroup's success stories are legion and involve all areas of the travel industry from the smallest hotels to the best known all-inclusive resorts. He is a Past President of Skål International Miami and is active in numerous travel industry organizations. Contact Mr. Burke at: rburke@egroupcommunications.com 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