On the evening of 22 May 2025, the Skål Europe leadership convened a momentous online meeting that brought together more than 60 Skålleagues worldwide, including multiple members of the Skål International Executive Committee. The goal was as ambitious as it was necessary: to open a transparent and inclusive consultation with the Clubs on the future of Skål International, placing member engagement at the core of institutional reform.
The meeting took place against the backdrop of growing calls for change — a demand not for symbolic resolutions, but for concrete reform grounded in accountability, relevance, and service. That evening, Skålleagues did not simply attend; they participated with conviction.
Franz Heffeter, President of Skål Europe, welcomed participants and skillfully guided the debate as moderator. It was clear from his opening words that this was not going to be another routine consultation:
“This is your mandate. It must come from the Clubs — not from the top down. We are not asking for permission. We are offering a structured, respectful, and professional roadmap.”
Technical coordination was masterfully handled by Tito Livio Mongelli and Stefan Pettersson, ensuring accessibility across languages and time zones. Among the many present was Skål International President Denise Crafton, who joined as an observer and stayed for the full duration of the meeting.
What followed was one of the most frank, diverse, and intellectually substantial exchanges in recent Skål history.
The Reform Documents
The discussion was anchored by the presentation of two core documents. Paolo Bartolozzi, Vice President of Skål Europe, took the floor to outline the structure and intent behind them.
Document 1 examined governance failings, including over €500,000 in losses on digital platforms such as Odoo and Omnigo. But the focus was not on blame. Instead, it offered forward-looking proposals: ESG certification as a governance tool, cost-center financial reporting, transparent tendering, and institutional reform. “We must turn pain into structure,” Paolo said, “and confusion into a model of clarity.”
Document 2 set the tone for the future: a Strategic Mandate for Skål International, envisioned not as a top-down authority, but as a platform for service. From institutional representation at global tourism bodies to support for club visibility at trade fairs, from ESG compliance to better Congress formats and digital tools, the vision was clear: a global Skål that listens, delivers, and empowers.
Club Voices: A Global Conversation
As the floor opened, Skålleagues from different corners of the world spoke with striking sincerity and insight.
Constantine Panoussi of Skål Montecarlo was the first to speak. His intervention set a strong tone: “I have rarely seen such a structured and honest reform proposal. We need clarity. We need transparency. And most of all, we need action.”
From Germany, Jo Jungwirth offered both praise and caution. He acknowledged the quality of the documents but underlined the need for stronger communication between Skål International and National Committees. “If we want unity, we must also include those who have felt excluded,” he said. His message was one of constructive bridge-building.
Birger Backman, a senior figure in Skål Austria and former World President, spoke with gravity and experience. “The tourism industry has changed. Skål cannot continue as it did 30 years ago. We must be visible. We must be relevant. Our young professionals demand more than slogans. They want meaning.”
Representing the Global South, Fiona Angelico of Skål South Africa commended the clarity of the vision and called for greater cooperation between regions and the Executive Committee. “We need to work together not just as representatives of different zones, but as one voice. This is the moment for co-creation.”
Alan Racic of Skål Croatia did not mince words: “Our website doesn’t work. Our image is outdated. These failures are not cosmetic. They hurt credibility, especially with younger generations.” His message was echoed by others frustrated with years of stalled modernization.
Tito Livio Mongelli, also representing Skål Italia, was characteristically bold and ironic: “Skål must enter the 21st century, even if it’s 25 years late!” He described SkålEurope.org as an example of what a transparent, updated, and club-focused platform can be.
Then, Augusto Minei of Skål Roma took the floor. A former President, long-time mentor, and voice of ethical clarity, he proposed the creation of a Probi Viri Council — an independent advisory body composed of senior members committed to safeguarding ethical values, procedural integrity, and institutional memory. His intervention was received with deep respect.
Closing the round of comments, Luigi Sciarra, current President of Skål Roma, recalled a phrase once used by former Skål International President Annette Cardenas: “Annette said we must build bridges. But to build bridges, you need bricks and iron. This reform gives us both. It is time to build.”
From Words to Action
The four reform documents — two text-based, two visual — are now available for download on the Skål Europe website:
- Document 1: Governance, Financial Waste, and Strategic Reform (PDF)
- Document 2: New Strategic Mandate for Skål International (PDF)
- Presentation Slides: Why ESG Certification (PDF)
- Presentation Slides: From Certification to Transformation (PDF)
- Club Consultation on the Strategic Mandate
The Strategic Survey is open until 3 June 2025. All Clubs are invited to participate and contribute to shaping the final reform proposal, which will be submitted at the AGA in Cuzco this September.
The reform process originated within Skål Roma, as a direct and constructive response to the unexpected decision to terminate the contract with the company building the new website. The intention was not to oppose, but to assist — by offering the Finance Commission concrete, forward-looking solutions. What began as a local initiative soon evolved into a broader working group, leading to the creation of the first reform document on financial waste, later formally adopted by Skål Europe. The second document, a natural continuation of the first, was also drafted within Skål Roma and is now being shared for consultation. While Skål Europe has so far communicated only with European Clubs — in respect of its mandate and GDPR limitations — this process is open and inclusive. Other regions are encouraged to join the dialogue or initiate their own platforms. This is not a top-down imposition, but a transparent, Club-driven invitation to co-create the future of Skål International.
A Turning Point
The evening ended not with slogans, but with mutual respect. No personal attacks. No divisions. Just clubs, members, professionals — choosing to build something better.
As the screens went dark, one thing was clear: the real mandate for Skål International had been voiced not from a stage but from the grassroots.
