Our World Congress is much more than an annual meeting. It is an opportunity to reconnect with friends from around the world, strengthen the friendships that make our organization so unique, exchange ideas, and come together to help shape the future of Skål International.

And what better place to do this than beautiful Nelson Mandela Bay?

South Africa offers us an extraordinary combination of natural beauty, culture, history, hospitality, and unforgettable experiences. Most importantly, our Skålleagues in Nelson Mandela Bay are working with tremendous enthusiasm to welcome our international Skål family and make this Congress a truly memorable experience.

For me personally, one of the greatest joys of attending a World Congress is seeing friends again—some whom we may not have seen for several years—and creating new friendships with Skålleagues from every corner of the world. In an organization founded on friendship, these moments remind us of who we are and why Skål continues to be so special.

But this Congress is also about participation and our future.

I encourage you to take an active role in our Global Forums, where your voice, ideas, and experiences are important. Participate in our Annual General Assembly, learn more about the work being undertaken by your Executive Board, and become part of the conversations that will help determine the direction of our organization.

We will also have the opportunity to share more about our Shaping Tomorrow strategy—an important initiative focused on strengthening Skål International, modernizing our organization, improving our governance, creating greater value for our members, and ensuring that Skål remains relevant and strong for generations to come.

Shaping Tomorrow is not simply about change. It is about building upon the extraordinary legacy created by generations of Skålleagues before us while having the courage and vision to prepare our organization for the future.

And that future belongs to all of us.

I invite you to come to Nelson Mandela Bay not simply as an attendee, but as an active participant in the future of Skål International. Come to share your ideas. Come to listen and learn. Come to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. Come to experience the warmth and beauty of South Africa.

Most importantly, come because Skål is at its strongest when we are together.

Our theme this year, “United in Friendship, We Grow Together,” continues to guide everything we are working to accomplish. Nelson Mandela Bay will give us another opportunity to bring those words to life.

I sincerely hope to see many of you there. I look forward to welcoming you personally, sharing a handshake, a conversation, perhaps a glass together, and celebrating the friendship that has connected Skålleagues around the world for generations.

See you in Nelson Mandela Bay!

In Friendship and Skål,

  Andres O. Hayes

  President Skål International

  “United in Friendship, We Grow Together”