Skal International to convene in New York City for first time since 1955

NEW YORK CITY, NY – NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, is pleased to announce that Skal International, the world’s largest professional associ

NEW YORK CITY, NY – NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, is pleased to announce that Skal International, the world’s largest professional association of senior travel and tourism executives, will bring its 74th World Congress to New York City this fall. The prestigious gathering will begin on September 27, 2013, before embarking from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal on a first-ever meeting at sea aboard the Carnival Cruise ship Glory. The group consisting of 1,200 travel industry delegates – who hail from all around the globe – will conclude their annual event back in New York City on October 5, offering attendees an opportunity for post-Congress meetings with NYC-based travel partners as well as tours of the destination.

“Tourism is a cornerstone of New York City’s economy – last year, the city welcomed a record 52 million visitors who spent nearly US$37 billion. It is only fitting that New York City would serve as a backdrop for this year’s 74th annual Skal International World Congress – this prestigious travel association last convened in New York City in 1955 so it’s an honor to have them return to experience the nation’s number one big city tourism destination. To date, we’re pleased to announce that nearly 900 people have registered for the upcoming Skal International World Congress,” said NYC & Company’s CEO George Fertitta.

“The response from our global membership for the 2013 Skal International World Congress has been overwhelming—New York City, our 75th Anniversary and the sailing have created a perfect formula for success. Our dedicated volunteer committee has been working on this event since October 2011 when winning the 2013 bid at the congress in Turku, Finland,” said John J. Ruzich, OBE, Chairman of the Skal New York Host Committee, “We thank NYC & Company for all their support to help us secure the 74th World Congress for New York City.”

Skal International New York was the first chapter established in North America and will be celebrating its 75th anniversary during the Congress. Many of the Club’s members will be providing Congress attendees incentives to visit their businesses and attractions while in the city, as tourism is an important part of their annual revenue. Non-Skal companies who wish to reach this audience must first become a club member. Information on membership can be found at www.NYSkal.com .

Skal International last convened in the United States in 1994, when the group met in Los Angeles.

A special website, www.Skal2013WorldCongress.com , has been created to present all of the Congress information to Skal members, and continual updates will be available on Facebook and Twitter. For more information on the Skal World Congress, visit www.skal2013WorldCongress.com .

For more information on visiting New York City, visit www.nycgo.com .

For more information on the Carnival Glory, visit www.carnival.com/Glory .

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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