Like many of you who were at our 81st Skål International World Congress in Croatia, I too left Croatia with my heart full! 

Despite the economical aftermath of the pandemic, increased airline fares, the ongoing war, visa challenges, and the recent energy crises that emerged there were 400 Skålleagues who attended the Skål International Congress which was the first hybrid congress format we ever had. 

Through the launch of our mobile app, all our members were given the opportunity to be part of our meetings and decisions during our 5-day gathering.

After delaying the congress in Croatia due to the pandemic, we were all thrilled that our visit to beautiful Croatia has come to fruition and were so excited to experience the blend of different cultural circles that meet, intertwine, and complement each other in this amazing destination.

Thank you seems, such a small token of appreciation, for the enormous amount of work and passion the Local Organizing Committee has put into the planning of this congress. We all know and appreciate their work. As we hoped; each and every second of this congress was brilliantly organized and each location, function and event skillfully chosen. All members in presence had the opportunity to do business among friends while having fun together, celebrate accomplishments achieved working as teams within the Committees on different projects and enjoying the long missed in person Skål toasts in multiple languages!

After a 2-year hiatus, it was the right time to REMINISCE about what was, RENEW friendships and business relationships while we REUNITED with a vision to embrace change that will enable the future growth of our organization.

The 81st Congress in Croatia will be remembered as a historical congress in Skål International History not only due to the superb hospitality and due to being the first hybrid congress but also due to the transformation decision the membership has passed along with the most successful AGA Skål International had for many years now, thanks to our Skål International Executive Board.

Skålleagues, it is an exciting time for Skål International, as during this congress Skål International membership has voted on a historical proposal for the change of the Statutes which is passed with the approval of the two third of the membership votes. The proposed changes will become effective as of 2024 and the year 2023 will be the transition year preparing our organization to operate under the new governance.

Skål International will continue to grow and adapt to the changes that our industry is facing today. We are transforming the way we operate to continuously improve our ability to accept change with an evolutionary attitude being receptive of next generation, diversity and inclusion, so that we can be the guiding light in our industry, enabling all role players to look to us for guidance and leadership.

Once again, our thanks and appreciation go out to Skål International Croatia President and Former World President Nik Racic, Skål International Kvarner President Tamara Cerneka, Mayors of Opatija and Rijeka, former International Skål Councillor of Croatia Katica Hauptfeld who led the LOC, the current International Skål Councillor of Croatia Irena Persic-Zivadinov and the entire LOC team for their superb hospitality as they made us all feel home away from home.

But most importantly I want to thank to ALL for their friendship!

Thank you, Croatia, for welcoming Skål International and thank you Skålleagues for meeting with us in Croatia!

I hope to see you all next year at the 82nd Skål International World Congress in Quebec City, Canada, where we will have many more accomplishments to celebrate, more business to be done among friends and more Skål toasts to be made for our friendship!

Always, in friendship and Skål,

Burcin Turkkan

Skål International World President, 2022