A note from Ruvarashe Zimuto, Skål International Cape Town Committee Member, reflecting on her remarkable experience at NASC 2025.
What an unforgettable experience it was to attend the 2025 North American Skål Congress (NASC) and represent both Aquila Collection and Skål International Cape Town.
I had the privilege of moderating a Young Skål panel titled “Young Skål in Action: How to Recruit, Retain & Grow Young Talent in the Industry.” Joining me on the panel were Andres Omar Hayes, Vice President of Skål International; Jack Werth, Executive Secretary/Treasurer of Skål USA; and Devon Johnston, Treasurer of Skål Philadelphia. Together, we explored critical topics including the generational gap in tourism leadership, strategies for retaining young professionals, evolving networking practices, and creating clear pathways to leadership.
A highlight of the session was the presence of members of the Skål International Executive Board. Having President Denise Scrafton, Deputy Vice President Mohan N.S.N., and Directors Georges Koch, Marc Rheaume, José Luis Quintero Maeso and Kevin Rautenbach in the room demonstrated Skål International’s genuine commitment to the next generation of tourism professionals.
The broader congress was equally enriching. Keynote presentations by President Denise Scrafton and Santiago Corrada, President and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay, offered meaningful insights into the direction of our industry and the power of collaboration. The Skål Connections session provided a great opportunity for me to share updates from Aquila Collection, including the launch of Kuganha Luxury Tented Camp, and to connect with industry peers from across the North American region. Young Skål professionals brought important conversations to the table, and I was proud to contribute insights from our club Skål International Cape Town.
We also gathered for the Breakfast Innovations session at the Fort Harrison Hotel, where clubs showcased innovative programs and shared best practices. The ideas presented were practical, inspiring, and directly applicable to the growth and development of our Skål International Cape Town club.
Throughout the congress, I had meaningful conversations with fellow members, including Young Skål USA representatives like Devon Johnston and Jonaven Viera from Skål Tampa Bay. We exchanged experiences from our respective clubs and discussed the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. As a gesture of friendship and appreciation, I shared a Skål International Cape Town pennant and a small gift from our club.
Attending NASC 2025 was a powerful reminder of the impact of global connection, collaboration, and the Skål ethos of doing business among friends. It was a true honour to represent Aquila Collection and Skål International Cape Town.
Skål!
YSK, Skål International Cape Town Committee Member Ruvarashe Zimuto
