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Skål USA is dedicated to developing the tourism leaders of the future by building strong partnerships between academic institutions and the professional business sector..

The initiative aims to “unite tourism worldwide” by building stronger links between academia and the professional business community. The aim is to create programs that provide students with valuable real-world work experiences and industry insights as they begin their careers, while providing Skål members with access to internships, mentorships and a pool of talented and eager students interested in travel and employment. tourism sector.

Skål International, the only professional organization focused on promoting global tourism and friendship, brings together all segments of the business world. Founded in Paris in 1934, Scale International has grown to over 12,000 members in 83 countries. Recently, the institute has increased its focus on identifying and attracting promising young hospitality students globally to ensure continued growth.

In 2023, Project Future was conceived through a collaboration between the NY Scale Club and the University of Florida in Gainesville. This initiative quickly attracted the attention of other scale clubs, resulting in the committee expanding to include over 30 scale leagues from various clubs across the country. Project Future has since become one of Skål USA’s five primary committees.

“Our mission is to bridge the gap between education and the travel and tourism industry by creating partnerships that immerse students in real-world experiences,” explained Burcin Turkkan, MBA, CHE, and past president of Skål USA and Skål International. “Furthermore, we aim to provide access to fresh, talented individuals to the travel and tourism sector. By fostering these connections, Skål enhances academic learning with practical insights, students are well prepared for their professional journeys and equips the industry with innovative thinkers ready to meet its unique challenges.

Many scale clubs have successfully started young scale student programs, but the need for broader expansion was recognized. Project Future Chair and former NY Skål Club President, Carolyn J. Feimster CMD/CRX, noted, “Project Future effectively revitalizes this membership category by addressing its challenges and bringing innovative ideas for clubs to embrace.” A major achievement was updating the by-laws to facilitate smooth membership transitions, assuming certain criteria are met, from Young Scale Student to Young Scale Professional, then Active Member and finally to retirement.

To ensure that all Skål clubs can benefit from Project Future, various useful tools have been developed or are currently in the works. For clubs seeking to establish on-campus chapters, a comprehensive organizational plan, originally designed for the University of Florida, is available for adaptation by any scale club and academic institution. In addition, resources such as rack cards, PowerPoint presentations, website content, and upcoming business plans are being provided to help clubs grow their current young scale student membership programs or start new ones.

Future goals for Project Future include expanding the campus program nationwide with the goal of establishing three student chapters by the end of the year and at least six more by 2025.