Skål Toronto marks 70 years of “doing business with friends”

Skål Toronto kicked off its 70th anniversary celebrations Tuesday (May 26) at Toronto's Boulevard Club, welcoming around 50 industry professionals for an afternoon of networking, reflection, and milestone moments against a backdrop of the city skyline and Lake Ontario.

Founded on June 4, 1956, Skål Toronto holds the distinction of being Canada's second-oldest club, trailing Skål Vancouver by two years. 

Now in her eighth consecutive year as Skål Toronto's president, Susan Webb shared that Tuesday's luncheon was just the beginning of a year-long celebration.

"Skål Toronto doesn't like to do things small. We like to kind of do this in a big way. So, we're going to celebrate the whole year,” Webb told PAX at the party.

At its heart, Webb said, it's simply about "doing business with friends - that's what Skål's all about."

The club unveiled its official 70th anniversary logo, a brand that will carry through invitations, golf tournament materials, and all club communications throughout the year.

No anniversary is complete without cake, and Skål Toronto delivered - a three-tiered creation decorated with travel-themed details and the inscription "Skål Toronto 1956–2026: 70 Years of Doing Business with Friends."

A congratulatory letter from Ontario Premier Doug Ford was also read to attendees, recognizing the club's seven decades of contribution to the travel industry, accompanied by a video of anniversary well-wishes from fellow "skaleagues." 

A network built on friendship and business

What makes Skål truly stand out is its global community, Webb said.  

"Skål is an international association with over 14,000 members around the world of hospitality and tourism executives from hoteliers to airlines to cruise lines to travel agents, to suppliers and media."

For Webb, that reach has translated into lasting ties both professionally and personally. 

"Skål has been a really incredible part of my life," she said. "I have met friends from around the world, I have done business around the world with Skål members, not just in Toronto, like being in Kenya or in Turkey, or this year it's in South Africa in October."

Webb also shared that she had just returned from the North American Skål Congress, held aboard a cruise from New York to Bermuda, where Skål Toronto received the Gold Skål Canada President Award. 

"We like to have a good time as we do business with friends," she said.

From men only to a modern club

Webb reflected on how much the club has evolved since its early days when Skål Toronto was strictly men-only, and business talk was discouraged.

"The club has changed a lot," she said. "When it started, it was men only. No women were allowed. You weren't allowed to talk business. If you mentioned doing business at the meetings or gave someone your business card, you were fined by the sergeant at arms. So, it's changed a lot. Now, of course, women are very much a part of our membership across the world." 

The luncheon also welcomed new members, while long-standing member Richard Eve was recognized for an impressive 40 years of Skål membership.

Webb acknowledged that membership retention is a challenge facing Skål clubs globally, and that attracting younger professionals, while ensuring they see real value in belonging, has become a top priority.

"It's not just somewhere to come for lunch or dinner and meet friends. It's actually being able to do business with people that you know and you like,” she added. On that front, Webb said Skål Toronto is heading in the right direction.

"We're very blessed at Skål Toronto. We now have over 70 members, a lot of them young, up and coming executives within the tourism industry. We've got a good blend of some retired, some people that have been in the industry for a long time, and now we're getting some of the younger blood to come in," she said. 

According to Webb, the newer voices are already making an impact by contributing to social media, bringing fresh programming ideas, and even facilitating an AI seminar for members.

A year-long celebration

Webb outlined a full calendar of events to mark the 70th, including a casual social gathering in July (timed to avoid the FIFA-related congestion expected in the city), the annual golf tournament on August 13 with proceeds benefiting Daily Bread Food Bank, and the main celebration on October 15 at Little Canada in downtown Toronto.

That October event will bring together past presidents, Skål Canada president Andrew Shepherd, and the Skål International president, among other industry leaders. Rounding out the year will be the Skål holiday gala on December 10.

A look back at Skål Toronto's presidents from 1956 to 2026 can be found here.

For more information about Skål Toronto, visit here.

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.