Young Skal is a wonderful opportunity for professional development in the hospitality industry, especially in Tampa Bay, Florida. The Tampa Bay Skal Club works to empower, support, and helps to develop the young professionals with the drive for growth and hunger for knowledge and networking. I was able to experience this first hand, having joined three years ago and actually partaking in running aspects of the Young Skal program for Tampa Bay.

Personally, I’ve met intelligent and influential people in the industry who have given great insight. I was able to attend a national and two international congresses, learning about the industry in the USA and the North Americas, as well as meeting people involved in every facet of the industry all around the US, Canada, and Mexico. From these experiences I’ve been able to forge mentorships and friendships that will always thrive. I’ve gained industry friends who look forward to running into each other every year. We’re most excited for next year’s congress in Hawaii.

Most recently this organization has benefitted me when I moved to Savannah to work as an assistant beverage manager at a hotel on the riverfront. I actually moved to work under a fellow Skalleague who I met three years ago at my first conference. Having forged a friendship, he knew my work ethic, my positive attributes, and the fact that I was looking to move from Florida. It’s exciting to gain a job out of a networking organization I’ve been so involved with. Moving forward I’m very excited for us to work to charter a Skal Savannah chapter here.

Raisa B. Alstodt

Assistant Beverage Manager, Bohemian Hotel- Savannah Riverfront 

M.B.A. Candidate St. Leo University: Market Research and Social Media Analytics 

National Volunteer, Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority

Director, Young SKAL President Tampa Bay 

Semester at Sea Alumna Sp. '15