FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Greg DeShields Elected to Second Term as President of Skål International Philadelphia
New Officer Team to Begin Service January 2026
Philadelphia, PA — December 15, 2025 — Skål International Philadelphia proudly announces the re-election of Greg DeShields, CHE, CDE, to a second term as President of the Philadelphia Chapter, effective January 2026. DeShields’ continued leadership follows the formal induction of the 2026 Officers, who will support the Chapter’s mission to strengthen professional connections and advance global tourism initiatives.
During his first term, DeShields successfully led the Skål Philadelphia Chapter to be named Club of the Year in 2020, a significant accomplishment recognized by both Skål International USA and Skål International. This achievement underscored the Chapter’s excellence in engagement, programming, and global connectivity under his leadership.
DeShields’ re-election reflects the members’ confidence in his vision, industry expertise, and unwavering commitment to fostering meaningful professional relationships across the tourism, hospitality, and meetings sectors.
The 2026 Skål International Philadelphia leadership team includes:
- President: Greg DeShields, CHE, CDE
- Vice President: Elizabeth Barber, PhD, CHE
- Treasurer: Devon Johnston
- Secretary: Yvonne Vaughan
- Internal Auditors: Mariska K. Bogle
“I am honored to continue serving the Skål Philadelphia Chapter,” said DeShields. “Our organization plays a vital role in bringing together professionals who are passionate about strengthening our industry. I look forward to advancing our initiatives, expanding membership, and reinforcing the values of friendship, leadership, and service that define Skål.”
The newly inducted officers will guide the Chapter’s programming, member engagement, industry partnerships, and global initiatives. Their combined expertise represents decades of leadership in hospitality, tourism education, business development, and community-focused service.
About Skål International
Founded in 1934, Skål International is a professional organization of tourism leaders around the world, promoting global tourism and friendship. It is the only international group uniting all branches of the travel and tourism industry. With clubs in more than 100 countries, Skål International encourages responsible tourism, business development, and professional growth.