Andrew J Wood to lead Skal International Asia as president for 2021-23

With the successful completion of Skål International Asia’s 50th Asian Area Annual General Assembly, Andrew J Wood was elected President 2021-2023 at the virtual meeting.

Prior to the election, Wood, widely considered one of the region’s most visible Skålleagues, was Skål Asia’s Vice President (Southeast). A Skål member for 29 years, he was first elected to the Asia board in 2005. Wood, who was due to complete his second term as President of Thailand’s oldest club – Bangkok, will pass the reins to James Thurlby, Bangkok’s new President-elect.

Skål Asia has 2529 members in 39 clubs, 28 grouped in 5 national committees, and 11 affiliated clubs. Skål Asian Area (SAA) is the most diverse area in the world of Skål. The Asian Area spans from Guam in the Pacific Ocean over more than 10,000 km to Mauritius in the Indian Ocean, with clubs in 15 fascinating countries in-between. The Asian Area accounts for almost twenty percent of all Skål International’s global members.

“I am forever mindful of the 15 countries that we serve under Skål Asia and the need to work together to build strong bonds of Friendship on solid foundations,” newly elected President Wood said.

Wood also encouraged his members to look to the future with renewed optimism. “Our economies may be badly weakened as a consequence of closed borders, and no-one can under-estimate the global damage to our industry. It has, however, given us a rare opportunity to press the reset button, to undo past wrongs and make them right.”

With no congresses in the world of Skål since the start of the pandemic two years ago, Wood said he is delighted that plans are already well-advanced for the Skål Asian Area Congress in June 2022 when Thailand will host the sustainably inspired #RediscoverThailand Asian Area Congress, which is expected to attract 300 delegates for the conference.

(Source: Pattaya Mail)