SKAL International - San Jose

12/11/2025

Mele Kalikimaka, Joyeux Noel, Feliz Natal and so many more holiday greetings from Skal San Jose. The small but mighty club.
Here’s to a prosperous, healthy and happy 2026!
Skal Ya’all!

11/05/2025

Making connections at WTM London. San Jose’s own Jonna Jackson meets David from Miami.

10/31/2025

Wearing my Skal pin proudly today at GEM - Global European Marketplace. Skal!

07/08/2025

We honored Ed’s four decades in Skal at our May meeting.

07/08/2025

Remembering a Legend. So glad we got to celebrate Ed Stahl at our May 28th meeting.

07/08/2025

🌍✈️ In Loving Memory of Ed Stahl ✈️🌍

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of a true legend in the travel industry and a beloved member of our Skal family. 💔

Ed Stahl passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, June 28th with his daughter Susan, partner MarLyn, and caretaker Manu by his side.

Born October 6, 1931, in Brooklyn, NY, Ed was 93 years young and filled every moment with adventure, kindness, and purpose. He founded Travel Advisors of Los Gatos, which he led for over 61 years, and he remained active—visiting the office daily until just two days before his passing.

We were honored to celebrate Ed’s 39th year in Skal at an event on May 28th, a gathering that gave many of us the chance to express just how much he meant to us and the entire travel industry.

A man of remarkable achievements:
🧭 He holds the Guinness World Record as the oldest man to visit the North Pole at 90 years and 334 days on September 6, 2022.
🌎 He traveled to 137 countries, leaving footprints—and friendships—across the globe.
🚂 He helped build Roaring Camp Railroads, the Wine Cellar in Los Gatos, and even the Good Samaritan Episcopal Church in San Jose, where his memorial service will be held.

Ed’s life was an inspiration—full of service, passion, travel, and most of all, heart. He was a cherished friend, a dedicated travel professional, and a cornerstone of our Skal community. He will be missed greatly.

A month ago, on June 1, I stopped by to see Ed Stahl at the invitation of his partner MarLyn Rasmussen, at an Almond Grove historical home patriotically decorated early in the runup to the 4th of July. He sat in a well-padded living room chair and talked about his life and work since arriving […]

05/29/2025

Four decades! The San Jose club celebrated member Ed Stahl at our meeting last night. Ed opened his agency in 1961. He has been a Skal member for 39 years and counting!
Fun fact, Ed is also in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the oldest man to visit the North Pole!
Recognition certificate presented by Jonna Jackson, SJ Club President.

05/23/2025

One of the best things about Skal is the connections we make with other travel professionals around the World.
Here our very own Dale Strong meets a fellow Skalleaguer from Uganda on her recent travels.
Reach out if you'd like to learn more about Skal International San Jose.

05/07/2025

Please join us on May 28th for our next Skal San Jose meeting. We have a lot of fun things in store this evening that you won't want to miss!
Reach out for more details and to receive an invitation. Skal Ya'all!
Happy Global Travel Advisor Day!

02/27/2025

✨ Honoring Legacy, Embracing the Future ✨

Last night, I was installed as the 25th President of SKÅL International San Jose. As you may know, Skål is a global network of tourism leaders dedicated to friendship and advancing the travel industry.

This moment was especially meaningful as my dad, Ed Nelson, helped found our club 32 years ago. He passed away 16 years ago, but his passion for travel lives on in me. Just last weekend, I found his Skål President’s pin while helping my mom clean out a closet —something I had searched for for years. Wearing it last night made the occasion even more special.

The travel industry has always been my passion, and Skål embodies everything I love about it—connection, collaboration, and community. If you're in the travel industry and live in the greater South Bay/San Jose area, or plan to visit, let’s connect! I'd love to share more about our welcoming Skål club.
~Jonna Jackson

01/20/2025

Message from the President

Hello Skål International!

I am truly honored to begin my term as President of Skål International San Jose for 2025. Having served as your Vice President for the past two years, I have seen firsthand the tremendous value our club brings to travel industry professionals. I’m excited to continue this journey and build on our successes as we take our chapter to new heights.

As we move into 2025, we are making some exciting changes to enhance the experience for all members. We’re focused on making Skål more accessible and engaging, with flexible membership options and a new event format. This year, we’ll host more lunches and cocktail hours at fun, exciting venues around the South Bay, making it easier for members to connect and share experiences.

We encourage all Bay Area travel professionals to consider joining Skål International San Jose. Whether you’re looking to expand your network, collaborate with peers, or simply enjoy great conversations in a relaxed environment, Skål provides a community like no other. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more, we would love to hear from you!

Let’s continue to grow our network together and make 2025 an exciting and rewarding year for our chapter. Please feel free to reach out to me or any board member if you have any questions or ideas to share.

Skål Ya’all!

Warm regards,
Jonna Jackson, CTC
President, Skål International San Jose

12/09/2024

Happy Holidays from Skal San Jose!
We had a great time celebrating the season last week at the wonderful Dream Inn in Santa Cruz.