Let's Talk Club Management: Recent Episodes
CMAA
Let’s Talk Club Management is a show dedicated to giving an in-depth look at the club management profession. With insider stories of first-hand experiences to best practices from your Association leaders, CMAA looks to provide you with the best information (with a side of fun).
Counting down from 100 to 1, CMAA is kicking off our Centennial celebration sharing flashbacks on our social channels. Since June, we’ve been digging through the CMAA archives to share our rich history, honoring club management professionals, and spotlighting the milestones, traditions, and experiences that define this honorable profession. In this episode, we chat with some of the team who has been working on this project to hear a bit more about how what they’ve learned as things have come together. Make sure you are following CMAA’s Instagram Account @clubmanagement1927 for daily updates. You can catch weekly roundups on CMAA’s LinkedIn page.If you aren't on social media, you can follow along on CMAA’s site: https://www.cmaa.org/cmaa100/
In this episode, we’re joined by Stephanie Gallo, Gallo’s Chief Marketing Officer. We talk balancing tradition with evolving consumer expectations, especially in clubs where members value both heritage and new experiences, the trends we are seeing in wine preferences right now, and how technology can be used to improve wine education, service, and storytelling for members. Gallo is a CMAA Alliance Partner.
Country Club in Windermere, FL. Each shares their perspectives on participating in National Golf Day for the first time and what the experience was like from top to bottom.
In this episode, we’re joined again by Joe Krenn, CCM, CCE, to discuss the upcoming changes to the Certified Chief Executive (CCE) program and process. In this conversation, we cover what prompted CMAA to evolve the CCE requirements, what that revision process has looked like, and what members can expect from the new requirements.
On this episode of the podcast, we’re joined by Alan Achatz, CCM, CHE, to discuss some of the perennial safety issues clubs face. Alan is the founder of Club Safety Solutions, LLC, whose primary mission is bringing safety knowledge to businesses through managerial and line employee education sessions. As we learn in this conversation, safety is as much a part of club culture as anything else – and Alan takes us through how clubs can establish a solid approach to safety with their staff team.
On this episode, we are thrilled to talk to CMAA’s 2026 Chair Janine Budzius, CCM, CCE. She shares her personal journey to and through clubs, her passion for mentoring, as well as her goals for the year ahead and what’s most important to her.
It’s that time again! The 2026 World Conference is just around the corner and in this episode, we’re chatting with our team members about registration, events and networking, education, and our NewBee activities. Kyle and Melissa will take you through the important things you need to know for the week, and they pick up some guest hosts along the way.Access the Conference FAQs: https://www.cmaa.org/learn/meetings-and-events/conference/faqs/Read blog from Skip Avery, CCM, CCE, CMAA Fellow: https://stonegrouparchitects.com/planting-seeds-for-success-making-the-most-of-your-cmaa-world-conference-experience/
On this episode, we are thrilled to be talking to the 2025 Club Executive of the Year, Randy Ruder, CCM, CCE, CMAA Fellow. In November, Club Management magazine named Randy the 2025 Club Executive of the Year. He currently serves as the General Manager/Chief Operating Officer of Beach Point Club in Mamaroneck, NY. In this episode we get to know randy a bit better though the eyes of three of his mentees from across his career. We’re joined by Qian Yang, CCM, Batu Catalkaya, and Sam Lipp, to hear more about Randy’s impact and influence on their career paths.
In this episode, we dive in to talk about ethics and its impact on decision-making in the club industry. Researchers from Michigan State University have been exploring this topic for 35 years. The research was first undertaken in 1989, revisited in 2010, and again in 2024. In this research, club executives were asked to measure their responses to 15 ethical scenarios. We’re joined by Jeffrey A. Beck, Ph.D.; Raymond S. Schmidgall, Ph.D., CPA; and Richard A. Bruner CCM, CCE, with The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University to discuss this interesting research!You can access the articles about this research in the November/December 2025 edition of Club Management magazine: https://www.club-mgmt.com/clubmanagement/library/item/2025november_december/4304808/
Please join us in welcoming one of our newest CMAA team members, Haley Habosky! Haley is CMAA’s new Manager, Student Development and joined CMAA after a stint in the club world. She joins us in this episode to chat about her background and passions and what she is most looking forward to doing with CMAA. Please welcome Haley!
We are thrilled to welcome back to our podcast, our favorite cybersecurity experts at Pulsar Security, a CMAA Education Partner, for answers to our questions about current cybersecurity trends. Pulsar is a company whose mission extends to protect clubs and their members against malicious attacks. The company is a Veteran, privately owned business built on vision and trust, whose leadership has extensive military experience enabling it to think strategically and plan beyond the problems at hand. We are excited to welcome back the CEO and Founder of Pulsar Security, Patrick Hynds and Chief Technology Officer Duane Laflotte.
Please join us in welcoming one of our newest CMAA team members, Udokamma Ebulu! Udokamma (or Udo) is one of CMAA’s Staff Accountants – but that’s not his only interest. He’s truly a man of many talents and he joins us in this episode to chat about his background and passions and what he is most looking forward to doing with CMAA.
When you think about golf cars and personal transport vehicles, your first thought probably centers on transportation. But there is a lot more to consider – golf cars can improve the member experience, expand accessibility, enhance your service opportunities, and provide vital support for maintenance and other daily operations. In this episode of the podcast, we’re joined by Brad Schaufert, one of our partners at E-Z-GO, to talk about this important club component.E-Z-GO is a globally renowned leader in the design and manufacture of golf cars and personal transport vehicles, known for its innovation in sustainable electric vehicles and powertrain technology.
Each summer, hospitality students have the opportunity to intern at some of the most impressive clubs around the country. In this episode, we chat with Kelsey Burke, about what her internship experience was like. Kelsey is a CMAA Student Member and interned at Myers Park Country Club in Charlotte, NC. Kelsey shared what she learned and some of her advice for future interns. We talked a lot about the importance of authenticity and trying new things.
You may have seen the social media trend where individuals are asked to try to identify different voices. We’ve seen it with supervisors, teachers, coaches, among others. And it’s now made it to the club industry. Melissa was recently catching up with members on LinkedIn and caught a cool take from Grace Mwirigi, CCM, the Assistant Manager at Northmoor Country Club in Highland Park, IL. Beyond creating the video, Grace turned this TikTok trend into a leadership lesson. We asked Grace to join us to talk about what she learned from this activity and her goals as a leader.Watch Grace’s take here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/grace-muchiri-ccm-rethinking-culture-through-strategic-poa9c/?trackingId=uqU0zch0ET9gtJFndVzPrA%3D%3D
Each summer, hospitality students have the opportunity to intern at some of the most impressive clubs around the country. We wanted to hear what that experience was like, so we invited Alexa Esquivel, a CMAA student member and intern at Houston Country Club, to the podcast to share more about her experience, what she learned, and her advice for future interns. We talked a lot about having courage and being brave enough to try new things, even when it’s outside of your comfort zone.
On July 4, HR 1, the 2025 tax legislation was signed into law. The measure features the extension of several expiring tax cuts passed in 2017 and new tax reductions including new federal tax exemptions for qualifying tip and overtime income. There’s a lot to unpack here for clubs. In this episode, we’re joined by Brad Steele, a longtime collaborator, to talk more about what this means for the club industry. We’ll explore what we know about these two impactful changes and learn what details remain to be released with further regulatory guidance.
In this episode, we sit down with Tyler Bloom and Rachel Ridgeway, SHRM-CP, of Bloom Golf Partners to discuss Bloom Golf’s 2025 Workforce Trends Study. Released earlier this year, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of the current landscape, uncovering the expectations of workers in the golf industry, their views on career opportunities, and their thoughts on the key factors influencing their job satisfaction and retention. With a focus on both recruitment and workplace culture, this study offers valuable insights into how golf course leaders can adapt to the evolving workforce.Access the study here: https://bloomgolfpartners.com/research/
In June, GGA Partners and CMAA released the 2025 Club Leaders Perspective Report, a report that benchmarks operational data and examines current trends across a wide spectrum of private club facilities. On this episode of the podcast, we dive into that report and other research with Michael Gregory from GGA Partners. Access the full report on CMAA Connect: https://connect.cmaa.org/viewdocument/gga-partnerscmaa-club-leaders-per-1?CommunityKey=43e436dc-e513-4cc6-94b0-34a8e734968f&tab=librarydocuments
It’s never a bad time of year to take time to review your club’s policies and procedures. They are essential for managing effectively and making sound decisions for your members, employees, and volunteer board members. What are these policies and what are the best practices for implementation? Let’s find out! In this episode, we are diving into the article “Seven Essential Policies for Your Private Club in 2025”. We are excited to have all three authors from PKF O'Connor Davies with us today to dive into this important topic.
It is Hurricane season for our members on the Atlantic coast, running from June 1 to November 30. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts an above-normal 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. It’s the perfect time to talk about disaster preparedness specifically when it comes to communications. Marc Ray, MCM, CCE, CHAE, is an expert in this area and we are so glad to have the opportunity to tap into his knowledge today. His monograph, Hurricane Communications with Internal Audiences in Private Gated Communities, provides communication guidance outlining recommendations for general managers to use in the event of a hurricane and addresses communication before and after a hurricane event.You can read Marc’s monograph here: https://connect.cmaa.org/browse/mcmdocsAdvocate for the PAR Act: www.clubindustryvotes.org
We are thrilled to welcome back to our podcast, our favorite cyber security experts at Pulsar Security, a CMAA Alliance Partner, for answers to our questions. Pulsar Security is a cybersecurity company whose mission extends to protect clubs and their members against malicious attacks. The company is a Veteran, privately owned business built on vision and trust, whose leadership has extensive military experience enabling it to think strategically and plan beyond the problems at hand. We are excited to welcome back the CEO and Founder of Pulsar Security, Patrick Hynds and Chief Technology Officer Duane Laflotte.
In this episode, we’re joined by our 2025 Shark Tank competition winners: Molly Passow and Katherine Foerg from Niagara University. Their entry, Schedule Genie, uses Artificial Intelligence to assist in schedule coordination and management. You can view their whole presentation at World Conference (along with the other finalists’ presentations) on CMAA’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYkor-0fuvM
The world of wine is constantly evolving, and staying updated with the latest trends is essential for enthusiasts and professionals alike. In this episode, we welcome back to the podcast Sam Lindsley and Chris DeChillo from Kopplin Kuebler and Wallace. Sam and Chris each have extensive experience in food and beverage and bring their perspectives to how you can enhance your members’ wine experiences at your clubs. Books mentioned in this episode:Cote D’Or: A Celebration of the Great Wines of Burgundy - https://www.amazon.com/C%C3%B4te-DOr-Celebration-Great-Burgundy/dp/0520212517Wine Folly: Magnum Edition The Master Guide - https://www.amazon.com/Wine-Folly-Magnum-Master-Guide/dp/0525533893/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3KV1ARYX2C6NN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.9d7RyDqPXlj2z0Q_iQW2Vdt7ahnF0kc-8huvyOgs0M0JPFbZg0p74ub_YZ7BrghgbY3ty4w6NVpY6o4tyFd60j0qwoVPgDe6qxCdAkgpvbWR6-LtcZF3WJCyPgjwfn1sGDVLVE_8OpTj51T6DihAsft8anBRN75ijbbJVzd739ofDtydJ8immmy7MKhoIBJsI0x0SRE2x6M8f6SbhjVEekvB6mkeRl_CqpQ-KgVTkmY.yTzgZWoi-RHg1-6PrH6bi5YwnYIwBU3fbFSDzcgdNJ0&dib_tag=se&keywords=Wine+Folly&qid=1745933051&s=books&sprefix=wine+folly%2Cstripbooks%2C316&sr=1-1Windows on the World - https://a.co/d/6KNCwsA
On this episode, we are thrilled to be talking to the researcher behind a study published in the International Journal of Hospitality Management in January. The study focused on measuring the relationship benefits of membership in a private club. Milly Njeri Ph.D., Assistant Professor at the Dedman College of Hospitality at Florida State University, joined us to dive into her research and explore the questions she asked and the results that she found. Read the article: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278431924002834
On this episode, we are thrilled to talk to CMAA’s 2025 Chair Richard LaRocca, CCM, CCE. He shares his family history in clubs and hospitality, as well as his plans for the year and what’s most important to him. Learn more about Richard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCR5y-RIZ_s View Richard’s acceptance speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1303Zc470I
It’s that time again! The 2025 World Conference is just around the corner and in this episode, we’re chatting with our team members about events and networking, student activities, education, supporting The Club Foundation, and the Club Business Expo. Kyle and Melissa will take you through the important things you need to know for the week, and they pick up some guest hosts along the way.
On this episode, we are thrilled to be featuring another one of our upcoming World Conference speakers, Gary Ware, Play Consultant. Gary is a creative yet strategic Play Consultant that was brought here to make your life even better than it already is. By day, Gary helps companies and professionals level up their skills, and by night he is an improv comedian. In between all of Gary’s passions, his most desirous one is helping people become the best versions of themselves through fun and entertainment.See Gary at World Conference on Thursday, February 6, at 1:00 p.m. for Improv Your Influence: Fun and Effective Communication Strategies for Club Managers.
In this episode, we sit down with Conference speaker Katherine Thatcher to preview her session “The Art of Collecting and Protecting Your Collection”. Katherine is a professional art consultant providing collection asset management services to individuals, corporations, non-profits and museums. She has done appraisal work for renowned clubs such as the Olympic Club in San Francisco and Desert Mountain in Scottsdale, where she appraised over 600 works of art and continues overseeing collection management. See her at World Conference on Thursday, February 6, at 4:00 p.m.
Each year, we like to wrap up the podcast by talking to a CMAA member about their wins for the year. On this episode, we are excited to be talking to Geoff Piva, CCM, General Manager/COO at Needham Golf Club in Needham, MA. Geoff started a podcast this year called The Club Manager Journal. Melissa first got served the podcast via suggested title in her listening and was instantly struck by the authenticity of the discussion. Over the past three years, he has been on a journey of self-awareness and discovery that has led him to be a better leader, parent, and person leading through empathy and love and he joins us on the podcast to share more about that journey.
Each year, we like to wrap up the podcast by talking to a CMAA member about their wins for the year. In this episode, we sat down with Jennifer Mang, CCM, CCE, General Manager at Wyoming Valley Country Club. Jennifer share with us her unique career path full of steps both backwards and forwards, ultimately landing here where she is now. Jennifer loves the club industry and credits her successful path to her chapter colleagues and CMAA for the amazing education she received and the invaluable networking it afforded her. She is and has been for many years, the Treasurer and Managing Director for the Central PA Chapter of CMAA. She is also a past President. She looks forward to many more years in the industry and is thankful for the opportunities she has been given and we were happy to get to hear from her.
Based on the 2024 World Conference session, “Desperate to be Micro-Managed by Your Treasurer? Don’t Hire a True CFO” – Controller, Director of Finance, Chief Financial Officer – these labels all describe the head of finance in a club. What capabilities should be expected in the person managing finance and accounting in a club? It requires finance skills, business acumen, and executive presence. What should you be seeking in a great financial partner? In this episode, we’re joined by Michelle Riklan, ACRW, CPRW, CEIC, CJSS of KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE and Philip Newman of RSM. These two cover what the key capabilities and expectations are for someone in the role of a Head Finance Leader at a club and really dive in to what characteristics one should be looking for when hiring a CFO.
Our guest on this episode is Todd Bruen, the Director of Facilities & Construction, at Desert Mountain in Scottsdale, AZ. Todd has been with the club since 2012, and has an extensive background in design and construction. He is a graduate of Arizona State University with a degree in Construction Engineering and Management. Todd joins us to discuss the Capital Improvements Handbook, specifically construction project cost estimating, budgeting, contracting, and taking the project across the finish line. He really emphasizes the importance of having the right people on the bus to accomplish the many tasks involved with a successful project, and also reminds us that pizza is a great motivator. The CMAA Capital Improvements Handbook serves as a comprehensive guide for club decision-makers embarking on capital improvement projects. By adopting a strategic and collaborative approach, engaging stakeholders, ensuring robust financial planning, and adhering to regulatory requirements, clubs can successfully navigate the complexities of capital improvements. This is the final interview in our series of podcasts bringing this content to life.
On this episode, we are thrilled to be talking to the 2024 Club Executive of the Year, Matt Lambert, CCM, CCE, CAM. In November, Club Management magazine named Matt Lambert the 2024 Club Executive of the Year. He currently serves as the General Manager/Chief Operating Officer of The Country Club at Mirasol in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Lambert has more than 24 years of experience in the club industry. Get to know Matt in this episode!
In this episode, we’re joined by Julie Brown, CCM, CPA. We dive in Chapters Two, Three, and Four of the CMAA Capital Improvements Handbook, a comprehensive guide designed to help club decision-makers confidently manage capital improvement projects. This episode is the second in our series of podcasts bringing this content to life, diving into the financing options and feasibility aspects of capital projects. By adopting a strategic and collaborative approach, engaging stakeholders, ensuring robust financial planning, and adhering to regulatory requirements, clubs can successfully navigate the complexities of capital improvements. Access the Capital Improvements Handbook on CMAA Connect
In this episode, we sit down with Vache Hagopian, the Chief Revenue Officer at Jonas Club Software, a CMAA Strategic Partner. Vache has extensive experience in the private club software industry and during this conversation we cover his history in CMAA’s Business Management Institute as well as his recent appointment to The Club Foundation Board of Governors for a three-year term through 2027. In this conversation we cover everything from mobile technology such as apps and tableside ordering to the feedback loop toward consistent improvement. Listen for more about what Jonas is doing to advance technology in clubs!
On this episode of the podcast, we're sharing CMAA CEO Jeff Morgan's State of the Association speech from the 2024 Leadership/Legislative Conference. This speech offers a snapshot of where CMAA is now, how the last year has gone, and what we're looking to in the future.
In this episode, we’re joined by CMAA National Director Joe Krenn, CCM, CCE, General Manager/CEO at Farmington Country Club. We dive into the CMAA Capital Improvements Handbook, a comprehensive guide designed to help club decision-makers confidently manage capital improvement projects. Whether it’s a new renovation or a major facility upgrade, capital improvements require a strategic and collaborative approach to ensure success. We’ll explore how clubs can engage key stakeholders, establish solid financial plans, and comply with regulatory requirements to avoid common pitfalls such as poor leadership, unanticipated costs, and inexperienced project management.Access the Handbook: https://connect.cmaa.org/viewdocument/cmaa-capital-improvements-handbook-1?CommunityKey=43e436dc-e513-4cc6-94b0-34a8e734968f&tab=librarydocuments
In this episode, we sat down with members of the P10 (Power of Ten) Mastermind group. These individuals hail from all over the country and have been together as a networking group for nearly twenty years. In this conversation, we cover everything—from how and why this group came together, to how someone looking for their own mastermind group could go about creating one. The evolution of this group was evident in the conversation, and listeners will be sure to glean some important morsels. Joining us:Skip Avery, CCM, CCEThree Carpenter, CCMRick CoyneDick KopplinKevin MacDonaldKim PasqualeJill Philmon, CCM, CCESteve TyinkTake a listen to the P10 playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5nYl8dXSe9ssURITcCA3E2?si=dsA0YiGDQTmqSyyxdVbqoA&pi=u-8mlP2j6wT0WU
In this episode, we sat down with Casey Newman, CCM, the General Manager/COO at Lakeside Country Club, and Alexandria LaRocca, Director of Member Engagement at Beach Point Club. Casey and Alexandria are both members of the Mid-Manager Task Force and they joined us to talk about the Task Force, the challenges faced by mid-managers, and the Mid-Manager Power Hour calls. Finally, we discuss the future plans for the Task Force and how we envision it evolving to continue supporting the development of future leaders in the club industry.
In this episode, we had the opportunity to chat with Erin Schlegel, CCM, the Youth and Activities Director at Myers Park Country Club, and Rachel Richardson, one of Myers Park’s summer interns. Erin and Rachel joined us to talk about the internship experience at Myers Park as well as how that has been adjusted and tweaked to conform to CMAA’s Verified Internship Program criteria. Erin shares some of her best practices for developing and running an internship program and Rachel dives in to all of the things she has learned and experienced over the summer so far. For more information on the Verified Internship Program, please visit https://www.cmaa.org/careers/verified-internship-program/.
In this episode, we’re checking in with John Gravett, CCM, CCE, Chief Executive Officer at the Granite Club in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. John was the winner of the Most Innovative Award at the 2024 Idea Fair for his submission in the Membership Development category. John joined us to share more about the Club’s Junior Member Orientation program and the success it has seen. You can find this and other entries from the 2024 Idea Fair online: https://www.cmaa.org/idea-fair/idea-fair-categories/2024/As always, please remember, you can find us on iTunes and Spotify! Please be sure to rate, review, and subscribe so you don't miss an episode!This episode of the podcast is sponsored by Kennis. Learn more at www.membervetting.com.
In this episode, we’re joined by Dave Barton, PGA, the Executive Director of the National Alliance for Accessible Golf, and Jan Bel Jan, golf course and landscape architect and a member of the Alliance Executive Board. We dive in to a conversation surrounding what the National Alliance for Accessible Golf is, what the organization aims to do, and how clubs and courses can begin to make their spaces more welcoming to individuals with disabilities. You can learn more about the Alliance at www.accessgolf.org.
For many clubs, the season is rolling. In this episode of the podcast, we’re joined by Sam Lindsley, Search & Consulting Executive, and Chris DeChillo, Hospitality Trainer & Leadership Coach with KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE. Sam and Chris discuss what club management professionals should do to establish and maintain service excellence year-round and what the keys are to cultivating a team that is passionate about delivering exceptional service.
In this episode, we’re checking in with Bri Brookins, Assistant General Manager at Detroit Athletic Club in Detroit, MI. Bri was the winner of the Showstopper Award at the 2024 Idea Fair for her submission in the Breakthrough Ideas category. Bri joined us to share more about the Gratitude Booth and the wild success it has seen. You can find this and other entries from the 2024 Idea Fair online: https://www.cmaa.org/idea-fair/idea-fair-categories/2024/
In this episode, we’re checking in with Jeffrey Blais, CCM, CCE, CEO and GM at Wildcat Cliffs Country Club in Highlands, NC. Jeffrey was the winner of the Chairman's Award at the 2024 Idea Fair for his submission in the Staff Management and Incentives category. Jeffrey joined us to share more about his idea, a Staff Support Fund Raffle. You can find this and other entries from the 2024 Idea Fair online: https://www.cmaa.org/idea-fair/idea-fair-categories/2024/
On this episode of the podcast, we're sharing CMAA CEO Jeff Morgan's State of the Association speech from the 2024 World Conference and Club Business Expo. This speech offers a snapshot of where CMAA is now, how the last year has gone, and what we're looking to in the future. Read the 2023 Annual Report (https://www.cmaa.org/media/huklmu31/cmaa2023annualreport.pdf) and the 2024-2028 Strategic Plan (https://www.cmaa.org/media/qrtadkpl/cmaa2024-2028strategicplan.pdf).
In this episode of the podcast, we’re excited to sit down and get to know Joe Mendez, CCM, CCE. Joe is CMAA’s 2024 Chairman and has so many great insights to share with our listeners. Learn more about his path to becoming a club management professional and industry leader as well as some of the more humbling moments he encountered along the way.Don’t forget to register for upcoming events:Capital Improvement Symposium: https://www.cmaa.org/learn/meetings-and-events/capital-improvements-symposium-2024/National Golf Day: https://www.golfcoalition.org/nationalgolfday2024)
It’s that time again! The 2024 World Conference and Club Business Expo is just around the corner and in this episode, we preview education, voting, Open Space, and dive into the networking and other events. Kyle and Melissa will take you through the important things you need to know for the week, and they pick up some guest hosts along the way.Access Conference FAQs: https://www.cmaa.org/learn/meetings-and-events/conference/faqs/
For more than 20 years, World Conference attendees have had the opportunity to participate in a pre-Conference workshop unlike any other. The Bicycle Chautauqua experience encompasses physical health, mental health, and emotional health in a way that’s fun, interesting, and communal. Our guests today—Rachel Ridgeway, HR Director at Rehoboth Beach Club in Rehoboth, DE; and Roy Quini, CMAA’s manager, Design and Production—share what their first-year Chautauqua experience was like in 2023 and what they’re looking forward to in 2024.Learn more about the Chautauqua at https://www.cmaa.org/learn/meetings-and-events/conference/education/
It’s been a great year for CMAA and so many of our members. We love to hear about our members’ success, growth, and one of the CMAA members who has had a great year is Julia Rush. Julia is the Director of Catering for Cosmos Club in Washington, DC. She’s adopted a new philosophy this year and it has brought her great experiences. We loved getting to hear about her successes this year and review some of the podcast’s wins, too!As always, please remember, you can find us on iTunes and Spotify! Please be sure to rate, review, and subscribe so you don't miss an episode!
On this episode of the podcast, we break down a few regulatory updates. Our resident political expert (Melissa) answers questions from our resident political nerd (Kyle) about H-2B visas, the latest from Dept. of Labor regarding overtime rules, and more. It’s riveting content, to be sure – and will hopefully answer some lingering questions you might have about how these updates will impact your club. As mentioned, you can read more about legislative and regulatory updates in the Legislative Blog: connect.cmaa.org/browse/leg-blog.
On this episode, we are thrilled to be talking to the 2023 Club Executive of the Year, Boris Gradina, MCM, CCE. In November, Club Management magazine named Boris Gradina the 2023 Club Executive of the Year. A 17-year member of CMAA, Boris currently serves as the General Manager/Chief Executive Officer of Maryland Golf and Country Clubs (MGCC) in Bel Air, MD.He’s no stranger to this podcast. Back in 2020, he earned his Master Club Manager (MCM) and shared with our listeners about his monograph on Employee Onboarding. You can listen here: https://soundcloud.com/clubmanagersassnofamerica/lets-talk-club-244955042If you are not familiar with this annual award:•Annually, Club Management magazine recognizes outstanding professionalism and club leadership with the Club Executive of the Year Award. •Award dates backs to 1985. •This prestigious honor is presented to a club management professional who embodies professionalism within their club and community—embracing mentoring, creating a supportive club culture, and impacting their local CMAA Chapter through sustained engagement.•Nominations are accepted in early fall, and selections are made by a diverse committee of club management professionals.
We are thrilled to welcome back to our podcast, our favorite cyber security experts at Pulsar Security, a CMAA Education Partner. Pulsar Security is a cybersecurity company whose mission extends to protect clubs and their members against malicious attacks. The company is a Veteran, privately owned business built on vision and trust, whose leadership has extensive military experience enabling it to think strategically and plan beyond the problems at hand. We are excited to welcome back the CEO and Founder of Pulsar Security, Patrick Hynds and Chief Technology Officer Duane Laflotte. In this episode, we look to Patrick and Duane to help answer our questions about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other security issues, like two-factor authentication.
In August, the National Club Association (NCA) and Club Management Association of America (CMAA) released Private Club Governance: A Handbook of Principles and Best Practices. Written by a joint committee of experts from both associations in a partnership structured to benefit the entire private club community, the new publication is a definitive guide to governance of private clubs, designed to be a framework of best practices for clubs at any place on the spectrum of effective governance. We are excited to welcome Tim Muessle, CCM, CCE, Chief Operating Officer at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, CA. Tim is a long-time CMAA member who currently serves as the Chair of the NCA Governance Committee.CMAA Members can access the Handbook through the CMAA Connect Best Practices Exchange Library: https://connect.cmaa.org/viewdocument/private-club-governance-a-handbook. In September, NCA and CMAA hosted a three-hour symposium featured the authors of this recently released, definitive guide to the governance of private clubs, chapter by chapter. Access the recording and accompanying resources now!Recording: https://nca.freestonelms.com/viewer/eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJjaGFwdGVySUQiOjQ1NzY5MiwiYnlwYXNzQXR0ZW5kYW5jZSI6dHJ1ZX0.SdYYJE1-z2-H7EQnfE4UnjUihL7fCM0n5bHhXkUNMhQAdditional Resources: https://connect.cmaa.org/communities/community-home/librarydocuments?communitykey=43e436dc-e513-4cc6-94b0-34a8e734968f&LibraryFolderKey=&LibraryFolderKey=d3cd1942-76e7-4f9d-b21a-0189d0597cb6&DefaultView=folder
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the buzzword of 2023. With the explosion of platforms like ChatGPT. But what does that mean for clubs? How can clubs harness the incredible power of these types of tools? Who’s already using AI? What more can we be doing? We are going to work to dispel some of the mystery around AI in the first of a series of podcasts on this topic. In this episode, we’re joined by Julie Brown, CCM, CPA, who shares how she and the team at Farmington Country Club are utilizing AI in their day-to-day operations.
Please join us in welcoming our newest CMAA team members, Michelle Carrington, Sumayah Arcusa, and Brenden Beckett! Michelle joins us as the Director of Educational Resources and Virtual Learning, Sumayah is our new Manager of Student Development, and Brenden steps into a newly created role: Digital Marketing Coordinator. These three came on board over the summer and joined us to chat their backgrounds and interests and what they are most looking forward to doing with CMAA.If you want to learn more about the CMAA Staff, you can find our bios online: www.cmaa.org/about-cmaa/leaders…-governance/staff/
In this follow-up to our 100th episode, we’re joined by Jamie Roberts, Member Experience Manager at Renaissance Club in Haverhill, MA. Jamie talks to us about some of the unique programming she and the team at Renaissance have come up with and the ways those programs support the club’s family-friendly atmosphere.As always, please remember, you can find us on iTunes and Spotify! Please be sure to rate, review, and subscribe so you don't miss an episode!
Let’s Talk Club Management hits 100 episodes! We are thrilled to be presenting our century podcast to our listeners. To celebrate this milestone, we took the podcast on the road and visited podcast superfan Jeff Isbell, CCM, CCE, at Renaissance Golf Club in Haverhill, MA. Jeff joined us as the “third mic” and our conversation ran the gamut – we chatted about Renaissance, the club management career field, Jeff’s professional journey, and everything in between. We want to share a hearty thank you to our listeners and supporters – without you, we wouldn’t have made it to 100 episodes and we’re looking forward to making many more!As always, please remember, you can find us on iTunes and Spotify! Please be sure to rate, review, and subscribe so you don't miss an episode!
Please join us in welcoming our newest CMAA team members, Dawn Coleman and Ishan Tuli! Dawn joined our team back in April as the Senior Director of Learning and Career Development. Ishan came on board around the same time as a new Staff Accountant. Both of our new team members chatted with us about their backgrounds and interests and what they are most looking forward to doing with CMAA.
If you want to learn more about the CMAA Staff, you can find our bios online: https://www.cmaa.org/about-cmaa/leadership-and-governance/staff/
We are thrilled to welcome back to our podcast our favorite cyber security experts at Pulsar Security, a CMAA Education Partner, for answers to our questions about supply chain vulnerabilities. Pulsar Security is a cybersecurity company whose mission extends to protect clubs and their members against malicious attacks. We define what a supply chain attack is and what it can look like and Patrick and Duane help us understand what measures clubs can take to protect their assets and information.
What is on the minds of club leaders across North America? A Club Leader's Perspective explores the pressing trends and issues impacting the club industry in 2023. GGA Partners has released its emerging trends and challenges research in collaboration with CMAA. On this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Eric Brey and Ben Hopkinson of GGA Partners as we dive a bit deeper into the findings of the latest research and, more importantly, the important takeaways for our listeners wrangling with these issues.
You can learn more about the report here: https://ggapartners.com/2023/02/a-club-leaders-perspective-2022-2023/
As always, please remember, you can find us on iTunes and Spotify! Please be sure to rate, review, and subscribe so you don't miss an episode!
On this episode, we’re joined by Ashley Zechello, a student member at Johnson and Wales University – Providence. She’s a member of the student chapter e-board and has been an active member of CMAA since 2020. Her research, The Culture of Health and Wellness within the Private Club Industry, seeks to explore how employee well-being programming can be used as a benefit to attract and retain employees in private clubs. We are excited to share more about this research and Ashley’s findings in our conversation!
As many of our listeners enter into their busy season, we wanted to explore some wellness hacks for staying healthy (physically and mentally) when things get stressful. We’re excited to welcome Lauren Leon, CEP, Director of Fitness at Washington Golf and Country Club (WGCC). We chatted with Lauren about what are some of the best practices or programs that she’s translated to the club environment and how she’s helped build such a successful wellness program at WGCC.
We’re also joined by our colleague Katherine Lord to hear more about the upcoming Club Wellness Summit here in Alexandria, VA, next month!
Learn more: https://www.cmaa.org/learn/meetings-and-events/#cwsummit
On this episode, we are talking about the interview process, how to answer, and what to ask with the experts at KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE. KK&W is a leading club industry recruiting and consulting firm and a long-time CMAA Education Partner. We are thrilled to welcome back to the podcast, KK&W Principals Kurt Kuebler, CCM, and Tom Wallace, CCM, CCE, ECM. Well-informed, inquisitive job candidates make better impressions and decisions in the job search. We were so glad to have the KKW team share their collective experience on both sides of the table as a club management professionals and recruiters to share with our listeners.
KKW has their own podcast where they delve deep into the not so simple art of hospitality: https://soundcloud.com/user-754819200 You can also access KKW’s Interview Practice and Preparation resource here: https://kkandw.com/career-resource-center-interviewing/?_gl=11sofvj5_gaMTg4NTQyNzMwOS4xNjg2MzIwNDYx_ga_C1RYBMTHNQ*MTY4NjMyMDQ2MS4xLjEuMTY4NjMyMDU5OC4wLjAuMA
CMAA’s certification program is the most respected in the hospitality industry and the Certified Club Manager (CCM) designation is considered the hallmark of professionalism in club management. It is a valuable and widely-respected mark of a manager’s commitment to professional development and the club industry. We’re joined on this episode by Brian Watkins and Sonya Rome, two of CMAA’s certification experts. You can learn more about certification at https://www.cmaa.org/learn/certification-programs/. Contact Brian and Sonya with your questions: https://www.cmaa.org/contact/contact-staff/Also mentioned in this episode:The podcast is approaching its 100th episode! To celebrate, we’d like to take the podcast on the road – and this is where our listeners come in! We’re running a contest to host us for the century episode of the podcast, so if you have a story, a staff member, a project, or something you think our listeners would benefit from hearing about and you want to have the podcast come to you, submit your idea to goodnews@cmaa.org. The winner will play host to the Let’s Talk Club Management team (Kyle and Melissa) and will be featured on the podcast! We’re excited to be able to hit the road and visit some of our members.Submit your idea by June 30 – don’t delay!
In this episode, we’re checking in with Amelia Santarosa and Matthew Cummings, two of our student members from Niagara University. Amelia and Matthew were the overall winners of this year’s Student Shark Tank competition, presenting their idea—a BEO software solution—at the 2023 World Conference and Club Business Expo. Amelia and Matthew talk us through how they came up with this idea, how they envision it being implemented at clubs, and give us a little insight into their future plans. You can view this and other Shark Tank pitches online: https://youtu.be/PEc2ZiOUcdo
In this episode of the podcast, we’re excited to sit down and get to know Michael Seabrook, CCM, CCE. Mr. Seabrook is CMAA’s 2023 Chairman and has so many tidbits to share with our listeners. Learn more about his path to becoming a club management professional and industry leader as well as some of the more humbling moments he encountered along the way. Don’t forget to register for upcoming events:-Club Leadership Summits - https://www.cmaa.org/learn/meetings-and-events/club-leadership-summits-2023/ -National Golf Day - https://www.golfcoalition.org/nationalgolfday2023
After a brief post-World Conference hiatus, we're back! On this episode of the podcast, we're sharing CMAA CEO Jeff Morgan's State of the Association speech from the 2023 World Conference and Club Business Expo. This speech offers a snapshot of where CMAA is now, how the last year has gone, and what we're looking to in the future. Jeff mentions the 2022 Annual Report, which you can access here: https://www.cmaa.org/about-cmaa/who-we-are/#newsRegister for upcoming events:-Club Leadership Summits - https://www.cmaa.org/learn/meetings-and-events/club-leadership-summits-2023/ -Budget Bootcamp Series - https://www.cmaa.org/membership/communities/club-wellness-community/-National Golf Day - https://www.golfcoalition.org/nationalgolfday2023
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…. World Conference and Club Business Expo. In January, we previewed Education and now we are diving into the networking and other events. Kyle and Melissa will take you through the important things you need to know for the week, and they pick up some guest hosts along the way.For more information about World Conference visit cmaa.org/conference. To download the World Conference App visit https://www.cmaa.org/learn/meetings-and-events/conference/faqs/.
Continuing our tradition of talking wellness at the beginning of the year, we’re joined in this episode by our colleague Katherine Lord and Lynn Hearn, CPT, PRINCIPAL PARTNER with Club Wellness Evolutions and Founding President of the Club Spa and Fitness Association (CSFA). We cover a lot of ground, including the launch of CMAA’s special interest communities, the transition of CSFA to the Club Wellness Community, and current and future wellness trends. Most importantly, we talk about putting people first—and how that philosophy can shape a vibrant, holistic, and successful wellness program at your club.Learn more about CMAA’s communities here: https://www.cmaa.org/membership/communities/
Happy 2023! CMAA’s World Conference and Club Business Expo is just around the corner and in this episode we’re previewing some of the sessions that you’ll have the opportunity to attend in you’re joining us in Orlando, FL. We chat with Conference Speaker Sarah Noll Wilson is an Executive Coach, an in-demand Keynote Speaker, Researcher, Contributor to Harvard Business Review, and the Bestselling Author of “Don’t Feed the Elephants”. She helps leaders close the gap between what they intend to do and the actual impact they make – and we got to chat with her about both of the sessions she’ll be presenting at World Conference. Learn more about Conference education at https://www.cmaa.org/learn/meetings-and-events/conference/education/.
It’s our last episode of the year and we thought it would be fun to spend some time reflecting on what made 2022 a great one. We are joined by CMAA’s President and CEO Jeff Morgan, FASAE, CAE; CMAA’s Chairman Mitchell Platt, MCM, CCE; CMAA’s Sr. Director of Member and Chapter Relations, Erica Benjamin, and one of CMAA’s newest Certified Club Managers, Lori LeBard, CCM. Each of our guests shares some of their highlights from the year and even some of what they are looking forward to in 2023. We’ll see you in 2023!
On this episode, we are thrilled to be talking to the 2022 Club Executive of the Year, Brett Morris. In November, Club Management magazine named Brett Morris, the 2022 Club Executive of the Year. A 22-year member of CMAA, he currently serves as the General Manager/Chief Operating Officer of The Club at Admirals Cove in Jupiter, FL. Morris has more than 32 years of experience in the club industry in a variety of roles. If you’re not familiar with the award, visit cmaa.org/news/award-programs/club-executive-of-the-year/ to learn more.
The end of the year is here and finding your next job may be on the top of your 2023 to do list. In today’s job seekers’ market, how can you best prepare? On this episode, we are talking about what you should be looking for in your next job, team, and club with the experts at KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE. KK&W is a leading club industry recruiting and consulting firm and a long-time CMAA Education Partner. We are thrilled to welcome back to the podcast, KK&W Principals Kurt Kuebler, CCM, and Tom Wallace, CCM, CCE, ECM.You can listen and subscribe to the KK&W podcast here: https://kkandw.com/podcasts/
On this episode of the podcast, we break down a few regulatory updates. Our resident political expert (Melissa) answers questions from our resident political nerd (Kyle) about H-2B visas and the latest update from the Dept. of Labor regarding the definition of “Independent Contractor”. It’s riveting content, to be sure – and will hopefully answer some lingering questions you might have about how these updates will impact your club. As mentioned, you can read more about legislative and regulatory updates in the Legislative Blog: https://connect.cmaa.org/browse/leg-blog.
On this episode, we are talking metrics and CMAA’s recently released Universal Key Club Performance Indicators white paper. Specifically, the six Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that encapsulate a high-level picture of financial health, including the major components of a club. This white paper is the result of the Universal Key Club Performance Indicators Task Force which was formed in March 2020. We’re joined on this episode by the Co-Chairs of the Task Force, Julie Brown, CCM, CPA, CMA, CSCA, and Michael Wheeler, MCM, CCE.
The White Paper is accompanied by an extensive Case Study that exemplifies how these KPIs can and should be applied at a club. This case study is available exclusively to CMAA members. Visit https://www.cmaa.org/club-operations/research/industry-reports-and-white-papers/
We’re back for round two with our friends from Pulsar Security, a CMAA Education Partner. We’re joined again on the podcast by Patrick Hynds and Duane Laflotte for the second part of our conversation on Cyber Security. In this episode we cover how clubs and companies in the hospitality space can be hacked, have important customer and staff information stolen, and see ransom demands. Duane and Patrick are the experts to help assuage your fears.
As always, please remember, you can find us on iTunes and Spotify! Please be sure to rate, review, and subscribe so you don't miss an episode!
“Thank a Golf Course Superintendent Day” 2022 was celebrated on September 13, and in this episode, we are thrilled to feature the team at Indian Valley Country Club in Telford, PA, to talk turf and more: Michael Giuffre, Golf Course Superintendent, and Eric Beck, CCM, General Manager. We hope you will join us in encouraging all golf lovers to thank their course’s superintendent for the valuable role they play.
Cyber Security can be an alarming and intimidating topic. We are constantly hearing about companies in the hospitality space being hacked, important customer and staff information being stolen, and ransom demands. What about the club industry? Are clubs being targeted and what can clubs do to make themselves less vulnerable to attack? We went straight to the experts to answer these questions. We’re joined on the podcast by Patrick Hynds and Duane Laflotte of Pulsar Security, a CMAA Education Partner. They share their expertise in this episode (the first of a two-part series!) and we had a lot of fun chatting with them!
What is on the minds of club leaders across North America? A Club Leader's Perspective explores the pressing trends and issues impacting the private club industry in 2022. GGA Partners has released its emerging trends and challenges research in collaboration with CMAA. We’re joined on this episode by GGA’s Dr. Eric Brey, Ph.D. and Ben Hopkinson to discuss the findings of this report and dive in a bit deeper on why this data is valuable to CMAA members.
Learn more about the report at https://ggapartners.com/2022/07/a-club-leaders-perspective/.
Energy and burnout have been hot topics and CMAA’s Coaches are back this week to discuss the importance of being a manager of energy. Kevin MacDonald and Shelley MacDougall bring their signature expertise and wisdom to this conversation about how filling your cup and knowing what empties it can help you be a more effective leader, friend, and human. You can learn more about the benefits of coaching and get in contact with Kevin and Shelley at cmaa.org/careers/coaching-services/ and you can read articles from Kevin on the Coaching Department Blog at cmaa.org/coaching-dept/.
Kyle is also joined by a special guest host, Katherine Lord, who has some great things to share about the upcoming CSFA Annual Conference!
As always, please remember, you can find us on iTunes and Spotify! Please be sure to rate, review, and subscribe so you don't miss an episode!
Life and career planning can feel overwhelming. But CMAA’s Coaches have joined us this month to discuss the importance of designing your future. Kevin MacDonald and Shelley MacDougall bring their signature expertise and wisdom to this conversation about how and why designing your future can lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful experience. They share tips and tools for adjusting your mindset and getting organized to look at the life you want to create. You can learn more about the benefits of coaching and get in contact with Kevin and Shelley at cmaa.org/careers/coaching-services/ and you can read articles from Kevin on the Coaching Department Blog at cmaa.org/coaching-dept/.
As always, please remember, you can find us on iTunes and Spotify! Please be sure to rate, review, and subscribe so you don't miss an episode!
Annually, National Golf Day brings industry professionals to Capitol Hill to share the industry’s contributions and advocate for the legislative and regulatory issues impacting the industry. National Golf Day serves as the pinnacle advocacy event of the year for the American Golf Industry Coalition, formerly known as We Are Golf. The Coalition celebrated its 14th annual event on Wednesday, May 11. In this episode of the podcast, we were fortunate to sit down with Gena Zak, Director of Membership and Marketing at the Capitol Hill Club in Washington, DC. She joined us to discuss her involvement with the CMAA delegation on National Golf Day and shared her passion for golf and her volunteer work with the Women’s Congressional Golf Association.
Learn more about CMAA’s advocacy efforts at www.cmaa.org/membership/advocacy/
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. And it is vitally important in an industry like the hospitality industry with long and irregular hours. In our research with our members on the guidance they are seeking on this topic, one of the questions is how managers/supervisors can assist individuals on their teams who may be struggling. How do they approach them? What does that conversation look like? Best practices? So we connected with an expert. Crystal Fulwood joins us in this episode to talk about Mental Health First Aid and what you should be looking for when supporting your coworkers.
You can learn more about Mental Health First Aid at www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org and learn more from Crystal at https://www.thegoodtalk.co/.
This week on the podcast we’re joined by David Porter, CCM, General Manager, and Jason Miller, Director of Golf Course Operations, at Greystone Golf and Country Club, Birmingham, AL. Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Greystone is a community located in Hoover, AL, just southeast of Birmingham. Greystone is a gated community of executive estates that wind through two, 18 hold championship golf courses. In this segment, brought to you by Toro, a CMAA Business Partner, David and Jason share with us the importance of communication and trust in their relationship at Greystone and how those things ultimately benefit their staff team and their members.
In this episode, we’re joined by Jim Butler, Ph.D., CCM,CCE, PGA, CEO of Club Benchmarking. Jim’s background and experience in club management and data science led us to a great conversation about inflation and its impact on club operations. His perspective and insight helps make overwhelming and complicated data easier to understand and will allow our listeners to apply these lessons to day-to-day work. We also discussed some of our favorite economic podcasts: Planet Money, The Indicator, and Freakonomics.
In this episode, we’re checking in with Gigi Ortiz and Kate Dauphinee, two of our student members from Niagara University. Gigi and Kate were the overall winners of this year’s inaugural Student Shark Tank competition, presenting their idea—a club staff training “subscription” box—at the 2022 World Conference and Club Business Expo. Kate and Gigi talk us through how they came up with this idea, how they envision it being implemented at clubs, and give us a little insight into their future plans. You can view this and other Shark Tank pitches online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCUE0YavsdQ&list=PLSNbjOkZCwDZi-Cewa1N65bCtPDosgW6B
After a brief post-World Conference hiatus, we're back! On this episode of the podcast, we're sharing CMAA CEO Jeff Morgan's State of the Association speech from the 2022 World Conference and Club Business Expo. This speech offers a snapshot of where CMAA is now, how the last year has gone, and what we're looking to in the future. We're also joined by our newest National Team member, Kimberly Campuzano. Kimberly joined the CMAA National Team in January as the Director of Corporate Engagement. We're thrilled to welcome her and have her join us for a quick get-to-know-you session.
CMAA’s World Conference and Club Business Expo is just days away and we’re back with another preview of what attendees can expect in San Diego, CA. First, we’re joined by CMAA Team Members David McCabe, Kim Pasquale, and Jayne Ayers as each takes us through Conference education, the Member Services Pavilion, and the Networking Event – among other exciting things! Then, Kristen Hadeed joins us to preview her Conference session. Kristen is the Founder and CEO of Student Maid and at Conference, she will lead a conversation about real challenges, fears, and help you determine where to go from here. Hear more on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, 9:45 a.m.
In our lead-up to the 2022 World Conference and Club Business Expo, we're focusing this episode on wellness. We're joined by Kim DeOrsey of Cause + Medic, Kim Marshall of S'well The Agency, and our colleagues Katherine Lord and Christina Krueger to discuss the current state of wellness and the fitness offerings that will be available to attendees at World Conference.
Happy 2022! CMAA’s World Conference and Club Business Expo is just around the corner. Let’s give you a preview of what attendees can expect in San Diego, CA. First, we’re joined by CMAA’s President and CEO Jeff Morgan, FASAE, CAE, to talk through his perspective on Conference and to share some of the things he’s most excited for. Then, Dethra Giles joins us to preview her session. Dethra is the Chief Executive Officer of ExecuPrep and at Conference, she will discuss ways to help you attract and retain your performers in your organization. Hear more on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, 8:00-9:30 a.m.
For the last podcast of 2021 we’re joined by our good friend and colleague Amilcar Davy, CMAA’s Director of Research. Amilcar shares with us the current state of research initiatives, specifically more about the upcoming Finance & Operations Report, and gives us some insight into what is coming next. We follow that up with a few important legislative updates from Melissa related to H-2B visas and the OSHA ETS regarding vaccine and testing requirements for employers.
From all of us here at LTCM and CMAA, we wish you and yours a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season. Be safe, be well, and we’ll talk to you in the New Year.
We have a good problem in the club industry. Unprecedented member interest... it’s a new day for clubs. So how do you handle all of that interest if your club membership is at capacity and on a waiting list? This year we’ve focused on research across the 2021 episodes, so we’re turning to the data once again to answer this question. We’re joined in this episode by Jason Becker, CEO of Golf Life Navigators to talk through the research his team has conducted regarding membership interest and waiting lists at clubs.
As always, please remember, you can find us on iTunes and Spotify! Please be sure to rate, review, and subscribe so you don't miss an episode!
2021 is flying by and we're busier than ever at CMAA HQ. We're popping in this month to give listeners a short, but important, legislative update. Congress has been busy, too! We cover OSHA's recent COVID-19 Vaccine Rules, the end of the Employee Retention Tax Credit, and other news that will be important to keep top of mind as we move into 2022.
We're then joined by Interlachen Country Club's GM Joel Livingood, CCM, and Director of Golf Course and Grounds Brian Boll as they discuss how they are working together to overcome challenges and create something spectacular for their club.
Special thanks to Toro, a CMAA Business Partner, for sponsoring this segment!
As always, please remember, you can find us on iTunes and Spotify! Please be sure to rate, review, and subscribe so you don't miss an episode!
We were so thrilled to sit down with Three Carpenter, CCM and Jackie Carpenter, CCM to discuss their new book People First: The 5 Steps to Pure Human Connection and a Thriving Organization. In this conversation, Three and Jackie talk to us about the key takeaways from their book and why putting people first and leading with care can help you create a positive, effective, and enjoyable work culture. You can find People First anywhere books are sold!
We're wrapping up the month of September (a little late) with a review and highlight of our Leadership/Legislative Conference! We're joined by CMAA President and CEO Jeff Morgan, FASAE, CAE as he shares some highlights from his State of the Association address, as well as Chris Clews - 80s Pop Culture aficionado and the featured leadership speaker from LLC.
Listen to find out our favorite 80s movies (we can't pick just one) and enter the content to win a copy of Chris's latest book. Send us your favorite 80s movie quote, tell us how it can be applied to club management, and you could win!
Please join us in welcoming our newest CMAA team members, Kate McDevitt and Sonya Rome! Kate joined our team back in June as the Director of Web Content Administration. Sonya came on board in July as our new Manager of Certification. Both of our new team members chatted with us about their backgrounds and interests and what they are most looking forward to doing with CMAA.
If you want to learn more about the CMAA Staff, you can find the July/August edition of Club Management magazine here: https://www.cmaa.org/magazine/
In this episode, we’re joined by Cam Schultz, Vice President of Marketing, Club Procure, and Julie Montross, CMAA’s Senior Vice President, Business Development as they give us a preview of CMAA’s newest event: The Chef Summit, designed specifically to meet the needs of club chefs. The Chef Summit will take place September 21-23 in Louisville, KY and is presented in partnership with Club Procure, a CMAA Education Partner, with additional support provided by Sysco, ChefWorks, and Smithfield.
In this episode, we’re joined by newly minted CSFA Board Member, Janine Rich-Scarlett to talk about her new role and what she’s looking forward to in CSFA’s future. Then, our colleague Katherine Lord jumps in to chat about the CSFA Annual Conference. This year’s event will take place August 25-26 at The Club at Admirals Cove in Jupiter, FL. After the challenges of last year, Katherine and the CSFA team cannot wait to gather, celebrate, and learn together once again.
If you’re interested learning more about CSFA or registering for the Annual Conference, visit www.csfassociation.com or contact Katherine Lord.
CMAA’s Coaching Program allows members the opportunity to experience what it is like to work with a life coach outside of conference week. This week, we’re joined by Kevin MacDonald and Shelley MacDougall of Clarity Success Coaching – two important members of the extended CMAA team – to discuss what coaching is and what its benefits are to the membership of CMAA. This discussion runs the gamut and we cover everything from how Kevin and Shelley transitioned from the club management profession into coaching to how to handle burnout after a year and a half of working through a pandemic.
If you’re interested in connecting with Kevin and Shelley, visit CMAA ClubCareers (https://www.cmaa.org/Coaching/) or call the CMAA Coaching Hotline: 866-822-3481. You can read Kevin’s articles on the Back of the House Blog, too.
Joining us for this episode is Matt Samel, PhD. Dr. Samel teaches at Johnson & Wales University in the College of Hospitality Management’s Center for Food & Beverage and serves at the JWU-Providence Student Chapter’s Faculty Advisor. We were fortunate to have him share his research with us this month. His focus of study is in organizational culture and person-organization fit and he dives right in to discussing the relevant findings from his work and we have a great conversation about the evergreen importance of defining workplace culture. Key takeaways include:
- There is a significant relationship between an employee’s individual values and the culture of an organization operating in the private club segment.
- There is a significant relationship between the culture of an organization operating in the private club segment and person-organization fit.
- There is a significant relationship between person-organization fit and job satisfaction, intent to remain with an organization, and willingness to recommend the organization as a good place to work in the private club segment.
We’ve all been hearing about the difficulties of hiring and retaining staff – those challenges are not unique to the hospitality industry, but they are being felt particularly acutely in the club space. In this episode, we cover recruitment and retention in clubs and chat with David Conforti, PGA, of Palos Verdes Golf Club about his success with recruitment. Then we’re joined by Anne Stryhn, CCM, and Tom Prest of The Country Club of Virginia. Entering the Richmond Times Dispatch’s competition for the first time this year, the country club — one of the largest in the country — placed No. 3 in the Top Workplaces large company category. We discuss this impressive honor and what it means for the Club and its employees.
For the second half of May, we’re bringing you a jam-packed episode and our first international interview! First, we are joined by Young Hoon “Hunter” Kim, Ph.D., Professor and Director of Global Research and Innovation Lab at University of North Texas, to discuss his research project: A New Phase for Clubs (Membership & Management). This research was funded in part by a Faculty Research Grant from The Club Foundation. Following that, Chava McKeel, Director, Government Affairs, for Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) joins us to break down National Golf Day and discuss the importance of advocacy work in the golf and club space.
This month, we’re joined by John Csukor and David Hamilton of entegra – A CMAA Business Partner. John and David continue the discussion of trends started during the well-attended education at the 2021 World Conference in March, tackling Foodservice Trends and Innovation in the leisure industry. Then, Holly Bilotti and Tyler DeFilippo of Bay Head Yacht Club join us to talk about two of their winning Idea Fair entries from the 2021 Idea Fair - Safety Programs & Risk Management and Leadership Philosophies & Development.
You can find all of the entries from the 2021 Idea Fair online in the CMAA Connect Community: https://connect.cmaa.org/browse/ideafair. Please take some time to browse the incredible entries from a year that required true creativity and ingenuity.
After a podcast-filled March, we’re back with the April edition! This month, we’re joined by Ashly Ryan, CCM, of Whitemarsh Valley Country Club and Missi Johnson of Philadelphia Country Club to talk about their Idea Fair entry – and the winner of the Showstopper Award – from the 2021 Idea Fair. Ashly and Missi dive in to the details of how Philadelphia Country Club’s Independence Day Extravaganza came together in 2020 and how the Club pulled off five unique and separate events in one night! (It’s pretty impressive.)
You can find all of the entries from the 2021 Idea Fair online in the CMAA Connect Community: https://connect.cmaa.org/browse/ideafair. Please take some time to browse the incredible entries from a year that required true creativity and ingenuity.
Tune in to The Daily Grind, presented in partnership with Royal Cup Coffee! Listen to what's in store for #CMAAVirtual Day Five, hear some Association Good News, and listen to our Fast Five segment with our friend Steve Graves from Creative Golf Marketing.
Tune in to The Daily Grind, presented in partnership with Royal Cup Coffee! Listen to what's in store for #CMAAVirtual Day Four, hear some Association Good News, and listen to our Fast Five segment with our friend Ray Cronin from Club Benchmarking.
Take a listen to the #CMAAVirtual World Conference podcast and catch up on what's in store for Wednesday, March 10!
Take a listen to our opening broadcast from CMAA's Virtual World Conference & Club Business Expo from Tuesday, March 9.
Take a listen to our opening broadcast from CMAA's Virtual World Conference & Club Business Expo from Monday, March 8.
It's the busiest time of year for us at CMAA HQ as we're putting all the finishing touches on our first Virtual World Conference and Club Business Expo. This month, we're taking a deep dive into next month's event, giving you an exclusive look at what the virtual space means for the biggest club management gathering of the year. Join us as we hear from a number of our team members at HQ as they share about their various areas of expertise and what's on deck for #CMAAVirtual.
This week, we’re sharing the final episode in our series diving into the 2020 Finance and Operations Report. We want to give a huge thank you to our friends (GGA Partner’s Derek Johnston and RSM’s Phil Newman) for joining us over the past several weeks. Today, we’re wrapping this series up by taking a look at the Personnel section – tune in!
This week, we’re sharing the fourth episode in our series diving into the 2020 Finance and Operations Report. We are so glad to have GGA Partner’s Derek Johnston and RSM’s Phil Newman back with us today. Today we are taking a look at the Membership section – tune in!
This week, we’re sharing the third episode in our series diving into the 2020 Finance and Operations Report. We are so glad to have GGA Partner’s Derek Johnston and RSM’s Phil Newman back with us today. Today we are taking a look at the Operations section – tune in!
This week, we’re sharing the second episode in our series diving into the 2020 Finance and Operations Report. We are so glad to have GGA Partner’s Derek Johnston and RSM’s Phil Newman back with us today. Today we are taking a look at the Capital section – tune in!
CMAA’s research efforts have grown exponentially over the past several years and now, there is a wealth of information available to CMAA members and the industry. Last summer, CMAA released its updated competencies for the club management profession and data analytics was added – the numbers are more important than ever. Understanding what they mean, identifying trends, and making informed management decisions.
This month, we are launching a micro-pod series to help bring the numbers to life, make them understandable, and give them context. We’ve gotten experts in to help us explore the recently released 2020 Finance and Operations Report – Phil Newman, CPA, CIA, of RSM and Derek Johnston or GGA Partners. Tune in now and over the next few weeks to learn more!
Friends, we made it... to the end of 2020, at least. There's not a lot to say that hasn't been said about what we've collectively experienced this year, but what we do know is that we're grateful to have made it through this much so far. This month, we talk about that "attitude of gratitude" with Miles Tucker, CCM, General Manager at Hillcrest Country Club in Los Angeles, CA. Miles tells us about the resilience of his team, Hillcrest's members, and why he's grateful for a lot this year, despite the hardships endured.
Please stay safe and well this holiday season - we look forward to checking in next year!
Please join us in welcoming our newest CMAA team member, Ava Spece! Ava joined our team back in September as the Director of Development for The Club Foundation. Ava chatted with Kyle about her background and interests and what she looks forward to doing with CMAA and The Club Foundation. We also got to chat about #GivingTuesday and what The Club Foundation is doing this year to promote the national day of giving. You can find out more (and enter the video selfie contest) at https://www.cmaa.org/resources/cf/GT.html and please text CFGIVING to 51555 to stay up to date on all things #GivingTuesday.
We were also joined this month by Rachel Zilka and Brandon Sears from Park Country Club in Williamsville, NY. They told us about ICEolate – a new, outdoor restaurant concept that serendipitously fit our COVID world. Check out some images here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/reillybuffalo_innovationseekers-theparkclub-memberexperience-activity-6729938080058355712-ukdZ/
This special presentation of the podcast was originally aired during the virtual Mid-Management Conference. We were thrilled to have the partners of Kopplin Kuebler & Wallace join us to chat about how best to navigate the landscape of career changes as a club management professional. Kopplin Kuebler & Wallace, a CMAA Business Partner, is a leading recruiting firm assisting with executive level club positions. Further, it offers a full range of consulting services such as Board Retreats, Team Development, Club and Department Assessments, and F&B Training as well as personalized assistance. Well-informed, inquisitive job candidates make better impressions and decisions in the job search. We were so glad to have the KKW team share their collective experience on both sides of the table as a club management professionals and recruiters to share with our listeners.
As fall has arrived and cooler temperatures are on the way, managers will need to consider how to continue club events safely while the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Moving things inside will present unique challenges and colder temps will mean getting creative if events are held outdoors. Managers have taken to the Best Practices Exchange on CMAA Connect to share their ideas and for this episode, we’re joined by Susan Schenkel, CCM, CCE of the Woodstock Club in Indianapolis, as she shares some of the ways her club is adapting this fall. We also finally get to introduce our listeners to another CMAA new(ish) CMAA team member: Alanna Ross! Alanna joined our team back in January and it’s about time you got to know her!
One of the familiar sights at our annual events is the amazing coffee service provided by our friends at Royal Cup Coffee, a CMAA Business Partner. Since we can’t be together in-person, we wanted to have an opportunity to catch up with Jeff Bishop. Here’s a special Coffee Talk edition of the Let’s Talk Club Management podcast from this year’s Virtual Leadership/Legislative Conference.
This week on the podcast we are joined by a few of our CMAA HQ colleagues David McCabe and Kim Pasquale to discuss the upcoming slate of Fall events. From the Leadership/Legislative Conference to the Mid-Management Conference and the Communications Summit, there’s something on the schedule for everyone. Tune in to learn more and see what’s right for you.
In this episode designed specifically for our CMAA Student Members, we talk learning beyond the classroom and how students can take advantage of all that the club industry offers for personal growth including internships, mentorship, and leadership opportunities. Student Chapter Alumni Caroline Hollatz, a 2018 graduate of Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Restaurant, Hotel, and Tourism Management, who served as her Chapter’s President, and now works as the Student Liaison with the Ohio Valley Chapter, shares her passion. Our special correspondent for this episode is the charming and bubbly, Christina Krueger, Manager of Member Communities & Student Development.
July is here and we’re joined by Ryan Kenny, CCM, CCE, General Manager/COO of Dedham Country and Polo Club in Dedham, MA. Ryan shares with us Dedham’s fun (and delicious!) response to social distancing safety requirements. The Club repurposed an area into an outdoor dining area that has become a popular spot for members to enjoy local brews and wood-fired pizza, showcasing the creativity and ingenuity that has come to the surface during the pandemic. Take a listen and see how your club could adapt this idea!
The newest CMAA Master Club Manager (MCM), Boris Gradina, MCM, CCE, joins us this week to share his research on the importance of onboarding new employees. He takes us through how he arrived at this topic for the MCM Monograph, the difference between orientation and onboarding, and why timing of the onboarding process is so crucial in ensuring long-term employee retention.
In this first episode of June, we sat down with Steve Buck, CCM, CCE, General Manager of the Stock Farm Club in Hamilton, MT. Steve’s club was hit by COVID-19, with eight of his golf course maintenance crew going down with the virus. He shares with us the experience of containing the virus, communicating with the local community and the state, and the biggest takeaways of the incident. From making sure his staff were cared for to navigating the politics of living and working in a small town, Steve’s story of crisis management is a must-hear for any club management professional.
Joining us this week are Josh Gay, a recent graduate of Florida State University and the outgoing President of the FSU Student Chapter as well as our colleague Christina Krueger, manager, Member Communities & Student Development. Josh shares with us a quick pulse check on how things are going down in Florida as well as his student chapter’s innovative efforts throughout the spring semester of social distancing. Relying on virtual meetings, the FSU chapter has been able to maintain regular check ins as well as experience virtual club tours. Even more exciting is the work the FSU Student Chapter and the FLCMAA Chapter have done to create a virtual summer internship program to help students fill the gaps left by employment and experience loss this summer.
We're joined again this week by Steve Graves and AJ Redetzke - principals of Creative Golf Marketing, a CMAA Education Partner. Steve and AJ dive in to answering some hot button questions that we're hearing right now as the club industry begins to think about reopening and what strategies and changes may need to be implemented over the next few months. This second installment covers questions surrounding current Club members and discusses what allowances and adjustments may (or may not) need to be made as we move forward.
Coming at you this week with some bonus content! We are excited to welcome CMAA's newest team member: Katherine Lord, MSW. Katherine came on board as the Director of Club Services and the Managing Director of the Club Spa and Fitness Association (CSFA)right as we all transitioned to working remotely - but that hasn't stopped her from jumping in feet first! We sat down with her to discuss her background, her interests, and some fun facts - enjoy!
We're joined this week by Luis Bracamonte, the Club Spa and Fitness Association's (CSFA) new Chairman. Luis shares his background as an athlete, a personal trainer, and active member of both CMAA and CSFA - and breaks down his optimism about the fitness and wellness space in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We're joined this week by Steve Graves and AJ Redetzke - principals of Creative Golf Marketing, a CMAA Education Partner. Steve and AJ dive in to answering some hot button questions that we're hearing right now as the club industry begins to think about reopening and what strategies and changes may need to be implemented over the next few months. This first installment covers questions surrounding new and prospective members and begins by taking a look at what the sales environment might look like as we move forward.
This episode topic came from a listener suggestion, curious about how managers in the epicenter of the COVID-19 crisis in the US have been handling things. For many weeks now, New York City has been the hot zone of the pandemic, with stringent state and local regulations put in place to enforce social distancing and public health safety.
We spoke with John Samayoa, CCM, Clubhouse Manager at the Racquet & Tennis Club in midtown Manhattan about his experience living and working in the middle of the city hardest hit by this pandemic and how his club and the City of New York Chapter are working to give back to their communities.
Welcome to week two of our micropod series as we navigate the COVID-19 waters. This week, we chatted with CMAA National Chairman Mark Bado, MCM, CCE and President & CEO Jeff Morgan, FASAE, CAE about the current "State of CMAA" - reviewing how CMAA has mobilized, what resources have been put together (podcasts, webinars, research initiatives, etc.), the #CMAAStrong movement, and advice for club managers working through this time of crisis.
"Stay calm and stay patient."
April is here and with it comes a new podcast strategy! To stay on top of the ever-changing landscape of the pandemic, we're coming to you weekly this month with micropods (Melissa's term) - short, easy-to-digest episodes that cover a specific topic. We hope that these focused episodes answer your questions and we look forward to hearing your feedback.
This week, we're talking with Joe Mendez, CCM, CCE, about the recent CARES Act for coronavirus relief and the SBA Loans included within that legislation. Melissa walks us through what provisions the CARES Act includes and how clubs can (and cannot) take advantage. Joe shares his personal experience in determining what his club could act on, how he has handled furloughs and layoffs, and the ways in which he is getting involved in advocacy on the grassroots level.
We're keeping it topical this month with an episode dedicated to Crisis Management and Critical Leadership. After sharing the bevy of resources CMAA has put together and continues to update for our members during the COVID-19 pandemic, we sat down with Joe Krenn, CCM, CCE, GM/COO of Farmington Country Club to hear his take on the current events and share his strategies for managing a club through critical and uncertain times. We were also joined by Jon Kametz of Saucon Valley Country Club, as he shared the club's Emergency App - a tool that continues to prove it's worth as the Club adjusts to the changing landscape.
We're back from World Conference and we're excited to share Jeff Morgan, FASAE, CAE's State of the Association speech with you!
Tune in for a bevy of CMAA announcements, upcoming events, and post-World Conference FAQs as well.
And remember, you can find us on iTunes - please be sure to rate, review, and subscribe so you don't miss an episode!
It's the busiest time of year for us at CMAA HQ as we're putting all the finishing touches on World Conference.
This month, we're taking a deep dive into next month's event, giving you an exclusive look at the new, the old, and the re-newed pieces of the biggest club management gathering of the year. We're joined by Christina Toups, CCM, CCE, and Kristina Clabeaux from Ridglea Country Club, who give us a sneak peek at this year's Networking Event. National Chairman Randy Ruder, CCM, CCE, jumps on to share some details about all of our Featured Conference Speakers as well as the newest event: CMAA After Dark.
Finally, a number of our team members at HQ sat down with us to talk about their various areas of expertise and what's on deck for Grapevine.
We'll see you next month in Texas!
It's hard to believe that 2019 is nearly over! We've had a great year on the podcast and we've gotten to talk to some really wonderful guests over the year. This month is no exception!
First, we sat down with the 2019 Club Executive of the Year, Tony D'Errico. He shared with us so many pieces of wisdom about his tenure in the club industry, his philosophy on building culture, and the challenges he sees facing the club industry in the future.
We're also joined by two of CMAA's newest staff team members. Julie Montross (our new SVP of Business Development) and Christina Krueger (Manager, Member Communities and Student Development) both came on board in November and we are so excited to welcome them to our team.
Wishing all of our listeners the happiest of holidays and a joyous New Year!
If I told you this month's episode involved a student, a resume expert, and a branding iron, you'd probably think I was telling a bad joke.
But I'm not! This month, we got to chat with Missy Dahl, a CMAA Student member (and December graduate) while at the National Student Education Conference - she shared her experience as a student member and some of her career goals post-graduation. We also discussed the importance of creating a personal brand and a polished resume with Erin Kennedy of Professional Resume Services. And finally, we got to hear about a literal branding from Executive Chef Kevin Walker at Ansley Golf Club in Atlanta, GA.
And remember, you can find us on iTunes - please be sure to rate, review, and subscribe so you don't miss an episode!
This month, we got to chat about the value of teamwork – something that is never out of style, in the Association space or in clubs. First, we sat down with Mark Bado, MCM, CCE, to discuss the concept of integrated team management – how he first came across the concept and how he has implemented it during his time in the club industry. Then, we chatted with Brandon Johnson, Clubhouse Manager at Farmington Country Club, about “A Box Full of Ideas,” an initiative the Club implemented as a spin on the “comment box,” but this time, for staff. He shared the importance of giving your team members a voice and an opportunity to be heard and what new ideas can develop from those opportunities.
As always, rate, review, subscribe - and send us your suggestions and feedback!
It's been a busy fall here at CMAA and we got this month's episode in just under the wire.
We were excited to sit down with Michael Wheeler, MCM, CCE, to discuss what it means to be in the "happiness business" and how to create a club culture of which you are proud. Then, we chatted with John Porter, President of CSFA and learned why now is the best time ever to have your fitness, spa, or wellness directors join the Association - and what CSFA can bring to your club's operation.
Finally, we chatted membership recruitment tips and tricks with Ricky Potts of The Fountaingrove Club in our Idea Fair segment.
As always, rate, review, subscribe - and send us your suggestions and feedback!
It's never easy to know when and how to approach the possibility of moving on or moving up in your career. This month, we're addressing a member question: how do I go about moving up the ladder, looking for my next position, and how do I make that process successful?
We are joined by Jim Reisig, CCM and Damon DiOrio, CCM, CCE - two industry professionals at different points in their careers. Each gives his unique perspective on the importance of communication, transparency, and courage in the process of navigating one's career.
We also sat down with the team from Belle Meade Country Club to discuss their Idea Fair entry: New Member Orientation Tours (with the GM) - a unique and high-touch way to introduce new members to your club's culture and management team.
It’s hard to separate effective communication from successful membership experiences. That truth is explored in both of our interviews this month – albeit in very different ways. First, we are joined by Amber Read, Assistant General Manager at the University Club of Chicago. Amber shares with us a pet project of hers: collecting pictures of interesting (and funny) signs in clubs. We explore what these signs mean from a communications perspective and laugh about some of the more ridiculous ones she’s seen.
Then, we chatted with Kimberly Clark Warren, CCM, General Manager and Melissa Chuhran, Membership Director at Saucon Valley Country Club. Kimberly and Melissa detail Saucon Valley’s winning Idea Fair entry: New Member Follow-Up – a year-long process that creates multiple connection points between club staff and new members. And finally, don’t miss the important news and announcements from your CMAA team!
As always, you can find us on iTunes, too, so please be sure to rate, review, and subscribe so you don't miss an episode!
This month, we're talking about the many different elements necessary to build an effective, cohesive, winning club management team. We sat down with Joe Basso, MCM, CCE, CMAA Fellow, to discuss his MCM Monograph: Building Bridges: Working with the Golf Management Team - but the conversation transcended the golf team and we found some tenets that are applicable to the management team as a whole.
Then, we chatted with John Embree, CEO of the USPTA and learned a bit about the exciting changes happening with USPTA's certification process - and what the expanded education requirements will mean for clubs. Finally, we chatted with Paul Bovenzi of Myers Park Country Club about their Business Unit Review, a winning Idea Fair entry. It's a jam-packed episode you don't want to miss!
Holy moly! We can't believe it's been one year of podcasting - thank you, listeners, for going on this journey with us.
This month, we talk to CMAA National Director Mitchell Platt, MCM, CCE about his Master Club Manager Monograph: Executive Tenure: Developing A Model for Effective Leadership and we visited with Michael Nyerges to chat about his winning Idea Fair entry: Sign the Barrel, Roll the Dice.
April is here and with spring weather comes thoughts of days spent outside, by the pool. Consequently, that also means that pool and aquatic safety is also top of mind for many club management professionals. This month, Kyle and Melissa are joined by C.W. Cook, MCM, CCE as he discusses his MCM Monograph: Aquatic Risk Management and Best Practices for Clubs.
Alan Achatz, CCM, CHE also joins the podcast this month to further the safety conversation with his expertise. As always, you can find us on iTunes - please be sure to rate, review, and subscribe so you don't miss an episode!
It's a double-podcast month! The official March episode features our new Chairman - Randy Ruder, CCM, CCE. It was great to sit down with Randy, discuss his vision for his coming year as Board Chairman, his priority areas, and learn a little bit more about his personal journey in club management. We were also joined by Andy Reetz, General Manager and CEO of Champions Run in Omaha, Nebraska, and Ben Lorenzen, the Club's Creative Director, to discuss the Environmental Impact Idea Fair Entry that won the Showstopper Award at the 2019 World Conference.
As always, you can find us on iTunes - please be sure to rate, review, and subscribe so you don't miss an episode!
Now that we've returned from World Conference, we sit down to debrief, going over some of the Conference highlights, recapping our big events, and sharing some record-breaking stats on this year's event in Nashville. We're joined by podcast superfan (and self-proclaimed "First Subscriber") Jeff Isbell, CCM, as he shares some of his favorite moments and big takeaways from his time at World Conference.
Happy 2019! We're kicking off the new year with an in-depth look at what's new for the 2019 World Conference. We sit down with members of the CMAA staff team to chat about their areas of expertise, and we hear some tips and recommendations for Conference first-timers from Jim Reisig, CCM. The countdown to Conference is officially on!
We've made it to the end of the year! To celebrate the last episode of 2018, we invited the next Club Executive of the Year - Burt Ward, CCM, CCE - to chat with us. Burt shares his own club management testimonial and talks a bit about what he sees as the biggest challenges facing the club industry. We also chat with Tom Judson about his "Coffee and Questions" idea - a practice that encourages member engagement while providing transparency about club goings-on.
The end of the year is fast approaching and this month, Melissa and Kyle talk gratitude. Kyle also sat down with Judy Higgins, CCM, General Manager at Valley Lo Club to discuss the National Student Education Conference, hosted in part by her club and the Greater Chicago Chapter. Judy gives some great background on the conference and we dive further into the importance of having a well-rounded education for success in the club industry. Finally, we talk to Patrick Casey, CCM, General Manager at The Hamilton Club about his Black Friday Beer Crawl idea.
October marks the 30th anniversary of The Club Foundation, and this month, Kyle and Melissa are joined by Jack Sullivan, CCM, one of the founding members of The Foundation. Jack share some first-hand stories about how CF came about, and later, we are joined by Carrie Wosicki, Director of Development for The Club Foundation, who discusses what CF's next steps are. Finally, we look forward to the holiday season while talking with Colin Mack-Allen, CCM, CCE, about his club's winning Idea Fair entry: Let's Talk (Boneless) Turkey!
This month, Kyle and Melissa review the education and the networking that went down at the 2018 Leadership/Legislative Conference in Washington, DC. They are joined by CEO Jeff Morgan, who recaps his State of the Association presentation and Casey Newman, CCM, who discusses River Oaks Country Club's winning Idea Fair entry: The Holiday Wishbook.
While everyone else is gearing up to head back to school, we turn our focus on CMAA's education and chat about our certification process. We are joined by Brian Watkins - your favorite manager of Certification, and recent Certified Club Manager Amanda Day of Charlotte Country Club. Brian answers some of our most frequently asked certification questions and gives his advice for a successful CCM exam and Amanda shares her journey from student member to Clubhouse Manager. We're also joined by Alex Sarris, Director of Member Events & Front Desk Operations at Congressional Country Club, as she shares her winning Idea Fair entry.
This month, we continue the conversation around club governance with two more interviews. We are joined by Harry Waddington, CCM, CCE, who reflects on some of the issues he experienced as a club manager in the Carolinas and Georgia. Robert Sereci, CCM, shares the successful use of white papers with his board for our Idea Fair segment. Finally, we hear from CMAA's Research Department in Association News.
This month, Kyle and Melissa sit down with Mac Niven, MCM, CCE, to discuss some of the perennial challenges club managers face - namely board governance. Also featured: Idea Fair winner Kaitlyn Allen and CMAA Staffers Kim Pasquale, Jason Koenigsfeld, and Chris Velo.