The Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) will host its 82nd World Conference on Club Management, Feb. 5-10 in New Orleans, La. The event, a joint endeavor with the Golf Industry Show (GIS), will take place at the New Orleans Marriott and New Orleans Morial Convention Center. The Conference offers club managers from around the world an opportunity to take part in educational sessions and peer networking events. The 2009 educational sessions focus on club marketing and finances, retirement planning, food and beverage profits, strategic planning and the current economy’s effect on the club industry.
CMAA's World Conference on Club Management and Golf Industry Show is the Association's most visible event of the year. During the past several years, audiences of nearly 5,000 have attended the event, which is held annually in major cities throughout the United States. While most attendees represent clubs in the United States, the number of attendees from abroad has significantly increased in recent years. The Golf Industry Show is designed to benefit every member of the club, golf course and facility management team. With more than 800 exhibitors covering in excess of 260,000 square feet of exhibit space, the Show will be held Feb. 5-7.
To shed light on the current economic challenges facing club managers, CMAA developed the Clubs and the Economy Town Hall/Round-table session, which will be held in the New Orleans Marriott Grand Ballroom Acadia on Feb. 9, 2:30 – 5:30 p.m. Industry experts will discuss topics including strategic leadership, membership recruitment and retention efforts, maximizing food and beverage revenues and cost controls.
In addition to various educational opportunities, the Conference includes the Silent and Live Wine Auctions, The Club Foundation’s online GIS Silent Auction and Live Auction and The Club Foundation’s annual Run with the Presidents. The International Wine Auction puts hundreds of bottles of wine and wine-related items up for bid. The Club Foundation partners with the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) to bring bidders a wide array of items. The Club Foundation Live Auction matches delicious food and drinks, musical entertainment and dancing with exciting items, from autographed memorabilia to event tickets.
The run is a 5K (or 1.5 mile walk) held on Feb. 6 at 6:30 a.m. and benefits The Club Foundation and St. Bernard Project. The St. Bernard Project helps families rebuild their lives after surviving Hurricane Katrina. Adding to the mix, the famed New Orleans Country Club, along with the Pelican Chapter, will host the Conference golf tournament on Feb. 9.
Named the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Coach of the Year in 1999, bestselling author Chris Carmichael will open the conference at 8 a.m. Feb. 7. John Furlong, c.e.o. for the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, will speak at the closing session on Feb. 10.
Click here for a complete schedule of Conference programs and events.