The economic outlook for private clubs and the legal, legislative and regulatory environment in which clubs operate are on the agenda for The National Club Conference 2009 April 26-28 in Washington, D.C.
“The National Club Conference is the place to attend innovative and informative sessions designed to help you and your club get through—and even take advantage of—the current economic climate, and come out ahead,” said Douglas T. Howe, chairman of the NCA board of directors and partner at Century Golf Partners/Arnold Palmer Golf Management. “The private club industry is facing the perfect storm. Spending is down, attrition is up and many waitlists are shorter or nonexistent. New leadership in Washington means new challenges to a pro-business, pro-growth legislative agenda,” said Howe. “Now – more than ever – it’s important to attend NCA’s National Club Conference because NCA is the only trade association actively lobbying on behalf of the private club industry and club members.”
Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.), Chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee and the fourth-ranking Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives will be the keynote speaker on Monday, and other Capitol Hill insiders will discuss important topics, such as labor issues and the regulatory environment for clubs in 2009. Attendees will also have the privilege of having dinner at the U.S. Capitol.
The conference is designed to bring club industry leaders together with key decision makers in Washington, D.C., to discuss the latest trends, issues and politics affecting the dynamic private club world.
The first full day of the conference will focus on the legislative, regulatory and legal issues facing private clubs. The agenda includes a legislative panel focusing on key government relations topics including labor issues. Panelists will be James Paretti, Workforce Policy Counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor, and James T. Lyons, a senior Republican tax attorney on the Senate Finance Committee. A legal panel will focus on primary areas of legal liability for clubs and private status issues. Speakers are Robin Nordin Stowell, a partner at the law firm Holme Roberts & Owen LLP, and chair of the Golf Course, Resort and Community Development Team, and Danelle G. Kelling, an associate in the Real Estate Practice Group at Holme Roberts & Owen LLP. Bruce E. Lundegren, counsel for the Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy, will present the regulatory environment for clubs under the new administration.
The second day of programming will focus on the economic outlook for private clubs. B. Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of the research and information services division for the National Restaurant Association, will present “Hospitality Trends & Economic Outlook.” Bill Boothe, director of club consulting services at RSM McGladrey, Inc., and Tammy Tassitano, partner and managing director club/association team leader at RSM McGladrey, will present “Planning in Turbulent Times: Guidelines for Clubs.” Kathy O’Neal, senior vice president of ClubCorp, will present “Membership Trends and Marketing Opportunities: Make 2009 a Success.”
For additional information, visit www.nationalclubconference.org.
