In 2006, the Hilton Hawaiian Village and the Paradise of the Pacific Chapter welcomed members and guests to the “Islands of Aloha” for the 79th World Conference on Club Management and the 29th Annual Exposition. The warm Hawaiian hospitality of the Islands provided the perfect setting for a week packed with opportunities for education and networking. More than 80 professional development programs, including Pre-Conference Workshops, covered topics such as “Club Budgeting Practices for the 21st Century,” “Spa and Fitness in the Private Club Setting,” “Remodeling University”  and more.

Throughout the week, the many seminars, roundtables and workshops gave each member an excellent variety of topics from which to learn. The Conference education sessions were kicked off with a General Session at the New Hawaii Convention Center on the “spirit, health and psychology of Hawaii” with Dr. Paul Pearsall. The Opening Business Session Keynote Address was given by Gordon Bethune, former CEO and Chairman of Continental Airlines. Mr. Bethune earned worldwide acclaim at Continental Airlines for spearheading one of the most dramatic corporate turnarounds in United States history.  Ending the week of outstanding speakers at the Closing Business Session, Michael Feiner, former Pepsi-Cola executive, author and management expert, gave a presentation filled with hands-on examples and real situations to illustrate methods of creating a more productive work environment and the traits of corporate leaders.

Networking and professional development opportunities continued through the social events. The Paradise of the Pacific Chapter, with the assistance of the Oahu Country Club, the Pacific Club and the Waialae Country Club, created a memorable Networking Event with the return of the CMAA World Conference Club Tour. Each club celebrated the local flavors of the Islands, sharing the unique spirit of their club and their staffs and creating an experience that left no question as to why Hawaii is known as the “Paradise of the Pacific.” The fare of the evening included all the exotic edible offerings of the Pacific Rim. The melodic sounds of the islands were captured by the different outstanding performers at each venue. This event offered all an opportunity to visit with old friends and make new ones. Everyone left the evening remembering to share the Aloha spirit and to “hang loose!”

William M. Wagner, CCM, chaired the 2006 Conference Committee. The Paradise of the Pacific Chapter, with host chapter advisors Kathleen Mattos and Cory Voss, provided excellent pre-planning support and precise follow-through during the entire Conference.

CMAA's 29th Annual Exposition was held at the New Hawaii Convention Center and attracted more than 200 companies, including more than 15 participating for the first time.  Products and services spanned the full spectrum of club needs. Due to sustained  uncertainty in world events and the unfortunate event in the southeast with Hurricane Katrina, many companies were impacted directly and indirectly causing them to reevaluate expenditures in 2006. CMAA’s 29th Exposition felt the impact with fewer smaller companies participating in the event.

The 2007 Southern California Conference Committee, chaired by Burton Ward, CCM, held its first meeting March 2006. CMAA’s Southern California Chapter is hosting the 2007 Conference, where professional development will again be at the forefront with more than 80+ education programs being offered. As we return to sunny California, CMAA will be participating in a new and exciting facet of the World Conference. We will join our presenting partners, the Golf Course Superintendent Association of America (GCSAA) and the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), in the formation of the largest industry tradeshow, The Golf Industry Show.

The Golf Industry Show will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center, February 22-24, 2007. This is an innovative trade show designed for club management, golf course professionals and owners/operators of golf facilities. The show will feature the largest exhibit floor in the industry, combining education, networking, and solutions for the golf and club industry, while providing each membership a unique opportunity to view and discuss the latest in products and services in our industry.