2007 Idea Fair

	Name: Paul N. Kornfeind III Club: Prestwick Country Club Description: This was a great family event. Building the boats, coming to the club, racing the boats and most importantly the $2,200 in bar sales. Members and guests of all ages loved the event. We also recruited three new social members due to the regatta. Implementation: We used flyers, posters, emails and also displayed the trophy in the lobby to entice the members to participate. The members are still talking about this event and they are already talking about next year.

	Name: Loraine Ellis Vienne Club: The Peninsula Yacht Club Description: The Cardboard Boat Race was designed to bring social members and yacht members together in a fun activity that all ages could participate in. It has also been utilized as an event open to the public to participate allowing exposure to club and family activities. It is an event which unifies our membership. Implementation: We begin by offering Cardboard Boat Building Clinics in the spring thru summer. We build a boat also with the children in each week of summer camp. We have obtained a cardboard sponsor and at the end of summer we hold the event including entertainment and buffet. It has really unified our membership in a fun activity for all ages.

	Name: Yvan Lampron Club: The Country Club of Virginia Description: Dance & Romance – We capitalized on the TV series Dancing With the Stars by bringing in a ballroom dance instructor to teach the members. We coordinated the “dance of the week” with food and wine (the Tango paired with Spanish and Latin food/tapas and wine) for a festive dance party.

	Name: Lance Sabella Club: Lakeside Golf Club Description: Camp Toluca is an event where members and their children and grandchildren pitch tents on the course and camp overnight. Various outdoor activities are offered including archery, canoeing, fishing, arts and crafts. The event allows families to interact in a relaxed outdoor atmosphere that is less structured than most social events. Implementation: Camp Toluca has become one of the Club’s most popular and well attended events. Members and children alike enjoy the outdoor activities and sense of camaraderie that is fostered by this event.

	Name: Jonathan F. McCabe Club: Union League Club of Chicago Description: This is our annual George Washington’s Birthday Celebration, not in its 120th year. IT has grown in prominence over the years, and is on of our most widely attended and anticipated events, and features a nationally prominent keynote speaker. This entry highlights our most recent GWB event with US Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. Implementation: The event was established in 1887 in response to Chicago’s infamous Haymarket riots. The intent of the Directors of the Club was to extol the virtues of patriotism and the duties of citizenship. For over 100 years our members have responded enthusiastically to this call.

	Name: Chris Marcusson Club: The Country Club of Virginia Description: Summer Terrace Parties – We host monthly themed parties on our newly renovated east terrace to increase attendance and usage of this dining venue. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres along with special menus, decorations, and favors with unique themes keep the concept fresh and interesting.

	Name: Marisu Jimenez Club: The Athenaeum Description: The Athenaeum’s various special events, hosted by the club, have offered something for everyone within our diverse membership. Afternoon tea is served every second Wednesday of the month and in December, special holiday afternoon teas are served in front of a roaring fire and a 20 ft. beautifully decorated Christmas tree in the club’s Main Lounge. Chef’s cooking classes are held once a month in the kitchen for aspiring sous chefs and gourmands. In April, 2006, The Athenaeum celebrated its 75th anniversary. To commemorate this event, the club put on 3 gala dinners held on consecutive evenings to celebrate the momentous event. Implementation: The various monthly special events welcome different segments of our membership. Members have been receptive to these events because it enables them to experience their club at different price points accommodating various interests.

	Name: Stephen M. Downes Club: The Carnegie Abbey Club Description: Our Carnegie Ball is a huge undertaking that involves all the staff, and a real sense of teamwork is created. The members are always blown away by the new ideas and themes that we create. IT is the highlight of the year! Implementation: The members save the date for the ball and enjoy bringing numerous guests. They take pride in the event and the money it raises. It is also so much fun to execute.

	Name: Jamie Dollinger Club: Manasquan River Golf Club Description: Business on Tapas Night has doubled. The patio where it is set up is busier than our Dining Room. Implementation: Tapas Night was the idea of the manager. He wanted to draw in the younger members that were telling us of places they went to on Friday nights. The outcome was a huge success and our covers more than doubled.

	Name: Annette Gregori Club: Hermitage Country Club Description: The Richmond Symphony event provided Hermitage Country Club and its membership with a unique and cultural experience. Implementation: The club’s ballroom was transformed into a grand concert hall. Tickets for the evening included the concert along with food and beverage services. The membership welcomed the opportunity to host such a prominent event.

	Name: Terra Waldron Club: Desert Highlands Association Description: Desert Highlands’ Annual Homecoming is a one day event held in late October featuring two Member teams competing in golf, tennis and bridge with a grand dinner and awards celebration that evening. This past year’s 60’s theme showcased the Jailhouse Rockers against the Hound Dogs. Our Annual Homecoming event is known for being incredibly fun and has created a strong sense of community and relationships within the Membership. Homecoming, along with our Annual Member Mixer, are the big kick offs to a busy and exciting events season at Desert Highlands. It also brings a good revenue stream to the Club. Implementation: Our Homecoming event is organized with all departments and a Homecoming Committee made up of Members who wanted to create a fun new tradition a few years ago. The event was advertised in mailings, flyers, weekly emails, and other enthusiastic Members recruited other Members to participate. Members love the camaraderie, good natured ribbing, and the friendships that develop form this annual Homecoming event. Members sign up early as it is usually a sell out crowd and the talk of the community. It offers something for everyone – golf, tennis, bridge and fabulous evening celebration.

	Name: Yvan Lampron Club: The Country Club of Virginia Description: Family New Year’s Eve – Two hours of food and fun along with a clock adjusted to ring in the new year early for the children. This party was for the kids! We had a balloon artist, college band, noise makers, and hats along with a special kids’ beverage bar and food.

	Name: Ryan Spence Club: Atlanta Athletic Club Description: This club event has utilized our pool in the off season. For members that enjoy risk taking as well as giving the children something exciting to do. Implementation: Member reactions are positive, they are excited to experience a different club event. 155 members signed up for this event which is a huge success.

	Name: Jonathan McCabe Club: Union League Club of Chicago Description: We held a Scholastic Book Fair to raise money to purchase new books for the Union League Club Boys & Girls Club. OUR book fair brought members into our library who had not been to that part of the Clubhouse and gave them an opportunity to help others while doing their holiday shopping. Implementation: We contacted Scholastic to put the fair together and the book selection was great. The members thought this was a fantastic idea and their support is what gave us the ability to give the Boys & Girls Club over $2,500 in new books.

	Name: Mark Maroon Club: The Kansas City Country Club Description: We combine our four holiday party invitations into one mailing. This has reduced costs because we only use one envelope instead of four separate envelopes, and less postage is used for the same reason. Members receive all invitations in one envelope and are able to pull out the invitations for the parties they are interested in attending and easily post the cards on their refrigerators or in a planner. Implementation: In the past members would receive a separate invitation for each of the four holiday parties at the club. In an effort to reduce costs and cut back on mailings the idea of combining invitations into one mailing was created.

	Name: Annette Gregori Club: Hermitage Country Club Description: The annual Hermitage Country Club art show provides our membership an opportunity to give back to the community. The club receives a positive image by supporting this worthy cause. Implementation: Members art work was displayed throughout the clubhouse allowing the membership to view the art work. The event concludes with a champagne and dessert social with representatives from the local fire department to receive their donation.

	Name: Jeffrey Johnson Club: Green Bay Country Club Description: The objective is to reduce the amount charged each month for unused minimums and to increase participation in club functions and events. Implementation: One letter is sent to every member who has $100 or more of food and beverage purchases, 2 weeks before their minimum quarter expires. The letter contains the amount left to spend and is accompanied by a flyer which contains a catering menu and an event information schedule for the next two weeks.

	Name: (none) Club: Arcola Country Club Description: Alice-in-Wonderland themed tea party for younger children: This idea can be used as a club event or as a birthday party idea. It helps introduce the younger children to “dress up” and “use your best manners” when dining at the club. For private parties it is a great theme for members to use. It’s inexpensive yet formal, but most of all FUN! Implementation: One of our members used it as a theme for a 4 year olds birthday party. Alice in Wonderland arrived and read a story, face painted and did balloon art for the children while the mom’s enjoyed their tea, scones and tea sandwiches. The children ate first and then enjoyed the entertainment. Everyone found it very enjoyable.

	Name: Lance Sabella Club: Lakeside Golf Club Description: A casual family night that brings families together for an evening of fun and socialization. An Italian buffet including pastas cooked to order ,salads and dessert table provide a variety of choices for discriminating pallets. Families gather for a hearty meal while children frolic in the snow and then warm up at a hot chocolate station. Implementation: Italian Night and Snow Day was added to the social calendar to provide members with a casual evening where they could gather with other families and friends to enjoy an informal meal. Snow was brought in to provide the children with a unique experience. The event is very popular with guests of all ages.

	Name: Bruce W. Pruitt, CCM Club: The Los Angeles Country Club Description: Clubs are always looking for new and interesting ideas for club parties. Most clubs celebrate their centennial, but there are many other milestones that can be acknowledged. This past year, The Los Angeles Country Club celebrated the 100th anniversary of acquiring the property of its present location (the Club’s centennial celebration yeas was in 1998.) Implementation: Not only did staff research the archives of the Club to provide information that allowed the recreation of significant events, but California history in general was studied. Although this period of time was on the cuff of Prohibition, who would have thought that several wineries in Northern California today, were also in existence 100 years ago. Horse and wagon travel was still prominent in Southern California and hot air ballooning was more than a popular past time.

	Name: David Ruddell, Ryan Walker, Greg Gordon, Brian Darling Club: Dunwoody Country Club Description: Getting the entire family involved. Dads and children campout on the driving range with dinner, fishing, campfire, face painting, roasting marshmallows and breakfast the next morning. Moms enjoy wine and cheese that night. Implementation: We have up to 300 dads and children attend the event. We have nearly 50 moms enjoy watching the dads and children set up and enjoy wine and cheese with the other moms. This gets the entire family involved and is a very popular event.

	Name: Michael Seabrook, CCM Club: The Club at Mediterra Description: Club event at our Beach Club – “Harley Night” a sell-out. Members wore denim, leather and other motorcycle attire that was normally not permitted. The evening served as a great social atmosphere with members enjoying the festivities and dancing the night away. Implementation: We encouraged members to ride their own motorcycles which one even provided his as a photo opportunity for all participants. Members were4 donned with blinking earrings, bandanas and we offered jello shots. We had a tattoo artist giving faux tattoos. Our members love this event and still talk about it.

	Name: Mary Elizabeth Sullivan Club: Granite Club Description: Held over lunch, these events feature topics of interest to members. The club arranges for a luncheon during which a guest speaker presents the topic followed by a question and answer period. These sessions provide members the opportunity to learn about health topics, business issues, decorating, social issues and more, while enjoying a relaxing meal. Implementation: In an effort to expand programming or members, the clubs marketing and communications team began looking for additional opportunities. The idea of the Lunch’n’ Learn concept came about when two doctors were asked to make a presentation at the club over the lunch hour. The session proved to be worthwhile and so the decision was made to expand to four topics a year to cover a variety of other subjects.

	Name: Paul M.G. Astbury Club: Ocean Reef Club Description: Reef Net ’06 provided a relaxed yet professional atmosphere for member networking. Since this event took the club’s online networking directory beyond the virtual listings already in place and allowed for real, face-to-face introductions and conversations, the business relationships initiated were enhanced for Club members. Implementation: Reef Net was hosted in the club’s 7500 square foot ballroom. As many participating members were already living on property, it was not difficult to draw a large audience for the event. Twenty members signed up for display booths, while others chose to peruse the venue to network with their fellow members. Members took such an active interest in participating in the event that Reef Net “07 has already been scheduled for October.

	Name: Ann Moynihan Club: Manasquan River Golf Club Description: The summer informal with a Beatles Beach Party was a fun time for all. There was also a lot of fun interaction between members and staff. Implementation: Every year we have a summer informal party. The beatles theme added a special touch. All ages were caught up in the Fab Four.

	Name: Jonathan M. Kruse Club: Butte des Morts Country Club Description: One of the most successful summer parties ever. Implementation: The members and staff loved it. Some members still talk about it.

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