Congratulations to the 2026 Idea Fair Winners
A record-breaking 330 entries were entered in the 2026 Idea Fair held in conjunction with the World Conference & Club Business Expo in Anaheim, CA, in February. Managers shared their ideas in 16 different categories ranging from Club Events & Experiences to Community Impact & Sustainability.
We would like to congratulate the following CMAA members who took home first-place ribbons in their respective categories:
- Club Events & Experiences: Josh Aaronson, Cherokee Town & Country Club, Town Club, Atlanta, GA
- Holiday Programs: Ken Kosak, Broken Sound Club, Boca Raton, FL
- Youth Programs & Events: Andy Reetz, CCM, Champions Run, Omaha, NE
- Club Culture & Staff Development: Erick Romero, Aberdeen Golf & Country Club, Boynton Beach, FL
- Safety Programs & Risk Management: Paul Jennette, Detroit Athletic Club, Detroit, MI
- Club Communications: Samantha Irons, Burning Tree Country Club, Greenwich, CT
- Membership Development: Bri Brookins, Detroit Athletic Club, Detroit, MI
- Governance & Committee Leadership: Thomas Bartek, CCM, CCE, The Patterson Club, Fairfield, CT
- Renovation Programs: Katie Bodchon, The Club at Admirals Cove, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
- Sports & Recreation: Shaneeka Moonesar, Sunningdale Country Club, Scarsdale, NY
- Fitness, Health, & Wellness: Federica Davis, Broken Sound Club, Boca Raton, FL
- Culinary & Beverage Concepts: Rylee Roberts, Field Club of Omaha, Omaha, NE
- Cost-/Time-Saving Concepts: Lexie Bado, Charlotte Country Club, Charlotte, NC
- Community Impact & Sustainability: Elizabeth Barry, CCM, Beach Point Club, Mamaroneck, NY
- Internships & Mentorships: Russell Sylte, CCM, The Santaluz Club, San Diego, CA
- AI & Innovation: Ken Kosak, Broken Sound Club, Boca Raton, FL
Overall Award Winners:
- Chair’s Award: William Borre, The Country Club at Castle Pines, Castle Rock, Colorado, in the Club Culture & Staff Development Category
- The Showstopper Award: Jennifer Gibson, Charlotte Country Club, Charlotte, North Carolina, in the Youth Programs & Events Category
- Most Innovative Award Winner: Ken Kosak, Broken Sound Club, Boca Raton, Florida, in the Safety Programs & Risk Management Category
- Ripple Award: Jessica Mascali, Manasquan River Golf Club, Brielle, New Jersey, in the Club Culture & Staff Development
Honorable Mention Recipients:
- Club Events & Experiences: John Gravett, CCM, CCE, Granite Club, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Club Culture & Staff Development: Bob Palilunas, Hillcrest Country Club, Los Angeles, CA
- Club Communications: Jessica O’Hare, Eugene Country Club, Eugene, OR
- Renovation Programs: Patrick King, CCM, CCE, Army Navy Country Club, Arlington, VA
- Sports & Recreation: Rich Bilotti, Baltusrol Golf Club, Springfield, NJ
- Sports & Recreation: Collin Braun, Tiburon Peninsula Club, Tiburon, CA
- Fitness, Health, & Wellness: Elliott Freeman, Governors Club, Chapel Hill, NC
- Culinary & Beverage Concepts: Jack Gailing, Hollywood Golf Club, Deal, NJ
- Culinary & Beverage Concepts: Brandon Johnson, CCM, Farmington Country Club, Charlottesville, VA
- Cost- & Time-Saving Concepts: Allysa Bloodworth, Houston Country Club, Houston, TX
- Community Impact & Sustainability: Barrett Eiselman, Bel-Air Club, Pacific Palisades, CA
Congratulations once again to all the winners and thank you to everyone who participated in 2026 and helped to make the Idea Fair another huge success for CMAA. All entries can be accessed on CMAA’s website. Go steal an idea today!
