News for CMAA Leaders: July 2025

CMAA News

1. Nominations Open for 2025 Club Executive of the Year
2. Royal Cup Coffee and Tea Renews Commitment to CMAA
3. New Class of Certified Chief Executives Recognized
4. Listen to Let’s Talk Club Management, Episode 137: Demystifying Large Language Models and Ep. 138 – Disaster Communications.

To Do

1. August 25: Register & Book Your Hotel for the 2025 Leadership/Legislative Conference
2. September 10: Nominations Due for 2025 Club Executive of the Year
3. Ongoing: Submit Your #CMAARally Chapter Photos and Announcements to goodnews@cmaa.org

All Officers

The 2026 membership year is just around the corner. Now is the time to start approaching individuals who may be interested in serving on your chapter’s board next year. New people mean new ideas. Start your search today! Consider including an article in your next newsletter asking potential candidates to express their interest in serving on your board.

Managing Directors

As we approach membership renewal season, please let us know if your members are on the move. Please send any updates to Alanna Eckard. Thank you.

Career Services Chair

Looking to Update Staff Job Descriptions? CMAA Can Help

When your club needs to advertise for staff, do you already have the job description for that position on hand or maybe the one you have may be in need of a refresh? CMAA may be able to help. The Association may already have a sample description written and is more than happy to share. You can use all or some of the text. 

If you need one or more job descriptions, let us check our database for samples. Please contact Karen Woodie with specifics. 

Club Foundation Liaison

Congratulations Are in Order for Club Management Students!

Supporting undergraduate students aspiring toward careers in the club industry is an important element of The Club Foundation’s mission to support professionals at every stage of their careers. Thanks to your generous donations, The Foundation is able to fund two student-focused programs:

The Student Chapter Grant provides complimentary registration to the Club Management Association of America (CMAA) World Conference and Business Expo for each Student Chapter President (or their representative), along with a matching-funds grant to help cover travel expenses.

We are pleased to announce the five CMAA Student Chapters selected to receive grants for the 2026 Conference in Anaheim, CA:

• Fairleigh Dickinson University
• Iowa State University
• Johnson & Wales University – Charlotte
• Niagara University
• University of Houston

The Joe Perdue Scholarship awards $5,000 to undergraduate students in hospitality programs to support their tuition and fees.

Congratulations to our 2025 Joe Perdue Scholarship awardees:

• Sam Banhan, University of Houston
• Batuhan Catalkaya, Monroe University
• Miranda Dowdy, Virginia Tech
• Benji Gans, Florida Gulf Coast University
• Kiley Kennedy, Johnson & Wales University
• Tina Krajacic, Niagara University
• Abigail Ludwig, Grand Canyon University
• Brandon J. Oceguera, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
• Elaine Palmer, Ohio University
• Jessica Roca, Fairleigh Dickinson University
• Althea Simmons, Niagara University
• Joe Snyder, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• Regina Tenor, Fairleigh Dickinson University

In addition to the Student Chapter Grant and the Joe Perdue Scholarship, donors who have continued their commitment and contributions to the Chairman’s Fund Student Development Initiative over the past four years have enabled us to provide even stronger support for this newest generation of emerging leaders. Their donations fund a variety of student-centered projects and activities, including monetary support for the National Student Education Conference, the Mid Management Conference, and student activities at World Conference. 

Because of you, and everyone who chooses to support The Foundation, people in our industry can reach chase their dreams — thanks to you, our industry grows stronger every day.

Visit clubfoundation.org to see upcoming scholarship and grant deadlines.

Communications/Public Relations Chair

Spread the Word—2025 Club Executive of the Year Nominations Open

Annually, Club Management magazine honors a high-performing club management professional who exemplifies excellence in leadership with the Club Executive of the Year Award. Created 40 years ago as the Club Manager of the Year Award, today the distinction specifically recognizes top-level executives whose sustained contributions have had a significant impact on their clubs, communities, and the broader profession.

Help us honor an extraordinary club management professional who raises the bar in club management and within the CMAA community by sharing this information with your Chapter.

The full criteria, nomination packet requirements, judging process, and notification information are available online. All nomination materials must be received by September 10.

Legislative/Advocacy Chair

Understanding the Recently Passed Tip and Overtime Income Federal Exemptions

On July 4, HR1, the 2025 tax legislation was signed into law. The measure features the extension of several expiring tax cuts passed in 2017 and new tax reductions designed to help families and workers, including new federal tax exemptions for qualifying tip and overtime income. Explore what we know about these two impactful changes and learn what details remain to be released with further regulatory guidance. 

Read more in the Legislative Report blog.

Membership Chair

August New Members Receive a Complimentary Education-Only Conference Badge

All members that join in the month of August receive a complimentary Education-Only badge for an upcoming World Conference on Club Management and Club Business Expo. Please let prospective members know about this great incentive!

Professional Development Chair

New Cybersecurity Staff Training Courses Now Available on CMAA’s Club Resource Center

CMAA’s Club Resource Center (CRC) course line-up now has five new cybersecurity training courses for you and your staff. They include:

• Cybersecurity Overview
• Workplace Security Basics 2.0
• Cybersecurity – Staying Safe Online 3.0
• Social Engineering 2.0
• Introduction to Ransomware 2.0

The CRC subscription brings you a broad scope of online interactive training courses for all your club’s staff. Contact Bob Gould for a full CRC course list or more information. 

Research Chair

Compensation & Benefits Report Now Available

The 2024 Compensation & Benefits Report, a detailed report of salary, benefit, and labor key performance indicators, is now available to all CMAA members. This report is based on FY2024 data.

This report is a collaboration with Club Benchmarking, a CMAA Executive Partner.

CMAA members may access their complimentary copy of the full report through CMAA Connect in the Best Practices Exchange Community Library in the CMAA Annual Reports folder. Please note: Sign in is required to access the report. Use the same credentials you use for cmaa.org. If you cannot locate these credentials, please use the Forgot your password? option on the sign in page.

Access the Full Report

Want More Insights?

Join the Club Benchmarking Research Team as they present the findings from the Compensation & Benefits Report on Thursday, July 31, at 2:00 p.m. ET.

Register for the Webinar

If you have any questions, please contact Amilcar Davy, CMAA's Director of Research, at 703-739-9500, or Bryan LaBlue, Club Benchmarking’s Data Management Specialist, at 774-571-8427.

Student Chapter Liaison

Set Your Student Chapters Up for Success This Fall

As a new school year approaches, it’s the perfect time to refocus your efforts on supporting our student chapters. These future leaders of our industry look to us for guidance, encouragement, and a sense of belonging within the club management community—and your role is crucial in making that connection real and lasting.

Whether it's offering insight into industry trends, helping students explore internships, or simply attending a Chapter event, your involvement can have a powerful impact. Students thrive when they feel supported, and your engagement helps pave their path forward.

As you prepare for the year ahead, we encourage you to:

• Reach out to your assigned Student Chapters. A simple check-in can open doors and spark motivation.
• Be a resource.Share your knowledge, experience, and connections to help students navigate their career journeys.
• Encourage active involvement.Help students see how they can contribute and grow within CMAA and the profession.

To support your efforts, CMAA offers several tools:

• The Student Chapter Directory on the CMAA website is a great resource if you'd like to offer support beyond your assigned school and connect with other student chapters in need.
• The Student Chapter Management Resources webpage provides everything you need to help guide and support your chapters effectively.
• The Student & Faculty Section of the CMAA website outlines the full range of award programs, scholarships, and opportunities available to students. Becoming familiar with these resources will allow you to better advocate for and empower the chapters you work with.

Let’s continue to show up in a big way for our student members. The time, energy, and support you invest today are shaping the future of our industry—one student at a time.

Wine Society Chapter Representative

Mark Your Calendars for a Webinar on August 6

Join us for a webinar with Louis M. Martini Winery featuring speakers Zach Watkins, Winemaker, and Gallo Brand Manager, Zach Beauchamp, on Wednesday, August 6, at 2:00 p.m. ET. Register today.