Chapter Digest
July 2026
News for CMAA Leaders
In this issue:
Featured Strategy
Requirements for Holding a Chapter Workshop
One of the best opportunities available for Chapters to educate club managers is through offering workshops at the Chapter level. These workshops can be a great way to advance the professional development of club managers and assist managers in meeting the requirements needed to take the Certified Club Manager (CCM) examination.
The following requirements must be met for your educational program to qualify as a CMI Workshop:
- Must include at least six hours of instruction (excluding breaks and meals)
- Program must focus on one topic or subject as it relates to the club management industry
All workshops must be approved by the CMAA Education Department to qualify as a workshop. Submit a Chapter Education Request to ensure attendees earn proper credits for the educational program.
Once your program has met these requirements, it qualifies as a CMI workshop. On the day of your scheduled workshop please have all attendees sign an attendance roster and include their CMAA member number.
Chapter Idea Fair
Enter your innovative Chapter ideas in the 2026 Chapter Idea Fair to be held in conjunction with the Leadership/Legislative Conference, September 14-16, in Detroit, MI. Entries are submitted electronically, and no printing or shipping is necessary! In addition to first place winners in all categories, overall prizes will be awarded for the “Best in Show” and the “Most Transferable Idea.” Please have all entries submitted by August 26.
Chapter Spotlight
New York State Chapter Hosts 2026 Can-Am Tournament
The 2026 Can-Am Tournament hosted by the CMAA New York State Chapter and the CMAC (Club Management Association of Canada) Ontario Chapter was held at Mississaugua Golf & Country Club on Monday, June 1, with participants representing clubs throughout Western New York and Ontario.
The Can-Am Tournament continues to be a valued tradition that brings together club management professionals from both sides of the border for a day of camaraderie, networking, and friendly competition.
This long-standing friendly competition brings together 16 club managers from Western New York and 16 from Southern Ontario for an 18-hole match-play event. While only one team takes home the coveted Uli Hahn Polar Bear Trophy each year, the true victory lies in the friendships, camaraderie, and professional relationships built across the border.
Although the result was not what Team USA had hoped for, the memories created and connections strengthened are what the Can-Am Tournament has always been about.
NYS CMAA President and General Manager of Wanakah Country Club Mike Karnath, CCM, CCE, reflected on the event, noting, "The Canadian managers are always such great hosts, yet very rarely let their guests win. The US team put up a valiant effort but fell short again."
We want to hear what your Chapter is doing! Recently hold a fundraiser? Exciting event? Share your Chapter good news via email to goodnews@cmaa.org and you could be featured in an upcoming edition!
- August 10: New Deadline! Apply for The Club Foundation’s Kendall Scholarship
- August 26: Submit Your Innovations in the Chapter Idea Fair
- August 28: Register for the 2026 Leadership/Legislative Conference
- September 10: Nominations Due for 2026 Club Executive of the Year
- Through September 14: Countdown to the Leadership/Legislative Conference and the Official Start of the Centennial Celebration
- Ongoing: Submit Your Chapter Photos and Announcements to goodnews@cmaa.org
New Member Totals
The New Member Recruitment Contest provides encouragement for CMAA Chapters to increase, maintain, and preserve their membership. This annual contest awards grants to Chapters (in size categories small, medium and large) that surpass, achieve, or are closest to reaching their set membership recruitment goals.
Chapter Management Resources
All Officers
Before the next membership year begins, it's time to start thinking about your Chapter's future leadership. Now is the perfect opportunity to identify and encourage members who may be interested in serving on your Chapter's board. Welcoming new volunteers brings fresh perspectives, new ideas, and renewed energy to your Chapter.
Consider including a call for volunteer leaders in your next newsletter and invite interested members to express their interest in serving. Start your search today and help build a strong Chapter leadership team for the year ahead.
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.
Chairs
Advocacy/Legislative Chair: House Committee Approves Certified Seasonal Employer Language
Access to seasonal workers remains a critical challenge for clubs and other industries that rely on the H-2B program, underscoring the need for permanent relief. CMAA, as part of the American Golf Industry Coalition and the H-2B Workforce Coalition, has been advocating for the creation of a Certified Seasonal Employer designation that would allow qualifying employers to access workers based on their historical H-2B usage without impacting the annual visa cap for new applicants. On June 11, the House Appropriations Committee approved language establishing the designation in the FY2027 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill.
Career Services Chair: Looking to Update Staff Job Descriptions? Ask CMAA
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 needs 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.
The Club Foundation Liaison: Share These Upcoming Deadlines with Your Chapter
CMAA Faculty Development & Immersion Program Application Due July 31
The Faculty Development & Immersion Program is designed to equip full-time university faculty (especially those teaching or developing hospitality or club management courses) with a deep understanding of the private club industry. This initiative enhances faculty expertise, introduces career paths for students, fosters collaboration, and strengthens connections with CMAA and industry stakeholders.
The program spans up to one year, beginning in the Fall. Regular check-ins with CMAA help track progress and support active engagement.
Willmoore H. Kendall Scholarship Application Due August 10
As one of CMAA's most popular scholarships, the Willmoore H. Kendall Scholarship is highly competitive, and applications are evaluated based on merit. The purpose of this scholarship is to provide tuition support to assistant managers and aspiring managers who are interested in pursuing the Certified Club Manager (CCM) designation.
For more information, please visit the Club Foundation website for a comprehensive list of guidelines. Applicants are encouraged to begin gathering materials in advance of the deadline.
To review all scholarships and grants available through the Foundation and to apply when available, please visit our Apply Page. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Ava Spece.
Communications/Public Relations Chair: Spread the Word – 2026 Club Executive of the Year Nominations Open
Annually, CMAA’s Club Management magazine honors a high-performing club management professional who exemplifies excellence in leadership with the Club Executive of the Year Award. Created more than 40 years ago as the Club Manager of the Year Award, today the distinction specifically recognizes top-level executives whose sustained contributions have significantly impacted their clubs, community, and the broader profession.
Help us honor an extraordinary club management professional who raises the bar in club management and within the CMAA community. CMAA welcomes and encourages nominations from diverse backgrounds and work experiences.
Please help spread the word to your Chapter members and clubs! The full criteria, nomination packet requirements, judging process, and notification information available online. All nomination materials must be received by September 10.
Membership Chair: August New Members Receive Complimentary Conference Badget
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: Meet CMAA in St. Louis for the 2026 Mid-Management Conferencet
The 2026 Mid-Management Conference (MMC) is for club management professionals who are eager to grow their expertise and drive their club’s success. MMC’s education focuses on developing new skills, broadening horizons, and advancing career and certification goals for individuals not serving in the general manager/chief operating officer role.
This year’s event will take place in St. Louis, MO, October 18-21. Attend and explore sessions on personal leadership, club trends, and career advancement.
Research Chair: 2026 Governance and Policies Report Now Available
We are pleased to announce the release of the 2026 Governance and Policies Report in collaboration with Club Benchmarking, a CMAA Executive Partner. This report is informed by 209 survey responses collected in early 2026, supplemented by governance and policy data drawn from the Club Benchmarking VISTA platform, representing a combined dataset of 1,041 clubs, one of the most comprehensive compilations of club governance data available in the industry.
The report addresses a broad spectrum of topics critical to effective club leadership and administration, including board composition and elections, officer roles and responsibilities, committee structures, strategic planning practices, membership policies, bylaw amendment processes, and member communications. Club executives and board leaders are encouraged to utilize this report as a benchmarking resource and strategic reference as they evaluate and refine their own governance frameworks in alignment with industry standards.
CMAA members may also access their complimentary copy of the full report through CMAA Connect in the Best Practices Exchange Community Library in the CMAA Industry Studies folder.
If you have any questions, please contact Amilcar Davy CMAA's Director of Research, at 703-739-9500, or Bryan LaBlue, Club Benchmarking’s Senior Director of Research and Innovation, at 774-571-8427.
Student Chapter Liaison: New VIP Intern Supervisor Group
Looking to elevate your internship program? Join our new idea-sharing group on CMAA Connect, exclusively for VIP Intern Supervisors! Whether your interns focus on F&B, Events, or general operations, this is your dedicated space to swap best practices, troubleshoot challenges, and collaborate with fellow leaders.
Wine Society Chapter Representative: Note These Upcoming Wine Webinars
Halleck Vineyard, Among the Finest Wines in the World: Round Two
August 5 at 2:00 p.m. ET
During this interactive session, you'll taste a curated selection of five wines, guided personally by: Ross Halleck, Owner, Vintner, and Co-Winemaker, and Alison Michnevich, Wine Industry Veteran with 25+ years of experience.
This tasting will feature their award-winning Pinot Noir, recently named Best of Class (2026) at the prestigious San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition-the largest and most respected wine competition in the United States.
This is a rare opportunity to meet the maker, hear the story behind the wines, and deepen your understanding of world-class winemaking.
Important Note: Sample tubes will be sent to the first 40 registrants that did not receive samples for the first Halleck Vineyards webinar in May.
Due to shipping restrictions, samples cannot be delivered to the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia.
Maze Row: The Three Kings of Italy**
August 18 at 2:00p.m ET
Join Maze Row for an exclusive webinar exploring three of Italy’s most iconic red wine regions and the estates that define them. In this 60-minute guided tasting experience, the Maze Row team will lead attendees through the histories, philosophies, and distinct terroirs behind Argiano Brunello di Montalcino, Ratti Marcenasco Barolo, and Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico—three wines revered as the “Kings” of Italian red wine. Each King is paired with its “Prince,” allowing participants to compare expressions side-by-side:
- Argiano 2021 Brunello di Montalcino alongside 2024 Rosso di Montalcino
- Ratti 2021 Marcenasco Barolo alongside 2024 Nebbiolo
- Allegrini 2021 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico alongside 2022 Palazzo della Torre
Through this experience, attendees will better understand how structure, aging, and winemaking decisions influence style and quality within a single estate. This program is ideal for CMAA representatives looking to deepen their wine knowledge while identifying a high-impact, low-effort experience to elevate their club’s wine program — resonating with members from beginners to seasoned collectors.
If you would like to taste along during this experience, we encourage you to source these wines locally or through wine.com, where all wines are available online.
**This webinar is open to ALL CMAA members.