Chapter Digest
News for CMAA Leaders: September 2025
Featured Strategy
Outstanding Chapters Honored in the 2025 Chapter Idea Fair
A record-breaking 55 entries were submitted in this year’s Chapter Idea Fair competition held in conjunction with the Leadership/Legislative Conference from September 14-16 in Washington, DC. These entries provided a showcase of wonderful ideas and best practices. Since the sharing of knowledge defines who we are and what we do as an Association, we thank all the Chapters that participated and pay special tribute to the Blue-Ribbon winners. Listed below are the winners of each category, as well as the sought-after “Best in Show” winner and the brand-new “Most Transferable Idea” winner.
Governance & Leadership: Nebraska Chapter
New Member Recruitment & Onboarding: Alabama Chapter
Member Engagement: Wisconsin Badger Chapter
Member Interest Groups & Communities: Wisconsin Badger Chapter
Education: Philadelphia & Vicinity Chapter
Chapter Communications: Carolinas Chapter
Community Outreach: Metropolitan Chapter
Student Chapter & Faculty Engagement: Upper Midwest Chapter
Best in Show: Golden State Chapter - Education
Most Transferable Idea: Florida Chapter – Member Interest Groups & Communities
All entries and their descriptions will be posted on CMAA’s website. Check them out and see what great new ideas you can implement in your Chapter!
Once again, congratulations and thank you to all our participants for sharing their successes with the Association. A very special thank you goes to Chair Kim Brady, CCM, and her committee of judges: Tommy Berg, Jared Jordan, Lauren Molitaris, and Brandon Sears.
Chapter Spotlight
Pelican Chapter Visits Southern Trace Country Club
The Pelican Chapter of the Club Management Association of America (CMAA) recently traveled to Shreveport, Louisiana, for an engaging and educational gathering hosted by the prestigious Southern Trace Country Club. This special event brought together club management professionals from across the region, offering an opportunity to network, share experiences, and gain new insights into the evolving world of private club operations. Southern Trace, known for its warm hospitality and commitment to excellence, provided an ideal backdrop for the chapter’s meeting.
A highlight of the event was a presentation by Whitney Pennell of RCS Hospitality Group, a nationally recognized leader in private club consulting and training. Pennell led a dynamic session on “Best Practices for a High Performing Team,” offering practical strategies to elevate staff performance and create a culture of excellence. Her insights resonated with attendees, emphasizing the importance of leadership, communication, and accountability in building strong, service-driven teams. The session left participants with actionable takeaways to implement in their own clubs, reinforcing the value of continuous learning and professional development within the CMAA community.
A sincere thank you to Southern Trace for opening its doors and making our visit such a memorable one.
We also extend our heartfelt appreciation to our Managing Director, Sam Brewster, for his ongoing dedication in keeping our chapter informed, organized, and running smoothly. A special thank you goes out to our Education Chair, Josh Gary, for continuously securing wonderful speakers and timely topics that bring real value to our chapter. His commitment doesn’t stop there—Josh also ensures our members have comfortable hotel accommodations, making travel easier and more enjoyable for all. His dedication is deeply appreciated and plays a big role in the success of our gatherings. Thanks to their hard work, this event was another shining example of the value of professional development and camaraderie within CMAA.
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!
CMAA News
- Announcing the 2026 CMAA Secretary-Treasurer and Board of Director Candidates
- Six Club Management Professionals Achieve Certification
- RSM Renews Partnership with CMAA
- Listen to Let's Talk Club Management Episode 141: Diving into Workforce Trends and Episode 143: Summer Internships and Being Brace with Alexa Esquivel
To Do
- October 31: 2026 CMAA Membership Renewal Due
- Ongoing: Submit Your #CMAARally Chapter Photos and Announcements to goodnews@cmaa.org
New Member Totals
We have reached 67% of our goal. Keep up the good work!
Chapter Management Resources
All Officers
It is approaching that time when you and your Chapter will decide who will serve as Chapter Officers and Chairman for the 2026 membership year. During your next Chapter meeting, have a member or two of your chapter board get up and talk about what volunteering on the Chapter level means to them and to the Chapter. Offer to talk to any interested members after the meeting. Now is the time to get people involved. Cheers to a successful 2026 membership year!
Chairs
The Club Foundation Liaison: Note These Upcoming October Deadlines
There are three applications deadlines in October:
- James B. Singerling Scholarship—Due October 1: This program honors CMAA’s long-time CEO, Jim Singerling, CCM, following his retirement after 25 years of leadership. The purpose of the scholarship is to fund attendance at the CMAA World Conference and Club Business Expo for first-time attendees who are currently club industry professionals. Individuals who previously attended as students are still eligible to apply. For more information and to apply, please visit the Foundation’s website.
- DeLozier Family Scholarship—Due October 1: The DeLozier Scholarship was initiated in 2024, and this is the first year that The Club Foundation is accepting applications. The purpose of the scholarship, generously funded through an endowment created by the DeLozier family, is to promote emerging leaders in the club industry, fostering advancement and career development for individuals who are underrepresented in the club management profession. Find a list of what the scholarship covers on our apply page under DeLozier Family Scholarship.
- Warren Arseneaux Honorary Scholarship—Due October 7: The Warren Arseneaux Honorary Scholarship was established nearly 20 years ago, in 2007, by the CMAA Wine Society. The Club Foundation began funding the scholarship in 2025 (2024 applications). The scholarship honors Warren L. Arseneaux, CCM, an instrumental founder of the CMAA Wine Society and a CMAA Past President, who dedicated many years of service to CMAA and the Wine Society. The purpose of this scholarship is to provide tuition for a CMAA Wine Society member who has a passion and love for wine and is interested in continuing his or her professional development. Find out more information on the CMAA website.
For more information about any of our scholarships, please visit our website or call us at 703-299-4284.
Funding for these programs is made possible through generous contributions from you and many of your fellow members in our Association. Your support is vital to the success of professionals in our industry. Please add a contribution to your membership renewal or donate through the Foundation’s website portal.
Communications Chair: Using the CMAA Brand Guide
CMAA’s Brand Guide provides all the details you need to maximize your Chapter’s use of the official logos and assets. Using the Brand Guide will help Chapters to effectively represent the brand within and beyond the club industry. Share it with your volunteers and any design partners to ensure CMAA and Chapter brand elements are used appropriately and look professional anytime they are used.
Use this valuable resource as a reference to obtain guidance on:
- CMAA Logo Usage
- Chapter Logo Usage
- Official Colors
- Official Event Names & Nomenclature
- Communication Strategy
- Much More
Coming soon! With the launch of the official Centennial Logo, a complementary brand guide will be available soon.
For any questions, please contact Melissa Low, CAE, Vice President, Communications and Advocacy, at 703-739-9500 ext. 286.
Corporate Relations Chairman: Learn More About Pace Technology from E-Z-GO
Pace Technology™ is revolutionizing golf course management by integrating GPS-based solutions into fleet operations, including accurate pin yardage, food & beverage ordering revenue generation, and advanced pace of play solutions. Designed to enhance both the golfer experience and operational efficiency, Pace Technology equips courses with tools that streamline communication, protect assets, and elevate service delivery.
At the heart of Pace Technology’s offering is its fleet management system, which allows course operators to monitor golf carts in real time. Features like speed enforcement, geofencing, and fault tracking ensure carts are used safely and efficiently, reducing wear and tear while extending vehicle lifespan. The Shield™ solution enables remote lockdowns and boundary settings, giving managers full control over fleet movement from any device.
For golfers, Pace Technology transforms the on-course experience. Enhanced graphics screens provide interactive course maps, hole insights, and even food and beverage ordering. Integration with third-party platforms like GolfLogix™ and Perry Weather™ adds green heat maps and live radar, while tournament tools like Golf Genius™ and Thor Guard™ keep players informed and engaged.
Ultimately, Pace Technology empowers golf courses to deliver premium service while safeguarding their investments and improving overall pace of play. Whether improving guest satisfaction or optimizing maintenance routines, Pace Technology sets a new standard for smart course management.
Legislative Chair: Treasury Department Defines Tipped Occupations
As required by Congress in HR1, the Big Beautiful Bill, the Treasury Department has published its preliminary list of eligible tipped occupations. The final comprehensive list will be published by October 2; although it is not expected to differ significantly from the preliminary list.
The Treasury Department designated 68 positions that will be eligible for exemption from federal taxation on tip income. There are many of interest to the club industry.
Read more in the Legislative Report.
Membership Chair: Recruit New Members in September and October
We are now into the 2025 membership year for new members. Everyone who joins in the months of September and October pays $525 ($450 if they are Alumnus members) and does not have to renew until October 31, 2026. Joining in the next two months will give them the most bang for their buck. Please direct them to the CMAA Join Page.
Professional Development Chair: Culinary Training Courses Now Available on CMAA’s Club Resource Center
CMAA’s Club Resource Center (CRC) course line-up now includes 23 new Auguste Escoffier culinary training courses for your staff. They include…
- Culinary Essentials
- Baking and Pastry courses
- Cooking for Holistic Wellness
- Plant-based courses
- Introduction to the Kitchen
- Many more
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.
Student Chapter Liaison: Access Resources to Recruit Student Members
How many of your Chapter members have college students interning at their clubs? How many did they have during the summer? Start talking to those students about what they want their career path to look like.
Share the CMAA Student Member Instagram with them and the video on why they should #ChooseClubs. Extend an offer to host them and a few friends to a club tour. Show them that the club industry is for them and needs them. You never know what interest and passion you can spark!