Department Specific Roundtables: Fostering Targeted Communities of Practice

Entry Details

Recognizing the unique challenges and opportunities faced by members in different roles, our chapter launched focused, engaging, and insightful roundtable discussions tailored to key interest groups within the club management profession. These roundtables, spanning areas such as accounting, membership, communications, food & beverage, and general management, create a space where professionals can connect with peers who truly understand their day-to-day realities. Each session is packed with valuable industry insights, trending topics, best practices, and solutions specific to that department, making every conversation highly relevant and actionable. Attendance is open to all, CMAA membership is not required, so any industry professional can benefit from the exchange of ideas and community support. This approach not only strengthens professional knowledge but also fosters a greater sense of belonging within the chapter.

Implementation

The program was initiated by identifying key roles and inviting members to participate in quarterly department-specific roundtables. For example, Controllers have their own group, supported by a dedicated corporate partner sponsor, which meets regularly to address emerging financial topics. To promote inclusivity and engagement, roundtables are published on our chapter website, mobile app, and communicated directly through targeted subgroup listservs. We collect emails from CMAA member managers to expand and directly invite interest-based audiences to future meetings, ensuring each gathering becomes more tailored and robust over time. Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, members appreciate the opportunity to connect meaningfully with colleagues from other clubs, share expertise, and find solutions to unique departmental challenges. Many have commented there’s nothing better than connecting with a group of people who “just get it,” and the diversity of attendees (including non-members) has enriched discussions and fostered genuine community spirit.