Be inspired by distinguished speakers as they share fresh perspectives, powerful stories, and practical insights on the ideas shaping today’s club industry, from character, change, connection, culture, change, leadership, and success. Stay tuned for exciting announcements! View the line up.
Education
Education has been the cornerstone of CMAA’s Conferences since its beginnings. The 2027 agenda offers information curated specifically for today’s challenges with individual pathways for your career stage.
Choose from:
General Education Sessions with Featured Speakers
Choose your pathway to professional and personal growth by selecting relevant sessions during each concurrent timeslot. Further your career and certification goals by attending all available scheduled sessions.
- New for 2027! Collaborative Education with the PGA of America: Select concurrent education sessions will be presented in collaboration with the PGA of America, bringing shared industry expertise and fresh perspectives to attendees at both the PGA Show and the 2027 World Conference.
Concurrent sessions are organized by CMAA competency area as well as by track. Choose from the Pre-Certification, Post-Certification, or Executive track to attend sessions most appropriate to your interests and career stage. These tracks are provided as a guide, but you may attend any session that interests you.
The full schedule of topics and speakers will be available in early December! You can filter the schedule on the CMAA Event App by track and competency area to optimize your experience.
- Pre-Certification: Early career professionals with fewer than 7 years of management experience. Typically includes entry-level managers, assistant managers, and those actively working toward earning their Certified Club Manager (CCM) designation.
- Post-Certification: Mid-level managers with 7 to 15 years of experience. This track is designed for managers who have already achieved their CCM designation and are looking to maintain it or advance their careers
- Executive Level: Senior club executives (such as General Managers, COOs, and CEOs) with 15-plus years of experience.
- New for 2027! At-Conference Executive Program
Exclusively for Current Certified Chief Executives (CCE)
Lead With Influence: The CCE Executive Forum
Monday, February 8, 1:00-3:45 p.m.
Onsite
Strengthen your executive presence and expand your leadership impact at an exclusive professional development experience for Certified Chief Executives. This complimentary, At-Conference program is designed for accomplished club management leaders who must communicate with clarity, build alignment, and inspire action amid increasing workplace and industry complexity. Join Ben Stringfellow of Admired Leadership on Monday, February 8, from 1:00 to 3:45 p.m. for a practical, engaging session focused on the communication behaviors that distinguish highly effective senior leaders. Invitations will be sent to all CCEs—reserve the time now for this valuable opportunity to sharpen your leadership approach and connect with fellow executives.
Optional Pre- or At-Conference Workshops
View the lineup of Pre-Conference Workshops and At-Conference Workshops. Invest in your development with focused, expert-led workshops that deliver hands-on learning and immediately applicable strategies. View the line up.
- New for 2027! The Women in Club Management Symposium at the Saddle and Cycle Club
- New for 2027! The return of the popular City Club Symposium at the Racquet Club of Chicago
By the Numbers
68
Percent of Speakers Are New
63
Education Sessions Available
20
Earn up to 20 Club Management Institute (CMI) Education Credits
11
Number of Club Management Competencies Addressed
8-12
Earn from 8 to 12 Association Activity (AA) Credits (Varies Based on Registration Category)
7
Supersized General Education Sessions featuring Notable Experts
4
Satisfy Your World Conference Attendance Requirement (Must Attend a Minimum of Four Education Sessions)
Tips to Further Your Certification Goals
- Club Management Institute (CMI) credits are awarded through verified attendance.
- At the end of each session, your presenter will share a keyword. Make note of this keyword.
- Following each education session, complete your session evaluation survey correctly on the event App.
- Attendees can only receive Education Credits for one session during each concurrent time slot.
- Association Activity (AA) Credits are awarded based on registration category and reflect the other networking and engagement opportunities available at the World Conference.
- Register for a Full Member Registration. This registration category earns 12 Association Activity Credits, the most of any category.
- Learn more about registration options and qualifying CMI and AA credits.
- Learn more about Understanding Your CMAA Credits
Schedule at a Glance
General Sessions & Featured Speakers
General Session featuring MLB Player for the Philadelphia Phillies, Kyle Schwarber
Sunday, February 7, 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Start your education with a home run! Kyle Schwarber, an intense competitor and power hitter for the Philadelphia Phillies, is known for making an impact every time he steps up to the plate. Nicknamed “The Hulk,” Schwarber redefined the leadoff role with his powerful swing, breaking the long-standing single-season leadoff home run record in September 2024 with 14. Off the field, his “Neighborhood Heroes” campaign, inspired by his family of first responders, honors community heroes.
Schwarber’s professional career began when the Chicago Cubs selected him in the first round of the 2014 MLB Draft. He made his MLB debut the next year, quickly becoming a force at the plate. A key part of the Cubs’ historic 2016 World Series win, he has since played for the Nationals, Red Sox, and Phillies. Known for his postseason prowess, Schwarber holds the record for most home runs in NLCS history (11) and is the only player to homer in the Little League World Series, World Series, and World Baseball Classic.
Before turning pro, Schwarber was a standout at Indiana University, earning Freshman All-American honors and First-Team All-American recognition as a sophomore. He also played for the US collegiate national team and was a finalist for the Johnny Bench Award in his junior year. He graduated with a degree in recreational sports management. Born in Middletown, OH, Schwarber excelled in both football and baseball in high school. His powerful swing and relentless work ethic have defined his career, making him an inspiration on and off the field.
Opening Business Session
Monday, February 8, 8:00-10:15 a.m.
Celebrate a century of achievement, connect with CMAA’s leadership, and recognize the people shaping our next 100 years at the Opening Business Session. During the Candidates’ Forum, you’ll hear directly from the members seeking election to the 2027 CMAA Board of Directors. You’ll also hear the latest updates from The Club Foundation. We’ll honor members who achieved the Certified Club Manager (CCM), Certified Chief Executive (CCE), and Master Club Manager (MCM) designations in 2026 and unveil the newest class of CMAA Fellows. President & CEO Jeff Morgan, FASAE, CAE, will share key updates and milestones as CMAA builds on its legacy and looks toward the future.
Stay tuned for the unveiling of the featured speaker!
General Session featuring Organizational Psychologist, The Wharton School of Business; Bestselling Author; Host: Re:Thinking, a TED Original Podcast, Adam Grant
Monday, February 8, 4:15-5:15 p.m.
As an organizational psychologist, Adam Grant rethinks how we work and live. He has been Wharton’s top-rated professor for seven straight years, and his research has inspired people to question assumptions about leadership, success, character, culture, and change. He is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of six books that have sold millions of copies and been praised by Oprah, Mark Cuban, Malcolm Gladwell, Trevor Noah, and Serena Williams. In October 2026, he released a new book, Vibe: The Secrets of Strong Connections in a Lonely World. His TED talks have more than 35 million views, and his podcasts have more than 100 million downloads; he hosts Re:Thinking and cohosts The Curiosity Shop with Brené Brown. He has been recognized as the world’s #2 most influential management thinker and in Fortune’s 40 Under 40.
Grant has advised leaders at Google, Pixar, and the NBA; served on the Defense Innovation Board at the Pentagon; and received awards from the American Psychological Association and the National Science Foundation. His viral NYT op-ed on languishing was the most-saved article of 2021, and he shares new insights in his Substack newsletter, Granted. He received his B.A. from Harvard and his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan and is a former magician and Junior Olympic springboard diver.
CMAA Awards Breakfast
Tuesday, February 9, 7:30-9:30 a.m.
Presented in Partnership with Club Car, a CMAA Executive Partner With Support from The Club Foundation
Recognize and honor the professionals and Chapters who strive for excellence and growth within the CMAA community. Featured award presentations include:
- the 2026 Club Executive of the Year;
- new inductees to the 25-Year Club;
- The Club Foundation’s Scholarship Recipients;
- the innovative winners of the Idea Fair;
- top Chapter earners in the New Member Recruitment Contest; and
- the coveted Chapter of the Year Award
Stay tuned for the unveiling of this illustrious speaker!
Please note: A ticket is required for entry to this event. This event is ticketed separately from all registration categories (except the 1927 Package, Fellows, and Managing Directors) and capacity is limited.
@Jenny Sherman Photography
CMAA Closing Business Session featuring Vanderbilt Professor and Best-selling Author, Arthur C. Brooks
Thursday, February 11, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
What’s CMAA’s next chapter? What will the next 100 years look like for our industry and our profession? We will look ahead to the excitement building with the announcement of the election results and the installation of the 2027 Board of Directors. Hear from the 2027 Chair Joseph Krenn, CCM, CCE, and honor the contributions of the 2026 Chair Janine Budzius, CCM, CCE.
Our Centennial Conference education will wrap with Vanderbilt Professor and Best-selling Author, Arthur C. Brooks. He is one of the world’s leading experts on the science of human happiness, appearing in the media and traveling the world to teach people in private companies, universities, public agencies, and faith communities how they can live happier lives and bring greater well-being to others.
Brooks is a professor at Vanderbilt University and a senior fellow at the Harvard Business School. He is a CBS News contributor, columnist with The Free Press, and host of the weekly podcast "Office Hours with Arthur Brooks."
He is the author of 16 books, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness, Build the Life You Want (co-authored with Oprah Winfrey), and From Strength to Strength.
Workshops & Experiences
Pre-Conference Workshops
February 3 through February 6—The Bicycle Chautauqua
The Bicycle Chautauqua: Riding, Reflecting, and Pursuing the CCM Mission
Wednesday, February 3-Saturday, February 6
Offsite: Saint Petersburg, FL
Members: $125
Non-Members: $225
Chicago in February may be an ideal location for World Conference, but it isn’t good for bicycle touring–thankfully, Florida is! This year’s Bicycle Chautauqua is a first. Riders will fly to Florida, do three days of riding, reflecting, and bonding, and then fly to Chicago for the start of the World Conference, tanned and primed for the educational adventure.
Registration Details:
The Chautauqua Experience is limited to 30 club management professionals and will be worth a total of 6 CMI Credits. All riders must be registered through CMAA. Contact Gregg Patterson at gjpair@aol.com for further information about airports, hotels, rentals, and routes.
Taste of Chicago
Saturday, February 6
Offsite: Various Chicago Food Spots
Members: $350
What better way to kick off World Conference week, then a guided tour through the city’s most iconic, no-frills food spots, the kind of places Chicagoans have lined up for generations. Think hot dogs, drippy Italian beef, and a few other surprises. Come hungry and bring your appetite for adventure and get to know your fellow attendees one legendary bite at a time.
Registration Details:
The workshop will be limited to 25 attendees. Full attendance at qualifies the attendee for 4 CMI Credits. Registration includes food tastings and transportation.
February 6— CMAA Wine Society’s Wine vs. Spirits
CMAA Wine Society’s Wine vs. Spirits: The Ultimate Pairing Experience
Saturday, February 6, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Offsite: Rick Bayless’ Bar Sótano Speakeasy and La Vista Restaurant
Members: $450
The CMAA Wine Society invites you to experience Chicago’s renowned food and beverage scene with an exclusive offsite educational journey to River North, one of downtown Chicago’s premier dining and entertainment districts.
The experience begins at Bar Sótano, Rick Bayless’ intimate speakeasy and one of America’s acclaimed mezcal destinations. Beverage Director Julianna Arquilla will lead an engaging spirit’s class and guided tasting exploring the distinctive flavors, traditions, and craftsmanship of mezcal.
From there, the group will move to La Vista, a vibrant, window-filled private dining space within Rick Bayless’ celebrated Frontera Grill culinary complex. The next educational session will turn to Mexican wines, followed by a four-course lunch showcasing regional Mexican flavors. Throughout the meal, guests will explore the interplay of wine and spirits with food, providing a unique opportunity to compare pairings and deepen their understanding of how each can complement and enhance a dining experience.
Rick Bayless is an acclaimed chef, cookbook author, and television personality celebrated for introducing a wider American audience to the depth and diversity of regional Mexican cuisine. A longtime leader in Chicago’s culinary community, Bayless has helped shape the city’s dining landscape through his award-winning restaurants, commitment to farm-to-table sourcing, and strong support from local Midwestern farmers and producers.
Rick is scheduled to make a special appearance during the experience, sharing stories and insights from his remarkable career, culinary journey, and lifelong passion for Mexican cuisine and culture.
Registration Details:
- The experience is limited to 50 attendees and includes round-trip transportation, education, lunch, and a keepsake cookbook.
- The experience qualifies for 3 CMI Credits.
- The experience runs from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Check-in begins at 10:00 a.m., with the bus departing promptly at 10:30 a.m.
February 6—Women in Club Management Symposium
Women in Club Management Symposium
Saturday, February 6, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Offsite: Saddle and Cycle Club
Members: $299
Non-Members: $399
What happens when women in club management come together to find their voice, challenge self-doubt, build meaningful connections, and lead with greater confidence?
Find out at the inaugural 2027 Women in Club Management Symposium.
This energizing, interactive experience brings together women from across the profession for a day of inspiring speakers, candid conversations, practical leadership tools, and connection. Explore how to create opportunities for yourself and others, navigate imposter syndrome, speak up in executive spaces, handle difficult conversations, set boundaries, delegate with confidence, and lead with clarity and courage.
Featuring Katy Murray, Dr. Crystal Currie, and Jonelle Marie Carter, the symposium will move beyond traditional leadership development to create space for women to learn from one another, strengthen their leadership voice, and build the confidence to step into their next opportunity.
The day concludes with a club tour and cocktail reception, giving attendees one more opportunity to connect, celebrate, and continue the conversation.
Whether you are an emerging leader, an experienced club manager, or somewhere in between, this symposium is an opportunity to leave with a stronger voice, new connections, and practical tools to elevate your leadership.
Registration Details:
The workshop will be limited to 50 attendees. Full attendance at the Symposium qualifies the attendee for 6 CMI Credits. Registration includes breakfast, lunch, end of day reception, and transportation.
February 6—Yacht Club Symposium
Yacht Club Symposium
Saturday, February 6, 9:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Offsite: Chicago Yacht Club
Members: $175
Non-Members: $275
This educational event brings club management professionals together to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities facing yacht clubs. The symposium will feature multiple educational sessions, complemented by breakfast, lunch, and an end of day reception. The day will be facilitated by Keith Brennan, Brian Carlson, CCM, CCE, and Jack Sullivan, CCM.
This year’s event will be hosted at Chicago Yacht Club. Founded in 1875, Chicago Yacht Club is one of the oldest and most respected yacht clubs in the world. It is home to more than 1,400 members, including a winning America’s Cup skipper, Olympic medalists and hopefuls, and outstanding boaters of all types, from ages 4 to 100.
Sessions will include:
- Financial and Other Trends in Yacht Clubs with Mike Morin, COO, and Ken Butler, CCM, Executive Director – Mid-Atlantic Region, Club Benchmarking
- A Tour of the Chicago Yacht Club, including the New Kitchen, with General Manager Keith Brennan
- Private Club Yacht Foundations with Maggie Shea, Executive Director of the Chicago Yacht Club Foundation, and Brian Carlson, CCM, CCE, General Manager, San Diego Yacht Club
- The Yacht Club of 2035: Tradition, Transformation, and the Future Member Experience with Scott B. Fairbairn, CCM, CCE, Vice President of Club Consulting, The McMahon Group
- Yacht Club Managers Roundtable: Dominant Issues and Best Practices at Your Club
Registration Details:
The workshop will be limited to 60 attendees. Full attendance at the Symposium qualifies the attendee for 6 CMI Credits. Registration includes breakfast, lunch, end of day cocktail reception, and transportation.
February 7—A Working Session to Tackle Issues for Today's GM/COOs
A Working Session to Tackle Issues for Today's GM/COOs
Sunday, February 7, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Onsite
Members: $275
Non-Members: $375
The challenges faced by GM/COOs are substantial and constantly evolving. This workshop adopts a strategy to engage participants in identifying real-world solutions to the most pressing issues facing private club leaders today. To ensure the topics are timely, GGA Partners collaborated directly with leading industry leaders to pinpoint the most pressing financial, strategic, and operational issues at this moment. The session was then structured around addressing these key challenges.
As a working session designed exclusively for the GM/COOs and senior leadership teams, participants will be actively involved throughout the four-hour program. They will engage with real data, work through real trade-offs, and leave with implementation ready thinking about the issues their boards are already asking about.
Illustrative challenge areas that anchor the session include membership and demand-side financial pressures, capital reinvestment prioritization in a high-cost environment, the strategic consequences of demographic shifts in club membership and more. The final content will be shaped by pre-session engagement with participants, ensuring the session reflects what leading clubs are navigating today.
Registration Details:
The workshop will be open to 100 attendees and includes breakfast. Full attendance qualifies the attendee for 4 CMI Credits.
February 7—AI Without the Hype
AI Without the Hype: Practical Tools for Club Managers
Sunday, February 7, 8:30 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Onsite
Members: $375
AI is rapidly changing the way we work, communicate, and solve problems, but what does that mean for club management? AI Without the Hype moves beyond the buzzwords to explore how club professionals can use AI today to save time, improve communication, support their teams, and tackle everyday challenges more effectively.
This interactive, hands-on workshop puts AI directly into your hands. You’ll experiment with practical tools and techniques, explore real-world applications for club operations and leadership, and learn how to approach AI safely and strategically without getting caught up in either hype or fear.
Key Takeaways
- Hands-on experience: Practice using AI tools with real-world club management scenarios, focusing on practical application rather than theory.
- Clarity and confidence: Gain a clearer understanding of where AI can add value and where the expertise, judgment, and leadership of club managers remain essential.
- Ready-to-use resources: Leave with practical ideas, prompts, and strategies you can take back to your club, along with guidance for using AI thoughtfully, safely, and responsibly.
Come ready to experiment. Please bring a fully charged laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Sign up for one or more mainstream AI services, such as Claude, ChatGPT, or Google Gemini. Free accounts are perfectly fine.
Registration Details:
The workshop will be limited to 100 attendees. Full attendance at the qualifies the attendee for 6 CMI Credits. Registration includes breakfast and lunch.
At-Conference Workshops
February 9—City Club Symposium
City Club Symposium
Tuesday, February 9, 12:00-3:00 p.m.
Offsite: Racquet Club of Chicago
Members: $300
Non-Members: $400
City Club life is its own world, and we have built a workshop entirely around it. Step out of the Conference ecosystem, and into one of Chicago’s most iconic clubs, the Racquet Club of Chicago. Join your peers for an afternoon to learn, trade ideas, and tackle issues that city clubs are facing right now. The goal of this workshop is to leave you with fresh strategies and new connections you’ll lean on long after the Conference ends.
Registration Details: The workshop will be limited to 50 attendees. Full attendance at the Symposium qualifies the attendee for 4 CMI Credits.
February 9—The Walking Chautauqua
The Walking Chautauqua (The ChauWALKqua)
Tuesday, February 9, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Onsite
Members: $75
Non-Members: $100
A Chautauqua is a mobile university, and The Walking Chautauqua (The ChauWALKqua) is just that a facilitated, reflective opportunity involving a little walking and a lot of focused, in-depth conversation about clubs and the challenges and opportunities a professional will encounter.
The workshop will be four hours long, limited to 25 people, and be led and facilitated by Loraine Vienne and Gregg Patterson. The first hour and a half will include a getting-to-know-each-other opportunity and a “question of the day” upbrief; the next hour will involve walking, talking, and stopping for coffee; and the final hour and a half will be spent debriefing the walk, discussing the question of the day and addressing the essence of clubdom!
Registration Details: The workshop is limited to 25 registrants. Full attendance at the Symposium qualifies the attendee for 4 CMI Credits. All participants must be registered and pay fees through CMAA registration.