Strategies designed to attract, welcome, and keep Student Chapter members engaged throughout the academic year. Submissions include creative recruitment drives, structured onboarding protocols, and retention tactics that maintain active participation.
Student Chapter & Faculty Idea Fair
The Student Chapter & Faculty Idea Fair is designed to spark collaboration and inspire innovation by giving Student Chapters and Faculty members a platform to share their most creative Student Chapter management ideas. Held annually during the World Conference & Club Business Expo, this program allows participants to showcase initiatives that elevate the Student and Faculty experience within CMAA’s Student Chapters.
Winning entries are recognized at the World Conference and throughout the year, with one standout idea in both the Student Chapter and Faculty categories honored as “Best in Show,” each earning a $1,000 grant sponsored by The Club Foundation.
TThis program not only celebrates ingenuity but also encourages ongoing engagement, networking, and the exchange of best practices to strengthen the future of CMAA’s Student Chapters and the club management profession.
Submission Deadline: Saturday, January 9, 2027.
Categories
Student Chapter Categories
1. Membership Growth & Retention
2. Professional & Leadership Development
Initiatives that prepare students for careers in club management. Submissions focus on student career fairs, executive speaker series, site visits, résumé workshops, and programs designed to secure internships or post-graduation positions.
3. Networking & Collaborative Events
Engaging events such as socials, golf outings, joint university gatherings, or game-day events that build connections. Focuses on bridging relationships with alumni, faculty, senior chapter leaders, or fellow student clubs on campus.
4. Chapter Marketing & Communications
Engaging events such as socials, golf outings, joint university gatherings, or game-day events that build connections. Focuses on bridging relationships with alumni, faculty, senior chapter leaders, or fellow student clubs on campus.
5. Creative Fundraising Initiative
Unique and effective approaches to generating funds for Student Chapter activities, travel, or conference attendance. Covers everything from campus fundraising events to innovative corporate sponsorship pitches and alumni donation drives.
Faculty Categories
1. Advocacy for Club Management Careers
Efforts to promote the relevance and value of club management as a professional field within the academic community.
2. Curriculum Enhancement in Club Management
Focus on developing and improving educational programs to equip Student Members for successful careers in club management.
3. Research & Best Practices in Club Management
Efforts to promote scholarly research and share best practices within the field, encouraging Faculty and Student Members to contribute to the knowledge base and advancements in club management.
4. Experiential Learning & Industry Partnerships
Recognizing programs or initiatives that provide hands-on exposure to the club industry through internships, site visits, or partnerships with clubs.
Criteria
Entry Criteria
- All entries must be submitted via the form below
- Boards must clearly display the category name and number.
- CMAA will print all entries on standard-sized poster boards (22” x 28”). To ensure the best quality, please submit a high-resolution PDF.
- Boards must be in portrait format (not landscape).
- Include your Student Chapter name on the board.
Judging Criteria
- Creativity, clarity, and content—How original and well-presented is the idea?
- Transferability—Can the idea or method be applied successfully in other clubs?
- Uniqueness—How distinctive or innovative is the concept?
Past Entries
New to the Student Chapter & Faculty Idea Fair? Explore past entries for inspiration on designing a standout entry board that showcases your innovative ideas!
Awards
In addition to category winners, the judging committee will select exceptional entries for the signature "Best in Show" award in both the Student Chapter and Faculty categories.
Each "Best in Show" recipient will receive a $1,000 grant from The Club Foundation.
The Student Chapter grant must be used to support their Chapter's professional development activities (e.g., Conference travel, Student Chapter events, or educational programs).
The Faculty grant must be dedicated to supporting their institution's CMAA Student Chapter or other student-focused CMAA initiatives (e.g., student chapter recruitment efforts, funding student attendance at CMAA events, or student research).