August 7, 2026
Professional Development
The 2026 Leadership/Legislative Conference Features an Energy-Filled Agenda
Detroit brings the energy—and so do CMAA’s volunteer leaders. Join us for the 2026 Leadership/Legislative Conference (LLC), where ideas are shared, leadership is sharpened, and the work of the Association moves forward in real time.
Agenda Highlights
- Develop your leadership IQ through interactive sessions on:
- Fostering the Gift of Connection with Mark Ostach
- Building Social-Emotional Intelligence in the Age of AI with Elle Zimmerman.
- Hear timely insights on the hospitality industry and a legal update with Erin Gibson Allen and Melissa Dials, Fisher Phillips.
- And don’t miss the final session where you can contribute to CMAA’s next Strategic Plan with interactive roundtable conversions.
- Get an inside look at CMAA’s newest initiatives and resources including the Centennial Chapter Hub.
- Plus, connect with fellow members, exchange ideas, and visit the iconic Detroit Athletic Club.
- Browse the full agenda.
Don’t Delay – Registration ends August 27!
Designed for aspiring, current, and sustaining CMAA leaders, there’s no event like LLC!
Build momentum toward CMAA’s Centennial at this educational and networking experience in Detroit, MI, September 14-16.
Advance Your Certification Goals at the 2026 Mid-Management Conference
Are you a club management professional working toward your Certified Club Manager (CCM) designation? Do you aspire to grow in your career? Join CMAA in St. Louis, MO, October 18-21, for education designed especially for those who are not serving in the general manager/chief operating officer role.
The 2026 Mid-Management Conference’s education is focused on developing new skills, broadening horizons, and advancing career and certification goals. For more than 30 years, MMC has offered rising club management professionals an opportunity to grow and develop their own leadership abilities. 2026 is no different.
Attend and explore sessions on leadership, building presence, and much more.
Chef Summit: Lessons from The Masters Tournament
There is still time to register for the CMAA Chef Summit, held in New Orleans, LA, September 22-24. The Chef Summit is an event where club culinary professionals from across the country will connect with fellow club culinarians and engage with insightful roundtables, panel discussions, and presentations led by industry experts.
Hear from speaker Kevin Bozada, CCM, Senior Director of Club and Hospitality, Augusta National Golf Club as he takes attendees through Lessons from Augusta National Golf Club and The Masters Tournament.
“Excellence is rarely the result of talent alone. It is the product of culture, leadership, discipline, and relentless attention to detail. Through the lens of Augusta National Golf Club and The Masters Tournament, this presentation explores how people, place, and process work together to build high-performing teams, protect cherished traditions, foster innovation, and create unforgettable experiences for members and guests.”
Confirm your attendance and book your accommodations
Your Club's Most Pressing Membership & Marketing Questions Answered
Get your club’s most pressing engagement, recruitment, retention, and waitlist management questions answered at CMAA’s Membership & Marketing Symposium.
Slated for November 1-3, in Washington, DC, the Symposium will feature sessions addressing:
- Building an engaging member experience;
- Maximizing potential member recruitment and the sales process;
- Managing your club’s waitlist and expectations; and
- Breaking through the stereotypes of shifting demographics.
Gain insight, best practices, and real-life solutions, while visiting several iconic clubs, including Columbia Country Club, Cosmos Club, the Metropolitan Club, and the Sulgrave Club.
Membership and Member Benefits
Renew Your CMAA Membership Today
CMAA’s 2026 membership year ends on October 31, which is right around the corner. Your dues invoice is currently in the mail on its way to you.
If you’d like to save time and pay online, please proceed directly to the new online renewal service; have your email address and password ready. Please also be sure to verify your personal, club, and Chapter information. You can make any necessary changes by logging into your profile and updating your information.
Thank you, and we look forward to celebrating CMAA’s centennial year with you!
2026 Club Executive of the Year Nomination Deadline Ahead
Do you know a club management professional who sets the standard for excellence? It's time to recognize and honor their achievements! 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 review the full criteria, nomination packet requirements, judging process, and notification information available online. All nomination materials must be received by September 10.
2026 Presidents Cup: Complimentary Practice Round Tickets for CMAA Members
The 2026 Presidents Cup is being held September 22-27, at Medinah Country Club in Medinah, IL. The Presidents Cup has extended the following courtesy to CMAA Members in prior years and pleased to offer it again for the 2026 Presidents Cup:
CMAA Members will receive two (2) complimentary daily grounds admission tickets on Tuesday, September 22 and Wednesday 23 of Tournament week. To receive these complimentary admission tickets, the Member will need to present their current membership credentials at the Main Gate on the day they attend. If you wish to attend competition days of the event, you will need to purchase tickets.
Mark Your Calendars: The National Student Education Conference Heads to Atlanta!
Save the date for the 2026 National Student Education Conference (NSEC), taking place November 7-9 in Atlanta, GA!
This dynamic event is designed exclusively for student members and faculty. Curated education sessions will focus on building essential life skills and sharing insider tips for success in the club industry, all while you connect with peers, faculty advisors, and industry leaders from across the country.
Plus, we are taking learning on-site! Attendees will have the incredible opportunity to visit five top-tier host clubs throughout the weekend:
- Atlanta Athletic Club
- Druid Hills Golf Club
- Piedmont Driving Club
- Ansley Golf Club
- Cherokee Town & Country Club
We can’t wait to see you in Atlanta. Hotel blocks will be released as soon as registration goes live, so keep an eye on your inbox so you can secure your spot and your room!
Check out the 2027 Idea Fair Categories!
Do you have an innovative idea you're excited to share with your club management peers? If so, now is the perfect time to start planning! The 2027 Idea Fair categories have been announced.
This year, there are 17 categories to choose from, offering plenty of opportunities to showcase your best ideas. Explore the categories and start preparing your submission(s) today.
CMAA's Idea Fair is held annually in conjunction with the World Conference & Club Business Expo. Whether you're submitting an idea or looking for inspiration, be sure to browse past Idea Fair submissions to discover creative solutions and best practices from clubs across the industry.
We can’t wait to showcase your incredible ideas in Chicago, IL, in February!
Please reach out to Erica Benjamin with any questions.
Features
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Featured Discussion: Content Creators at Private Events |
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Resources
Access Additional Chapters in the Fourth Edition of Contemporary Club Management
CMAA announces the release of the Fourth Edition of Contemporary Club Management, the definitive, comprehensive textbook on private club operations, covering leadership, food and beverage, golf operations, and finance.
The Fourth Edition of the textbook is being released in phases, with revised chapters replacing previous versions as they are finalized. All content aligns with CMAA certification standards, and members preparing for the Certified Club Manager (CCM) exam will be notified of any relevant updates.
New Fourth Edition Chapter:
- Chapter 12: The Digital Evolution of Private Club Technology
New Fourth Edition Appendices:
- Chapter 2: Appendix A—Global Perspective: When the GM/CEO is in the Driver’s Seat, the Board Must Act Like a Board
- Chapter 7: Appendix B—Global Perspective: Lifecycle Engagement in Member-Owned Clubs—A UK and Ireland Perspective
A one-time payment of $85 provides continued access to the textbook through your online TopHat account, including automatic access to all future updates and new editions at no additional cost.
Explore the features of the online textbook by watching this brief tutorial video
Connect with Your Peers Who Share Your Passion in the CMAA Communities
Are you looking to expand your professional network while discovering new ideas and industry trends in club management? If they answer is “Yes!”, then the CMAA Communities are just for you!
Whether you are focused on fitness and wellness, culinary trends, human resources or communications, CMAA’s communities are designed to bring club professionals together to learn from one another, exchange best practices and build meaningful connections. Current CMAA members can opt into any Community as part of their membership, while non-members in the club industry can subscribe annually to gain access.
As a Community subscriber, you’ll gain access to:
- A network of peers facing the same challenges and opportunities
- CMAA Connect, our online platform for year-round discussions and resource sharing
- Live webinars and virtual roundtables featuring industry experts
- Community-specific education and annual summits
- Research, industry reports, and executive summaries
- Subscriber discounts on eligible CMAA events
- A digital subscription to Club Management magazine
CMAA Communities:
- Club Wellness Community—Dedicated to professionals advancing wellness initiatives at their clubs.
- Communications Community—Designed for those leading communications, marketing, and member engagement efforts.
- Club Chefs Community—A collaborative network for club culinary professionals.
- Human Resources Community—A forum for HR professionals to share ideas, resources, and best practices.
No matter the role at your club, there is a Community where you can connect with colleagues that understand the ins and outs of your position and can help you grow professionally.
Current CMAA members can simply opt in to the Communities that interest you for no extra cost. Non-CMAA members that are eligible can subscribe to any Community annually and enjoy the same Community benefits without being a CMAA member. Please visit the Communities page to learn more and subscribe.
Escoffier Culinary Training Courses Available on CMAA’s Club Resource Center
Calling all ACF Chefs and those striving to be! Boost your skills with ACF-approved online learning! CMAA’s CRC hosts 23 culinary courses from Escoffier Global—earn continuing education hours in culinary, plant-based cooking, baking & pastry, holistic wellness, and more.
These courses include:
- Culinary Essentials
- Baking and Pastry courses
- Cooking for Holistic Wellness
- Plant-based courses
- Introduction to the Kitchen
The CRC subscription brings you a broad scope of online interactive training courses for all your club’s staff. Start learning today! Contact Bob Gould for a full CRC course list or more information.
Trends and News
The Club Foundation Names Two Inaugural University of South Carolina Scholarship Recipients
The Club Foundation is proud to announce the inaugural recipients of the University of South Carolina Scholarship, a program established in 2026 to support current students and alumni of the University of South Carolina who are pursuing careers in club management.
Initiated by generous donors of The Tree Farm, a golf club located just outside of Aiken, SC, this scholarship fund was inspired by the value of connections between higher education and the club management profession - and the success that comes to students and emerging leaders when clubs and educational institutions coalesce. Congratulations to this year’s awardees, the first of many to follow:
- Nico Degabrielle, University of South Carolina
- Christian Emenecker, Food & Beverage Manager in Development, Charlotte Country Club
More scholarship application deadlines are coming soon. As we work to implement important updates to our scholarship application process, deadlines, and overall processes, we appreciate your understanding during this transition.
Updated deadline information will be shared through these channels as soon as it is available. In the meantime, please note the following:
- The Willmoore H. Kendall Scholarship application deadline is August 10.
- All other pending scholarship application deadlines will be September 1 or later.
In the meantime, all applications that are marked as TBD have available application guidelines and information. We hope that you will take the time to look at that information to learn in advance what is required to apply, begin to gather your recommendation letters, and draft your required essay. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 703-299-4284. For more information please visit the Club Foundation website.