December 5, 2025
Professional Development
World Conference Early Registration Deadline Approaching
Fuel your growth with five days of energizing education, networking, and experiences—cultivated specifically for club management professionals at the 2026 CMAA World Conference & Club Business Expo, February 17-21, 2026, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA.
The early bird gets the worm. Register by December 11 to qualify for Early Registration pricing and save!
Featured World Conference Speaker: Create a Culture of Significance with Dr. Zach Mercurio
“There’s nothing more powerful than a human being who believes that they matter.”
Start Thursday, February 19 with the General Education Session and learn how you can create a culture of significance. Dr. Zach Mercurio works with individuals and organizations worldwide to forge purposeful leaders who cultivate more meaning, mattering, well-being, and performance. He is a positive leadership and organization researcher and Honorary Fellow of Psychology in the Center from Meaning and Purpose at Colorado State University. He is also the author of The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create a Culture of Significance and The Invisible Leader. His research has been awarded by the Association for Talent Development and The Academy of Management, and he contributes regularly to international media outlets.
Mercurio is one of the six featured speakers offering relevant content and insights in Anaheim, CA, February 17-21, 2026. Preview his session now.
Learn more, access the schedule, and review registration options
Start Your 2026 by Investing in Your Club’s Governance
CMAA’s next Governance & Leadership Symposium on January 7 offers accessible, collaborative, virtual education for your Board of Directors and club executive. Attend from anywhere with an Internet connection.
Explore important strategic governance topics built on the principles of:
- Informed Leadership
- Strategic Stewardship
- Empowered Management and Staff
- Compelling Member Experience
Your Board Members will leave this symposium more informed and equipped with key takeaways for improving club governance. These highly rated Summits are presented in partnership with KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE, a CMAA Executive Partner.
Check out the other 2026 Symposiums, including the April 15 event, designed for our West Coast attendees.
Membership and Member Benefits
Committee Calls Are Open—Answer Yours by December 15
CMAA’s national and at-conference committees are where ideas take shape and progress happens, and they’re a key part of our leadership and success.
If you’ve renewed your CMAA membership for 2026 and are a Professional or Alumnus member, why not take the next step and volunteer for a National Committee? (And if you haven’t renewed yet—now is the perfect time!)
CMAA is led by members, for members. Committee appointments are thoughtfully made to bring together a mix of voices that represent different Chapters, regions, club types, experiences, and backgrounds.
Your insight and energy can make a real difference.
Learn more and apply to serve by December 15!
Stay Ahead of the 2026 Shipping Rate Hike with PartnerShip
FedEx and UPS are raising their shipping rates by an average of 5.9 percent in the new year. With surcharges increasing as well, you will likely see your total costs increase by closer to 10 percent. If you haven't taken advantage of the exclusive FedEx discounts offered through CMAA, now is a great time to start. CMAA members can save 45 percent on expedited shipments and 25 percent on standard shipments by enrolling in this free benefit program. Our FedEx Advantage Program provider, PartnerShip, has put together a helpful report so you can see exactly what to expect and how to manage these price hikes. Both resources are a great way to stay ahead of rising costs and keep your shipping budget for 2026 in check.
Spotlight the Future of Club Industry Leaders
Get ready for an inspiring new addition to World Conference! The 2026 Student Chapter Showcase is here—an exciting opportunity to celebrate the energy, talent, and innovation of CMAA’s Student Chapters. Taking place Friday, February 20, from 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., this interactive experience invites Student Chapters to highlight their most impactful initiatives, programs, and successes from the past year.
The Student Chapter Showcase is a dynamic event that brings students, alumni, and club managers together to exchange ideas and spark new possibilities. Whether you’re sharing a standout fundraising initiative, a creative professional development program, or a chapter achievement that made a difference, this is your moment to shine. It’s a chance to learn from peers, build meaningful connections, and celebrate the innovation shaping the next generation of club management professionals.
Encourage your Student Chapter members and faculty advisors to take part and proudly represent their school on a national stage. Together, let’s elevate student voices, foster collaboration, and embrace the creativity that continues to drive the future of our industry forward.
Features
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Featured Discussion: Digital Signage - What Does Yours Look Like? |
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Resources
Private Club Governance Handbook: Seeking Your Sample Documents
The Private Club Governance: A Handbook of Principles and Best Practices was created to help club leaders bridge the gap between governance theory and practical application. Since its release, it has been downloaded more than 4,000 times, becoming one of the most valuable and widely used governance resources in the private club industry. Its success is a direct result of the feedback, examples, and insights shared by club professionals.
To continue that spirit of collaboration, the NCA/CMAA Joint Governance Committee is now inviting submissions of governance-related documents and templates to be considered for inclusion in the appendix of the updated Governance Handbook. These samples will help turn best practices into actionable tools for all clubs.
Trends and News
Ten Emerging Club Management Professionals Awarded 2025 James B. Singerling Scholarships
The Club Foundation announces the 2025 recipients of the James B. Singerling Scholarship. This scholarship was created to honor the Club Management Association of America’s long-time CEO, Jim Singerling, CCM, and his 25 years of organizational leadership. Recipients are afforded the ability to attend the annual CMAA World Conference & Club Business Expo for the first time as club management professionals.
The 2025 recipients are:
- Ashley Baum, Food and Beverage Director, Hyde Park Golf & Country Club, Cincinnati, OH
- Tyler Campbell, General Manager, The Union League Guard House, Gladwyne, PA
- Nicholas Louis Hamed, Sr., Clubhouse Manager, Spring Brook Country Club, Morristown, NJ
- Jacob Kowalski, Director of Dining, Bay Harbor Yacht Club, Bay Harbor, MI
- Amy Lowe, Director of Membership and Communication, Woodstock Club, Indianapolis, IN
- Marissa Martinez, Membership & Communications, Mountain View Country Club, La Quinta, CA
- Jessica Mascali, Director of Marketing & Communications, Manasquan River Golf Club, Brielle, NJ
- Sarah Scott, Clubhouse Manager, Orienta Beach Club, New York, NY
- Adrianna Streeter, Assistant Food and Beverage Manager, The Chilton Club, Boston, MA
- Tyler Tang, Director of Agronomy, The Club at Morningside, Rancho Mirage, CA
"The upcoming 2026 World Conference & Club Business Expo in Anaheim, CA, offers bountiful and meaningful learning and connection opportunities for all attendees," said CMAA's President & CEO Jeff Morgan, FASAE, CAE. “Congratulations to these club professionals attending for the first time!”
To donate to The Club Foundation or apply for scholarships, please visit clubfoundation.org.
EPA Proposes Update to Waters of the US Rule
The Environment Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers have proposed a new rule to clarify which waters fall under federal oversight, aiming to fully implement the 2023 Sackett decision and reduce confusion that has persisted since 2015. The rule focuses oversight on relatively permanent waters while excluding features like groundwater, most ditches, and interstate waters that are not otherwise jurisdictional. Public comments are open until January 5, 2026.
IRS Issues Guidance for Individuals with 2025 Tip & Overtime Income
On November 21, the Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued guidance for workers eligible to claim the deduction for tip and overtime compensation for 2025. The IRS opted not to modify the W-2 and Form 1099 forms for 2025.
The notice explains and shows examples of how individual workers can determine the amount of their deduction without receiving a separate accounting statement from their employer.