January 9, 2026
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.
Register by January 15 to qualify for Regular Registration pricing and save!
Featured World Conference Speaker: The Former Head of Go-To-Market at OpenAI Zack Kass
Focus on the future during the forward-looking final assembly, the Closing Business Session at the 2026 World Conference & Club Business Expo in Anaheim, CA, February 17-21, 2026. The official election results will be announced, the 2026 Board of Directors will be installed, and we will look ahead to the excitement building for the Centennial World Conference & Club Business Expo, February 7-11, 2027, in Chicago, IL.
Finally, gain valuable insights from advisor, researcher, keynote speaker, and the former Head of Go-To-Market at OpenAI, Zack Kass. At OpenAI, he led the teams responsible for sales, partnerships, and customer success, turning the company’s cutting-edge research into real-world business solutions. He has personally advised executives across dozens of industries on deploying AI at scale.
As an executive business advisor, Kass now works with Fortune 1,000 boardrooms and leadership teams—including Coca-Cola, Morgan Stanley, and Amgen—to help leaders navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
His mission is to ensure individuals, businesses, and governments are active participants in the AI-powered future by making the technology both understandable and actionable. He is recognized as one of the foremost thinkers in applied AI, with his insights featured in Fortune, Newsweek, Entrepreneur, AdAge, and Business Insider.
Kass is one of the six featured speakers offering relevant content and insights in Anaheim, CA, February 17-21, 2026.
Learn more, access the schedule, and review registration options
Membership and Member Benefits
Deadline Approaching: Enter the 2026 Idea Fair
Did you and your team come up with an idea this year that is too good not to share with your peers? If so, enter the Idea Fair! The competition and showcase of ideas will be held at the 2026 World Conference & Club Business Expo, February 17-21, in Anaheim, CA. Since the sharing of knowledge has always been the hallmark of CMAA, the Idea Fair is a great avenue for club managers to exchange ideas. The deadline is January 16, so make sure you get your entries in!
Entering the competition is easy—you simply submit your entries online and CMAA will print the board(s) for you! You do not need to attend Conference to enter or win. One Association Activity Credit is awarded per entry (maximum 10 entries per member) and two Association Activity Credits will be awarded to the winner in each of the 16 categories.
In addition to category winners, and [NEW!] honorable mention selections, the judging committee will also recognize four overall award winners:
- Most Innovative Idea—For the entry with the freshest, most creative solution
- Show Stopper Idea—For the idea with the biggest wow factor
- Chair’s Award—For an outstanding entry that exemplifies industry impact and vision
- [NEW!] Ripple Award—For the most transferable idea in the competition
We look forward to seeing your ideas in Anaheim!
From Campus to Conference: Student Chapter Highlights
With World Conference in Anaheim, CA, just one month away, the Student Chapter Showcase highlights the innovation and impact of CMAA Student Chapters Friday, February 20, from 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. This interactive experience gives Chapters the opportunity to share signature initiatives, exchange ideas, and connect with fellow students, alumni, and club management professionals. To participate, Student Chapters must reserve a table by Wednesday, January 28, at 12:00 noon ET.
Students may also enhance their World Conference experience through an optional on-site Student Coaching Session with CMAA Coaches Kevin MacDonald and Shelley MacDougall on Tuesday, February 18, from 3:00-4:00 p.m., focused on leadership development, mindset, and career confidence. Contact Haley Habosky to sign up for the session. Spaces are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
Celebrating The Club Foundation at World Conference
The Club Foundation is busy each year during the annual World Conference and Club Business Expo. Through scholarships and grants, the Foundation proudly supports the career journey of professionals, the core priority across our Association. Thanks to your generosity, we’re able to help members grow, learn, and succeed.
February 16: Club Foundation Golf Tournament
Spend the afternoon on the beautiful Monarch Beach Golf Links in support of The Club Foundation. We’re thrilled to share that the tournament is officially sold out! Interested in joining the waitlist or have questions? Call us at 703-299-4284 or email Ava Spece.
Thursday, February 19: ClubLove 5K
A Conference favorite, The Club Foundation invites you to run or walk 5 kilometers along the streets of Anaheim in the early-morning California sunshine. Not running? Come cheer on your colleagues and soak up the energy! There’s still time to register but be sure to sign up by January 20 to receive the commemorative 5K t-shirt. The 5K begins at 6:00 a.m.
Friday, February 20: CMAA Awards Breakfast, Presented in Partnership with Club Car
CMAA’s Awards Breakfast, sponsored in part by The Club Foundation, celebrates the individuals and Chapters who strive for excellence and growth within the CMAA community including the Foundation’s scholarship recipients and grant awardees. It’s a feel-good morning showcasing the majority of the awards funded by The Club Foundation’s giving portfolio. After the awards, hear from customer service expert Elizabeth Dixon. It’s not too late to add the Awards Breakfast to your registration.
All Week Long: Give Back During the Conference
Every scholarship starts with generosity from CMAA members like you. Throughout Conference, we invite you to consider supporting The Club Foundation. You can donate anytime on our website or simply text CLUBS to 41444.
We hope you will come celebrate with The Club Foundation throughout the week, as we support investment in our profession.
It’s Time to Cast Your CMAA Vote!
Voting is one of the most significant privileges of CMAA Professional membership. Take a moment to review all the information you’ll need to participate in the 2026 CMAA Election. This year’s ballot features a strong slate of candidates ready to serve the Association.
Be informed and make your voice heard!
Vote Online: Request and use a Voting Authorization from now until February 18 by 5:00 p.m. ET. Eligible voters will receive a unique voting code via email, and this code will need to be used to access your online ballot by February 18 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Once you cast your vote using this code, your submission is final and confidential.
Vote On Site: Visit the voting kiosks at the 2026 World Conference & Club Business Expo in Anaheim, CA. On-site voting will be available during designated hours on February 19-21.
Features
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Featured Discussion: Expense Checkbook |
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Resources
Submit Your Data: CMAA Governance and Policy Survey
We invite you to participate in the CMAA Governance and Policy Survey, a key initiative focused on understanding governance structures and policies within the private club industry.
Your insights will directly contribute to a comprehensive report prepared by Club Benchmarking, designed to help club leaders benchmark their governance practices and strengthen strategic decision-making.
The survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete, and all responses will remain confidential.
The deadline for participation is Friday, February 6. Please, only ONE submission per club. Your participation will help create a resource that benefits the entire club community.
If you have any questions, please contact us. Thank you for your time and commitment to advancing governance excellence in our industry.
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
Be the Advocate the Industry Needs—CMAA Can Help You Get There
Annually, National Golf Day unites the golf and club industry on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Advocates convene to educate members of Congress and their staff members about the industry and the impact of notable legislative and regulatory issues. The event is organized by the American Golf Industry Coalition, of which CMAA is a proud founding member.
The 18th annual National Golf Day will be held in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, May 6. Events will begin on May 5 at 12:00 noon. Learn more about schedule.
To encourage and enable more diverse member participation, CMAA, with funding from The Club Foundation, has created a travel stipend to help defray the cost of attendance. CMAA members can apply for a National Golf Day travel stipend applicable to cover the cost of travel and accommodations (up to $1,500). Apply for consideration by January 30. Selections and notifications will be made no later than March 1.
Join professionals from across the industry, including the 2026 CMAA National Board of Directors and the Advocacy Committee, in this important opportunity to make your voice heard on issues impacting our industry.
DHS and DOL Release Fewer Additional FY2026 H-2B Visas
On December 31, 2025, the Departments of Labor (DOL) and Homeland Security (DHS) announced their intent to release 35,000 additional 35,000 H-2B visas for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. These visas will supplement the congressionally mandated 66,000 H-2B visas that are available annually. The H-2B visa allotment for the first half of FY2026 was exhausted on September 12, 2025. This represents a 50 percent reduction in the total number of supplemental visas released as compared to each FY from 2023 to 2025. The full details regarding the release of these additional H-2B visas, including any eligibility criteria and filing requirements, are expected in the coming weeks.
CMAA and Pinehurst Resort and Country Club to Present a Special Panel at the Sixth Annual African American Golf Expo & Forum on January 22
Jim Beatty, founder of the African American Golf EXPO and Forum, announced the special panel focused on attracting more people of color to management opportunities in the hospitality and golf industry on January 22 during the 2026 EXPO. The panel will be moderated by Brian Watkins, CMAA’s Director of Certification and Education, and feature Bryan Harrison, CCM, General Manager, New Albany Country Club, New Albany, OH, Joe Moultrie, CCM, Clubhouse Manager, Wicker Point Golf Club, Lake Martin, AL, Joshua Singleton, CCM, General Manager/COO, Pine Valley Country Club, Wilmington, NC and Matt Barksdale, Vice President of Golf, Pinehurst Resort and Country Club, Pinehurst, NC.