July 24, 2026
Professional Development
Building Social-Emotional Intelligence in the Age of AI at the 2026 Leadership/Legislative Conference
Board turnover. Volunteer burnout. Generational friction. AI anxiety. Chapter leaders are navigating more complexity than ever, and the leaders who navigate change most effectively have one thing in common. They're the most self-aware.
As AI reshapes the workplace, the skills that set great leaders apart aren't technical—they're deeply human.
At the 2026 Leadership/Legislative Conference (LLC), leadership expert Elle Zimmerman will introduce the 3 Levels of Awareness framework, a practical emotional intelligence tool designed to build your leadership impact from the inside out. You'll walk away with tools you can use immediately in your Chapter, with your board, and with the volunteers you're trying to inspire.
Join aspiring, current, and sustaining leaders in Detroit, MI, September 14-16, where ideas are shared, leadership is sharpened, and the work of the Association moves forward in real time. Build momentum toward CMAA’s Centennial at this educational and networking experience.
Learn more and secure your seat today!
Develop Your Leadership Skills at the 2026 Mid-Management Conference
For more than 30 years, the Mid-Management Conference (MMC) has offered rising club management professionals an opportunity to grow and develop their own leadership abilities. 2026 is no different.
Join CMAA in St. Louis, MO, October 18-21, for education designed for those who are not serving in the general manager/chief operating officer role. MMC’s education is focused on developing new skills, broadening horizons, and advancing career and certification goals.
Attend and explore sessions on personal branding, developing a powerful network, and club governance.
Beyond the Recipe: How Club Chefs Can Use AI
Artificial intelligence can be a powerful tool for helping club chefs better understand and manage their business.
Join us in New Orleans, LA, September 22-24, for the CMAA Chef Summit, where attendees will hear from speaker Nick Gerstner, CCM, CFE, about practical applications of AI for menu engineering, labor management, forecasting, inventory control, and financial analysis. Attendees will leave with actionable tools and strategies they can immediately apply to improve decision-making and operational performance.
Don't delay—seats for this popular community event are limited.
Six Club Management Professionals Achieve Certification
We are excited to announce the six newest club management professionals to attain the designation of Certified Club Manager (CCM). First established in 1965, the CCM designation is the hallmark of professionalism in club management. It is a valuable, internationally recognized, and widely respected mark of an individual’s commitment to professional development and the club industry.
The CCM designation indicates that a club management professional has completed a rigorous and extensive course of study and training and demonstrates a dedication to proficiency and expertise in club management. To achieve and obtain the CCM designation, an individual must invest time in specified education requirements, attend at least one World Conference & Club Business Expo, and maintain activity within their local Chapter. After these conditions have been met, the individual must pass the CCM exam, assessing their knowledge in all 11 core competency areas that define the leadership, operational, and strategic expertise required for success in club management.
Congratulations to these professionals who recently met their CCM requirements!
- Ronald M. Brown, CCM, Sleepy Hollow Country Club, Scarborough, NY
- Sarah M. Ford, CCM, The Army & Navy Club, Washington, DC
- Michael Huminski, CCM, The Beach Club, Palm Beach, FL
- Brianna Maier, CCM, Dedham Country & Polo Club, Dedham, MA
- Nargiza Nickelson, CCM, Indian Harbor Yacht Club, Greenwich, CT
- Colleen Pomper, CCM, Egypt Valley Country Club, Ada, MI
Learn more about the CCM designation and its requirements
New Class of Certified Chief Executives Recognized
In 2008, the Certified Chief Executive (CCE) designation was developed to recognize those managers who have shown the ability to successfully serve as the most senior manager in a club and to augment the Certified Club Manager (CCM) designation, seen as the “hallmark of professionalism” in the club industry.
Once club management professionals achieve their CCM designation, they must complete an additional 400 hours of professional development and qualify for the CMAA Honor Society, successfully complete Business Management Institutes Tactical and Strategic Leadership, and serve as the top executive in a club for a minimum of five years. Further, individuals must mentor an entry or mid-level manager through the Manager in Development (MID) program or other one-year commitment.
The following professionals successfully met all CCE requirements:
- Richard Arnold, CCM, CCE, Glencoe Club, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Michael Hearse, CCM, CCE, Westmount Golf & Country Club, Kitchener, ON, Canada
- Shelly A. Inman, CCM, CCE, Overlake Golf & Country Club, Medina, WA
- Mark G. Jablonski, CCM, CCE, Hinsdale Golf Club, Chicago, IL
- Toni-Marie Ion-Brown, CCM, CCE, Calgary Petroleum Club, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Jessi Reutter, CCM, CCE, Country Club of Landfall, Wilmington, NC
- John Wilkening, CCM, CCE, North Hills Club, Fuquay Varina, NC
Membership and Member Benefits
President & CEO’s Perspective: CMAA’s Countdown to the Centennial Celebration
President & CEO Jeff Morgan, FASAE, CAE, answers the question of Why Detroit for the 2026 Leadership/Legislative Conference, and shares highlights from the 100-day countdown to the kickoff of CMAA’s Centennial Celebration. The National Headquarters team has been deep in the CMAA archives digging out these rich treasures from the Association’s history.
Apply for the Willmoore H. Kendall Scholarship Application by August 10
Learn more about the Willmoore H. Kendall Scholarship by visiting the Club Foundation website. This scholarship provides funding for any and all BMIs that the applicant needs to be able to qualify for their CCM, including the Certification Review Course and exam.
Complete application instructions and eligibility requirements are available on The Club Foundation website.
Applications for this year's scholarship are due August 10; this is an earlier deadline than in prior years. The Club Foundation anticipates the annual application deadline will move to August 1 beginning next year, in 2027.
For questions and support, please contact Ava Spece.
Heads Up: 2027 CMAA National Membership Renewals Are on the Way
You will receive your first 2027 membership renewal notice within the next few weeks. Membership dues must be paid no later than October 31, 2026. To avoid receiving additional renewal notices or incurring any applicable late fees, please consider renewing early.
As part of the renewal process, please verify that your personal, club, and Chapter information is up to date. You can make any necessary updates by logging into your online profile.
For the fastest and most convenient renewal, log into your online profile, navigate to My Invoices, and renew securely using your credit card.
We appreciate your continued membership and look forward to another incredible year together!
Honor an Outstanding Club Management Professional
Do you know a club management professional who sets the standard for excellence? It's time to recognize and honor their contributions! Annually, CMAA’s Club Management magazine honors a 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.
Features
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Featured Discussion: Did Dining Decrease when Minimums were Removed? |
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Resources
Cybersecurity Staff Training Courses on CMAA’s Club Resource Center
CMAA’s Club Resource Center (CRC) course line-up offers five cybersecurity training courses for you and your staff. These courses include:
- Cybersecurity Overview
- Workplace Security Basics 2.0
- Cybersecurity - Staying Safe Online 3.0
- Social Engineering 2.0
- Introduction to Ransomware 2.0
The CRC subscription brings you a broad scope of online interactive training courses for all your club’s staff. Contact Bob Gould for a full CRC course list or more information.
Trends and News
House of Representatives Approves Sunshine Protection Act
On July 14, the House of Representatives approved the Sunshine Protection Act (HR139/S29). This legislation was first introduced in 2025 and would make Daylight Savings Time (DST) the new permanent standard time. It would end the semiannual clock adjustments—springing forward one hour each March and falling back one hour each November. The legislation now awaits action by the US Senate.
Read more in the Legislative Report blog
GCSAA’s Col. John Morely Centennial Campaign to Recognize Superintendents and Maintenance Teams
For the past century, golf course superintendents have played an essential role in the success of clubs across the country, creating and maintaining the conditions that define the member and guest experience. Today, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) is celebrating its 100th anniversary and honoring that legacy through the Col. John Morley Centennial Campaign—an initiative that is focused not only on celebrating the past, but investing in the future of the profession.
The campaign is building a permanent endowment for the GCSAA Foundation, ensuring long-term support for the research, education, advocacy, workforce development, environmental stewardship, scholarships, and leadership programs that strengthen the profession and the game of golf. These investments help prepare future golf course management professionals while advancing sustainable practices and providing the resources today's superintendents need to meet the evolving expectations of clubs and golfers.
As part of this historic celebration, GCSAA encourages club leaders to consider recognizing the golf course superintendent or maintenance team that has made a lasting impact at your club. Through a commemorative plaque on the new donor walls at GCSAA Headquarters, clubs and individuals have the opportunity to honor the professionals whose expertise, leadership, and dedication create exceptional golf experiences every day while supporting the future of the profession.
The donor walls will be officially unveiled during GCSAA's Centennial Celebration on October 8, serving as a permanent tribute to those who have helped shape the game and those investing in its future.