June 5, 2026

Have You Managed the Same Club for 25 Years?

Have you been in a management position at your club for 25 or more consecutive years? If so, we would first like to commend you on the dedication and hard work that you have committed to the industry. Secondly, we would like to extend our invitation to you to be a member of CMAA’s 25-Year Club.

Membership in the 25-Year Club is open to “any member of CMAA who shall have been the manager of the same bona fide club for 25 consecutive years.” Managers are invited to become members upon receipt of statements of eligibility from their clubs. There are no dues or admission fees; the purpose of the club is to promote special relations among its members.

With more than 80 current members, we look forward to welcoming even more inductees. New members to the 25-Year Club are recognized at each World Conference. If you meet the eligibility requirements, please contact Erica Benjamin for further information.

The Club Foundation: Supporting Our Faculty and Student Members

The Club Foundation is proud to provide funding for the CMAA Faculty Development & Immersion Program. Faculty members are a key consideration for our mission to support the full lifecycle of industry professionals. That full lifecycle must include the mentorship and education that faculty members provide to students enrolled in hospitality programs across the country.

This critical program serves as a strong professional development opportunity for faculty, growing their knowledge and understanding of the private club industry and the work being done by club professionals every day.

Beginning each fall, those awarded engage in a year-long immersive experience designed to deepen industry connections and broaden their industry knowledge and insights. Program benefits include: a thorough review of the Contemporary Club Management textbook, in-depth club tours, relationship-building opportunities with club leaders, attendance at CMAA’s World Conference & Business Expo and the National Student Education Conference, and more.

The Club Foundation provides up to $5,000 in travel and registration funding for each participant. Applications for the 2026 program are due July 31, 2026.

In addition to supporting the Faculty Development & Immersion Program, The Club Foundation also funds a Faculty Research Grant designed to encourage and advance industry-related academic research. The application deadline in 2026 was in April, and a similar timeline is anticipated next year.

Additionally, The Club Foundation proudly supports faculty, students, and university communities through several additional funding opportunities, including the Faculty and Student Idea Fair Awards.

Students may also apply for the Joe Perdue Scholarship and the University of South Carolina Scholarship, both made possible through the generosity of donors of The Tree Farm community.

Additionally, The Club Foundation supports the Student Chapter Grant Program, which provides travel stipends to help offset the cost of student attendance and learning at the annual World Conference.

An important special initiative to support these efforts is The Chairman’s Fund Student Development Initiative, which supports a wide range of impactful student-focused programs and opportunities. This fund was established by long-term commitments and tremendous generosity of small group of donors dedicated to investing in the future of the club industry.

The Chairman’s Fund is a powerful example of club leaders giving back to the industry while simultaneously impacting the growth and success of our next generation of club professionals. For more information, please visit The Foundation’s Chairman’s Fund webpage.