March 20, 2026
Professional Development
Review the Honor Society and Certified Chief Executive Requirements
The requirements for the Certified Chief Executive (CCE) will change beginning in 2030. Many of you will want to work diligently to meet the current requirements before the Board approved changes go into effect in 2030.
Here are the current requirements for both Honor Society and the CCE, both of which can also be found online. It is important to note that Honor Society status must be met prior to becoming a CCE.
Membership in CMAA’s Honor Society is open to all managers who have achieved their CCM and have met the following criteria:
- Achievement of 400 credits beyond certification (from the date that you became a CCM), with a minimum of 150 of those credits being CMAA/CMI-endorsed education programs;
- Professional membership with CMAA for a minimum of ten years;
- Successful completion of BMI Tactical Leadership (IV) or BMI Strategic Leadership (V).
The Certified Chief Executive designation is the next step following achievement of the Honor Society status. To qualify for the CCE designation, individuals must:
- Be a Professional or Retired Professional member of CMAA;
- Achieve the Certified Club Manager (CCM) designation;
- Obtain Honor Society status;
- Complete both BMI Tactical Leadership and BMI Strategic Leadership;
- Serve as the top executive in a club (i.e., GM, COO, CEO) for a minimum of five years (can be from multiple clubs);
- Either mentor an entry- or mid-level manager through one specialization of the MID Program on CMAA University OR complete a one-year documented mentorship;
- Submit a current résumé documenting their previous positions;
- Submit a notarized CCE Verification Form from their current club president verifying that they have served as the top executive for at least five years (if a member has not been at their current club as the chief executive for five years, a notarized CCE Verification Form is required from their previous club(s) to verify the five-year period);
- Submit the Petition Form to CMAA; and
- A $100 administrative fee must be included with the CCE Petition. This fee covers the administration and recognition of the CCE designation.
Wine Society Members: Register for an Upcoming Webinar
Wine Society members are invited to go beyond the bottle and into the vineyards of Paso Robles with the Hope Family. This session explores the history and pioneering spirit that helped shape the region, the remarkable diversity that defines Paso Robles wines, and the regenerative farming practices guiding its future. You’ll also take a closer look at the acclaimed Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon—ranked among the top wines in the world by Wine Enthusiast—and discover how decades of experience and exceptional vineyard sites come together to create wines that truly reflect Paso Robles.
Membership and Member Benefits
President & CEO’s Perspective: Inside the New CCE Requirements
President & CEO Jeff Morgan, FASAE, CAE, details the new Certified Chief Executive (CCE) requirements, effective 2030. Learn more about how this certification is evolving while remaining a differentiator in the club management profession.
Know a Leader Ready for CMAA Board Service?
CMAA is now accepting nominations for the 2027 National Board of Directors. Board members help guide the Association’s strategic direction and support the continued advancement of the club management profession.
Eligible nominees must be Professional members in good standing with at least 10 years of CMAA membership and hold the CCM designation. Candidates typically bring leadership experience through chapter service—often including chapter officer roles—national committee participation, and active engagement with CMAA.
Nominations are due May 31. Self-nominations are not accepted. Learn more about the qualifications and nomination process on the CMAA website.
Be One of the 100+ Voices of CMAA
Share your voice and be a part of CMAA’s story! As part of CMAA’s Centennial, we're capturing short, authentic reflections from members for the 100 Voices of CMAA project—celebrating where we’ve been, who we are, and what’s coming next.
It takes less than five minutes to participate, and your voice will have the chance to become part of CMAA’s Centennial legacy.
Share your thoughts or upload your video by March 31!
The Power of Connection: Inside the Student Chapter Showcase
The energy in Anaheim reached a new high as 11 of our Student Chapters took center stage for the interactive Student Chapter Showcase. More than just a presentation, the showcase served as a high-octane hub of professional exchange, bridging the gap between the classroom and the club office.
A Platform for the Next Generation
This year, the showcase floor was transformed into a gallery of excellence. Our participating Chapters utilized their booths to provide an all-access look at their hard work, including:
- Shark Tank Deep Dives: Chapters showcased their full Shark Tank entries, offering attendees a closer look at all the innovative ideas entered in the contest.
- Student Chapter Idea Fair Excellence: Every winning strategy, from recruitment tactics to fundraising initiatives, was on full display at the booths, allowing for one-on-one discussions on how to implement these ideas across clubs.
- High-Level Networking: The interactive format allowed students to walk alumni and club managers through their most impactful initiatives, fostering direct connections between the next generation of talent and current industry leaders.
The Student Chapter Showcase proved that our students aren't just observing the industry, and they are actively shaping it. From the Shark Tank pitches to the Student Chapter Idea Fair boards, the creativity on display in Anaheim was truly world-class.
Features
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Featured Discussion: Delinquent Member Processes |
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Resources
Do You Know The Club Foundation’s Impact?
The Club Foundation plays a powerful role in shaping the future of the private club industry through its scholarship programming and generous donor support.
If you attended the annual Awards Breakfast, you may have noticed more awardee names than in previous years. That’s because 64 scholarships and grants were awarded this year. Compared to 44 last year, that’s an impressive increase. Over the past five years, the number of scholarship and grant applications has tripled, increasing from 59 to 159. In response, we expanded the number of awards to better support club professionals seeking support for professional development.
Behind the scenes, the members of the Club Foundation Allocation Committee (CFAC), an anonymous group of deeply dedicated volunteers, carefully review each application. We are very grateful for their time and industry expertise to make sure every application receives thoughtful consideration. CFAC met in person during the World Conference in Anaheim, where members discussed ways to continue strengthening the scholarship process while continuing to help push forward the mission of The Foundation. As a result, application deadlines for some programs may change in 2026. Updated information will be posted soon, so please double-check the posted deadlines if you plan to apply.
What makes all this growth possible? None of this is possible without the incredible support of so many generous members who keep The Club Foundation as a giving priority. During this year’s World Conference, we saw an increase in number of contributions through the text-to-give platform. If you didn’t get a chance to donate and would like to, please text CLUBS to 41444 or visit The Club Foundation donation portal.
Contributions from club professionals, CMAA chapters, and industry partners directly fund the Foundation’s scholarships and grants each year.
Every donation (large or small) helps us to invest in the future of our industry.
Cybersecurity Staff Training Courses Available on CMAA’s Club Resource Center
CMAA’s Club Resource Center (CRC) course lineup offers five new cybersecurity training courses for you and your staff. They 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
CMAA and The Club Foundation Announce First Class of 2026 National Golf Day Stipend Recipients
CMAA, with funding provided by The Club Foundation, announces the 2026 recipients of the inaugural National Golf Day stipends. Annually, National Golf Day unites the golf and club industries 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.
To encourage broader member participation, CMAA has established a travel stipend to defray the cost of attendance. CMAA members may apply for support to cover travel and accommodations associated with participation in the Washington, DC, advocacy event.
Congratulations to the five recipients for 2026!
- Kristina Clabeaux, CCM, Assistant General Manager, Ridglea Country Club, Fort Worth, TX
- Janelle Meyer, CMP, General Manager/COO, San Luis Obispo Country Club, San Luis Obispo, CA
- Audrey Miller, Membership Director, Field Club of Omaha, Omaha, NE
- Troy Sanders, General Manager, Crowfield Golf & Country Club, Goose Creek, SC
- Cameron Walker, Food and Beverage Manager, NC State University Club, Raleigh, NC
These club management professionals will join others from across the industry, including the 2026 CMAA National Board of Directors and the Advocacy Committee, in this important opportunity on Wednesday, May 6.
