October 10, 2025
Professional Development
Upcoming November Virtual Education for Your Board of Directors
Add new perspectives for your club’s elected leader(s) with CMAA’s Governance & Leadership Symposium this fall. Available virtually on Wednesday, November 5, this symposium brings together the GM and their club’s elected leaders for cooperative education. Your Board Members will leave this symposium more informed and equipped with key takeaways for improving club governance. 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
- Building a Compelling Member Experience
Additionally, sessions will feature best practices, impactful trends, and legislation and regulation impacting club operations.
These highly rated Summits are presented in partnership with KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE, a CMAA Executive Partner.
Registration ends November 3.
Learn more and access registration rates
There is Still Time to Register for the Mid-Management Conference
Time is running out to save your seat for the 2025 Mid-Management Conference! Join CMAA October 19-22 in Nashville, TN, for four days of education designed especially for those who are not serving in the general manager/chief operating officer role. Discover sessions designed to enhance your personal brand, expand your network, and sharpen your expertise in club governance.
Discover sessions designed to enhance Attend and explore sessions on your personal brand, expand your network, and sharpen your expertise in club governance.
Applying to Sit for the Certified Club Manager (CCM) Exam
Members interested in sitting for the CCM exam must submit a Certification Petition to the National Headquarters Team for review.
Prior to submitting the Certification Petition, it’s important for each member to review their credit history to monitor their eligibility. Log on to your CMAA account and find “My Open Applications” to check your eligibility status on your own. You should use the eligibility status from your CMAA account to determine when you are ready to submit your Certification Petition.
When you feel you’ve satisfied all the CCM eligibility requirements, follow the steps below to submit your Certification Petition.
- Complete and submit a Certification Petition, along with the non-refundable petition fee of $100. You can pay the petition fee through your CMAA profile. The Certification Petition form can be found on our website. If you cannot locate the petition, please contact us to get a PDF document. (Petitions will not be reviewed without verification and signature of a Notary Public)
- Once received by the CMAA National Headquarters Team, the Certification Petition will be reviewed to ensure the form has been completed. The applicant’s credit history will be reviewed to show evidence that the eligibility requirements have been met.
- The applicant will be notified via email if he/she has met the eligibility requirements to sit for the CCM exam. If approved, the applicant will be notified via email with information on how to proceed with scheduling the exam. An invoice for the exam fee will be in your CMAA profile for payment. If the applicant is not approved to sit for the exam, he/she will be notified via email with information on which requirements have not been met at this time.
Membership and Member Benefits
Renew Your 2026 CMAA Membership by October 31
Time is running out. CMAA’s 2025 membership year ends on October 31, which is right around the corner. Have you renewed your membership for 2026? If not, there is no time to waste. Renewing is one of the best investments you can make in your professional growth and your club’s success. Now more than ever, staying connected through CMAA provides the resources, knowledge, and community that elevate you as a club management professional.
We deeply value your membership and look forward to accomplishing even more together in 2026. Please take a moment to renew today. If you have any questions or need assistance, our team is always here to support you.
Renew today! Please verify your personal, club affiliation, title, and Chapter information. You can make any necessary changes by contacting the CMAA National Headquarters team.
Thank you and we look forward to another wonderful year ahead!
2026 CMAA Fellows Nominations Are Open
CMAA is seeking to honor the most influential leaders in the club management community through its Fellows Program.
The CMAA Fellows represent a diverse network of forward-thinking professionals who collaborate to address the evolving challenges of the club industry. Being named a Fellow is one of CMAA’s highest honors, recognizing individuals who have made a lasting impact through exceptional leadership, service, and contributions to the Association and the profession.
Nominations are open through December 1. We encourage you to nominate a respected colleague or mentor who exemplifies excellence and leadership in the club industry. Please note self-nominations will not be accepted.
Learn more about the CMAA Fellows Program—including eligibility requirements, selection criteria, and key dates—on the CMAA website.
Students: October 17 is the Deadline to Book Your NSEC Hotel
Time is running out to register and book your hotel for the 2025 National Student Education Conference (NSEC). Join CMAA November 8-10 in Baltimore, MD, for education designed just for student members. The last day to book within the hotel room block is October 17—don't wait!
At NSEC, you'll engage in curriculum designed to teach you valuable life skills and industry-specific knowledge. Learn from top professionals and gain insights that will set you apart in your studies and future career. This event will provide practical experience, allowing you to apply what you learn immediately.
At NSEC, you'll have the chance to meet and connect with fellow students, industry leaders, and professionals. These connections can open doors to exciting job opportunities and provide a supportive network throughout your professional journey.
The Club Foundation: Upcoming Scholarship and Grant Deadlines
Here are the key scholarship and grant opportunities available from The Club Foundation (CF) during the remainder of 2025:
- Willmoore H. Kendall Scholarship - Due Date: November 1 for submission to CF / October 1 recommended submission to local Chapter
- LaRocca Family Executive Scholarship - Due Date: November 1
- Chapter Workshop Grant - Due Date: December 15
If you have questions regarding these programs or any other Foundation work, please complete our online contact form or call us directly at 703-299-4284.
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Featured Discussion: Recruiting Best Practices |
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Resources
Culinary Training Courses Now Available on CMAA’s Club Resource Center
CMAA’s Club Resource Center (CRC) course lineup now includes 23 new Auguste Escoffier culinary training courses for your staff. Explore these offerings:
- Culinary Essentials
- Baking and Pastry courses
- Cooking for Holistic Wellness
- Plant-based courses
- Introduction to the Kitchen
- Many more
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.
Let’s Talk Strategic Recognition
You may have seen the social media trend where individuals are asked to try to identify different voices. We’ve seen it with supervisors, teachers, coaches, among others. And it’s now made it to the club industry. Let’s Talk Club Management, CMAA’s official podcast, talks strategic recognition with Grace Mwirigi, CCM, the Assistant Manager at Northmoor Country Club in Highland Park, IL. She shares how she turned a TikTok trend into a leadership lesson.
Trends and News
H-2B Visa Update: First Half FY2026 Visas Exhausted
As of September 12, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has received enough petitions to exhaust the supply of 33,000 H-2B visas allocated for the first half of Fiscal Year 2026. In 2025, this same allotment of visas was exhausted on September 18.
As part of the H-2B Workforce Coalition, CMAA continues to advocate for the release of additional visas by the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Labor as well as continuing to advocate for permanent cap relief.
Understanding the impact of the H-2B Program on the US Workforce
The H-2B Workforce Coalition recently released a new comprehensive economic analysis that explores the impacts and realities of the H-2B Visa Program. Completed by Edgewater Economics, the study finds that the H-2B program has not had a detrimental effect on jobs and the salaries of US workers.
Key Study Findings
- Positive Impact on US Workers—The study shows that the H-2B program does not harm US jobs or wages. In fact, it increases local employment opportunities and wage growth, with each H-2B worker supporting three to five US jobs. Areas with greater H-2B workers saw wages grow 1.6 percent higher.
- Addresses Seasonal Labor Shortages—The program allows businesses, particularly in industries like landscaping, hospitality, forestry, and seafood, to meet peak-season labor needs when US workers are unavailable.
- Supports Business Growth and Efficiency—By filling critical temporary positions, H-2B workers enable businesses to operate at higher capacity, which benefits full-time US employees and sustains overall economic growth.