MAYBE YOU ARE FAMILIAR with writer and humorist Randy Cohen’s interview show, “Person Place Thing.” It is based on the idea that people are not particularly engaging when they speak directly about themselves but become so when they speak about something they care about.
Guests talk about one person, place and thing that are important to them. I have taken the liberty of borrowing that premise for this column.
Person
As you read in this space last issue, Cindy Vizza retired as vice president of communications after 15 years at NCA and 50 issues of Club Director. As sad as we were to lose someone of Cindy’s skill, character and experience, we are equally excited to have Kim Fernandez, CAE, join the NCA team as vice president of communications. Kim is an experienced communications executive, publications and digital publishing director, and editor/writer, who will oversee
all aspects of NCA’s communications program and lead NCA’s role as a primary information resource for the private club community.
Place
The pandemic has brought many challenges but also many opportunities. I am not aware of an industry that has capitalized on the opportunities more than the private club industry. This extends to NCA headquarters and our ability to embrace a much stronger work-life balance among the team.
The NCA team began working from home in March 2020 and has, in testament to them, continued to do so, responding positively to the change and being more motivated than ever to serve our members and the private club community. Thanks to this and the ability to enhance our already excellent work-life balance, we’ve embraced work-from-home. I am happy to report that in March, the Association’s headquarters moved across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., to Alexandria, Va., already home to many national associations. The move offers both substantial cost savings and a design built for the mostly-from-home work environment that’s evolved from COVID-19. Staff can spend more time with their families, less time and money commuting, enjoy a potentially more healthy and less stressful life, and take advantage of a high-tech office designed for productivity and face-to-face collaboration when that’s optimal.
Thing
The 2022 National Club Conference May 15–17 in Charleston, S.C., will once again be the definitive national forum for private club leadership, showcasing prominent thought leaders and solution providers at best-in-class facilities with extraordinary recreational and networking events. Speakers will include leaders of such iconic brands as Harley Davidson and Waffle House. Other presentations will cover current supply chain issues, member and employee mental health, hospitality and overcoming unimaginable adversity. This year’s Conference also welcomes the Excellence in Club Management® Awards dinner, bringing our community together to recognize the best in the industry. If all that’s not enough, wait until you see this city! Charleston is the No. 1 city to visit according to Travel + Leisure. Register today and we’ll see you there