This fall, NCA is releasing a comprehensive trends report based on a two-phase Delphi study of club industry experts and professionals. The report, “Navigating the Future: The Outlook for Private Clubs,” covers internal and external forces that will shape the future for clubs over the
The rigor with which a club’s admission process is developed, nurtured and applied articulates the quality of the club and its members’ intentions. Unlike business or professional organizations that may be legally required to be open to all vocationally qualified individuals, or groups with public
These days, it’s impossible to ignore the impact of social media and the Internet, and the club industry is no exception. Recently, NCA has been taking a close look at the use of social media at clubs, generational differences in technology use, and the use
Through the difficulties of the recent economic recession, and into today’s world of tenuous economic recovery, club membership has relied heavily on our nation’s top-earners for their loyalty. Now, several studies suggest the number of high-income families is rising rapidly, along with their incomes. Analyzing
Any successful club manager understands that ensuring a premier member experience is the most important part of overall operations. From first impressions to finishing touches, an enjoyable member experience is essential in order to retain existing members, attract new members and remain a cut above
In recent years, sustainability has been a touchstone of the American consciousness. More and more clubs have adopted sustainable practices and renovated their facilities to make better use of sustainable technologies. Likewise, many affluent consumers have resolutely hopped on the green bandwagon in terms of
The best source of new members is arguably current membership. If they have found pleasure in belonging, they will proudly serve as ambassadors of the club. They will sport clothing with the club’s insignia like a college’s alumni who return for homecoming games. They will
Refundable memberships can be important tools for club development and membership growth, particularly early in a club’s life cycle. By promising to repay prospective members some portion of their joining fees when they resign from membership, clubs are frequently able to command higher joining fees.
Many clubs have been tempted to give in to deadly tactics for the sake of growing their membership. Here are the “Seven Deadly Recruitment Sins” all clubs should avoid. Deadly Sin #1 – Advertising This extends beyond tax and privacy regulations. Think about what message
The last installment in our membership development series detailed the process of goal-setting and delved into some basic strategies that clubs can use to help them achieve their goals, such as cultivating personalized experiences, engaging current members in the membership development process, providing either discounts