There is no argument that we are in the midst of an unprecedented economic period—now in its 10th year of growth—making it the perfect time for club owners/members and board members to take a step back and really assess how their clubs are faring. If you’ve
The Challenge: With a wide selection of excellent country clubs in this densely populated and affluent market, Bethesda’s potential members were a discerning group—“shoppers,” if you will. Club leaders and members alike have had to squarely face the question, “What sets us apart?” The Bethesda
IT’S TIME to fully embrace millennials. According to the Pew Research Center, millennials are expected to surpass baby boomers in 2019 to become the largest living generation in the United States. Born between 1981 and 1996, millennials’ approach to life is different than that of their
WOW experiences come from giving pleasant and unexpected surprises. When members’ expectations are exceeded and their needs are thoughtfully addressed in unexpected ways, they feel special—they are WOWed. Taking an authentic interest in the member interactions, not just their transactions, requires an emotional connection: empathy,
CLUBS ARE CONTINUALLY looking to engage their membership with fun programs and activities, while also being relevant to prospective members who desire a club experience that fits in with today’s societal lifestyle. A goal for many clubs should be to offer an experience that members will
As clubs slowly rebound from the recent economic downturn—a period when even the most prestigious clubs deferred capital expenditures—it is appropriate for club leaders to fixate on upgrading the member experience. Thoughtful leaders undertake this effort with one eye on today’s members and another on
AT LAST YEAR’S annual National Club Conference in Los Angeles, Calif., VIP attendees became special guests at the Academy of Magical Arts, a premier private club for magicians. Under the leadership of President & CEO Henry Wallmeyer, NCA has recognized the challenges brought about by an
THE CLUB INDUSTRY is at a crossroads. At the center of the dilemma is an aging population, with baby boomers representing the majority of club members. Logic dictates that the next generation will replace the boomers when they relocate, age out or die. While generation X
OCCAM’S RAZOR is the work of a Franciscan friar and theologian, William of Occam, who reasoned that it is better to keep things simple when attempting to understand complicated ideas. This is good advice for club directors and managers when trying to plan ahead. The confusion
What, really, is a club? As a first approximation, we would have to say that it is largely the people—the members—that constitute or otherwise define most clubs or give them their essential character. This desire to freely, yet privately, associate is the organizing principle. A