MGA Presidents Council Brings Club Leaders Together For Informative Session

Video: Stephen F. Boyd – MGA Executive Committee Secretary/Treasurer and the 2011 MGA Update

HARRISON, N.Y. (October 11, 2011) – Each year, the Metropolitan Golf Association Foundation hosts the Presidents Council, an informational seminar designed for club presidents, general managers and other club leaders from the metropolitan area. Covering topics ranging from legal and legislative updates, marketing and communications opportunities and even preservation and establishment of club’s historical records, this year’s installment was hosted by Westchester Country Club in Harrison, N.Y. and featured more than 200 participants and presentations from several distinguished guests.

David Normoyle

David Normoyle, the former curator of the USGA Museum in Far Hills, N.J., kicked off this year’s event with a lesson on how clubs can implement a program for recording and preserving their records and assets. Normoyle cited several examples in which clubs had greatly benefitted from asking themselves what he calls the most critical questions in analyzing one’s history: Why do you care about your history? What stories do you have to share? How will you share these stories? The information gathered during this process will help steer the direction of a club towards interweaving their history while focusing on the future.

Next up was Stephen Ready, President and CEO of VCT Communications. Mr. Ready focused on communication within a club and between the staff and club members. He went over in detail how clubs in the metropolitan area can leverage technology to attract new members and personalize the experience for existing ones. Examples of these communications tools include upgraded websites, mobile applications, e-Newsletters and social media [beginning with Facebook and to a lesser extent, Twitter], offering limitless opportunities for clubs to connect with their members and add value to their membership.

Bob James

Video: Stephen Ready – President and CEO of VCT Communications

“To defend, protect and advance the interests and well-being of private social and recreational clubs.” This is the mission of the National Club Association (NCA), and Bob James, the organization’s past president and member at host club Westchester, presented an update on the legal and legislative landscape affecting clubs both in the area and across the country.

Video: Bob James – Former National Club Association President

Rick Coyne

And finally, capping off the morning’s presenters was Rick Coyne, CEO & President of Club Mark Corporation. Coyne addressed how clubs can best position themselves to create more relevance to new and existing members. Of central importance is the analysis and long-term growth strategy as clubs take inventory of their current members and search for new and creative ways to engage them while increasing their appeal and relevance to potential members.

Video: Rick Coyne – CEO & President of Club Mark Corporation

In addition to the lively and informative presentations, the attendees were also able to meet representatives from four corporate partners who helped to make the Presidents Council a success: