Canoe Brook hosts Presidents Council

SUMMIT, N.J. (October 10, 2018) – Nearly 200 Met Area club leaders gathered at Canoe Brook Country Club on October 9 for Presidents Council Fall Conference. The event–part of the MGA Foundation-sponsored, year-long schedule of educational programming–featured expert speakers discussing timely and relevant topics on areas of club operations. A number of MGA partners and sponsors were also on hand to share their expertise in respective areas.

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MGA Vice President Tod Pike opened the morning with a brief welcome before introducing Henry Wallmeyer, President and CEO of the National Club Association. Wallmeyer provided insight to what the NCA does in fighting for clubs on the national level in Washington, D.C., and gave an update on a number of legal and legislative matters relevant to club operations.

Wallmeyer also served as part of the morning's panel discussion, "The Workforce Challenge". Peter Petrina, President and Founder of Petrina Group International; Anne Catherine Nielsen, Director of Human Resources at Westchester Country Club; and Bob James, CCM, CCE, CHE and former Westchester Country Club Executive Director also provided insight as the quartet discussed a variety of topics relating to hiring practices and answered questions from attendees.

Pike then gave an update on the happenings for the MGA and MGA Foundation in 2018 before a brief break.

The afternoon portion of the schedule featured guest speakers Jeffrey McFadden, General Manager of The Union League of Philadelphia and Henry DeLozier, Principal of Global Golf Advisors. McFadden discussed technology trends for private clubs, while DeLozier spoke on the opportunities that millennials present for private clubs.

After lunch, attendees enjoyed golf on Canoe Brook's North and South Courses, which have hosted U.S. Open sectional qualifying each of the last three years.