NZ GMA CONFERENCE
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NZ conference key to new ideas
By David Newbery
Golf club managers and industry delegates who attend the Golf
Managers’ Association of New Zealand’s conference in August
will emerge more knowledgeable, according to the association’s
president.
Steve Wallace said many managers he had spoken to were keen to
find out “what makes a good golf club a great golf club”
.
That is one of the topics to be discussed at the GMANZ’s conference
to be held at the Holiday Inn (Wellington) from August 29-31.
Master Club Advisors (USA) manager Norm Spitzig will present the
topic. He will also present topics on: The Golf Manager – Leader,
Coach, Facilitator and Governance – dealing with your board.
A number of leading speakers from New Zealand and Australia will
also address the conference, which has been cleverly marketed as ‘The
Professional Manager’.
“We believe that the content of the conference is relevant to all
managers of golf clubs and district associations,” Wallace said.
“The bottom line is that managers need a chance to take time out of
their demanding daily schedules to catch up on just what is happening
in the outside world.
“This conference will give that chance.”
Steve Wallace
GMA NZ President.
Some of the other topics up for discussion include:
• Volunteerism – getting more from your members;
• The Carbon Debate – Threats and Opportunities from the ETS;
• Managers Making a Difference;
• Membership Growth and Retention;
• Marketing your club with little or no budget;
• Brand Marketing Your Club;
• Capital Replacement and Planning;
• Trade Exhibits; and
• Fundraising – 68 ways to do it.
One of the biggest hurdles facing golf
club managers is membership –
growth and retention.
Golf operations specialist Mike
Orloff, a well-known golf
industry figure who has an
extensive background in
golf operations
and management
in America and
Australia,
will address
this issue.
His
session on marketing a golf
club with little or no budget will
also be informative.
Many golf clubs,
particularly smaller clubs, rely heavily on
volunteers, but with today’s social pressures the
traditional volunteer is fast disappearing.
Riverlands Ltd CEO Trevor Johnson is highly
experience in the field and will provide attendees with
a structure and process to get more from volunteers.
Retired merchant banker David Laurenson will address
the difficult task and often overlooked need to plan for and
replace capital items in golf clubs. No attendees will dare nod off
during his lively and punchy presentation.
Worried about climate change and its effect on the golf industry?
Well, Carmen Blackler from Blackyard Consultants will allay your fears
and inform managers what the Emissions Trading Scheme means to
managers. GMANZ conference organisers have also schedule a game of
golf to be played at Royal Wellington Golf Club on Sunday, August 29.
Unfortunately, the golf club will only accommodate 50 players so it’s “first in
best dressed”Wallace said he expected around 100 golf club managers and
.
industry delegates would attend the conference.
“Those attending the conference will leave armed with new ideas, new tools and
confidence to go back to their clubs and make a difference greater than what they
have done prior to attending.”
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