FROM THE PRESIDENT
BY ANDREW GAY
W
ith only four weeks until the
doors open on the 2017 GMA
National Conference, it is fair to say that
preparations are ramping up to ensure
this event measures up to, and hopefully
improves upon, the quality of our previous
biennial gatherings. Schweppes Australia
is once again on-board as the conference’s
official partner.
Early bird registrations closed last
month resulting in strong interest from
golf club managers, staff and industry
representatives. With more than 200
delegates already registered representing
golf clubs across Australia and the Asia-
Pacific region, this year’s conference is
proving to be the biggest ever.
Importantly, we have seen considerable
interest from sponsors and exhibitors,
all keen to promote their products and
services and to personally meet with golf
club management personnel and industry
representatives. With an expansive
exhibition space available to us at the
spectacular Adelaide Convention Centre,
we have seen a 20% increase in exhibitor
booths this year.
But what does this mean? Without the
generous support of our sponsors and
exhibitors, your early bird conference
registration could be as much as $3,500
per person – not including accommodation
– a cost that is probably beyond what many
golf clubs in Australia could justify for their
managers, let alone other staff members.
And why is this important? It is fair to
say that, without these sponsors and
exhibitors, the GMA National Conference
could not happen in its current form. That
is why it is vitally important delegates take
the opportunity to visit each booth, meet
with sponsors and exhibitors, and chat
with them about their products and how
your club could benefit from their services.
For those attending this year’s conference,
we hope you will be excited by our
new initiatives; embracing the latest
technologies in communication and
collaboration through our MiClub
Conference App and ClubCar sponsored
tablet; an open-plan exhibition space
designed to encourage interaction
between delegates, sponsors and
exhibitors; and for those who are game,
the first GMA bicycle Chautauqua through
the McLaren Vale wine region; all in the
spirit of doing things differently – the
theme for this year’s conference.
GMA Board members, Cathy Neagle and
Anthony Masters, have put together an
impressive education program stocked full
of world-class speakers covering a range
of topics including the future and what it
holds, harnessing our potential, building
resilience, productivity and performance,
and seizing the opportunity as we move
forward.
With golf to be played at two of Adelaide’s
premier private golf clubs – the world
renowned Royal Adelaide Golf Club and
the lesser known, but equally impressive,
Glenelg Golf Club – the competition for
national bragging rights is sure to be hard-
fought.
On behalf of the GMA Board we look
forward to welcoming golf club managers
and key industry stakeholders to our
biennial conference in October.
About GMA
Golf Management Australia is
the professional organisation
serving the needs of managers
within Australian Golf. This
e-magazine is now a major
communications channel and
deliverance of up-to-date
information for managers
involved in all areas of golf
administration throughout
Australia.
Membership to GMA is open
to all Golf Club Managers and
administrators throughout
Australia. We hope that the
e-magazine will broaden
the resources available
to managers – aiding the
fulfillment of their occupational
objectives.
Publisher
GOLF INDUSTRY CENTRAL
Morlo Pty Ltd ACN 123 872 784
ABN 1812 3872 784
PO BOX 4743,
Robina Town Centre
Robina, QLD, Australia 4230
Contents may not be reproduced
without written permission. Views
expressed in editorial contributions do
not necessarily reflect the opinions of
this publication and it’s management.
Andrew Gay
Director Anthony Masters
Director Cathy Neagle
Director Paul Paterson
Director
Aaron Muirhead
Director Brad Dawson
Director Peter Busch
Director John Stamp
Executive Officer
WWW.GMA.ORG.AU
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