2022 Distinguished Ideas Summit Fosters Member Experience Exchange

“BoardRoom’s Distinguished Clubs are truly a special grouping of private clubs…exceptional clubs based on their extraordinary delivery of a first-class Member Experience to every one of their members.

“We’ve realized that what we’ve created allows us to showcase the most outstanding private clubs across the country. It’s a model with a message that can help private clubs grow and enhance their member experience,” expressed John Fornaro, CEO of BoardRoom magazine and one of the innovators behind the Distinguished Club Program.?

And the Distinguished Ideas Summit, a highlight each year, marks an exclusive gathering of general managers of the most prestigious and successful private clubs. This is a private event for Distinguished Clubs only...a benefit that accrues to Distinguished Clubs and Distinguished Golf Destinations.

General managers from 130 of the top Distinguished Clubs across the country gathered recently in southwestern Florida to exchange ideas and discussion. Because every club has unique ideas and every club is unique, the Distinguished Idea Summit brings out some of those ideas in a format that has worked. It’s quick and it’s a meaningful learning environment.

“We’ve never had a conference on the west side of Florida and chose this area and six clubs because of their size (very similar to most attending clubs), excellent management and staff, with every club providing their members with unique member experiences,” Fornaro added.?

The six clubs included West Bay Club in Estero, FL; Audubon Country Club, Naples, FL; Wyndemere Country Club, Naples, FL; The Club at Mediterra, Naples, FL; Bonita Bay Club, Bonita Springs, FL and Quail West Golf and Country Club, Naples FL.

“Tom Tripoli, one of the country’s top general managers of the Troon-managed West Bay Club, hosted our event. We choose West Bay Club because of Tom. He showed representatives from all 130 clubs his skills as a great manager and the wonderful staff that works with him. Together they provided an excellent experience for all our Distinguished Club attendees.?

“We sincerely appreciate the assistance and thank the West Bay Club board of directors and members for allowing us to have our yearly Ideas Summit at their club,” Fornaro expressed.

The event also featured Tom Spaulding, one of the premier speakers in the country, along with others who provided information and focused on member experience topics.

“While West Bay Club hosted our event, our attendees also visited the other five clubs in less than seven hours. It’s incredible to see what these managers create and execute, from staff lounges and re-invented food areas to innovative spas, bars and lounges. If you’re ever in the Naples area, I’d suggest visiting these clubs,” Fornaro said.

“Tom Tripoli hosted us in three different West Bay venues, from around the pool for dinner, to the clubhouse for cocktails, music and dessert, and then across the street at West Bay’s lounge for nightcaps and cigars. The evening ended with memorable fireworks.”

An additional event highlight witnessed Dick Kopplin, principal with Kopplin, Kuebler and Wallace, being honored as a Distinguished Club Lifetime Achievement recipient.

“BoardRoom’s Distinguished Clubs are truly a special grouping of private clubs…exceptional clubs based on their extraordinary delivery of a first-class Member Experience to every one of their members,” explained Keith Jarrett, president of BoardRoom’s Distinguished Club program.

“The Distinguished Ideas Summit is the most exclusive gathering of general managers of these most prestigious and successful private clubs. This private invitation-only event has been created specifically for and is attended only by fellow general managers of currently-awarded Distinguished Clubs.?

“When we were developing the concept of the Distinguished Ideas Summit, we started with the usual way of thinking…then we paused and thought…these are the best clubs in the world with the best GMs in the world and they have the best ideas that they implement at their clubs, why not have them present member experience ideas to themselves? And so, the format was born,” explained Jarrett.

“So, every year, during our onsite surveys of clubs, we look at the unique ideas that we haven’t seen before and then ask that GM to be a Summit presenter. The ideas are relevant and fresh and all the managers love it.

?“We believe the Distinguished Ideas Summit is one of the best benefits of earning and retaining Distinguished Clubs status,” Jarrett added.

“Distinguished Ideas Summit is not just an event but a different way of learning about what works for private clubs. The Distinguished Clubs award program aims to vitalize and preserve private clubs by fostering a ceaseless drive to improve the Member Experience offered by private clubs worldwide,” added Fornaro.

“Often, some people just don’t get what our Distinguished Clubs program is about. They’re wondering why we’re helping the country’s top clubs. In reality, the program and process are much, much more than that. The top clubs, because they’re the innovators, are helping many lower-tiered clubs, and we’re the facilitator.?

They’re incubators for ideas, thoughts and action,” Fornaro commented.

The Distinguished Ideas Summit in southwestern Florida happened just before Hurricane Ian made landfall in late September and unleashed havoc on many private clubs in the area. For many, it was all hands on deck as the clubs coped with the damage while also responding to some of the needs of their members.

“I know many general managers and their staffs worked determinedly to serve their members and repair the damage caused by Hurricane Ian. Unfortunately, many of these clubs have had to rebuild because of the hurricane, and I’d like to thank Michael McCarthy, CEO of Addison Reserve Country Club in Boca Raton, FL, for helping with the rebuilding,” Fornaro concluded. ?BR