European Conference on Club Management 2024 ‘Triumphant in London’

The CMAE European Conference on Club Management took place in London from the 22nd to the 24th of September 2024, drawing together club management professionals, industry experts, and thought leaders from across Europe for an inspiring and insightful three-day event.

The Conference opened on Sunday, 22nd September at the Caledonian Club, with facilitator Nick Taylor setting a dynamic tone for the conference. Ciara Aspinall kicked off the sessions with a thought-provoking presentation on “Unlocking The Power Of Employee Engagement,” emphasizing the importance of staff motivation and engagement in successful club management.

Gustav Putter shared his remarkable journey in “Touching Points between Surviving a Massive Stroke and 30 Years as a CM,” offering personal and professional insights that captivated the audience.

The day also included an engaging discussion on “Capital Planning” led by James Burns CCM and John McCormack CCM from Club Benchmarking, and a forward-looking session on “The Future of Events” by 54’s Ed Edwards CCM, Francisco Lancastre David CCM.

Attendees enjoyed an evening networking session and a memorable Thames Boat Trip, fostering connections and exchanging ideas against the picturesque backdrop of London’s landmarks,

The second day, Monday, 23rd September, took place at the prestigious Royal Automobile Club, where sessions included Maggie Alphonsi’s inspiring talk on “Challenging perceptions & The psychology of winning,” followed by an enlightening discussion on “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” with Darshan Singh and Jules Murray.

In parallel, Wesley Cooper and David Lyon presented an insightful case study on the transformation of the Buckinghamshire club into a private members club. Dr. Jon Finn captivated the audience with his session on “How Leaders can Eliminate Destructive Habits & Build New Super Habits in 4 Science-Based Steps,” offering practical advice for club leaders. The day concluded with an update from Jackie Davidson of The R&A, the CMAE AGM, and a vibrant networking drinks reception at The Travellers Club.

The final day, Tuesday, 24th September, held at the Lansdowne Club, began with a session on “Forging a World-Class Employee Culture” by Damon DiOrio, CCM, CCE. Throughout the day, participants explored themes of leadership, resilience, AI in the club world, and effective team communication with expert presentations by Helen Monument, Eddie West Burnham, George Stavros, and Mark Beaumont.

The conference ended with an elegant Gala Dinner at the RAC where CMAE celebrated recent recipients of the CMDip and CCM, marking a fitting close to an event that provided rich learning opportunities and inspiration.

Commenting on the success of the conference, Torbjörn Johansson, CEO of CMAE, said, “This year’s European Conference on Club Management stood out as an exceptional three days since using multiple venues together with the best presenter lineup (yet) gave the participation we wanted. We see this as a platform for club management professionals to share knowledge, gain insights, and build connections that will strengthen the industry across Europe and Middle East. The diverse range of topics and speakers has provided invaluable takeaways for all attendees.”

“We thank our speakers, attendees, and partners for making the European Conference on Club Management 2024 a resounding success. We look forward to continuing the conversations and advancing the club management profession in the years to come.”