Leading club managers from America and Europe gathered in London for the sixth annual Business Management Institute (BMI) International Conference in London, 16-21 October, 2008.
Senior figures from major golf, country, city and dining clubs on both sides of the Atlantic attended the five-day conference, benefitting from topical debates, educational seminars and a dazzling social calendar amid the splendour of London’s historic city clubs.
Keynote speaker Tony Jacklin, Europe’s most successful Ryder Cup Captain, teed off proceeding with an inspiring presentation on leadership in sports at The Royal Automobile Club on Pall Mall.
The conference agenda, themed ‘Tradition, Innovation and Future Global Trends’ also covered Leadership in Business, Psychology and Dynamics of Teams, Trends in Technology for Clubs, Business Continuity, Marketing and Media Relations at a variety of venues across London including The Landsdowne Club, Royal Air Force Club and Caledonian Club.
Ken Schofield, former executive director of the PGA European Tour, Mathieu Hoeberigs from the European Commission and Jim Singerling, CEO of the Club Managers Association of America, were among the contributors.
“This was a high-quality event in every sense,” said Jerry Kilbychief executive of the Club Managers Association of Europe. “Delegates not only benefited from the outstanding educational sessions and sharing best practice with the best club managers in the world, we were able to do this amid the most inspiring surroundings, creating a special and memorable atmosphere for the conference.”
Social events during the five-day event included a visit to the Houses of Parliament, gala dinner at the RAC, golf day at The Berkshire Golf Club, plus tours and visits to numerous London clubs including the Hurlingham Club and All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon.
The conference was also the backdrop for the publication of the CMAE’s new Club Manager Job Survey 2008 and the award of the first European Certified Club Manager qualification to eight leading club managers.
BMI international 2009 will take place in Stockholm, Sweden, 15-20 October.
CMAE www.cmaeurope.org