2024 Distinguished Ideas Summit Offers Exchange of Ideas and Member Experience

The Distinguished Ideas Summit, a highlight for BoardRoom’s Distinguished Clubs each year, marks an exclusive gathering of general managers of the most prestigious and successful private clubs. 

General managers from 150 of the country’s top three percent of private clubs recently gathered in Arizona for the 2024 Distinguished Ideas Summit to exchange ideas about creating unforgettable member experiences and crafting a strong club culture. This is a private event for Distinguished Clubs only...a benefit that accrues to Distinguished Clubs and Distinguished Golf Destinations . 

“This happened to be our first Distinguished Club Summit in Arizona and we selected this area and six clubs from the Scottsdale and Phoenix area because of their operations, excellent management and staff, with every club providing their members with unique member experiences,” explained John Fornaro , CEO of BoardRoom magazine and one of the innovators behind the Distinguished Club Program.

Participating clubs included ARIZONA COUNTRY CLUB , Desert Highlands Golf Club , Desert Mountain Club , Paradise Valley Country Club , Mirabel Golf Club, Inc. and Troon Country Club . 

“The event was sold out, but sadly, about 30 general managers flew home to the Florida area the night before because of the hurricanes Milton and Helene. However, our participating clubs provided an excellent experience for all our Distinguished Club attendees,” Fornaro added.

BoardRoom’s Distinguished Clubs are genuinely a special group of private clubs…exceptional clubs based on their extraordinary delivery of a first-class Member Experience to all their members.

“We’ve realize that what we’ve created allows us to showcase the most outstanding private clubs nationwide. It’s a model with a message that can help private clubs grow and enhance their member experience. 

“Because every club has unique ideas and every club is unique, the Distinguished Idea Summit brings out some ideas in a format that has worked. It’s quick and a meaningful learning environment,” Fornaro explained. 

The recognition of key industry leaders marked a standout moment of the Summit.

“ Doc Belitz , GM/COO of Arizona Country Club, hosted the education and executed a great breakfast and lunch. Doc, Damon DiOrio (CEO of Desert Mountain Club) and I presented an anniversary cake to Jeff Morgan, FASAE, CAE , who has been celebrating 10 years as CEO of the Club Management Association of America . It’s a testament to his influence and leadership. Jeff was surprised when Doc’s staff created a cake to feed 150 people,” he added.

Fornaro, CEO of Distinguished Clubs and publisher of BoardRoom magazine, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his 30 years of contributions to the private club industry. John Easterbrook , Chief Membership Officer, PGA of America , also received a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Ronald Banaszak, CCM, CCE , recently promoted to chief operating officer of the Distinguished Club and president of Distinguished Golf Destinations, was the Summit’s master of ceremonies. 

Banaszak also provided an update on the Distinguished Club’s recent accomplishments. This included the completion of a strategic planning process with Strategic Club Solutions , the creation of the Standards Advisory Committee, the establishment of new criteria with 37 Distinguished Practices, the reinstitution of the four-hour requalification site visit, a new Distinguished Club website, the new Zardozi award for clubs advancing their Distinguished Club status, and new Distinguished Achievement in Leadership Awards.

Distinguished Clubs is also partnering with three past club managers to conduct site visits. These managers will function as Directors of Standards and Ratings.   

Keith Jarrett remains BoardRoom’s Distinguished Club program president, with Bill Thomas as executive vice president.

“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 Jarrett.

“When developing this concept, we thought, these are the best clubs in the world with the best general managers, and they have the best ideas that they implement at their clubs. So why not have them present their member experience ideas to other GMs?  Thus, the summit format was born.” 

Tim Schantz , CEO of Troon , sponsored the Summit’s education, which focused on club culture, working with different demographics and branding. Thomas B. Wallace III CCM,CCE,ECM , managing partner of KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE , hosted the board panels featuring Vito Gioia II , president of the Detroit Athletic Club and BoardRoom’s Distinguished Club President for 2023.

“ Ryan Cozzetto, CCM , GM and Ashley Mills , director of catering and events hosted the evening reception at Paradise Valley Country Club and executed the perfect event. The staff provided a great presentation of eatables and excellent service. The photo booth was a hit, and the band Swing Beats belted out tunes,” Fornaro expressed. 

Club site visits to Troon Country Club and GM/COO Garrett Wallace , Desert Mountain Club (CEO Damon DiOrio), Desert Highlands (COO/GM Desi Speh ) and The Mirabel Club and GM/COO James Napolitano highlighted the Summit’s second day.  

Each club featured speakers, including Gregg Patterson , president of Tribal Magic and Frank Pritchard, partner of J. Pritchard and whose parents, Joel and Joan Pritchard, founded pickleball in 1965. The J. Pritchard Collection, is a premium apparel company created in partnership with pickleball’s founding family. 

Decorated U.S. Army veteran Frank Armenta, who has received two Purple Hearts and numerous other commendations, spoke movingly about his experiences and involvement with Tee It Up for the Troops , a program that has profoundly impacted his life. RealFood Hospitality, Strategy & Design President Ed Doyle shared strategies for enhancing club dining experiences. 

“We believe the Distinguished Ideas Summit is one of the best benefits of earning and retaining Distinguished Clubs status. 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.

“Sometimes, 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 facilitators. The clubs are incubators for ideas, thoughts and action in our never-ending process to enhance the private club member experience,” Fornaro concluded.