The 2024 Distinguished Ideas Summit showcased the pinnacle of leadership and excellence in club culture within the private club industry

At this year's Distinguished Ideas Summit, general managers and club leaders from the top three percent of private clubs gathered in Arizona to share insights on creating unforgettable member experiences and crafting a strong club culture. Through presentations and networking with club leaders, peers and industry experts, attendees learned how the most successful clubs cultivate an exceptional culture that engages both members and employees.

The Summit's highlights included education, Q&A, networking opportunities, club tours, and remarkable events at Arizona's finest private clubs. Impeccable service, gourmet dining, savory drinks and thought provoking discussions were highlights for all. This reaffirmed why this event is the single most important, can't-miss opportunity of the year for Distinguished Clubs .

A standout moment of the Summit was the recognition of key industry leaders.

• Jeff Morgan, FASAE, CAE , was celebrated for his 10 years as President and CEO of the Club Management Association of America , a testament to his influence and leadership.
• John 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.
• Ronald Banaszak, CCM, CCE , was promoted to COO of Distinguished Club and President of Distinguished Golf Destinations Golf Destinations, marking another milestone in his esteemed career.

Day One: Education and Networking

The Summit kicked off with education sessions hosted at ARIZONA COUNTRY CLUB . Notable speakers included:

• Colin Cowie shared insights from his book The Gold Standard.
• Joanna Barclay emphasized the importance of workplace culture and transformational leadership.
• Stan Phelps Stan Phelps offered guidance on leading across generations.
• Matthew Allnatt , GM/COO of Jonathan Club, discussed how to foster a member-focused culture.
• Dick Kopplin , partner with KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE and 2022 Distinguished Lifetime Achievement recipient, talked about governance.
• Laura Leszczynski , VP of Marketing at Strategic Club Solutions , shared best practices on personal branding.
• A panel discussion on staff retention and inspirational training, with Damon DiOrio , CCM, CCE, CEO at Desert Mountain Club , Lori LeBard, CCM , assistant general manager at El Niguel Country Club, and Crystal Thomas, CAE, MCM, CHE , CEO of Management Connection, Inc. , moderated by Ron Banaszak, engaged attendees in practical solutions for talent management, and
• The education concluded with a collaborative governance discussion moderated by Thomas B. Wallace III CCM,CCE,ECM , partner at Kopplin Kuebler & Wallace. It featured the board president of  and BoardRoom magazine Top Private Club President award recipient, Susan Rehorn, vice president of Arizona Country Club, and Amy Habib Rittling , president of The Buffalo Club . The discussion offered valuable insights into effective club leadership.

Day One Reception and Awards

That evening, a reception was hosted at Paradise Valley Country Club , where further accolades were awarded.

• The Buffalo Club earned the Iconic Zardozi Award for advancing from Elite to Iconic status.
• John Easterbrook , Chief Membership Offer, PGA of America , received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
• John Wilkening, GM/COO of North Hills Club accepted the Distinguished Experience Award for Tennis Operations for the recipient Jason K. Kinder, DCA,RSPA,CRSE,PSR,ARS,ITPA,USTA HP,PPR , director of racquet sports.
• Dick Naumann auman, GM/COO of The Club at Nevillewood , accepted the Distinguished Experience Award for Golf Course Grounds for recipient Ken Flies, Grounds Superintendent.
• Catherine Caamano , GM of Manhasset Bay Yacht Club , accepted two Distinguished Experience Awards: the Best Net Promoter Score and the Best Member Experience Index.

Day Two: Club Tours and Special Guest Speakers

Day two of the Summit featured tours of Arizona's premier Distinguished Clubs, beginning with Desert Highlands Golf Club , where COO Desi Speh welcomed attendees. Gregg Patterson atterson, president of Tribal Magic, spoke about The Buzz and the power of knowing your members and staff.

At each stop, guest speakers provided invaluable insights. At Troon Country Club , we were welcomed by Garrett Wallace , GM and Ed Doyle , RealFood president, who shared strategies for enhancing club dining experiences. While at Mirabel Golf Club, Inc. , James Napolitano , GM/COO and his team set the stage for Frank Pritchard. Frank is a partner at J. Pritchard Collection, and his parents, Joel and Joan Pritchard, founded pickleball in 1965. The J. Pritchard Collection is a premium apparel company created in partnership with the founding family of pickleball.

The tour concluded at Desert Mountain Club , where CEO Damon DiOrio and his team welcomed us with cuddly desert critters, a carving station, drinks, desserts and more. Decorated U.S. Army veteran Frank Armenta , a recipient of two Purple Hearts and numerous other commendations, spoke movingly about his experiences and his involvement with Tee It Up for the Troops , a program that profoundly impacted his life.

Special Thanks

The Summit's success would not have been possible without the support of Tim Schantz and Troon , the Summit's main sponsors, ARIZONA COUNTRY CLUB and GM/COO Doc Belitz for hosting the education sessions, Paradise Valley Country Club and GM/COO Ryan Cozzetto, CCM for providing a perfect setting and creating an unforgettable experience for all.

In light of Hurricanes Milton and Helene, several club leaders could not attend because of the income storm and the storms' aftermath. Our thoughts are with them as they focus on their clubs, members, and communities during this difficult time.

Heather Arias de Cordoba is chief content creator with BoardRoom magazine.