Richmond Road Trip

Entry Details

The Richmond Area Club Road Trip was an immersive professional development experience organized in collaboration with the Virginia CMAA Chapter. Throughout the trip, our chapter visited six prestigious private clubs in the Richmond area. This initiative provided members with a unique opportunity to connect with industry professionals, engage in meaningful discussions, and explore diverse career opportunities within the private club industry. The road trip was designed to inspire students by showcasing the variety of roles and paths available in club management while strengthening relationships with Virginia's CMAA chapter. This trip allowed members to build relationships with industry professionals and club leaders, opening doors to future internship and employment opportunities. By visiting six distinct clubs, students gained exposure to diverse club environments, operations, and career paths, inspiring them to explore new areas of interest. Partnering with the state chapter enhanced our visibility and reputation, solidifying our chapter's industry engagement. The road trip generated excitement and enthusiasm among members, reinforcing the value of active participation in CMAA activities.

Implementation

This event was made possible through collaboration with the Virginia CMAA Chapter, which helped coordinate our visit to Richmond. This idea came from our chapter wanting to be more involved in person with our state's chapter. By visiting clubs and meeting board members of Virginia's chapter our members were able to network with the chapter. Virginia's Chapter helped work with the clubs to develop a schedule that included tours, presentations, and networking opportunities. Logistics such as transportation and timing were carefully planned to maximize the experience. Every member had the opportunity to attend this trip because we wanted everyone to have the chance to travel and meet new industry professionals. At each club, our members were given behind-the-scenes tours, showcasing a variety of departments and allowing our members to see things that we usually wouldn't be able to see. Members expressed how impactful it was to hear directly from club managers and see a variety of different clubs. Many said that the trip helped them envision what their future career in the private club industry would look like. Members left the trip with an enhanced idea of what private club operations look like and the process it takes to run them.