Welcome to Club Innovators Podcast by Capstone Hospitality! In this episode, host Kyle Bradburn sits down with Kathy Heil, Partner at Storyteller Club Marketing, to discuss the power of storytelling in club marketing, how digital trust influences membership decisions, and the importance of optimizing your website and social media for prospective members.Timestamps: 0:00 – Welcome to Club Innovators Podcast0:20 – Special guest: Kathy Heil of Storyteller Club Marketing1:16 – Why storytelling is the future of club marketing3:01 – The impact of digital trust and branding3:46 – The role of rebranding in modern club marketing5:55 – Every word matters: Crafting content that connects7:46 – Why most club websites are failing10:38 – Understanding user journey for prospective members12:35 – Membership inquiry forms: Are you losing leads?15:31 – The 8-10 touchpoints rule for membership sales18:06 – Knowing your audience: The key to retention20:29 – How CRM & automation (like HubSpot) can transform sales27:34 – The power of email marketing in member retention30:44 – Personalizing communication to drive engagement36:31 – Mobile-first strategies: Why it matters in 202542:39 – "It's not your grandfather's club anymore" – Modernizing club marketing47:50 – The overlooked power of social media for clubs50:47 – Key stat: Engaged couples judge a venue based on its last 9 Instagram posts!52:04 – Closing thoughts & where to find more resources🔗 Connect with Kathy Heil & Storyteller Club Marketing:🌐 Website: clubmarketing.com📧 Email: [email protected]📌 Don’t forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔, and leave a COMMENT 💬 with your thoughts on the episode!

In this insightful episode, Kyle Bradburn sits down with Greg Poirier, Director of Green Hospitality and Green Lodging Certifications at Audubon International, and Greg Rotzell, VP of Operations at Capstone Hospitality. We dive deep into sustainability in the hospitality industry, exploring how Audubon International is setting the standard for eco-friendly practices across resorts, hotels, and destination properties.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ How Audubon International differentiates itself in the green certification space

✅ The core components of the Green Lodging Certification Program

✅ Practical sustainability strategies that enhance guest experiences AND support the environment

✅ The ROI of eco-friendly practices for hospitality businesses

✅ The future of green operations in clubs and resorts

⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome & Guest Introductions
00:32 – Greg Poirier's Role at Audubon International
01:17 – What Inspired Greg Poirier to Join Audubon
02:20 – How Audubon Stands Out in Green Certifications
03:44 – Core Elements of the Green Lodging Certification
06:11 – Assessing Environmental Impact for Resorts
08:22 – Debunking Sustainability Myths in Hospitality
10:45 – Enhancing Guest Experiences Through Sustainability
13:30 – The ROI of Eco-Friendly Practices
15:50 – Starting Your Club’s Sustainability Journey
18:05 – Future Trends in Green Hospitality
20:00 – Final Thoughts & Episode Wrap-Up

🌍 Whether you’re a hospitality professional, a sustainability advocate, or just curious about eco-innovations in the industry, this episode is packed with valuable insights!

🎧 Listen now and discover how your club or resort can go green while boosting member engagement!

👉 Subscribe for more episodes on club innovation, leadership, and growth strategies.

👍 Like, Comment, and Share if you find this episode inspiring!

Dive into the latest episode of the Club Innovators Podcast with host Kyle Bradburn and special guest Evan Schiller, a world-renowned golf course photographer and former PGA professional. Evan shares his incredible journey from the PGA Tour to photographing over 700 championship courses worldwide. Learn the secrets behind capturing breathtaking golf course shots, the evolution of photography technology (from bucket trucks to drones), and what it takes to make a golf course truly photogenic. Whether you're a golfer, photographer, or a fan of innovative stories, this episode is a must-watch!

📸 Check out Evan’s stunning work: EvanSchillerPhotography.com

🎧 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring stories from the world of private clubs and hospitality.

Time Stamps:

00:00 - Introduction: Welcoming Evan Schiller to the Podcast

01:06 - From the PGA Tour to Photography: Evan’s Journey

05:53 - What Makes a Great Golf Photo: Light, Angles, and Weather

10:28 - Evolution of Technology in Photography: Pre- and Post-Drone Era

20:15 - Lessons for Aspiring Photographers and the Future of Golf Photography

Welcome to another episode of Club Innovators, where we explore groundbreaking stories and strategies shaping the future of private clubs and the golf industry! 🎙️ This week, we are thrilled to host Grace Hurley, Vice President of Brands and National Events at Catapult. Grace, a PGA professional and the youngest winner of the PGA National Merchandiser of the Year Resort Award, shares her inspiring journey from collegiate golf to transforming branding and merchandising in the industry. 🚀

In this special episode of the Club Innovators Podcast, hosted by Kyle Bradburn and Greg Rotzell of Capstone Hospitality, we are joined by Frank LaVardera, Director of Environmental Programs for Golf at Audubon International. Frank dives deep into the importance of environmental sustainability in the golf industry and how clubs can balance ecological responsibility with economic benefits.

In this episode of the Club Innovators Podcast, host Kyle Bradburn sits down with Brian Friedrichs, CEO of Capstone Hospitality; Greg Rotzell, VP of Operations; and Adam Shamsie, VP of Sales, to discuss the revolutionary new product reshaping membership sales in private clubs—Drive CRM.

Listen in as Brian shares the backstory of Capstone’s journey from its founding in 2009 to becoming a leader in membership sales. Learn how Drive CRM, built on over a decade of expertise and powered by advanced analytics, is transforming how clubs track leads, close memberships, and create retention strategies.

Greg takes us through the detailed build-out of the system, emphasizing its intuitive design for sales teams and its powerful reporting features that deliver actionable insights. Plus, Adam highlights how the platform is enhancing sales efficiency and creating a seamless experience for membership directors.

If you’re in the private club industry and looking to supercharge your sales and retention efforts, this episode is for you!

Key Topics Covered:

🔗 Learn more about Capstone Hospitality: www.capstone-hospitality.com

🎧 Subscribe for more insights into membership sales innovation!

In this insightful episode of the Club Innovators Podcast, host Kyle Bradburn sits down with Melissa Hansen, a well-known marketing expert in the private club industry. They discuss key trends from the Inbound Marketing Conference in Boston, focusing on enhancing the digital experience for prospective club members. Melissa shares strategies on digital-first impressions, the importance content, and how gated content can drive leads for membership sales.

The episode covers how private clubs can stay relevant and appealing to a new generation of potential members by focusing on their online presence, including updating websites and leveraging high-quality photography and videography.

Tune in for actionable insights on how clubs can stand out in the digital landscape and attract more members by delivering a premium experience from the first digital interaction.

Timestamps:

Join us for a special episode of the Club Innovators podcast as we go behind the scenes at Capstone Hospitality's annual retreat! This gathering brings together the company's top executives and sales directors for a unique mix of team building, innovation, and collaboration. Discover how these retreats foster stronger relationships, enhance learning, and drive creative strategies within the organization. Whether you're in the club industry or interested in leadership and team dynamics, this episode offers valuable insights you won't want to miss. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more content!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview of the Company Retreat

06:06 Training Sessions and Learning Opportunities

15:43 The Role of Golf in the Sales Process

19:08 The Retreat Experience and Team Bonding

22:15 The Importance of Follow-Up Conversations and Support

28:33 Preventing Burnout in Sales

33:01 The Value of a Strong Support System

36:41 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Summary

Summary

In this episode, Kyle Bradburn, Greg Rotzell, and Tyler Vander Meulen discuss the importance of assessing the sales process and salesperson in a private club. They emphasize the need for an honest assessment and highlight the lack of club assessments in the industry. The hosts share their experience of secret shopping clubs and reveal some alarming data, such as 25% of clubs not responding to inquiries and only 8% of clubs following up with additional contact. They stress the importance of building rapport with prospects through phone calls and personalized emails. The hosts also discuss the use of data and benchmarks to evaluate the sales process and identify areas for improvement. They recommend utilizing a CRM system, such as Capstone Drive, to track and analyze sales data. Finally, they emphasize the need for continuous assessment and improvement in the sales process.

Takeaways

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview00:36 The Importance of an Honest Assessment07:59 Building Rapport with Prospects13:26 Using Data and Benchmarks to Evaluate the Sales Process25:30 Continuous Assessment and Improvement32:07 Conclusion