Want a packed room and zero complaints after comedy night?
Learn how to:

• Book talent your members actually love
• Avoid the AV pitfalls that kill energy
• Set expectations that save your inbox
• Budget for the headline act, not just the dinner
  
  

Comedy night should be a club highlight, not a source of member complaints. In this episode, entertainer, club favorite, and PCR host
 Denny Corby breaks down exactly how to host a packed, laughter-filled comedy night that delights members and drives real engagement.

Download the Ultimate Comedy Night Blue Print here

From avoiding amateur mistakes like bad room setups and poor AV to booking headline talent that matches your club's vibe, Denny shares a proven blueprint tailored for the private club industry. He also uncovers why many comedy nights bomb and how a few simple changes can turn things around fast.

Whether your club has sworn off comedy night or you're planning your first, this episode is a must-listen for every GM, event planner, and club marketer who wants events that members rave about.

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Who's really trying to join your club?
What secrets lie beneath that polished application and those glowing references?
Dan Klimek from Kennis Member Vetting pulls back the curtain on what truly comprehensive member screening can reveal and the results might shock you.

Traditional background checks barely scratch the surface.
Regulated by employment laws, they're limited in scope and depth. But when vetting potential club members, these restrictions don't apply, allowing for investigations that peel back layers of carefully constructed personas to reveal who applicants truly are when they believe no one's watching.

The conversation explores fascinating current trends emerging in member applications: pandemic PPP loan fraud that's only now surfacing, increasingly polarized political personas that might clash with club culture, and those mysterious "ghost accounts" – hidden online profiles where seemingly normal applicants participate in fringe communities. Perhaps most concerning are those joining with ulterior motives – not for the camaraderie or shared interests, but to gain access to wealthy members for business opportunities.

Most revealing are the detailed examples shared throughout: body camera footage showing how applicants behave during police encounters (a preview of potential club behavior), individuals maintaining completely separate online identities, and those with extensive litigation histories they've carefully omitted from applications. These real-world cases demonstrate how one problematic member can drive others away from facilities, causing financial and cultural damage far exceeding the cost of proper vetting.

While many clubs overlook this crucial step in membership screening, more are recognizing its value – particularly smaller clubs where each member represents a larger percentage of the community. With service options ranging from basic packages to comprehensive investigations, clubs of all sizes can now access professional vetting that protects their unique culture and ensures new members enhance rather than detract from the experience.

Ready to discover what might be hiding in your applicant pool?
Visit membervetting.com to request a sample report and see firsthand how thorough screening could protect your club's future.

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Buckle up for the most exhilarating professional development experience ever created for private club leaders! Management in Motion isn't your typical leadership seminar - it's what happens when you combine high-performance driving with transformative leadership insights at one of America's premier private racetracks.

Picture yourself behind the wheel of a BMW M-series vehicle, mastering drag racing, precision driving challenges, and even drifting on the professional track at Monticello Motor Club. Between adrenaline-pumping driving sessions, you'll gain invaluable leadership insights from club professionals who understand both worlds. Ionel Porumb, Monticello Motor Club's visionary GM, will share the fascinating evolution of this unique private club. Josiah Smith, who rose from valet to GM of Countryside Golf and Country Club, will connect his track motorcycle experience to performing under pressure in club leadership. And the incomparable Luann Giovanelli brings her drag racing passion to discussions about building team trust and calculated risk-taking.

What makes this experience truly special is the intimate setting. Limited to just 50 club professionals, Management in Motion creates the perfect environment for meaningful connections with forward-thinking industry peers. The carefully curated experience extends beyond Monday's main event to include Sunday night activities and an exclusive poker tournament with special prizes. This isn't just professional development - it's a chance to rediscover your passion for leadership while creating memories and relationships that will last throughout your career.

Ready to trade fairways for straightaways and PowerPoints for horsepower? This groundbreaking event takes place Monday, September 22nd at Monticello Motor Club, with over 30 seats already claimed. 

Visit privateclubradio.com/managementinmotion to secure one of the remaining spots. This experience isn't for everyone - it's designed specifically for curious, open-minded club professionals who lead with fire and aren't afraid to drift outside their comfort zone. Join us and discover how the lessons learned at 100mph can transform your approach to leadership.

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In this episode of Private Club Radio, we chat with Rollie Carlson, 
Managing Director of the Upper Midwest CMAA Chapter and a longtime leader in the private club industry. 

With a career spanning from senior-level retail marketing to general management at top clubs, Rollie brings a rare mix of operational insight, people-first leadership, and a deep passion for mentorship.

We talk what makes a great club professional, not just in skills, but in mindset.

Rollie shares lessons from his time with American Golf Corporation, his years running Hudson Golf Club and St. Cloud Country Club, and how he’s spent the past decade growing one of CMAA’s most respected regional chapters.

Key themes include:

• Why “yes” should always be your starting point
• The biggest career mistake young professionals make
• How to build trust across teams and generations
• And why Rollie’s “management by wandering around” philosophy still works

You’ll also hear powerful insights on work-life synergy, creating culture from the ground up, and how to spot (and be) a great mentee.

Whether you’re a student, a mid-level manager, or a seasoned GM, this episode is full of real-world wisdom and practical leadership takeaways—delivered with warmth, wit, and Rollie’s signature sincerity.

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Nicole Wasserman isn't your typical club professional. At an age when most are still figuring out career basics, she's already compiled a resume that reads like a hospitality industry scavenger hunt—Augusta National, the Governor's Mansion, Hershey, Roaring Gap, wedding planner, and more. Now serving as Food and Beverage Manager at Daniel Island Club, Nicole brings a refreshingly grounded perspective on what it means to build a meaningful career in the private club world.

Our conversation explores Nicole's unconventional path into club management, beginning with her early wedding planning experience where every minute detail was scheduled down to bathroom breaks for the bride. This meticulous background created an unexpected culture shock when she first encountered club operations, initially believing BEOs were missing crucial information that wedding timelines would have included. Her transformative experience with The Players Championship, where she witnessed extraordinary service training that created genuine enthusiasm among staff, ultimately sparked her passion for club management.

What truly distinguishes Nicole's outlook is her thoughtful approach to leadership development. Rather than chasing titles or being the "youngest GM," she focuses on becoming the kind of leader others call for guidance and mentorship. "I want to look back on my career and say I did something that really changed people's lives," she explains, highlighting the value she places on making meaningful impact over rapid advancement.

For club leaders wondering how to connect with the next generation of talent, Nicole offers invaluable insights. Young professionals seek consistent, supportive leadership that provides hands-on opportunities while offering guidance when needed. They want authentic connections rather than superficial engagement. And most importantly, they want to be at clubs where the cultural fit aligns with their personal values and communication style.

Whether you're a seasoned club professional looking to better understand your younger team members or an emerging leader seeking to navigate the club industry, Nicole's blend of youthful enthusiasm and mature perspective provides a roadmap for bridging generational gaps while preserving what makes club culture special.

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What if your club could serve as more than just a dining and recreation venue for aging members, but become a true lifeline of purpose and connection? Clubhouse Manager Kaitlyn Allen, CCM takes us on a fascinating journey through how her background in gerontology transformed her approach to hospitality at Long Cove Club.

Starting with her teenage job at a retirement community, Kaitlyn discovered both the beauty of serving older adults and the ugly reality of elder abuse, initially setting her on a path toward geriatric law before finding her true calling in club management. Her unique perspective reveals how hospitality for older members transcends service to become a matter of dignity, purpose, and identity.

The magic happens in the details from backlit check presenters that eliminate the embarrassment of struggling to read bills in dim lighting to programming that keeps members engaged through tap dancing classes, cultural associations, and wellness activities. These seemingly small touches make profound differences in how members experience their club.

Equally impressive is Long Cove's approach to staff culture through their Leadership and Culture Crew – non-managerial employees from every department who help shape workplace policies and create engaging team experiences. This innovative program has catapulted employee satisfaction into the 95th percentile industry-wide, creating a "palpable" culture where staff refer friends and family because they genuinely love their workplace.

 "Hospitality isn't about what you serve, but about making people feel seen, celebrated, and like they still matter." This episode will transform how you approach member engagement at every age.

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The ground is shifting beneath private golf clubs, and not everyone sees it coming. In this eye-opening conversation with Jason Becker, founder of Golf Life Navigators, we peel back the curtain on dramatic changes reshaping the private club landscape across the Sunbelt and beyond.

Remember those endless waitlists and lightning-fast home sales in golf communities? That reality is fading fast. Home prices have dropped 10-15% in many golf communities while inventory has doubled or even tripled. Buyers who once made decisions in weeks now spend months meticulously comparing options. The result? Clubs that proudly displayed "waitlist only" signs are suddenly scrambling to sell memberships again.

Jason reveals fascinating data points that club leaders need to understand: 90% of consumers combine their club and home search, yet nearly half prefer living outside community gates - a major shift from pandemic preferences. Today's buyers prioritize breakfast services, modern fitness facilities, wellness programming, and poolside amenities over traditional selling points like signature golf holes.

What's driving this transformation? We're more than halfway through the Baby Boomer retirement wave, with only 5-6 years remaining before Gen X becomes the primary market. Clubs clinging to reputation and tradition while ignoring changing preferences are setting themselves up for trouble. The solution isn't slashing initiation fees (a mistake many clubs made during the Great Recession), but rather crafting compelling value propositions centered on culture, community, and innovative service offerings.

Whether you're a club leader wondering why your waitlist is shrinking, a membership director seeking fresh marketing approaches, or simply curious about the future of private clubs, this conversation provides a roadmap for navigating the significant changes already underway. The clubs that thrive won't necessarily be those with the most prestigious golf courses, but those creating the most vibrant, service-oriented communities.

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David Sweet’s journey from the luxury hotel world to the private club space is anything but typical—but his impact at Boca Woods shows what’s possible when a leader aligns people, purpose, and values.

In this episode, David shares how Boca Woods has evolved by investing deeply in culture, communication, and brand—from the inside out. From forming a marketing dream team to reshaping how members engage with the club, this is a masterclass in modern leadership.

We cover:

How Boca Woods earned a nomination as a Distinguished Club of the World

The importance of clarity in values—and how to make them live in your operations

How storytelling (internally and externally) has transformed engagement

Building a healthy internal culture that supports mental health and belonging

The value of mentorship—and how one mentor helped him negotiate a GM role on his terms

Why people and culture aren’t just “nice to have”—they’re your competitive edge

This one is for anyone who believes clubs are about more than just amenities—they’re about people.

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Ever wondered why your club's racket department seems financially constrained? In this eye-opening episode, consultant and racket management expert Ed Shanaphy lifts the curtain on the numbers rarely discussed in polite club company.

The financial anatomy of a racket department is more complex than most realize. Shanaphy reveals that nationally, racket departments typically receive just 3% of a club's overall revenue – translating to about $300,000 for a club generating $10 million. More critically, payroll shouldn't exceed 55% of that figure, leaving just $165,000 to staff an entire department. These constraints explain why directors must be creative with limited resources.

Rather than defaulting to discounts, Shanaphy advocates strategic revenue growth through thoughtful promotions. "If you come to your ladies practice, 50% off Sophie Bella clothing," he suggests as an example that drives both participation and sales. This cross-selling approach delivers more value than random price cuts while building stronger member engagement.

The conversation explores compensation structures, housing considerations, and how top professionals approach the business side of racket sports. Shanifee draws important parallels to golf management, noting that understanding operations beyond teaching is crucial for long-term success. "I strung a lot of rackets at midnight so members had them at 6am the next day," he recalls, emphasizing how these experiences shape exceptional club professionals.

Looking toward 2025, Shanaphy identifies dynamic pricing as an emerging trend. Just as hotels and airlines adjust prices based on demand, forward-thinking clubs are considering charging premium rates during peak hours while offering discounts during traditionally slower periods. This approach maximizes both revenue and facility usage – though implementation requires sensitivity at member-owned clubs.

Whether you're managing rackets at a prestigious club or simply curious about the business behind the sport, this conversation provides invaluable insights into creating sustainable, profitable racket programs that enhance the overall club experience.

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What do private clubs and political campaigns have in common?
 Turns out… a lot more than you think.

In this episode, Denny sits down with Charles “Chuck” Merriman, CCM. 
TRhe politically wired, quick-witted COO of San Diego Country Club whose journey from congressional campaign manager to club executive is anything but ordinary.

Chuck shares how his deep roots in politics shaped his leadership style, how civic involvement helped reopen his club during COVID, and why every club leader should build relationships in their local government before they need something.

We dive into:

• The surprising parallels between campaign strategy and club management
• How to deal with tough members, tougher boards, and Twitter trolls
• The real secret to persuasion, power, and protecting your club’s reputation
• Chuck’s proudest wins, hardest losses, and the leadership lessons in between

This one’s packed with humor, real talk, and insight for anyone who leads in high-pressure environments.

If you’ve ever felt like club leadership is political this episode proves you’re absolutely right.

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