Advancing Club Leadership Through Insight and Education
The partnership between the Club Management Association of Canada (CMAC) and GGA Partners is built on a shared mission: to equip private club management professionals with the insights, strategies, and education they need to thrive in a changing world.
At the heart of this relationship is a commitment to timely, relevant research that captures the voice of club leaders and delivers practical, data-driven insights into the trends shaping the future of private clubs in Canada.
Key Initiatives Include:
The Annual Club Industry Insights Report
This report tracks current trends, along with ongoing benchmarking of operational outcomes and future outlooks.
The Compensation & Benefits Report
This report provides insights to help club management professionals and their boards understand the compensation similarities and differences among management positions across clubs of various sizes and locations.
These results, along with broader thought leadership from GGA, are shared across CMAC’s impactful platforms, including educational sessions, national and branch events, and industry publications.
These reports are a key benefit of CMAC membership.
Members who participate in the surveys receive the reports on a complimentary basis.
For members who do not participate, the reports are available for purchase via the CMAC Member Dashboard.
2024 Key Insights
This sample is from the Canadian Club Industry Insights 2024 CMAC Industry Trends Report. Research and insights powered by GGA Partners. Prepared in partnership with CMAC.
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Membership & Capacity Member growth remains strong. Nearly half of clubs (46%) reported membership increases in 2024, with especially strong growth among non-golf clubs. While waitlists remain common (61%), their size and frequency are decreasing. Capacity planning is a strategic priority. Clubs are split on whether their current capacity meets demand - flexible, usage-based models are outperforming traditional limits. |
Staffing & Operations Staffing challenges remain, particularly in food and beverage. Retention is stable, but hiring remains tough. Confidence in retaining staff is solid, but food and beverage roles are still the hardest to fill. Clubs that brand themselves as employers of choice, and invest in training, incentives, and education partnerships, are seeing better results. |
Capital Funding & Investment A majority of clubs continue to have plans for major capital improvements over the next year. 63% of clubs plan major capital improvements in the coming year. Most projects include a mix of maintenance and aspirational upgrades. Keys to success: Strong governance, transparent communication, and disciplined project management are critical for delivering high-impact capital projects. |
Together, GGA and CMAC continue to support the advancement of the private club community through data-driven insights, innovative education, and a commitment to the industry’s success by equipping club management professionals and their boards with data-informed practical strategies and future-focused solutions.
Why These Reports Matter
In an industry where knowledge is power, these reports are your competitive advantage. These comprehensive reports are designed specifically for Canadian clubs, and go beyond numbers – offering real, actionable insights to help you lead with confidence.
The CMAC Club Industry Insights Report offers national benchmarking that helps you measure your club’s performance against peers, identify emerging trends in operations, staffing, and capital investment, and make informed decisions that strategically position your club in a competitive landscape.
The CMAC Compensation Reports provide focused benchmarking on salaries, bonuses, and benefits - broken down by club type, revenue, region, and population size. These reports are essential tools for salary negotiations, board-level discussions, and long-term career planning.
Whether you are a general manager, board member, or emerging leader, these reports arm you with the data you need to confidently guide your club and your career forward.
CMAC Members:
If you participated in the surveys, check your email for your complimentary report. If you did not participate, the most recent reports are available for purchase on the CMAC Member Dashboard.
Not yet a member?
Learn more about CMAC membership.
