Isenberg HTM Continues Winning Streak at 2026 CMAA World Conference

This past February, 10 members of Isenberg’s student chapter of the Club Management Association of America (CMAA) traveled to Anaheim, Calif., for the 2026 CMAA World Conference. They were joined on the trip by the chapter’s faculty advisor, Rod Warnick, professor of hospitality and tourism management. 

“The CMAA World Conference provides exceptional educational value for students, faculty, and industry professionals alike as we compete, connect with club management leaders from across the country, and watch our alumni succeed,” said Warnick. “It is an exceptional set of experiences each and every year.”

At the conference, they had the opportunity to network with industry professionals and fellow students, get more real-world experience with the club industry, and present their ideas to attendees. The Isenberg chapter came away with four awards—two in the student categories and two in the faculty categories. 

“Attending the CMAA World Conference every year has honestly been one of the most rewarding parts of my college experience, and winning this recognition is truly an honor,” said Olivia Dubois ’26, vice president of the CMAA student chapter. “Our chapter works really hard throughout the year, and those achievements are a reflection of the entire team’s effort. It reinforces that the work we’re doing matters and that we’re contributing to the growth and strength of the club management industry.”

Student Category Awards

Student New Member Recruitment Award (Midsize Chapter)

Isenberg’s students won this award for their diligent work recruiting new members to Isenberg’s CMAA chapter. For the 2025-2026 academic year, the club exceeded its recruitment goal by 86 percent—one of the highest margins among the medium-size chapters that were recognized.

Creative Fundraising Initiative Award

This award recognized Isenberg’s CMAA student chapter members for their innovative and unique approaches to raising funds to support the chapter’s goals. Instead of using a traditional fundraising model and holding events like bake sales or car washes to raise funds, the club has developed a unique workforce-based model, where student members provide professional event support at member clubs in exchange for a charitable donation to the chapter. 

“What makes our approach so valuable is that it gives students hands-on realistic experience in hospitality and club operations, but in a way that’s also exciting and low-pressure,” shared Kendall Famularo ’27, who serves as president of the CMAA student chapter. “These fundraising efforts make up the majority of our funding and allow us to send students to conferences and events like this, which builds connections that can open doors for both our members and for the chapter as a whole.” During the fall 2025 semester, the chapter’s fundraising approach raised $6,000 within just six weeks.

Faculty Category Awards

Advocacy for Club Management Careers Award

The Advocacy for Club Management Careers Award recognizes faculty who have made a significant effort to promote the relevance and value of club management as a professional field within the academic community. Warnick won this honor for his work producing the annual UMass CMAA Student Profiles publication over the past 13 years. Each year’s edition integrates current student profiles, alumni mentor networks, news stories about Isenberg’s CMAA chapter, and more to deliver a high-impact showcase of Isenberg students to over 500 private clubs nationwide. 

“There are many pathways into club management, and students from a wide range of majors—including finance, HTM, OIM, management, marketing, and sport management—can build rewarding careers in this field,” said Warnick. “This year has been especially strong for student placements in internships and full-time roles, and I look forward to seeing that momentum continue.”

Experiential Learning & Industry Partnerships Award

The Experiential Learning & Industry Partnerships Award honors faculty-led programs and initiatives that provide hands-on exposure to the club industry through internships, site visits, or partnerships with clubs. Warnick and the CMAA student chapter won this accolade for their Management in Motion program, held at Monticello Motor Club, a premier automotive country club. The program pairs leadership workshops and expert talks from industry leaders with experiential racetrack driving models led by professional drivers. It’s a combination that may seem surprising, but both club management leadership and high-speed competitive driving require keen decision-making, precise communication, adaptability to rapid change, and deep team trust.

Isenberg student Derek Foley ’27, an HTM and OIM double major, gained valuable leadership experience while having fun along the way. “Management in Motion was an experience that was truly unlike any other,” said Foley. “It fostered real teamwork and communication in such an impactful way. I got to build my network and spend quality time with workplace professionals, who presented their teachings in new and exciting ways.”

Isenberg alum and former member of the CMAA student chapter Jack Sorensen ’25MSBA also participated in the program. “The connections and education opportunities from Isenberg go far beyond graduation,” he said. “My connections, leadership skills, and career are a direct result of being involved in Isenberg’s CMAA student chapter, and it’s amazing to be able to continue to engage with opportunities like this one even after completing my education.”

For more information on the CMAA World Conference, click here. Interested in joining the UMass CMAA student chapter? Click here to follow them on Instagram for updates about fall meeting times.