2024 Featured Speakers

 Keynote Speaker

DALE SMITH THOMAS

Dale Smith Thomas is a renowned international motivational speaker, best-selling author, and the President of Winners By Choice, Inc.

With over 25 years of experience, Dale is a highly sought-after keynote speaker for large events, major corporations, and associations. Her influential speeches have traversed the glob, inspiring audiences to assume complete responsibility for the outcomes they shape in their lives.

In addition to her impactful speaking career, you may recognize Dale from her numerous national television appearances. She notably hosted a reality singing competition alongside Dick Clark, served as a featured Guest Expert on The Dr. Phil Show, and was a celebrity judge on "Pageant School, Becoming Miss America" which was aired on CMT.

Dale Smith Thomas is a thought leader and masterful storyteller, drawing wisdom from her personal life challenges to inspire and empower audiences to enact meaningful life transformations, both personally and professionally. A proud graduate of Mississippi State University, she calls Nashville home and is affectionately known as "The Hope Doctor" by many of her dedicated followers. 

 

Guest Speakers

JAMES CRONK 

 For the past twenty-five years James Cronk has been passionately committed to helping organizations get their people, and their customers, powered on. Whether as a theatre producer, golf professional or small business owner, his success as a manager and leader is evident in the recognitions bestowed upon himself and his teams; three times (and in two different industries) his organization has been recognized as one of the 'Top Ten Employers' in British Columbia, Canda; the readers of Golf Digest, the golf industry's foremost authority, recognized his facility as having the '5th Best Customer Service in North America'. Among his personal recognitions; 'Top 40 Business Persons under 40' and 'Top 20 Most Influential People in Golf in Canada'. His Company, CRONK GROUP, uses a unique blend of creativity, experience and proven systems to help organizations achieve their goals and increase their profits by improving their systems, their service and their people! For more information visit www.cronkgroup.com.

 

ED HEIL

Twelve years in television news teaches a person a few things about producing content and powerful storytelling. Ed Heil used those elements to create the foundation in 2005, when storytelling was a nod to journalists and before it was a marketing buzzword. Ed talks nationally to help private clubs harness the power of storytelling to support strategic marketing campaigns igniting club growth and member engagement. He is a proud graduate of Michigan State University where he earned a degree in Psychology.

 

 

 

FRED FUNG

Fred Fung re-joined Bonita Bay Club in October 2019 after serving as Assistant General Manager from 2010-2017. In the interim, Fred was the General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of Charlotte Country Club, a Top 10 ranked Platinum Club of America and a Top 50 ranked Platinum Club of the World. With 35 years of hospitality leadership experience, Fred spent twenty years of his career in the luxury hotel sector, highlighted by a 7-year tenure with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, opening their triple (hotel, restaurant, and spa) 5-Star property in Miami. In 2007, he transitioned to private club management with Turnberry Isle, Fisher Island, and joined Bonita Bay Club in 2010, immediately following its turnover from developer to member-owned. 

Bonita Bay Club is Florida's largest member-owned private club golf facility. As Chief Executive Officer, Fred is responsible for the operational and strategic oversight of two campuses, five golf courses, 18 tennis courts, 10 pickleball courts, a 60,000 square foot Lifestyle Center, six restaurants, croquet, and a resort style pool, representing over $120 Million dollars of assets and approaching a $50 Million dollar operating budget.

Panelist Moderator

JEFF BUCK

 Jeff Buck, CEO of Club Properties, boasts a robust 25 years of industry experience, emphasizing a commitment to cultivating innovative products and overseeing their effective implementation. With a background in software development, design, and advertising, Jeff brings a comprehensive understanding of the tools necessary for success in an upscale market. Beyond his professional role, he is dedicated to teaching and training, collaborating with his partner and wife to provide a real-world plan and personalized approach to ensuring your success. Jeff's leadership extends beyond the boardroom, embodying a holistic approach to business and personal development. 

 

 

Panelist

SEAN BLEYL

Sean Bleyl is a Private Club Industry pro with 20+ years of experience. Sean joined MembersFirst in 2011 and has spent the last decade helping private clubs develop and implement their marketing and communications strategy while helping clubs make the lives of their members more convenient and the membership directors' lives more efficient. 

 

 

 

TREVOR COUGHLAN

Trevor Coughlan, General Manager of ClubHouse Online - the world’s most popular website platform for private clubs, has worked extensively within the technology industry developing, creating and executing multi-strategy marketing campaigns and directing strategic initiatives. During his 15 + years with Jonas Club Software, Trevor has travelled extensively speaking to club industry professionals about the benefits of marketing, technology and management. Throughout his career, Trevor has had the opportunity to address audiences throughout North America, Europe and Asia as a frequent guest speaker for club centric organizations. Trevor delivers a fresh perspective with his presentations, and has a natural ability to convey marketing principles and practices to audiences of all types.

  

CODY HARRISON

 Cody Harrison is a Senior Regional Consultant at Clubessential, bringing a invaluable expertise in software for the private club industry. With a proven track record of more than a decade of working with private clubs, Cody is dedicated to providing his insight into the evolution of technology. His passion and knowledge for the private club industry has been instrumental in building successful long-term relationships with club partners. 

 

 

 

 

ROBIN MICHAEL

Robin Michael is the Director of Sales for the Florida & Texas Region at Northstar, a leading Club, Community, and Resort Management Software company with over 1,000 clients worldwide. Robin has over 20 years of experience providing club technology solutions to the industry. Robin has provided education and has served as a subject matter expert to various CMAA Chapters, SW FL Membership Directors Association, Golf Inc., and PCMA.