MSU's Hilton Lecture Series Marks 20 Years

The School of Hospitality Business Examines Club Industry

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. February 16, 2010

February 15, 2010 - Near the end of 2009, The School of Hospitality Business hosted the 20th annual Hilton Lecture Series, established in 1991 by Dr. Ray Schmidgall, Hilton Hotels Professor of Hospitality Financial Management.

Dr. Schmidgall envisioned a forum which addressed a single issue facing hospitality businesses each year, both from an industry perspective and from an academic perspective. Past themes have included Globalization, Ethics, Leadership, Trends in Franchising, Hospitality Valuation, Consulting, and other vital hospitality business topics.

The theme for 2009 was Club Management. The industry speaker was James B. Singerling, CCM, CEO of Club Managers Association of America (CMAA), and the academic speaker was Dr. Jason P. Koenigsfeld, senior vice president of professional development of CMAA, whose dissertation topic on competency-based professional development programs was the basis of his discussion.

The lecture series began with a presentation by Mr. Singerling in Dr. Jeff Beck's HB 375 - Hospitality Marketing. A reception and dinner followed that evening, planned and presented by Professor of Culinary Business Chef Allan Sherwin (BA '64) and his HB 485 - Hospitality Foodservice Operations students, featuring an elegant, golf-themed menu.

The following day began with Dr. Koenigsfeld making his presentation, “Developing an Industry Specific Managerial Competency Model for Private Club Managers in the U.S. Based on Important and Frequently Used Management Competencies.”

With research that actually began at MSU with Professor Jack Ninemeier and Professors Joe Perdue and Bob Woods, Dr. Koenigsfeld noted that through the years, club managers have increased their professionalism through certifications which are competency based. In fact the competencies are the core of the CMAA Business Management Institutes, including BMI III, housed at MSU.

Dr. Koenigsfeld discussed his current research on the Management to Leadership Model which suggests that for club chief operating officers and general managers, leadership, communication, and accounting skills appear to be of top importance, in that order.

Mr. Singerling then gave a club industry update, acknowledging the very close relationship enjoyed by CMAA and The School at MSU, saying, “It is pleasure to 'be home' again,” and that the relationship with School faculty is a “treasured one.”

He noted that CMAA was established in 1927 focused on leadership, education, and professionalism. The Business Management Institutes, with over 9,000 graduates, fulfill the educational and developmental needs of the club industry, by teaming closely with academia for the review and implementation of competencies. Certifications all the way to Master Club Manager are offered and earned by increasingly professional executives who lead private clubs of all kinds: social, golf, and even health.

The Hilton Lecture Series closed with two panels of industry experts addressing what they viewed as pressing issues facing their industry. One panel of COOs/GMs covered “Revenue Growth Strategies for the Future,” with Rick Bayliss (BA '85), CCM, CCE, chief operating officer of The Lost Tree Club in North Palm Beach, FL and national director on the Board of the CMAA, serving as moderator. Panel members included Jeff Anderson (BA '90), CCM, general manager of the Traverse City Golf & Country Club; Todd Beals, chief operating officer of the Detroit Golf Club; and Richard Bruner, general manager of the University Club of MSU.

The panel of controllers discussed “Cost Control Strategies for Tough Times” with Tom Smith, CHAE, chief financial officer of the Westmoor Country Club, serving as moderator. Panel members included Frank Agnello (BA '80), controller of The Wyndgate Country Club; Cheryl Brennan, controller of the Bloomfield Hills Country Club; and Rosemarie Harmon, controller of The University Club of MSU. Both groups presented creative ideas, and both concluded that early student involvement in the CMAA is critical to the future of the club industry.

Hilton Lecture Series XXI is scheduled for Fall 2010.

About The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University
Recognized as the top-ranked hospitality business school in the world, The School celebrates its 83rd year anniversary in 2010. The School has more than 9,000 graduates worldwide, including a number of leading academicians and industry executives, who have earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Founded in 1927, the mission of The School is to continually enhance The School's leadership position in hospitality business education through teaching, research, and service. The School offers an exceptionally well-crafted curriculum, taught by innovative professors who are leading textbook authors, sought-after consultants, and respected researchers. The mission of The School of Hospitality Business Alumni Association is to provide active leadership in support of the mission of The School of Hospitality Business through membership participation, image enhancement, financial commitment, and promotion of synergies among students, faculty, alumni, and friends. For more information, please visit www.bus.msu.edu/shb/.