Background

Client #7 is a historic private club located southwest of downtown Chicago. Previously considered among the top private clubs in the Chicagoland market, Client #7 enjoys a long and distinguished history that includes serving as the host of the 1914 U.S. Open, the PGA Tour’s Western Open, and several other high-profile professional and amateur tournaments. In recent years, the Club has struggled to operate efficiently and to attract new members.

Tactics

• Client #7 entered into a management consulting agreement with Invited Club Management in May 2019. Under the terms of the agreement, the Club retained all employees and continued to execute accounting in-house. ICM was charged with the development of the overall business plans; including sales and marketing and capital plans, as well as providing strategic support for the Club’s Board of Governors.

• ICM built a strong operating team that included a veteran General Manager and Membership Director, tasked with reimagining the member experience and growing the Club’s membership.

• Enrolled the Club into our industry-leading purchasing program, providing immediate expense savings of 15% annually.

• ICM launched a comprehensive brand awareness / lead generation campaign in the local market and select Chicago zip codes designed to reintroduce the property and combat the local narrative that the Club was struggling.

• Introduced a dynamic new member programming strategy; implementing a new wave of member social events more aligned with the Club’s shifting demographics.

• Leveraged strong regional support, including sales & marketing, food & beverage and operational support to improve product quality.