Page 39 - GBC Winter 2024 English

NGCOA Canada
Members’
Clubhouse
Introducing
Jordan Vizena
Director, Membership & Research, NGCOA Canada
Hello, Golf Business Canada readers and golf course owners and operators across the country! My name is Jordan Vizena and I am thrilled to serve as Director of Membership for NGCOA Canada. I stepped into this role following the well-deserved retirement of Jim Thompson earlier this year. While I relish the challenge and everything that lies ahead with the role, I am grateful for the path that has been paved before me by Jim, along with the association’s only two other Membership Directors in its 32-year history, Nathalie Lavallée and Jeff Calderwood. Their focus on establishing meaningful relationships with our members, and prioritizing their best interests is evident, and is a commitment that I intend on bolstering further.
At NGCOA Canada, our members are at the heart of every decision we make. While many member- based associations may say the same, we believe it is our actions that set us apart. Keeping the lines of communication open is critical to understanding your business and the industry at large. Our success as an association is dependent on being up to date on industry trends and there is no substitute for first-hand insight from our members. By listening to your experiences, the good, bad and everything in between, we can create programs and offer services that are truly tailored to your business needs.
A vital component to that knowledge gathering is our team of Regional Directors located across the country. They work tirelessly to strengthen relationships with our members and ensure that every voice is represented in our decision-making process. The importance of having a physical presence in every major golf market is on full display at each Spring Warm Up, Golf Invitational and National Conference that we host. There is a genuine sense of family amongst everyone in attendance, where fellow members are viewed as valuable collaborators, not competitors. This spirit of camaraderie is one of the things that sets NGCOA Canada apart from any other association in the industry.
97%
Retention Rate
The strong culture of the association is reflected in our impressive success metrics. Year-over-year, the NGCOA Canada has retained 97% to 98% of our members, far exceeding the typical trade association retention rates in the mid 80s. What makes our 97% retention rate even more remarkable is the fact that our members join voluntarily, because of our benefits, and not for accreditation purposes. They join our association and remain with our association because they believe in what we do and in the culture we have cultivated.
Going forward, I am committed to continuing to foster and build upon that sense of family. I believe that we are well positioned to provide significant value to every golf operation, regardless of the scale of their business. We will maintain our focus on providing industry-leading education, research, advocacy, networking opportunities and cost- saving programs. Our goal is to enhance your professional development, keep you informed about the latest trends and challenges, strengthen your connections within the industry, and ultimately help your business thrive.
Please feel free to connect with me at any time. I look forward to hearing from you!
Jordan Vizena
Director, Membership & Research jvizena@ngcoa.ca | 866-626-4262 extension 32
Members’ Clubhouse
Golf Business Canada 39