MANAGEMENT REPORT FOR JANUARY 2004
To: ACBL Board of Directors
cc: Don Mamula
Peter Rank
From: Jay Baum, CEO
ACBL
Date: January 2004
1. MEMBERSHIP:
We have started 2004 with a good increase in total membership and total paying members. We have a defined goal to increase both by 1% for 2004 which means we need your help to increase paid members by 1,500 and total members by 1,670. (Exhibit 1).
2. MARTKETING:
Collateral Materials
· A corporate brochure design and “look” has been chosen. This brochure will serve as a generic sales piece for the ACBL. Production
is under way.
· The new look has been adapted to a new Learn to Play Bridge CD cardboard
cover. 10,000 new CDs are in production for distribution to exhibits and
schools.
· The home page template has been completed with a successful evaluation
of function and user-friendliness. Group 1 copy has been completed, including
About the ACBL, Join or Renew and Resources for Teachers
· We have received more than 6,000 responses from the national consumer research survey distributed late last year. Respondents are receiving a follow-up letter and coded postcard in January to request a Prospective Member Packet. We hope to report positive results at the Spring meeting.
· In December we linked all club addresses on the ACBL web site to MapQuest for easy reference to maps with directions to clubs.
· We continue to research the feasibility of a general 800 number for a report to the marketing committee at the Spring meeting.
· We began offering a “New Year’s Special”—all ACBL Bridge Series Teacher Manuals for $5 each—in New Orleans and have sold 330 to date. This is an increase of approximately 500 percent over the same time period in 2002. An advertisement for the special appeared in the January Bridge Bulletin. (Many teachers have not updated their manuals as time has gone on because of the high cost. We hope this effort will assist them in making their teaching programs more effective.)
Cooperative Advertising Program
· The new Cooperative Advertising Program began Jan. 1, offering greater rebates for newcomer lessons and programs. Promotional activities for the program have included: web site, January Bridge Bulletin ad, January Bridge Bulletin mention in “From the CEO,” 1st quarter newsletters to clubs and teachers, January e-newsletter to clubs and teachers, year-end mailing from the education department, in-and-out report to units.
· We have launched a monthly e-newsletter to clubs and teachers titled “Marketing
Matters.” The Marketing Matters e-newsletter will contain information on the latest
marketing efforts, tips for clubs and teachers, news, articles, programs
and more. This is in response to relatively low awareness figures obtained
from the club official and teacher survey.
· Effective Jan. 1, the teacher stipend for the School Bridge Lesson Series
Program was increased from $280 to $350 to provide an additional incentive
for the program. The stipend had not been increased in more than 10 years.
· Hometown press releases were sent to the media for winners of national
events during the Fall NABC. Two large-circulation papers (the Austin American-Statesman
and Las Vegas Review Journal) followed up with major features on champion
players.
· We have established a press release schedule for stories originating from
headquarters. January includes stories on Bruce Reeve and Phyllis Harlan.
Other releases will feature such topics as masterpoint race winners, Hall
of Fame election, Star Clubs, etc.
· An online ad campaign was conducted in December on spades pages of the online gaming site Yahoo! Games in an effort to attract spades players to bridge. While the ad was not as successful as we had hoped, resulting in only 132 Learn to Play Bridge downloads during the three-week test run, it did show some interest in bridge by spades players. Discussions on the connection to spades are ongoing.
· An ad for LTPB will run on Yahoo! Games bridge pages Jan. 1-16.
Learn To Play Bridge Download
· There have been more than 20,000 LTPB downloads from the ACBL web site
since March 2003. Downloaders who are not members now receive an electronic
letter thanking them for their interest and soliciting them to join or
receive a Prospective Member Packet. This letter includes a special promotional
code to receive a free copy of “Adventures in Duplicate Bridge” with their
membership. Since the promotion was launched on Dec. 3 (through Dec. 31),
we have recruited 45 new members and distributed 193 Prospective Member
Packets.
Gift Memberships
· The advertising campaign in The Bridge Bulletin resulted in 70 gift memberships in December.
Exhibits
· ACBL employees will staff the following exhibits in 2004: Florida Seniors
Expo, Jacksonville FL April 28-29, 12,000 estimated attendance; Origins International
Game Expo, Columbus OH June 24-27, 13,000 estimated attendance; National
Education Association, Washington DC July 2-4, 15,000 estimated attendance;
AARP, Las Vegas Oct. 14-16, 18,000 estimated attendance.
· Additional displays are in production for easy distribution to ACBL members
participating in senior games, health fairs, etc., including the upcoming
Houston Senior Olympics bridge game in March.
3. EDUCATION:
Reno will offer a very large and valuable series of programs.
Bridge and More in Reno
Special Programs and Lectures
for
Teachers and Prospective Teachers
Club Directors
Club and Unit Officials
Students and Players
Spring 2004
North American Bridge Championships
Thursday, March 18 ‑ Sunday, March 28, 2004
Reno, Nevada
Sponsored by your American Contract Bridge League
* * * * *
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday B March 16, 17, 18
CLUB DIRECTORS’ COURSE – Priscilla Smith
Comprehensive course that prepares candidates for directing club and bridge cruise games. Anyone interested in becoming a club director or a director aboard a cruise ship is invited to participate. The advance registration fee is $80 until March 9, which includes instruction by Priscilla Smith, the study materials, and the exam. After that, the fee is $100 at the door. Phone Joyce Stone, 901-332-5586, ext. 1337 or ACBL Sales Department 800-264-2743 to preregister with a credit card.
Time: 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday with dinner break
9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday with dinner and lunch breaks
9 a.m. to noon Thursday followed by lunch break and testing
Thursday, Friday B March 18, 19
TEACHER ACCREDITATION PROGRAM (TAP) – Peg Cundiff
ACBL’s popular 10-hour seminar for people interested in learning how to teach bridge successfully. The course features teaching techniques and course materials developed by Audrey Grant, but the teaching techniques can be used with any materials. Fee: $125.
Pre-register with Dana (Dana.Norton@acbl.org)
Time: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday
9 a.m. to noon Friday
Friday, March 19
ACBL’S SCHOOL BRIDGE LESSON PROGRAM
Join Charlotte Blaiss, ACBL’s Director of Junior Activities, and Julie Greenberg, ACBL’s Director of Education, for an informative session on teaching in the schools and the school program funded by the ACBL and the ACBL Educational Foundation. Kitty Cooper will demonstrate the new lesson plans for school classes. Free of charge.
Time: 10 a.m. to noon
RECEPTION FOR TEACHERS AND CLUB OFFICIALS
ACBL's "thank you" reception for all of the teachers and club officials who work so hard to recruit and retain our members. All teachers – Accredited, Registered, Easybridge!, Certified – are welcome, along with club directors, managers and owners.
Free of charge. Time: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 20
BRIDGE TEACHERS AND BRIDGE CRUISES
Peg Cundiff , host of more than 100 bridge cruises with her husband
Dewy, will educate you on the in’s and out’s of being a successful
teacher/game director on a cruise ship. An interesting morning program
for current and prospective teachers and directors. Fee: $25 at door.
Time: 9 a.m. to noon.
EASYBRIDGE! ACCREDITED PRESENTERS COURSE
Marti Ronemus will present a continuing education course for
club managers and teachers working with a bridge club. Learn
some outstanding promotional ploys and a new way of getting
players into the game. Easybridge! is especially designed to grow
newcomer duplicate games. New streamlined course – 4 hours.
Fee: $25, $15 for optional materials. Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30p.m.
CLUB MANAGERS MORNING – FREE
Two programs designed just for you.
COFFEE WITH CAROL
Join Carol Robertson, manager of the ACBL Club Membership Department, and the ACBL staff for an update on what’s new with clubs. Come network with other club managers and find out what happened at the Fall Board meeting. Time: 10 a.m.
ACBLscore Q & A
If you have been using ACBLscore at your club and have questions, meet with Chief Tournament Director, Rick Beye, and Associate National Tournament Director, Guillermo Poplawsky. They will address the new and old features of this program. Time: 11 a.m.
Renowned teacher and author Audrey Grant offers a fun bridge
lesson to ensure you get the most out of your IN Program games
and activities. The Topic: Five Commonly Made Mistakes – and
How to Fix Them. Complete with handout. Free of charge.
Come at 9:30 a.m. for coffee and pastry.
Time: 10 a.m. to noon
Sunday, March 21
GUARANTEED CLUB GROWTH AND PROSPERITY –New
Want lots of new players? Excitement? Growth? Prosperity? Is
it time to update or reinvent your club? Bring it into the new
millennium? Come to our newest seminar conducted by Marti
Ronemus and explore four no-fail marketing strategies. Be
prepared for a hands-on workshop that will show you the way.
Fee: $25 Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING
All members of the ACBL Board of Governors are invited to
attend the Spring NABC Meeting to hear and discuss the motions
passed by the ACBL Board of Directors at their pre-NABC
meeting. Time: 9:30 a.m. to noon.
GET ONLINE WITH BRIDGE BASE
Don’t miss the opportunity to meet with Fred Gitelman, the
creator of ACBL’s Learn to Play Bridge program. Find out how
you can use this material for promotion and get a guided tour of
the Bridge Base site and its outstanding teaching features. Free of
charge. Time: 10 a.m. to noon
ACBLscore FOR BEGINNERS
Discover how you can better serve your players, produce game results
more quickly and cater to special interests and requests with ACBL’s
outstanding scoring program. Free of charge.
Time: 5:00pm to 6:30pm
Monday, March 22
ACBL EDUCATION WORKSHOP
Unit officials, Education Liaisons, IN Coordinators, Teachers are
invited to join Julie Greenberg, ACBL's Director of Education, for
information on ways to promote bridge and increase participation.
Learn more about the ACBL’s Free Unit Growth Seminar
program. Free of charge. Time: 10 a.m. to noon
EASYBRIDGE! ACCREDITED PRESENTERS COURSE
Marti Ronemus will present a continuing education course for
club managers and teachers working with a bridge club. Learn
some outstanding promotional ploys and a new way of getting
players into the game. Easybridge! is especially designed to grow
newcomer duplicate games. New streamlined course – 4 hours.
Fee: $25, $15 for optional materials. Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30p.m.
GOODWILL COMMITTEE RECEPTION
A special event for players who work to spread goodwill as
members of the ACBL National Goodwill Committee. Interested
in learning more about the committee? Contact your District
Board Member. Time: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday B March 23, 24, 25
CLUB DIRECTORS’ UPDATE COURSE -
Continuing Education for bridge directors to increase their skills.
Certificate given for successful completion.
Time: 9 am to 12:30 each day.
Fee is $10 each day or $25 for all three days.
Pre-registration fee is $20 for all three days. To pre-register contact
Joyce Stone 901-332-5586, ext. 337, (Joyce.Stone@acbl.org), or ACBL
Sales (800-264-2743).
Tuesday: Ruling the Game B A review of frequent rulings
Wednesday: The Proprieties, Running a Successful Club, Dealing
with Problem People
Thursday: Advanced ACBLscore
Tuesday, March 23
AUDREY GRANT BRIDGE FESTIVAL
Renowned teacher and author Audrey Grant offers a fun bridge lesson
to ensure you get the most out of your IN Program games and activities.
The Topic: Five Commonly Made Mistakes – and How to Fix Them.
Complete with handout. Free of charge. Time: 10 a.m. to 12 noon
Wednesday, March 24
NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE BRIDGE PROFESSIONAL
Audrey Grant tells you how to implement and expand bridge programs
in Golf Clubs, Condominiums – and More! Complete with handout.
Free of charge.
Time: 10 a.m. to noon
Thursday, Friday, Saturday C March 25, 26, 27
BETTER BRIDGE ACCREDITED TEACHER COURSE
Audrey Grant has developed a new continuing education
opportunity for teachers. Learn a new way to introduce bridge to
the absolute beginner and modern methods for teaching Bridge
Brushup. Make your students comfortable at duplicate and Internet
games. Earn your accreditation this Spring.
Fee: $25 for TAP Teachers; $75 for others.
Time: 9 a.m. to noon
Projects Completed:
The Bridge Teacher printed
2004 Teacher catalog printed
IN Coordinator Handbook updated and added to the web site
Diamond E-Z Deal Cards – printed and in inventory
NABC TAP Tests and Cruise Certificates processed
USBF approved format for 2004 Junior Team Trials
USBF approved 2004 Challenge Match for Youth between Zone 1 and 2
4. TOURNAMENTS:
New Orleans NABC
TD Panels in New Orleans - The group heard sixteen appeals from non-NABC+ events. This number of cases is about average for a fall NABC. Of the sixteen appeals heard, panels confirmed the table ruling in eleven
cases and overturned five decisions. Seven Appeal Without Merit warnings were issued and two procedural penalties
were imposed by panels. No conduct cases were presented.
In the five years the regional appeals system has been in place, the annual
number of appeals has been 69, 61, 62, 46, and 56 this year. The summer NABC is usually our busiest tournament, but this year the spring
NABC in Philadelphia (21) had slightly more cases than the summer NABC
in Long Beach (19).
NABC+ Committees in New Orleans - This group heard 21 appeals, confirmed the table ruling in 12 cases. This number of cases is about average for a fall NABC. Two Appeal Without Merit warnings were issued, both on the first day of
the tournament - this is a worrisome statistic.
Field Staff - 2004 Changes
Two popular TDs, Pat Jackson(Alabama) and Carey Snider(Georgia), have moved
to part-time status. Both will continue to work selected tournaments. Neither is at this time seeking any retirement benefits.
Three TDs were moved from extended part-time to full-time status: John Gram(Oregon), Jean Molnar(California), and Karl Miller(Florida). These three moves had been anticipated and have been budgeted.
Nine names were removed from the list of active TDs. This was primarily a house-keeping chore, removing those not accepting
TD assignments or those not being used.
Some of you have asked for an organizational chart of the Tournament Directors staff. It is attached. (Exhibit 2)
Office Staff
One minor change: Debbie Vicknair will assume some additional administrative
functions formerly handled by Butch Campbell. This Division's Departments <Tournaments, Meeting Planning, Special
Events, ACBLscore> will have a bit more centralized control in 2004.
Year End Tournament Tables (Exhibit 3)
13 Year History of Tournament/Tables (Exhibit 4)
5. HUMAN RESOURCES:
Performance reviews for 2003 are scheduled over the next few weeks and 2004 goals and objectives for all employees are scheduled to be completed by early March.
Our professional service contract with Richard Colker is being terminated. Gary Blaiss will assume his duties as National Recorder. Richard will finish the Long Beach and New Orleans Casebooks. The editor of the 2004 Casebooks has not yet been determined, but is being offered to Richard and others on a yearly-bid basis.
We are also restructuring our professional service agreements with Audrey Grant. We anticipate Audrey will continue to be a regular at NABCs and other selected venues but will be compensated on a case by case basis. Our contract for the purchasing and editing of “Play Bridge” magazine will expire in August and will be taken in-house with some new features as well as features from the existing format.
6. ACCOUNTING:
The imaging and approval of invoices is ready for implementation and will be another step in moving toward a more paperless environment.
The Canadian exchange rate for the month of February is 1.29. (Exhibit 5)
7. BULLETIN:
Starting with the July Bulletin the following rate increase will be in effect for tournament advertising (commercial rates did not increase for 2004).
|
Ad Size |
B/W & |
4-Color |
|
|
2-Color |
|
|
1 page |
1,660 |
1,780 |
|
2/3 page |
1,200 |
1,290 |
|
1/2 page |
910 |
980 |
|
1/3 page |
615 |
695 |
|
1/6 page |
320 |
370 |