Fore!mula For Success - Attend a Users Conference - February 2009
If you're still searching for a gold mine of information on how to increase your rounds and revenues, then you haven't attended a Fore! Reservations Users Conference.
"I always leave the Users Conferences amazed and excited by all the new features, and I ask myself, ‘Why aren't we doing that?' and ‘How can we do this better?" says Laura Provost, Head Golf Professional and Director of Golf, at Weibring Golf Club, an 18-hole, public, university-owned course located in Normal, IL - home of Illinois State University. "Even the review sessions are great. The Fore! Reservations team presents valuable information and helpful ideas for process improvements." Laura has attended every national conference since 2003, in addition to hosting the Central Illinois Regional Conference in 2007.
Whether it is the biannual national conference in Chicago or the many regional training conferences, each year, Fore! Reservations offers a number of events to keep Users up to date on the latest developments and improvements to the software. And, as many of the Fore! Reservations Users who attend will attest, for a small investment of time and money, you'll take home a wealth of information and ideas guaranteed to generate revenue, enhance customer relations and the customer experience, and improve processes and functions for increased efficiency.
"I attended the national conference the first year we installed the software and found that it was a very valuable experience," says Dan King, Head Golf Professional and General Manager, at Tokatee Golf Club, in McKenzie Bridge, OR. "I thought it would be different the second year, and was incredibly surprised to find again how valuable it was. Now, I wouldn't miss another one because I pick up something every time and I implement as much as I can." Dan attended the national conference in 2005 and 2006, as well as the Pacific Northwest Regional Conference in 2008.
"Also, my job is to train new employees and the seminars are a great way to get them up to speed on the software. There's no question that there is a positive return on investment."
According to both Laura and Dan, one of the most valuable components of a Users Conference is the time spent with other Fore! Reservations Users sharing ideas, recommendations and solutions.
"I get as much out of talking with the other Users as I do from the presentations," Laura says. "In the smaller environment we have great conversations and we learn from each other. I've picked up some great process improvements, as well as ideas for couples leagues, increasing merchandise sales, improving our Web site, tournaments and advertising. I'm a great stealer of ideas."
"The networking is invaluable," Dan says. "During the open forum, anyone can ask questions out loud, and I always pick up great information from the questions. Even someone who is shy can learn a lot just from listening to the questions and answers."
For David Gies, General Manager, at Fort Mill Golf Course - an 18-hole, semi-private course located in Fort Mill, SC - hosting the August 2008 Carolinas Regional Conference provided the opportunity to get reacquainted with all the important features of the software since the course was closed for nearly two years for renovation and just reopened last September. In 2006, the course's last full year in operation, Fort Mill recorded some 51,700 rounds.
Though he's been a Fore! Reservations User since 2001, David says he's barely scratched the surface on utilizing the features of the software and the conference provided a wealth of valuable, useful information that he is eager to implement. At the top of his list is e-mail marketing.
"The conference was really helpful and learning about the e-mail marketing features made a big impact," David says. "We're absolutely not utilizing the software to its fullest potential, and now that we're reopened, I really want to do that."
"I would encourage anyone and everyone to attend the conferences," says Laura - and she does, having referred several colleagues from neighboring courses as well as out-of-state, to attend. "There are many great benefits for everyone, and my feeling is whatever is good for golf is good for all of us."
Click here to view the 2009 Regional Conference Schedule. This site will be updated as new dates are determined and upcoming conferences will also be announced in the Fore! Your Information Newsletter.
Throughout the year, Fore! Reservations offers multiple educational opportunities for enhancing your knowledge and utilization of the software. If you'd like information about attending the biannual national conference in 2010 or an upcoming regional conference in your area, or if you're interested in hosting a regional conference, please contact the Fore! Reservations Sales Team at 630-789-9705 or via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
In addition, the upcoming issue of Fore!mula for Success will discuss the Fore! Reservations Online Video Series. If you've utilized the Online Video Series, we'd love to hear from you about how it has served as a training tool to help increase your software knowledge. Call us at 630-789-9705 or contact us via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
