Combination creates the industry’s first technology and agency services provider.
Boston, MA/ Raleigh, NC (February 5, 2014) – MembersFirst, Inc. (MF) and ClubSoft North America (CSNA) today announced that ClubSoft will purchase the club management division from MembersFirst and both parties will enter into an exclusive value added partnership agreement to better serve the club industry. Under terms of the agreement, MembersFirst will become the exclusive partner of the CSNA suite of products, including their back-office and accounting software (ClubSoft Office), while ClubSoft will utilize MF for agency services, design, and managed services. The combination creates the premium enterprise solution tailored specifically for the most discerning private club and enables both companies to extend their reach through cross engagement opportunities designed to deliver the industry’s first end-to-end technology and agency solution.
“Two strong companies with a track record for innovation and service join to form the first true alternative for the private club industry,” said Kevin Kopanon, President and CEO of MembersFirst. “We were impressed with how these businesses complement each other and are convinced of the positive short and long-term market impact.”
“We have no doubt that through this unique partnership we’ll be able to take our products and clients to even greater heights,” said Ray McDonald, CEO of ClubSoft North America. “We feel there are many clubs today that are looking for state-of-the-art technology and partners that understand the challenges of operating a member based club in these difficult economic times. Our shared philosophy of delivering turnkey solutions and services at affordable prices will have a tremendous impact in the private club industry.”
Existing and future clients of both organizations will benefit from a combined suite of products and services that simply hasn’t existed to this point in the marketplace. The fragmented nature of the current industry options and strong feedback from customers and prospects favoring truly integrated technology and industry acclaimed agency level service offerings made this opportunity one neither organization could pass up.
“Due to a significant investment and commitment to key platform integrations, this combination uniquely delivers a truly connected end-to- end solution in both member facing and club management operations,” noted McDonald. “In addition, ClubSoft clients can now utilize the MembersFirst managed services team as a full service resource both on an interim or full-time basis – as their needs require. This team leverages decades of proven expertise in website usability and management practices to bring clubs a completely turnkey, outsourced member communication service that transfers the burden to us and delivers the benefit to them. We will also continue to offer award-winning website design, reservations and member communications to better meet the needs of today’s diverse private club market.”
In addition to its core private club client base, MembersFirst will continue to serve member focused organizations of all kinds.
“All member-based organizations are looking to lower costs and increase member engagement,” said Kopanon. “It’s a daunting task but one where we’ve had great success. Our success with national not for profits, business and industry associations, health and fitness clubs, and faith based organizations has proven that we have the right model and value proposition.”
About MembersFirst, Inc.
MembersFirst is an award winning agency services and software provider for member-based organizations. They combine award-winning website design, development and consultancy services with a complete set of online tools to power content management, email marketing, social networking, search engine services, mobile marketing, and reservations.
About ClubSoft North America
ClubSoft North America (www.clubsoftnorthamerica.com) began operations in 2005 with a group of highly motivated individuals with many years of experience in the club software industry. ClubSoft develops, sells, implements and supports the most technologically advanced club management system in the world. The company is owned and operated by people who take personal pride in the quality of the products as well as the support provided to customers. Using the latest development tools and technology ClubSoft has focused on delivering state of the art products to help clubs reduce their IT cost and complexity while improving speed of management information. The management team at McConnell Golf is no stranger to the technology business. In a previous venture, this team built two of the most dynamic and successful software companies in the healthcare business. McConnell’s reputation as a software success story has been founded on John McConnell’s ability to build formidable teams, and deliver timely products and superior service to the clients of his companies
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About McConnell Golf
McConnell Golf (www.McConnellGolf.com) offers pure golf for the true golfer as a privately held company offering unlimited access to world-class facilities and golf courses designed by legends Donald Ross, Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, Arnold Palmer, Greg Norman and Hale Irwin. Founded in 2003, McConnell Golf provides members a quality golf experience at any of its nine courses at seven clubs: Raleigh Country Club in Raleigh, N.C.; Treyburn Country Club in Durham, N.C.; Old North State in New London N.C.; Musgrove Mill Golf Club in Clinton, S.C.; The Reserve Golf Club in Pawleys Island, S.C.; Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, N.C; and TPC Wakefield Plantation, Raleigh, N.C. All clubs are maintained and serviced to the highest standards with an emphasis on true golf, complete service and absolute quality. McConnell Golf offers individual club memberships, as well as innovative corporate and national/international memberships that deliver unmatched access to the top courses in the Carolinas.
Contact:
Ray McDonald, 919-922-4171, rmcdonald@clubsoftnorthamerica.com