The venue for the 2016 Summer Festival of Bridge in Canberra, the QT Hotel, is offering a further 20% discount on their already discounted accommodation for bookings made before 30 September 2015.

If any of your members are interested they should contact Gabrielle Thorp (02) 6247 6244 and quote code R-1201BRI.

As I was attending the Friendship Day at Ballina Bridge Club on Sunday 20 September I took the opportunity to offer a marketing seminar for interested clubs in the Region on Saturday 19 September.

The seminar focused on how to 'grow' your club and included information about ABF research findings, free marketing materials available for downloading by clubs, how to create a welcoming and friendly club culture and a strategic approach to education (for all levels of membership).  Free marketing materials were also provided.

It was an absolute pleasure to share ideas with such committed, talented people.

In conjunction with the Bridge Association of Western Australia I will be conducting two marketing seminars for interested club administrators.  The schedule is:

1. 10.00 am - 1.00 pm Sunday 27 September at the City of Melville Bridge Club, 790 Canning Highway, Applecross.  If you would like to attend please contact Noel Daniel on 0418 910 255 or noel25@iinet.net.au .
2. 10.00 am - noon Monday 28 September at the Bunbury Bridge Club, 49 Balgore Way, Bunbury.  If you would like to attend please contact John Ferguson on 9728 3094 or 9791 3177.

Once again the focus will be on research findings, free promotional materials available for use by clubs, creating and maintaining a friendly, welcoming club culture and educational approaches to suit all members of a club.

I look forward to discussing these issues with interested club administrators in the Region.

The ABF App is a software program your members can download and access directly using their phone or another mobile device (eg a tablet). They simply need a smartphone or another mobile device with internet access.  

Let your members know that they can download it for FREE.  It will provide them with quick access to:

• masterpoints
• the ABF Calendar
• ABF Facebook 
• results
• PQP events;  and
• the ABF website.

Another fabulous feature, particularly for 'grey army' or travel enthusiasts, is the Find a Club tab.  This provides the name, location and contact details for the club nearest to their location.  The app includes a map to aid in navigation.

ABF Facebook is another way for your members to stay up-to-date with the latest news.

Click here to access and simply click on Like.

1.   Congratulations to Marian Rice who turned 106 in August!

Marian still lives alone and does her own housework. She is a regular player at the Sydney Bridge Centre.

She started playing bridge over 50 years ago.

"It's the people who keep me going" Marion said on her special day.

NSWBA Chairman, Julian Foster, confirmed in an article in The Senior News that the social component of bridge is important.  "People meet friends and enjoy a game together - that's what bridge is about" he commented.

Does your Club have a member as 'youthful'  as Marian?

2.   Contract Bridge will turn 90 in October 2015.

Perhaps your club could provide a free session for anyone who turns 90 years of age during October?

Let's celebrate!