At this time of year consider giving your members a Christmas gift - anything from a small chocolate to a random free session of bridge (particularly if you are a not-for-profit club).

Remember, happy club members tell their family and friends about our sport thus attracting more people to your beginner classes.

If your club is running a charity raffle, collecting presents to donate to a charity or holding Christmas functions then let your community newspaper know.  They are often on the hunt for good news stories at this time of year.

Take photographs and send a brief article to them and they may run some free promotion for your club.

Remember to let me know of any published articles as this is a brand management issue for the ABF.  Contact me at marketing@abf.com.au.

Arrangements are currently under way to continue the ABF series of marketing workshops for interested Regions. 

These are designed to help club administrators/teachers to 'grow' their club and to discuss how to implement a strategic education program for both potential and existing members.

To date, the following two workshops have been scheduled for 2017.

1.   Nambucca Valley Bridge Club

1.30 pm Tuesday 24 January.

Registrations should be made with Richard Levy at richard_levy@hotmail.com.

2.   Canberra Bridge Club

9.30 am Friday 3 February.

Registrations should be made with Perelle Scales at perelle@grapevine.com.au.

If you would like to attend one of these free workshops simply contact either Richard or Perelle.

Workshops run for approximately 3 hours and free promotional material is provided for interested attendees.

Here is a full list of special (non bridge) dates and events during 2017.

This list may not only enable you to avoid any conflicting dates but also give your club some ideas for 'themed' events during the year.

Start planning now to provide your members with lots of fun at their club (eg Melbourne Cup / Halloween etc). 

If you do run 'themed' events remember to alert your community newspaper. 

Check out the marketing tips for promoting bridge on the ABF website.

Click here to view the two advertisements and article referred to in last month's Marketing Update.

As you may recall, the Ballina Bridge Club received a free promotional article in return for their advertisement in The Advocate community newspaper and one of their members arranged for free placement of an advertisement in GP News.

In addition to this coverage, they also held their annual charity day teams event recently to benefit the Ballina Hospital Auxillary.

The photo shows President Rebecca Rogers handing a cheque for $1440 to Ballina Hospital Auxillary President Barbara McFadden.

Barbara thanked the members saying they were "generous contributors to the event with another $1000 raised on the day at the Auxiliary's stall set up in the bridge club foyer".

Well done Ballina Bridge Club!

The education program for 2017 includes 5 celebrity speaker workshops, a workshop designed specifically for newer players, an information session on Compscore 2 and demonstrations of Pianola and Pianola Plus.  In addition, there will be a teachers' network meeting on Saturday 14 January immediately following the end of play. 

All this in addition to the ABF Summer School which is currently under way with approximately 1300 registrations.

Please ensure that you place the flyer about our first bridge lottery on your notice board (click here to access). 

In addition to our exciting TBIB Lottery of $50,000, we are offering great prizes.  Check out what's on offer.

Please ensure that you encourage your members to get involved in this gold point event.

Tony Bemrose Insurance Brokers (TBIB) has negotiated a deal with GIO for Australian Bridge Federation affiliated clubs in the following workers compensation jurisdictions:

• New South Wales
• ACT
• Western Australia
• Tasmania;  and
• Northern Territory.

The benefits of this arrangement include:

• discounted premiums when purchased through TBIB
• professional and expert advice on all policy services matters and premium classification
• easy claims lodgement
• proactive, locally based claims teams in each underwritten jurisdiction;  and
• access to WHS training and personal accreditation courses.

For further information contact TBIB on (07) 3252 5254.

Please contact me if I can be of assistance on 0417 920 816 or at marketing@abf.com.au .

I hope you all have a fabulous festive season and New Year.