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For Club Leaders: Balancing Heritage with Modern Expectation...

  • Writer: Eric Ruehlmann
    Eric Ruehlmann
  • Oct 27
  • 3 min read

Updated: Nov 1

...Turn Your Club Into A Club Without Boundries.

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I’ve noticed a steady stream of articles this past year highlighting the resurgence of private member clubs. From legacy to new startup clubs, the good news is many are experiencing transformation and growth. London to New York, Dubai to Sydney, and the newest additions across smaller emerging metropolitan markets... the signals are clear: this is more than just a renewed interest in exclusivity.


In Luxury Travel Magazine’s recent feature, “The World’s Most Exclusive Members’ Clubs,” today’s leading institutions are redefining what it means to belong.


As a club professional and industry leader, what stands out for me and what I think clubs need to do to thrive now and into the future is to go beyond the building or location. The modern member seeks wellness, culture, connection, and global access. Clubs must now complement first rate facilities, fine dining and exceptional experiences with true lifestyle relevance.


Legacy clubs must safeguard their prestige by embracing innovation without compromising tradition, while new clubs must define their culture, purpose, and identity from the start because legacy cannot yet be their differentiator.


Those of us in the club space understand that membership is belonging. The most successful clubs foster a culture where recognition feels personal and access feels earned, never transactional. No member should feel that their connection to the club is simply a purchase or a fee.


To remain relevant and revered, clubs must balance tradition with evolution preserving heritage while embracing the modern member’s desire for meaning, mobility, and convenience. The next great differentiator among clubs will come from how a club curates recognition, privilege, and quality of life.


We must connect members not only to experiences and destinations that mirror their aspirations, but also to services that simplify and enrich their everyday lives.


Forward-thinking clubs are redefining their role beyond recreation, wellness, and social connection. They are becoming extensions of everyday life offering personalized assistance and “easy-living” support such as take-home dining, family/child services, and lifestyle conveniences that ease the pressures of modern living.


By combining curated experiences with essential conveniences, clubs evolve from being a "Home Away From Home" into a "Lifestyle of Ease, Belonging & Experience" becoming, quite literally, clubs without boundaries and "Living Easy" clubs.


The private club of distinction will not simply be where members gather, but how they live, connect, travel, explore, and create lasting memories... a member's sense of club identity will travel with them wherever life leads.


For club leaders seeking to navigate this balance of heritage and innovation, I’m always open to share ideas and frameworks that help reimagine club relevance, operational excellence, and enhanced member experiences.



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About the Author: Eric Ruehlmann is a versatile business executive with over 25 years of service in the club management industry. Eric's knowledge and experience is broad having held advisory positions and worked on projects in a variety of fields such as; consumer research, loyalty & rewards, travel & leisure, and lifestyle products & services. Eric is currently focused on sharing his knowledge about travel clubs, and loyalty & reward programs with club managers and club board members. Eric Ruehlmann is the founder of Build A Better Club and a managing partner of Privat-VIP- Travel & Rewards.

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