Making your club attractive in 2026

Most clubs have spoken to me by now, but for the clubs that don't know me yet: I've been with NIKKI as Relationship Manager for 5 months and I'm having a great time. Want to know more about me? Read my blog: https://www.nikki.nl/blog/meet-the-team-milano

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Over the past few months, I had hundreds of conversations with associations. At NIKKI, we speak to over 400 clubs, all with their own challenges and creative solutions. And do you know what strikes me? We don't have to reinvent the wheel. If one club gets better, another can benefit, provided we do it smartly.

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So don't just see us as a contribution partner, but as a consultant for your association. I ask what is going on, which themes are current and which solutions work. If you've ever spoken to me, you know that my interest goes beyond collecting contributions. I want your club to stay attractive, retain members and find new revenue streams. As a former entrepreneur, these are also things that make my heart beat faster.

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That's why, through this newsletter, I share ideas that I get from the field with proven tips that work. Let's build strong, future-proof clubs together. We're starting today and making 2026 a huge success: more members, more turnover and positive brand awareness!

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Making your club attractive in 2026

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Stop thinking like an association. Start thinking like a company.

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imagine: it's Tuesday night. The canteen is empty, the field half full, and the boardroom is again talking about declining contributions. Recognisable? You are not alone. More and more associations are struggling with the same questions:

• How do we retain members?
• How do we get new volunteers?
• How do we ensure that the greenhouse does not dry up?

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The answer? Think like a company. Companies focus on data, experience and revenue streams. Associations? Often not. But why not use the same mindset?

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Field examples

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A swimming club saw the greenhouse dry up. My advice? You have a basin of water at your disposal — that's gold! Organize water games, aqua challenges, children's parties and bachelor parties. People pay for the experience.

Do you have a parking space? Organize a Bric-a-Brac second-hand market on Sunday. Fun and extra income.

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No volunteers for the bar? Rent a food truck and share the profits. Burgers, sushi, fries with rendang. With little effort, you can create turnover, experience and innovation.

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Canteen only open 20% of the time? Rent that space to local companies for meetings.

Do you really know what your members' needs are?

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Do you know why members come or leave?

Why do they go to the canteen or not?

Why do you have few volunteers while other clubs have 35% of their members active?

If you don't know that, it's time to do some research. Learn to manage or control data, just like a company does.

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Tips for responding to your members' needs

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Do you have a competitive club? Invest in better trainers, clinics and top facilities.

Social club? Host theme nights, set up a DJ during the third half, start 7v7 football for under 35. Think more like an event location with a large area and see the possibilities endless!

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Get started!

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2026 will be the year of creative associations. Associations that dare to do business will remain. A board that knows its members because they are talking also knows what solutions they can offer. Learn to think like a company and see sales increase in no time!

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How are you going to make your club more attractive?

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I would love to think along with you. As Relationship Manager at NIKKI, this is exactly what we stand for: building strong, future-proof clubs together. This consultation is part of our service and is in line with our core qualities.

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Do you have a challenge or want to discuss new ideas?

Call, email or schedule a brainstorm session with me right away.