January 2005 - 9

The American Contract
Bridge League
President
Roger Smith
Chairman, Board
of Directors
Bruce Reeve
Chief Executive Officer
Jay A. Baum
ACBL Counsel
Peter Rank
Chairman, Board
of Governors
Linda Mamula
Board of Directors
District 1 * George Retek
District 2 * Jonathan Steinberg
District 3 * Joan Levy Gerard
District 4 * Craig Robinson
District 5 * Sharon Fairchild
District 6 * Nadine K. Wood
District 7 * Bruce Reeve
District 8 * Georgia Heth
District 9 * Shirley Seals
District 10 * Bill Cook Jr.
District 11 * Jim Reiman
District 12 * William Arlinghaus
District 13 * Harriette Buckman
District 14 * Sue Himel
District 15 * Phyllis Harlan
District 16 * Dan E. Morse
District 17 * Jerry Fleming
District 18 * Richard G. Anderson
District 19 * Barbara Nist
District 20 * Jeffrey Taylor
District 21 * Roger L. Smith
District 22 * Jim Kirkham
District 23 * Alan LeBendig
District 24 * Alvin Levy
District 25 * Richard De Martino
To contact your District Director,
address your e-mail to
district"*"director@acbl.org
(Enter the district number
where you see "*".)

January 2005

From
the CEO
Chances

If it's true that small opportunities are the beginnings of great enterprises, we - that's you,
me and everyone in the ACBL - are looking at
some great possibilities in the new year.
We have just concluded an excellent year, and I'm urging you to help
keep the momentum going. Check out these positives from 2004:
 Our membership is up - 168,604 through November 2004. It's the
highest figure since 1995.
 Tournament attendance this year is the highest in the history of the
ACBL. By the time the last card was played in 2004, we had recorded
more than 460,000 tables, 10,000 more than the previous high.
 Our NABCs in 2004 - Reno, New York and Orlando - recorded
more tables than all but two other years, 42,947 in all.
 We have made dramatic progress in increasing the retention rate for
new members. Two years ago, only 51% of new members renewed for the
second year. Last year, the figure was 65%. This is a very good trend.
 The ACBL's financial position remains solid.
How have we managed these gains? I will start by thanking the hardworking staff at Headquarters in Memphis, along with our field staff
- the dedicated tournament directors. We must also give credit to ACBL's
legion of teachers and club operators. They are getting our new members
interested in bridge and keeping them interested. District and unit officials
are also helping spread the word.
I believe the change in the format of this magazine has been a significant marketing tool for the ACBL, and Zero Tolerance has promoted a
more friendly, welcoming atmosphere at tournaments and at clubs. The
ACBL Board of Directors has worked overtime to hold costs to a minimum and assure success for all of us.
Looking ahead at our lineup of NABCs - in order, Pittsburgh, Atlanta
and Denver - I see an array of exciting cities with energetic organizing
groups working to make sure your NABC experience is top notch.
This is a rosy picture, to be sure, but we should not to rest on our
laurels. We need you to help keep things going. You can do that by supporting ACBL tournaments and clubs and by being friendly. Even better,
introduce one non-ACBL member to the fun of duplicate and the rewards
of belonging to the world's largest bridge organization.

Thanks and welcome

Many thanks to Bruce Reeve, 2004 ACBL President, for his leadership
and hard work for the organization during his busiest year on the board.
Thanks also to outgoing Board members Chuck Wilkinson (District 10),
Tom Gardner (12) and GS Jade Barrett (20) for their many contributions.
Finally, I extend a welcome to 2005 ACBL President Roger Smith and
newly elected Board members Bill Cook (District 10), William Arlinghaus
(12) and Jeffrey Taylor (20).
Have a great New Year!
Jay Baum, CEO
9

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of January 2005