October 2006 - 9

The American Contract
Bridge League

From
the CEO

President
Harriette Buckman
Chair, Board
of Directors
Roger Smith
Chief Executive Officer
Jay A. Baum
ACBL Counsel
Peter Rank
Chair, 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 "*".)

October 2006

Moving forward
As I complete this month's message to you, the members, I have just signed
off on an agreement that represents significant change for the ACBL. I am
convinced it is a change for the better - for the organization as a whole and
for the members in particular.
I'm talking about the closing of the ACBL Sales Department (see page 64).
We have entered into an agreement with Baron Barclay Bridge Supplies of
Louisville KY. It's an established company with a long-term reputation for
good service and quality products. They have been in business for more than
six decades. The company is the world's largest for bridge books and supplies.
Baron Barclay has purchased our inventory, and the company is now licensed
to sell our logo products. The company also now has the publishing rights to
certain ACBL books and is the exclusive distributor of ACBL products.
This change will benefit the ACBL and its members in two major ways:
1. It gives us the ability to hold down the cost of operating the ACBL. It's no
secret that it costs more each year to operate a business, whatever it might be.
We have been looking at ways to keep our costs down, passing those savings
along to you in the form of affordable tournaments and annual membership fees.
2. We can now increase our focus on our core mission, which is to promote
the game of bridge with our ongoing programs, build membership and put on
affordable, entertaining and exciting NABCs.
Baron Barclay is committed to providing the same excellent service you
received from our Sales Department, and you can count on the 10% member
discount with them that you enjoyed with us.
For a long time, Baron Barclay was as much of a fixture at our NABCs as
our own Product Store. They will be returning to NABCs, starting with the
2006 Fall NABC in Hawaii.
Don't miss it
On that subject, it has been more than 20 years since we scheduled an
NABC in one of the most beautiful spots in the world, and I know the Honolulu organizers have been working hard to make sure everyone who comes will
have a great time.
AARP Bridge Tournament
Saturday, Oct. 28, will be a memorable day in the history of the ACBL when
the AARP hosts its first duplicate bridge tournament! ACBL staff members
and teachers will staff three days of bridge events at the AARP's Life@50+
National Event & Expo in Anaheim. The tournament follows five regional
AARP games conducted this year at our regionals. We expect our partnership
with AARP - and its 36 million members! - to continue to grow with even
more activities next year.
❒

Jay Baum, CEO
9

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of October 2006