Celebrating its 21st year, The Australian Club Management Institute (ACMI) has evolved from (FLA) to the Club Super Leadership Institute and Hostplus Leadership Institute to its current format. It has grown to be recognised as Queensland and the hospitality industry’s most elite training and education scholarship program since inception in 2002.

ACMI has a reputation for developing some of Queensland’s outstanding club industry leaders. This elite training and education program identifies high performing candidates within the industry with natural leadership skills, developing them through an exclusive professional development experience. During this time, they gain a nationally accredited qualification, personal growth and development, networking opportunities, and lifelong connections to ensure a bright future in the club industry.

Ten promising candidates are welcomed into the program each year. Potential candidates that nominate to join the program need to be endorsed by the club and the club’s management team in which they are employed. Once selected, they partake in a 12-month intensive leadership program with the opportunity to travel throughout Queensland’s club network to experience the operations and management of various clubs and venues.

Sponsorship of ACMI program is carefully considered to ensure that the program maintains its integrity and remains a recognised and sought-after accreditation program by the Queensland club industry. Selection of sponsors is based on their involvement in the Queensland club industry; they need to be an active supporter of industry and well known and respected. Only a select number of sponsors participate each year. Many are long-term since the inception of the program.

The scholarships are awarded at no cost to the candidates, however host clubs where candidates currently work are required to contribute to the cost of any travel required, two paid work days off per month to attend training sessions and provide their facilities for training once per year including food and beverage for the group.

 The Australian Club Management Institute (ACMI) develops club leaders of the future through the following outcomes:

• Provide participants with the opportunity to complete a nationally accredited BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management.

• Networking opportunities and lifelong connections with program participants and alumni.

• Gain direct access to senior executives from prominent and successful hospitality operations across Queensland. This includes opportunities to connect with Managers and CEOs of the state’s largest clubs, leading restauranteurs, and executives from diverse hospitality and entertainment venues.

• Team building with senior sponsor executives and their services.

• Developing a group of educated and outstanding alumni candidates (past and present) that assist in developing the careers and knowledge of all involved (this has been identified as one  of the greatest benefits in feedback from graduates).

• Assisting the club industry to thrive in a competitive market through the delivery of the latest industry research and educational materials.

Original selection criteria has evolved over the years, as based on Winston Churchill’s principle that ‘natural leaders will be noticed’.