Pool and hot tub professionals will soon have the opportunity to network with industry peers and colleagues at the 36th Canadian Pool & Spa Conference & Expo, which takes place Dec. 5 to 8, 2016 at the Scotiabank Convention Centre in Niagara Falls, Ont.
According to the Pool & Hot Tub Council of Canada (PHTCC), organizers of the event, representatives of more than 400 builder/dealer/service companies regularly attend, while more than 130 supply companies participate in the expo as exhibitors. More than 2000 individuals across North America are expected to participate in the event.
As is tradition, the convention will offer up its own distinct program, one that blends education, social networking opportunities, and a showcase of new and innovative products and services to the industry.
In what has become a staple of the conference, attendees will be able to participate in the two-day Certified Pool/Spa Operator® (CPO®) training course (Dec. 5-6), an internationally recognized certification program. Those who successfully complete the program can earn their CPO® designation through the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF).
Further, the courses and seminars which make up the expo’s educational program were assembled to allow participants to achieve their ‘Aquatic Recreation Industry Specialist’ and/or ‘Aquatic Recreation Industry Expert’ designation through the PHTCC’s certification program. Individuals can register to take any or all of the short courses covering a range of subjects including, pool installation, water chemistry, backyard water safety, automation, business concepts, pool inspection, and more. Through participation, PHTCC member companies can also become eligible to qualify for free legal advice and insurance through the DAS Canada program.
Under the same educational package, attendees can also sign up to attend any number of a wide range of seminars addressing topics on testing, repairing of pool finishes, hybrid designs, and chemical safety. There will also be a live demonstration on the application of thermoplastic spray finishes.
On Dec. 8, the Hot Topics/Hot Breakfast roundtable discussions which have proven to be ideal for peer-to-peer networking will return for the fifth year. Topics such as ‘Retail Operations: How to Compete and Flourish in 2017’ and ‘Technical Issues and Construction Concerns for Builders and Service Personnel’ will be the focal point.
Also returning this year is the free ‘Pool School’ offered on the show floor where attendees can partake in practical hands-on activities under the direction of Steve Galbraith, ‘The Pool Guy.’
Additional show highlights include the 2016 industry awards banquet, which is sponsored by Pool & Spa Marketing and Pools, Spas & Patios. This year, the format of the Design and Construction Awards and Industry Achievement Award will return to a more formal event held on the evening of Dec. 6 at the Hilton Hotel and Suites ballroom. The evening will also include a musical performance by Dale Boyle, a Montreal-based folk, roots, and Americana singer/songwriter.
The ‘Industry Party,’ which was a hit with show goers last year, will be held the following evening (Dec. 7.) at the Dragonfly Nightclub located across the street from the headquarters hotel.
Introduced last year, exhibitors and attendees alike can once again navigate the conference and expo via the show’s mobile app. It can be downloaded for free via Google Play or Apple App Store by searching for ‘Canadian Pool & Spa Expo 2016.’
The December issue of Pool & Spa Marketing contains your official guide to the 2016 Canadian Pool & Spa Conference & Expo. To review the program schedule, awards banquet details, floor plan, and exhibitor listing, click here.
