Industry recognition
According to the PHTCC, it was a record-breaking year with respect to participation in its 2013 Design & Construction Awards competition with 327 entries, representing an increase of approximately 31 per cent over 2012. The industry awards evening, the social highlight of the year for the Canadian pool and spa industry—sponsored by BioLab Canada Inc., Latham Pool Products Inc., Northeastern Swimming Pool Distributors Inc., Rheem Canada Ltd., and SCP Distributors LLC—was held in front of an impressive crowd in the convention centre’s Peller Estates ballroom.
During the plated dinner, guests were entertained by the Steve Burnside Band before the awards ceremony commenced.
The first presentation of the evening was the Industry Achievement Award, which was presented posthumously to Art Methot, who founded Mermaid Pools in Ottawa almost 50 years ago and had been at its helm for decades.

The Design & Construction Awards, sponsored by Pool & Spa Marketing and Pools, Spas & Patios, saw 39 companies receive gold, silver, and bronze accreditation for their outstanding workmanship in 40 different categories. Photos of the gold-award winning projects can be found starting on page 42.
“Although our company may be relatively small on a national scale, we have fared well in the Design & Construction Awards competition over the years,” said Brad Cross, project manager for Waterworks Pools & Spas in Moncton, N.B. “The award we received this year goes a long way to promoting our company within the region.”
A return to Toronto
Looking ahead to 2014, the PHTCC and its board of directors announced the next Canadian Pool & Spa Conference & Expo will be held at the Toronto Congress Centre from Dec. 1-4.
“The past three national conferences held in Niagara Falls have definitely proved the viability of the Scotiabank Convention Centre (SCC),” said Robert Wood, the PHTCC’s executive director. “In an effort to keep the annual event fresh we decided to move the show as Toronto has also drawn extremely well in the past.
“The big change from previous PHTCC conventions held at this location is we will be using halls A, B, and C (rather than D and E), which will make accessibility much more convenient for delegates.”