A learning experience
This year’s seminar program featured two special, stand-alone programs with full-day presentations on selling, designing and building professional backyard water projects, by Genesis 3 Design Group, and improving hot tub and pool sales, by Marco Longley of Top 10 Sales and Consulting. Each program drew good crowds and attendees were pleased with the content and presentations.
The ‘Classic Seminar’ series was also well attended and based on a ‘back to basics’ theme. A variety of topics were featured including, ‘Equipment and Installation,’ ‘7 Strategies to Improve your Money Making Machine,’ ‘Water Chemistry A-Z’ and ‘Alternative Disinfection Methods,’ which featured a panel of experts and experienced entrepreneurs moderated by Pool & Hot Tub Council of Canada (PHTCC) past-president, David Huxtable.
“When we saw the weather we thought things would be slow,” said Phil Bach, territory manager for Pentair Water Pool and Spa and 2010 PHTCC vice-president. “We were wrong about that. We were busy from the time the show opened to when it closed. The seminar I was involved in didn’t have many empty seats and it looked like all the seminars were well attended. I also heard many positive comments from dealers on the seminars they attended.”
Four strong business sessions were also presented, two of which—‘How to Run a Successful Pool and Spa Business’ and ‘Safety in the Workplace and in the Pool Environment’—featured a panel of business development professionals led by PHTCC executive director, Rob Wood.
There was also added emphasis on seminars geared towards the hot tub industry, including a full-day session, ‘Electronic Hot Tub Component Repair,’ led by Sophie Tremblay of Gecko-Alliance Group and a seminar entitled ‘Running a Profitable Hot Tub Service,’ presented by Doug Gillespie of Hydropool Industries.
“This year’s lineup of seminars was very professional in every manner,” said David Nash of Splash Nash Spas in Whistler, B.C.
Always a big draw for public pool operators and provincial health inspectors, this year’s Public Pool Symposium provided key information on operating procedures for non-regulated recreational facilities, bacterial, Cryptosporium (Crypto) and chloramine control, standard recreational water testing methods, European disinfection methods and standards and discussions on water and air quality.
Honouring the year’s best
At the end of the first day of the show, industry members gathered to not only salute the winners of the annual Design and Construction Awards, but also honour 50 years of pool and spa trade associations in Canada. Past presidents were invited to the event and recognized with plaques and gifts.
The cutting of the 50th anniversary cake preceded the ceremony, while a sold-out crowd of 350 enjoyed a buffet, the comedic entertainment of Glen Foster and the design award presentation.
“The Pool & Spa Conference & Expo, in conjunction with our 50th anniversary, show how strong our industry is,” says Rodney Taylor of Sunshine Pool & Mechanical Contractors and incoming 2010 PHTCC president. “We as an industry have grown and diversified. We have grown from rectangular swimming pools to complete backyard experiences and have fulfilled many customer’s dreams.”
“It was a great show in spite of the poor weather, however, it bodes well for the industry in 2010, Hubbard added. “Give us some good weather in the eastern part of the country and the economy will be of no concern at all. The industry can look forward to a very good year in 2010.”
