The Association des commerçants de piscines du Québec (ACPQ) unveiled the names of the winning businesses and industry professionals during its 19th ‘Excellence Gala’ in November.
The awards ceremony, once again hosted by Yannick Marjot, a well-known Montreal animator, director and producer, returned to the Sheraton Laval and Convention Centre. Approximately 270 pool and spa industry professionals were in attendance.
“For the ACPQ, it is essential to recognize the exceptional performance of retailers, maintenance and repair service businesses, as well as manufacturing and distribution companies in the industry. They contribute, day after day, to the dynamism of our economy and our communities,” said Nicolas Guillotte, president of the ACPQ board of directors and founding president of Piscines et Spas POSEIDON. “I congratulate all of the participating companies for their extraordinary and creative achievements.”
As part of the 2017 ‘Win your Pool or Spa’ contest, 10 businesses and professionals were selected from 52 finalists. In addition to the opportunity to win a refund of their purchase, those consumers (who evaluated their overall buying experience) helped the industry recognize the most successful businesses among the ACPQ’s retail members. The final results were tallied, independently, by the firm Som Recherches & Sondages.
Retailers of the year
- Piscines Bel-Eau (2007), Saint-Georges, Que., Récré’Eau Group (above-ground pools)
- Piscines Classic, Victoriaville, Que., IPG LeisureScapes (inground pools)
- Spas 4 Saisons, Saint-Hyacinthe, Que., independent business (spas)
Vendors of the year
- Micheline Gaudreault, Pro Pools, Alma, Que., IPG LeisureScapes (above-ground pools)
- Isabelle Perras, Piscines Fontaine, Boucherville, Que., independent store (inground pools)
- Christiane Tardif, Spas 4 Saisons, Saint-Hyacinthe, Que., independent store (spas)
Installers of the year
- Luc Gagnon, Piscines Pro, Alma, Que., IPG Canada (above-ground pools)
- Johnathan Hudon, Hudon Pool, Laval, Que., independent business (inground pools)
- Installation team, Spas 4 Saisons Inc., Saint-Hyacinthe, Que., independent business (spas)
Home pool and spa safety retailer of the year
- Piscines Fontaine, Bourcherville, Que., independent business
For the third year, retailer and service companies were also invited to enter their top projects in one of seven categories for the chance to win a ‘Pool and Spa Achievement of the Year’ award from the ACPQ. The selection criteria focused on the project design, construction, complexity, creativity, quality, terrain adaptation, and landscaping. This year’s selection committee comprised Emmanuel Amadio, consultant for Watertec, and Ludovic Archambault, co-owner of Gratton Pools (and ACPQ board member). The winners included:
- Piscine Hudon, Laval, Que., independent business, (inground pool 60,000 L [15,850 gal] or less)
- Barracuda Pools and Spas, Gatineau, Que., Récré’Eau Group (inground pool 61,000 L [16,114 gal] or more)
- Piscines Soucy Inc., Quebec City, Que., Groupe Maître Piscinier (above-ground pool)
- Les Entreprises Daniel Brûlé, Piscines EDB, Laval, Que., independent business (commercial aquatic facility)
- Piscines Soucy Inc., Quebec, Que., Groupe Maître Piscinier (commercial aquatic facility) – jury’s choice
- Piscines P. Massie, Mirabel, Que., independent business (renovation project)
- Piscines Soucy Inc., Quebec, Que., Groupe Maître Piscinier (mechanical rooms)
Finally, manufacturers and distributer that exhibited at the 25th Salon Splash show were also invited to present their best-selling products in 2017 or their top products projected for 2018. Show attendees voted for the winners.
2017 Favourite Product of the Year
- The Royal Entrance II / La Marche Royale II (for above-ground pools) by Lumi-O | Innovaplas
2018 Novelty of the Year
- SpaGuard Spa Complete (a three-in-one hot tub water maintenance product) by BioGuard Canada
2017 Supplier of the Year
- BioGuard Canada
