NSPF, CPSA form aquatics industry alliance

by jason_cramp | October 4, 2017 4:22 pm

[1]

The California Pool & Spa Association (CPSA)[2] is expanding its geographic focus, forming The Pool, Spa & Aquatics Alliance (The Alliance) and combining with the National Swimming Pool Foundation® (NSPF®)[3], effective Jan. 1, 2018.

The combining of NSPF/Genesis®[4], a 501(c)(3) foundation, and CPSA, a 501(c)(6) trade association, leverages resources more efficiently to collectively serve the industry, government, and society. The Alliance will operate under the NSPF and the search for an executive director is underway. Each will continue to operate as separate corporate entities, however.

NSPF focuses on providing educational programs that keep pools safer and encourage water-based activities to keep pools open, while the CPSA builds relationships with government legislators and regulators to ensure the same. The association will also continue its support of businesses and members who design, build, service, and supply pools and spas, through ongoing endorsement of only reasonable laws and codes. Both organizations are actively engaged together in planning their future.

“CPSA has worked hard to be the best at what they do. It is exciting to welcome the association to lead the NSPF family’s government relations efforts,” NSPF board chairman Bruce Dunn told Pool & Spa Marketing. “The stars aligned and we were fortunate to start this conversation with the CPSA and its members. As the discussions evolved, both associations could see where there were voids and how the synergistic positives of the alliance would benefit both to fill them.”

The CPSA has distinguished itself by preventing pool closures and construction bans during the five-year drought in California, one of the world’s largest pool and spa markets. It has also positively influenced contractor requirements and employment-law bills that impact small businesses, while promoting safety.

“Influencing legislators requires strong relations, backed with scientific support. John Norwood and his team have shown their ability to engage, educate, and influence government representation,” said NSPF CEO Thomas Lachocki, Ph.D.

Norwood, who has accepted the role of CPSA national government affairs director, said the CPSA looks forward to connecting with NSPF to ensure each group avoids duplicate efforts and work together on government affairs issues.

According to Dunn, the idea behind The Alliance was to create a model that is reproducible for any organization to become a member.

“NSPF has a strong board of directors and management team, high ethical standards, and a compelling vision,” said CPSA board chairman Jerry Wallace. “We are excited to join the NSPF family and create an even bigger impact.”

Rob Wood, executive director of the Pool & Hot Tub Council of Canada (PHTCC), said what the industry is witnessing is a continuation of the strengthening of relationships among associations worldwide.

“Organizations within the aquatic recreation sector are combining resources to add greater value to their respective memberships,” Wood told Pool & Spa Marketing. “It also serves to add greater power to advocacy efforts. This new alliance is similar to the affiliated membership agreement that exists between the PHTCC and the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP).

“It should be noted, the PHTCC already has an arrangement with the NSPF that offers preferred rates to PHTCC members who register to take select NSPF courses.”

This trend will only continue, said Wood.

“A meeting coming up next month in Cologne, Germany, will bring together at one time representatives of many international associations of the pool and spa industry,” he said. “A key discussion point at the meeting will be the identification of ways to co-operate together and, thereby, improve the industry overall.”

In 2015, the NSPF merged operations[5] with Genesis, which offers educational courses tailored to pool/spa professionals, to provide a broader spectrum of training programs for the aquatics industry. However, a unification agreement made in principle in 2016[6], which would have seen the NSPF consolidate with the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP)[7], was withdrawn after reviewing the discovery information[8] and recognizing the work and financial investment required to create one unified organization.

Source URL: https://www.poolspamarketing.com/trade/nspf-cpsa-form-aquatics-industry-alliance/

---