November 21, 2007
Hot Tub Industry Growth Initiative Now in Startup Phase
Twenty-nine leading hot tub manufacturers and suppliers have collectively pledged more than $400,000 to support the startup activities of a North American campaign to “improve the consumer hot tub purchase and ownership experience in order to increase sales of hot tubs, related products, and services.” This was the minimum funding level that had to be raised to allow startup activities to begin. Fund raising continues, but the work to define the campaign is now underway. Plan to come to the Hot Tub Council meeting at the Expo in Orlando to learn more. Click HERE for meeting details and agenda.
Emergency H-2B Fly-in Scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 5, and Thursday, Dec. 6, 2007
H-2B Emergency Must Be Resolved Before Congress Adjourns for the Year
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 5 and Thursday, Dec. 6, 2007
Place: Washington, D.C.
Time: Briefing at 8:00 a.m.
Locations and details will be posted at www.savesmallbusiness.org.
Your immediate action is requested. Plan to attend this emergency Fly-in to meet with your House Representatives and Senators about the H-2B Returning Worker Exemption. If you cannot attend, try to get a face-to-face meeting in your home state during the recess of the next two weeks. MORE.
Connecticut Code Officials Continue Dialogue with APSP on Suction Entrapment
At the November 15 meeting of the Connecticut Building Officials’ Association, code officials heard diverging views during presentations from APSP members and SVRS manufacturers about the protections needed for suction entrapment, the benefits of ANSI/APSP-7, and the benefits of SVRS devices. APSP CBPs Al Rizzo and Gordon MacGregor with Rizzo Pools, John Romano and Rob Romano with All American Custom Pools & Spas Inc., and Don Kulowski of Century Pool attended the hearing. As a result of the meeting, Connecticut officials and APSP members in Connecticut agreed on a joint educational program to teach Connecticut building inspectors what they should look for when inspecting a pool using the ANSI/APSP-7 standard. MORE.
National Plasterers Council Seeks to Unite the Industry
Mitch Brooks, Executive Director of the National Plasterers Council Inc. (NPC), has been working on an exciting collaboration and partnership with the APSP, in part due to the many synergies of our industry. The NPC is working with California Polytechnic State University, which has begun an expansion of its National Pool Industry Research Center (NPIRC) to allow for a spa/hot tub area and up to two stand-alone pools for manufacturer research. Several new research specialists will be working on this expansion, including center Director Leonard Schlosser and Dr. Corinne Lehr, a specialist in organic chemistry with experience in water chemistry and water test kits. MORE.
APSP Advanced Service Program to Feature a Visit to SeaWorld
How are Shamu the killer whale, stain control in your pool, and GPS systems for your service vehicle all related? Find out at the APSP Advanced Service Program in Orlando next Tuesday, November 27. Come be part of this fun, one-day educational program and learn about all these and other compelling topics–like the science behind sanitation and oxidation, new technology trends, and high-end chemical automation. You will start the day with photos of atrocious installations, enjoy a catered lunch at SeaWorld and a behind-the-scenes guided tour of its water treatment facilities, and finish up with fabulous door prizes with a total retail value of more than $18,000! MORE.
Check out These Seminars and More at the Nov. 28-30 Expo in Orlando
Reward yourself by attending the comprehensive educational conference at the 2007 International Pool & Spa Expo! Specifically geared toward those involved in the development, management, and direction of the residential and commercial pool and spa industry, this conference provides you with the forum to network with peers and industry experts. Among the many seminars to choose from, there are three topics that you might want to consider: pools and energy efficiency, manufacturers' agents and augmenting sales strategies, and state legislatures and contractor boards. MORE.
Awards of Excellence Banquet to Honor Outstanding Design
Gather with leaders of the industry to celebrate the vision and creativity of the world’s best! Make plans to attend the International Awards of Excellence Presentation Banquet on Thursday, November 29, 2007, from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida. Awards are presented in more than 40 categories and celebrate the most beautiful and technically innovative pool, spa, and hot tub installations across the United States and around the world. Tickets ($85 per person) can be purchased at the APSP Expo Booth 1629.
APSP Meetings and Events at Expo
Don’t miss the International Pool & Spa Expo next week in Orlando, Florida. If you haven’t yet joined the association, visit the APSP Membership Booth (just outside the show entrance) and sign up as a member to get FREE admission to the show. On the show floor, visit us at Booth 1629 to get a copy of the brand-new APSP Quarterly, technical manuals, standards, and much more. Check the leader board in the booth to learn when key industry leaders will be there to discuss your concerns. Click HERE for details on APSP show events and offerings.
APSP Exhibits at APHA Show
APSP staffed a booth at the American Public Health Association’s (APHA) 135th Annual Meeting and Expo, held November 4-7 at the Washington, D.C., Convention Center. APSP staff Carvin DiGiovanni and Jeanette Smith talked to APHA attendees about safety messaging, outreach to public health officials, and ANSI/APSP pool and spa design and safety standards. MORE.
Due to the Thanksgiving holiday and next week’s International Pool & Spa Expo, Industry Currents will not be distributed November 28. Our December 5 issue will highlight the upcoming APSP Regional Shows.
We wish all our members a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
- The IC Team
You can contribute to IC. Click here to find out how, or send an email to ic@APSP.org. You may also fax 703.549.0493.