Industry Currents March 19
Pool and Spa Businesses Ask Congress to Reinstate Foreign Worker Exemption
On March 12, more than 120 representatives of seasonal industries—including pool and spa businesses—flew to Washington, DC, to ask their Members of Congress to reinstate the H-2B Returning Foreign Worker Exemption. The exemption, which expired September 30, 2007, would allow foreign workers employed under the H-2B visa program in any of 3 previous years to not be counted against the restrictive 66,000 cap on seasonal foreign worker visas. For many businesses, this exemption is their only hope of employing needed foreign workers, but it has been contested by anti-immigration and organized labor groups and did not pass the 2007 Congress. MORE.
Awards of Excellence Winners Gain Nationwide Recognition
The recipients of the APSP 2007 International Awards of Excellence have received national attention in publications across the country. Since the announcement was made in December, winners have benefited from increased trade and consumer exposure, and have had their images shown in a variety of different stories. Notably, The Kansas City Star and The Nashville City Paper ran stories on the pool season which included images from Award of Excellence winners. With a combined circulation figure of 303,079, this was a great opportunity for APSP members.
To view the entire articles, click the links below:
Kansas City Star
Nashville City Paper
Update: Spa Energy Efficiency Research at NPIRC/Cal Poly
Thanks to the generous contributions of 16 hot tub manufacturers and suppliers, we have $61,000 pledged toward the $75,000 we ultimately need for the spa efficiency research to be done at the National Pool (& Spa) Industry Research Center (NPIRC) at California Polytechnic University (Cal Poly) in San Luis Obispo. A little more money is required, as are spa models to be donated for testing. Please step up now and become vested in this research that is critical to the hot tub industry. MORE.
Reminder: APSP Meetings, March 25-29
APSP Board, Council, and Committee members, we look forward to welcoming you to Alexandria. Here is the meeting and event schedule for March 25-29, 2008:
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
3 p.m.-evening: Executive Committee, APSP offices
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
7 a.m.-6 p.m.: Hot Tub Industry Growth Initiative, Westin Alexandria Hotel, Edison D
8 a.m.-2 p.m.: Builders Council, APSP Offices
9 a.m.-3 p.m.: Commercial Council, Wyndham Palm Springs Hotel
Palm Springs, CA
Thursday, March 27, 2008
9 a.m.-5 p.m.: Board of Directors, APSP Offices
6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.: Chairman’s Reception, Westin Alexandria Hotel, Bell
Friday, March 28, 2008
9 a.m.-5 p.m.: Board of Directors, APSP Offices
Saturday, March 29, 2008
9 a.m.-5 p.m.: Retailers Council, APSP Offices
8 a.m.-12 noon: Service Education Committee, APSP Offices
1 p.m.-5 p.m.: Service Council, APSP Offices
Visit http://www.apsp.org/55/index.aspx for updated meetings and events.
2008 Int’l Pool | Spa | Patio Expo
Moves to Mandalay Bay Convention Center
Along with a new name, the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo will also have a prominent new venue for 2008. Moving to the south end of the renowned Las Vegas Strip, the combined International Pool & Spa Expo, Backyard Living Expo and AQUA Show will be held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center November 18-20, with education programs beginning November 15. MORE.
Sponsorship and Promotional Opportunities at the APSP Live Workshops
If your company is an exhibitor at the 2008 International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo, you now have a highly visible, cost-effective opportunity to sponsor and present a hands-on demonstration of your products in a job-site atmosphere. The APSP Live Workshops, presented by the APSP Builders Council and APSP Service Council, are strategically located on the show floor with bleacher seating for attendees. MORE.
Look for AQ Magazine in Your Mailbox
APSP Quarterly (AQ), our new magazine, was launched at the EXPO. The second issue of AQ—dated "Spring 2008" and featuring the "Imagination" theme—is coming soon to a mailbox near you! MORE
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.