July 16, 2008
Chicago Sun-Times Runs APSP Article
“Turn Your Backyard into a Fuel-free Vacation”
With no end in sight to rising gas prices, an article released by APSP’s public relations agency, Gibbs & Soell, cites a growing trend toward vacationing in your own backyard—“staycationing”—instead of traveling. The article has been picked up by many newspapers, including The Chicago Sun-Times, with acirculation of 350,000. It would have cost approximately $5,000 to purchase equivalent advertising space in this national newspaper. Quoting APSP as the voice of the pool, spa and hot tub industry, the article discusses the benefits of improving outdoor living spaces. To view the article, click here.
Exhibitor Commitment High for 2008 International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo
Based on the number of companies that have already reserved booth space for the 2008 International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo, as well as a number of new show enhancements, this year’s event promises to be one of the biggest and best. The Expo, a new megashow combining the former International Pool & Spa Expo, Backyard Living Expo and AQUA Show, will be held November 18-20 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The educational conference will be held November 15-20. MORE.
Pool Companies, Boulder County Officials, Agree to Work Together to Achieve Energy Goals
Several pool companies, including APSP member Pentair Water Pool and Spa, met with Boulder County officials on June 11 for an open discussion to answer questions and address concerns about the county’s new “BuildSmart” building code that became effective May 1. The code requires all pool and spa energy use to be offset with onsite renewable energy generation. As a result of this meeting, it was agreed that the pool industry and county officials would work together to better define the code language to accomplish the county’s energy saving goals. MORE.
Awards of Excellence—Deadline This Friday, July 18
The deadline to submit your entries for the International Awards of Excellence is this Friday! Each year APSP recognizes its members for outstanding pool, hot tub and water feature installations in more than 30 categories. This year’s competition features new commercial categories. To enter, visit www.InternationalAwardsofExcellence.com.
Advanced Education for Pool Builders on November 16-17 in Las Vegas
For the fifth consecutive year, the APSP Builders Council will present a two-day advanced educational event for pool builders on November 16-17, 2008. This year's Advanced Pool Builder Program, a popular draw at the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo, is scheduled to be held at a Mandalay Bay ballroom in Las Vegas, Nevada. Topics for the two-day symposium of education and networking include: concrete decks; vanishing edge and perimeter overflow pools—design, engineering, and construction; design and construction of waterfalls; glass tile installation; gunite and shotcrete in swimming pool construction; vanishing edge swimming pool hydraulics; and designing and building outdoor kitchens. Click here for more details about the topics and speakers. To register for the event, visit www.poolspapatio.com. For information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Tracy Beaulieu (tbeaulieu@hanleywood.com or 972.536-6366).
Builders Council Accepting Nominations for 2008 CBP of the Year Award
Nominations for the 2008 CBP of the Year Award will be accepted by the APSP Builders Council until 4 pm Pacific Time, August 1, 2008. The award will be presented in November in Las Vegas. Nominees are judged in nine categories including years of service to the industry, years as a CBP Certified Building Professional®—the highest certification credential granted to pool and spa builders by APSP—and activities within their community. Any current CBP may nominate a candidate for the award. See the news release, guidelines, and nomination form. For more information, contact CBP Awards chairman Joe Vassallo.
APSP Work with California Regulators on Hot Tub/Spa Energy Efficiency Has Positive Results
Through the last two years’ work by APSP with the California Energy Resources and Development Commission (CEC), the portable spa/hot tub industry has reached substantial consensus on how to clarify the Title 20 energy efficiency requirements for portable spas/hot tubs, culminating in the APSP endorsement of the proposed 2009 code amendments at a CEC hearing in May. And the results from this summer’s testing at California Polytechnic State University ("Cal Poly") will help to develop a mutually agreeable clarification letter for the spa test protocol. To read more about Title 20 and the APSP work with CEC, click here.
Paramount Announces New Safety Act-Compliant Drain Cover
APSP manufacturer member Paramount Pool and Spa Systems has announced the availability on September 1, 2008, of a suction outlet cover that complies with the requirements of the federal Pool and Spa Safety Act. Any APSP member manufacturers that have suction outlet covers and grates that are in compliance with the 2007 ASME A112.19.8 standard, Suction Fittings for Use in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs, should provide their product information to Carvin DiGiovanni. 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.