Suction Entrapment, Pool Safety Still Big News
Pool and spa safety was in the media limelight again last week, sparked by the arrest of the Connecticut builder charged with second degree manslaughter in a suction entrapment death last summer, and coupled with the recent entrapment death in Kentucky. Fox News interviewed Alan Korn, public policy director of Safe Kids USA, and pool safety activist Nancy Baker on the federal Pool and Spa Safety Act. The press release that Gibbs & Soell put out on Business Wire, and distributed to the top 100 newspapers, received pick-up, most notably The Wall Street Journal Market Watch. Also, Ray Cronise, APSP Technical Committee member, was interviewed by the Lexington Herald Leader and by WFPL Public Radio in Louisville, KY.
Rich Begin Feeling the Pain in Down Economy
Associated Press Article
By MARK JEWELL
It may have taken longer and it may not be as acute, but there are early hints that the economic slump is crimping the lifestyles of the wealthy, and that trickles down to the rest of us. The ten percent of households with the highest incomes account for nearly a quarter of all U.S. spending. Unity Marketing, a firm that specializes in monitoring luxury good spending trends, forecasts a very difficult marketplace over the next five years. Click HERE for the full article.
ABC News Story:
Crypto Cases on the Rise; One Mother Decides to "Take Control"
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cases of cryptosporidium—a chlorine-resistant parasite—have doubled in recent years. An ABC News segment broadcast July 31 on Good Morning America told the story of a mother who gave a party at a public pool, where 40 people contracted the disease. Hospital treatment for the children cost their parents thousands of dollars. The mother decided to "take control" and purchased an aboveground pool for her family's backyard. View the story at: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/SummerSizzle/story?id=5484186
APSP Announces New Regional Staff Responsibilities
APSP President and CEO Bill Weber has announced new responsibilities at the APSP Regional staff level.
Ralph Bloch, currently Director of Regional Services and Regional Manager of Regions 5 and 6, will also become the Regional Manager for Regions 7 and 10. Ralph is also relocating from Chicago, Illinois to Sarasota, Florida. Teresa Christmas is vacating her position as Regional Manager of Region 10, but will continue to be engaged as staff for the Georgia chapter.
Terry Mayfield, located in Las Vegas and currently Regional Manager in the Southwest Region will also become the Regional Manager for the Northwest Region. Terry also serves as a member of the Board of Regents of the APSP Career Institute.
Walter Perry, currently Regional Manager for Region 9, will also become Regional Manager for Region 2. Shirley Lester, currently Regional Manager in Region 2, will continue to engage in special projects for Region 2.
APSP “INSTITUTES” ADVANCED EDUCATION
Alexandria, VA (August 4, 2008) – The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) publicly announced a comprehensive new approach to industry education that builds on the cornerstone of three of the Association’s most successful Programs. The APSP Advanced Education Programs, historically held at Expo, the premier gathering of the industry, will now reflect the unified approach to professional development that the Association has taken under the APSP Career Institute strategy. The new Institute events will be held November 16-17, 2008 at in Las Vegas, Nevada in conjunction with the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo. Click HERE to view the Career Institute release.
The Hot Tub Industry Growth Initiative Needs You!
The U.S. hot tub industry is down 50% from its peak in 2004. Last fall the APSP Hot Tub Council rallied many industry leaders to fund consumer research to determine the challenges and opportunities that face the hot tub category. Click HERE to view a presentation that describes the three legs of the growth initiative designed to: Increase consumer awareness; Emphasize the utility / relevance of hot tubs in the minds of consumers; and Raise industry professionalism. To keep hot tubs from suffering the same fate as waterbeds of the 1980s, we need manufacturers and suppliers to pledge their non-binding commitment to this initiative NOW. If your company is not yet listed as a supporter, and you want it to be, contact Lauren Stack, lstack@apsp.org today.
Serve Your Industry—Join a Council!
APSP Councils have the responsibility of representing the interests of the members of their business segment and offering marketing, technical, and management support to the national staff. Councils have representation on the APSP Board of Directors and make recommendations on how best to advance the business, image, and welfare of APSP members collectively. Council meetings are normally held at least annually and up to several times a year. 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.