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Welcome!Thank you for taking the time to find out about the many benefits of APSP membership.
The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals is the world's largest international trade association representing the swimming pool, spa and hot tub industry--and the key organization working to ensure the success of your company
Being an APSP member is tangible evidence of your commitment to excellence. Whether you are a manufacturer, distributor, manfacturers' agent, builder, retailer, or service company, you'll want to become part of the vibrant community of APSP members and enjoy the many benefits of APSP membership outlined below. These essential tools and exceptional learning opportunities can help you make money...save money...and reduce risk.
Ultimately, the most important reason to join is your position in the industry. By becoming a member of APSP, you demonstrate your commitment to the highest standards in the pool, spa, and hot tub industry.
Take your place in this elite corps of professionals. Join APSP today--use our online application or download a print copy
Advocacy and Industry Representation: Let your interests be heard. APSP is your effective voice shaping the policies critical to your business on the federal, state, and local levels.
- Get involved in advocating the industry's interests. APSP's government relations agenda is based on member input, and members are encouraged to participate in the advocacy agenda. APSP lobbies on issues relevant to the industry, including the federal "Pool and Spa Safety Act," product liability reform, tort reform, small business issues, hazardous materials handling (OSHA, EPA), hazardous materials transportation (DOT), labor and workforce issues, and advancing the adoption of the ANSI/APSP standards into state and local laws.
- Influence local legislative and regulatory issues by participating at the grassroots level.
- Comply with federal OSHA and DOT regulations and guard against expensive government fines with help from APSP's Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and the APSP Loss Control Manual.
"It's important for the industry to get together as a whole and focus on our important issues. There's an old saying, "united we stand, divided we fall." So, one bad apple can affect government regulations and how our customers see our industry."
—Laura Goodman, director of EDGEucation, POOLCORP
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Business Products and Bottom-Line Savings: Realize genuine bottom-line savings for your company by using APSP-sponsored top quality business products and services that will help you save time, increase productivity, and add dollars to your company's bottom line.
"APSP's value is such a bargain. For a small annual dues, my company has access to all of APSP's affinity programs that saves me money and helps my company grow."
—John C. Romano, CBP, CSP, President/CEO, All American Custom Pools and Spas
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Certification: Earn the recognition you deserve. APSP certification is your professional "seal of approval" and evidence of your advanced skills and personal commitment to excellence.
APSP certification programs are designed to elevate professional standards, enhance individual performance, and recognize those professionals who demonstrate the knowledge essential for industry best practices. Opportunities for achieving certification include:
- CSP Certified Service Professional®: Be recognized for superior achievement in the service and maintenance of pools and spas. (For more information, contact jheinz@apsp.org.)
- CBP Certified Building Professional®: Be recognized for your expertise and ability in the design, construction, and installation of pools and spas. (For more information, contact jheinz@APSP.org.)
- CMS and CST Programs - Replacing the Tech I and Tech II programs, these education and certification programs offer entry-level and experienced pool/spa service providers a top-notch education experience leading to national certification testing.
"APSP's professional development and continuing education has helped elevate our company to one of the highest levels in the industry. Thanks, APSP, for helping our company grow our employees. We are proud to have three CBPs and seven CSPs on staff!"
—John C. Romano, CBP, CSP, president/CEO, All American Custom Pools and Spas
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Credibility and Prestige: Increase your credibility and sales. APSP membership tells your customers that you are a member of the world's leading association of pool and spa professionals who are committed to public safety, reputable services, and excellence, and who subscribe to a Code of Ethics of professional standards, principles, and policies. Enhance your company's prestige and credibility through:
- Logos and service marks: Gain prestige by displaying the APSP logo and certification service marks on your business materials. Only APSP members are permitted to use the APSP logo which highlights their participation in a national organization dedicated to professionalism, best practices, and safety.
- Safety materials and public service campaigns: Demonstrate your commitment to your customers’ safe enjoyment of industry products by obtaining and displaying APSP materials and distributing them to your customers.
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Discounts for Members: Save on tools that are critical to growing your business when you join APSP. Also see "Business Products and Bottom-Line Savings" above. Cost-saving opportunities include:
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APSP educational programs, including national, local, and online programming
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Exhibit space discounts and free admission for the International Pool / Spa / Patio Expo in November and the NESPA Pool & Spa Show in January.
Education: Stay on top of the latest industry trends and learn how to grow your business and improve your bottom line…or access basic education and training…by participating in APSP technical and business education events provided by the APSP Career Institute.
Education opportunities can be found on the education calendar and under the Career Institute tab above and include:
"The faster I can get new employees up to speed, the faster they can help us make money. APSP's professional development programs help employees understand that this is a career track, not just a stopover. Continuing education really helps with our employee retention."
—Kathleen Carlson, president, Aqua Quip
"Often, those of us who have been around a few years think that there's nothing new to learn. However, I find that every time I go to an APSP seminar, I learn more. Our industry is constantly changing and there are many things even long-seasoned veterans need to know. APSP conducts a lot of education seminars on new developments, technical installations, and new technology, as well as how to run and do new things with your business."
—Guy Larsen, CBP, vice president, All Season Pools
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Leadership Opportunities: Shape the future of the industry and APSP. Gain recognition as an industry leader by volunteering for an APSP national or local chapter councils or committees.
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Networking and Knowledge Exchange: Get valuable ideas, solve problems, and build key industry contacts by networking with APSP members. Opportunities include:
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APSP education events and conferences, as well as the International Pool / Spa/ Patio Expo and regional trade shows
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National and regional councils and committees
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Professional Conduct: Uphold the highest business principles. All APSP members agree to be dedicated to, and to comply with, ethical principles and policies outlined in the APSP Member Code of Ethics.
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Public Relations and Industry Promotion: Reap the benefits of increased business from APSP's active involvement in raising public awareness of the many positive health, enjoyment, and aesthetic benefits provided by members' products and services. Promotional activities include:
- National media and public relations efforts to promote the industry to consumers, including consumer safety.
- Encouraging consumers to seek out APSP members when making decisions on a pool, spa, or hot tub. APSP supports multiple consumer websites to communicate this message, including:
- APSP.org and the company locator. Each month, more than 50,000 consumers consult our site in advance of purchasing products and services to locate APSP members in their geographic areas.
- PoolPeopleUSA.com and HotTubLiving.com: Sites where consumers can find pool and spa builders, retailers, and service companies. Leads from these sites are forwarded to the appropriate businesses.
- SplashZoneUSA.com: A site for kids that delivers pool and hot tub safety messages through games and fun, making buying and using industry products a family experience.
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Publications: Enrich your knowledge and stay on top of the latest trends and innovations using APSP publications. Regular access to this kind of business intelligence will keep you informed on significant developments in all quarters of the industry; help you identify long-term growth opportunities; and perhaps most important, expand your professional knowledge, confidence, and skill. These include:
- AQ, APSP’s quarterly magazine free with your membership. Each issue of AQ provides relevant and timely content that impacts your company—including updates on the state of the industry, technical information, best practices, and new ideas and innovations.
Feature articles include topics that affect your company such as protecting your business…improving employee performance…the importance of diversifying in tough economic times…comparisons of new products…pool safety…and creating environmentally friendly pools and spas.
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MyAPSP News APSP’s weekly e-newsletter highlights the activities at MyAPSP.org and brings you news of the Association. Member spotlights, online discussions and important announcements come your way each week. www.myapsp.org.
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Technical publications, including APSP's Field Checklist for Identifying Suction Entrapment Hazards and the ANSI/APSP-7 Suction Entrapment Avoidance Standard fact sheet ensure you have the latest building codes and standards—critical information to protect you and your customers.
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ANSI/APSP-approved standards on construction, maintenance, operation, and safety standards to educate and assist you in providing industry products that are safe and enjoyable for the public.
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Consumer awareness and safety brochures that you can provide your customers and community to reinforce pool, spa and hot tub safety.
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Market research and statistics support your business strategy by and planning by helping you understand your competition as well as your customers’ needs.
“APSP’s AQ magazine and Industry Currents e-newsletter keeps me
in the loop. I love knowing what’s going on nationally and what will affect me in the near future.”
—Kathleen Carlson, president, Aqua Quip
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Recognition: Be acknowledged and gain prominence for your achievements. Opportunities for recognition include:
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Sales and Business Growth: Increase your leads, sales, and revenue with help from your APSP member benefits, including:
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Standards: Protect your customers, minimize the risk to your company, and gain a competitive edge by using ANSI/APSP standards, the benchmark for the pool, spa, and hot tub industry.These standards establish voluntary minimum guidelines that, when adopted by governments and agencies, have the force of law.
“The APSP/ANSI pool and spa design standards have helped me many times over the years. For example, there was a recent pool project where the customer wanted to create a pool area that did not meet standards. I would not build it, so we were in jeopardy of losing the project. After explaining the importance of the standards to ensure pool safety, the customer appreciated that fact that I had upheld the standards and went with us. I think it actually helped us get the contract.”
—Guy Larsen, vice president, All Season Pools & Spas
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Trade Shows: Save 15 percent on the cost of exhibit booth space at the Pool / Spa / Patio Expo in Las Vegas each November, and at the NESPA Expo in Atlantic City each January. These savings can be more than twice the cost of membership dues!
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