This year’s International Pool Spa Patio Expo in Dallas, TX is set to draw folks from all over the pool, spa, and outdoor living industries. It’s a time of the year that almost feels like old home week for the industry and a chance not only to network with old friends and colleagues, but to enhance ones education on a variety of different subjects.

Whether you are excited to learn about the latest products and technology, or are looking to learn from veteran industry experts; this year’s International Pool Spa Patio Expo guarantees to have something for everyone.

‘The Show Will Go On’ – Event Organizers

Even with Covid-19, event organizers are optimistic that this year’s expo will be a live event. Some attendees expressed some concern that this year’s show would be changed to a virtual event; a repeat of last year’s scramble to still hold an event under quarantine. The PHTA recently announced that the World Aquatic Health Conference has been switched to a virtual event in light of ongoing health & safety concerns.

Dallas Expo Will Be A Live Event

“Informa is open for business – Texas is open and the show will go on. We’re not going virtual.” said Ray Giovine, Group Director for Informa Markets during a recent a webinar hosted by Watershape University.

Informa has already held several events this year including the International Roofing Expo which was held at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas earlier this summer. The city of Las Vegas required that attendees wear protective masks, but Giovine said that he does not anticipate the mandate to be the same at this years International Pool Spa Patio Expo in Dallas. The current guidelines in Texas recommend wearing masks indoors but do not require them for attendees who are fully vaccinated.

An Emphasis on Safety

Enhanced cleanliness will be something event organizers focus on this year. Hand sanitizer will be made available throughout the venue as well as increased air circulation inside the exhibition hall.

Why Attend The International Pool Spa Patio Expo?

• Education including sessions offered by the pool industries most respected thought leaders and experts.
• Exhibits of the latest and most exciting new pool, spa, and outdoor living products to hit the market.
• Networking is one of the biggest reasons that attendees come to the Expo. It’s a great opportunity to engage with peers and colleagues as well as make new connections.

If it pertains to the pools, spas, or outdoor living, you’ll find it at this years expo. Below is a sample of products you’ll find:

Exhibition Dates

• Tuesday, Nov. 16, 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, Nov. 17, 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 18, 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Key Note Speakers:

The PSP/Deck Expo will open with two key note speakers in the aquatics industry: Wallace J. Nichols, author of Blue Mind, and Rowdy Gaines, a former competitive swimmer, U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame member, three-time Olympic gold medalist, and member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

Welcome Party

Event attendees should definitely stop by the Welcome Party. Complimentary drinks and refreshments will be available. It’s a fun event and you’ll have the opportunity to network with friends and colleagues. Trolleys will be available to take folks back and forth from the Omni Hotel (the host hotel of the event). 

Welcome Party
Tuesday, November 16
Gilley’s Dallas 
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

PHTA WAVE Network Young Professionals Reception

Mingle and network with other young professionals in the pool, spa, and outdoor living industries.

Admission is free for PHTA and NADRA members and non-members, but registration is essential due to limited space. Admission includes networking in a relaxed environment, early access to the Welcome Party, and a selection of appetizers and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Transportation will be provided from the Omni Dallas, the host hotel. That event will be held Tuesday, November 16 from 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. (immediately before the Welcome Party).

Grill & Chill Exhibition

This exhibition will feature vendors specific to deck building, outdoor kitchens, grills, and patio furniture. Vendors will be grilling and serving lunch each day of the event during normal expo hours: 

• Tuesday, November 16: 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, November 17: 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Thursday, November 18: 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

BBQ Bash

Event attendees are invited to attend a barbecue hosted by Vendors on Wednesday, November 17, from 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge

Reid Schindler, one of the industry’s rising award-winning designers, and Mike Farley, an award-winning pool designer with over 30 years of experience, are joining together with the PSP/Deck Expo to identify the industry’s top designers in this year’s Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge.

A team of judges will select five finalists (one of whom will be a student) to attend this year’s event. On-site demonstrations of all finalists’ presentations, as well as Mike and Reid’s solutions, will take place during the Expo.

Deck Expo

The Deck Expo has relocated to a new location in conjunction with PSP Expo. Together, the two events expand the assortment of outdoor items and technologies. This year, PSP/Deck Expo will provide education focusing on decks not only during the pre-conference workshops, but also throughout the main conference.

GENESIS® Winemaker Dinner

Genesis will be hosting their 21st annual winemaker dinner and annual family reunion at the Tower Club on the 48th floor of the Santander Tower in the heart of the downtown Dallas business district. Tickets are $195 and registration is required. That event is being held November 17, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm.

Pool Prize Party

With plenty of fun, excitement, and giveaways, the Pool Prize Party caps off the final day of the expo and is a great way to end your time at the event. That’s happening Thursday, November 18 at 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm on the show floor.

Tailgate Party

Watershape University will also be hosting a fun tailgate party and WU students, International Watershape Institute members, faculty, and corporate partners are invited to attend. That’s on November 15 at 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The International Pool Spa Patio Expo – A Great Opportunity To Expand Your Education

One of the biggest draws for attendees are the various courses and workshops that can be taken at the expo. The opportunity to learn from industry veterans and leading experts presents a unique chance to get an education from the masters. The programs presented at this years expo offer world class educational courses from some of the brightest minds in the pool & spa industry.

Pre-Show Education is available from Saturday, November 13, through Monday, November 15, and includes a variety of options. You can continue your study after completing a Pre-Show Education course! Each course in the Pre-Show Education series includes a Super Pass or an Expo Pass.

• PHTA Education
• GENESIS Education
• Watershape University Education
• NADRA Education
• Speciality Education & Certification

2021 Conference Sessions – International Pool Spa Patio Expo Day by Day

Here is a day by day breakout of what will be going on at the 2021 International Pool Spa Patio Expo in Dallas, TX.

November 13, 2021

November 14, 2021

November 15, 2021

November 16, 2021

November 17, 2021

November 18, 2021

Show Floor Education:

• Hayward School of Business
• Fluidra Pro Academy
• Bullfrog Spas Spa Retailer Academy
• Think Wood Deck Workshop
• Genesis Solution Center
• Aquatics International PSP / Deck Expo Stage

That’s just a sneak preview of what you can expect at this year’s International Pool Spa Patio Expo in Dallas. Pool Magazine will also be attending and you can find us at Booth 1624 in the Genesis Pavillion, we can’t wait to see you there.

The global covid-19 pandemic brought about many changes in the pool industry. Currently, there is shortage of many essential parts and supplies for swimming pools. More aspiring pool owners are getting disappointed by the day. Manufacturers have enormous backlogs of pending orders. But why has their been such dramatic and sudden slow-downs of inground pool construction during the height of the season? One of leading causes among fiberglass builders this season has been slow delivery of shells which has a direct correlation to ongoing resin shortages.

Understanding the fiberglass resin shortage at an in-depth level

As mentioned earlier, there has been a delay in pool construction due to a shortage of fiberglass resin material. As a result, the prices of liquid vinyl ester resin and fiberglass have significantly gone up. Subsequently, many fiberglass manufacturers are turning down shell orders amid the high demand for fiberglass pools nationwide and a lack of raw materials to facilitate orders.

Pool Magazine received word from numerous builders that they had been notified by Latham that shell deliveries would be delayed up to 8 weeks because of ongoing shortages. We reached out to America’s largest manufacturer of fiberglass inground pools to see how they are handling the ongoing resin shortage.

“Latham’s manufacturing facilities remain open and operational.” said Crist Leigh Wunsch, spokesperson for Latham, “Homeowner interest in our products is stronger than ever, and our teams are working hard to meet the increased demand. We are facing intermittent raw material shortages, along with the rest of our industry, which has resulted in some temporary manufacturing inefficiencies at our facilities.”

“We have been leveraging our strong relationships with our suppliers to navigate this issue,” continued Wunsch, “and we have looking at alternative resin sources to continue to diversify our supply chain. Despite this, Latham continues to deliver solid growth. The strong underlying secular trends of our industry remain intact, and we feel well positioned to continue to meet growing consumer demand for pools.”

Manufacturers Everywhere Are Feeling The Pinch

Kent Wooldridge, president of the United Marine Manufacturers Association, says, “Indisputably, it is extremely painful to turn down orders from loyal clients. Telling pool owners that they have to halt their businesses just because you cannot supply them with the required raw materials is hard. Even worse, you cannot refer them to another person who can offer them the appropriate raw materials. In addition, those who have these materials sell them at crazy prices.”

“The majority of suppliers are overburdened by the fiberglass shortage. The winter storms that damaged the chemical plants producing resin were therefore a big disaster.”

president of board manufacturer Aipa Surf Co, DUKE AIPA

Have raised import tariffs made the shortage situation worse?

Usually, the United States is responsible for producing only a tiny fraction of fiberglass cloth. The country mainly relies on affordable fiberglass supplies from China. However, since Trump’s administration, there have been obstacles preventing the smooth import process. In particular, since 2018, a 25% import tariff was placed on fiberglass cloth and resin. This discouraged most manufacturers from importing fiberglass. On the flip side, Chinese manufacturers raised their export prices.

In 2020, the coronavirus outbreak made the supply chain worse due to travel restrictions. The lockdown also forced Chinese chemical plants to shut down. At the same time, there was increased demand for pool construction services since most homeowners were looking for ways to upgrade their backyards.

The effect of natural calamities on fiberglass resin shortage

This year, the winter storm in Texas disoriented a broad spectrum of activities in the pool industry. The freezing weather conditions forced the chemical manufacturing plants in Houston to shut down. Moreover, the storm forced Hexion Inc and Olin Corp., the biggest epoxy producers, to stop operating.

Manufacturers report that once they finally get a truckload of resin, it doesn’t stick around very long. It’s already earmarked for a back-order. In fact, in most instances, all the resin coming in has already been pre-sold. This has been the situation for the past few months.

Are manufacturers affected?

Kirk Sullivan, a Florida pool builder, had to refund 250 orders due to the fiberglass resin shortage. Sullivan says that he received very few supplies this year during the summer. Therefore, his company has been unable to continue taking new pool construction orders. Fortunately, all his staff members are still at work, hoping for things to get better.

Regional manager, Todd Prestage, says, “Before, it used to take approximately six weeks to get a Surf Hardware International Board. Now, it takes six months.”

Several fiberglass manufacturers have tried solving this issue by importing a more significant percentage of raw materials from Asian countries that don’t incorporate high import tariffs. But they still find themselves raising their prices due to all the labor and shipping costs involved. Consumers, on the flip side, have no other choice but to pay more.

The bottom line

Other than taking longer to reach consumers, prices for resin have skyrocketed. Consequently, very few pool companies are finding it easy to adjust. One Latham Grand Dealer we spoke to said, “The resin shortage is making it more difficult for smaller companies like ours to get shells and obviously it’s been costing us all sales. The big guys are fortunate since they have guaranteed delivery based on their order flow”

One thing is for absolute certain, as the summer begins to wind down, this industry certainly has it’s work cut out toward improving the supply chain issues that have hindered so many this pool season.

Over the years, automatic pool coves have increasingly become popular among most homeowners. These safety features protect pools from dirt and help pool owners save energy. At present, there is an increased demand for automatic covers, especially among spa owners. Indisputably, spa owners are also looking to protect their investments. Automatic spa covers are therefore becoming popular in the pool industry. The best thing about these features is that they are user-friendly; you can operate them with the simple touch of a button. Ultimately, homeowners don’t mind spending on these features.

The increased demand for automatic spa covers

Several states make it compulsory for all pool owners to have safety covers. Consequently, almost every pool owner is familiar with automatic pool covers. Once spa owners see how this feature works well, they’ll always want to purchase one for their spa. Allan Horwood of Pool Patrol in British Columbia concurs, and he states, “Before, using safety covers in spas was quite odd. However, it is now common to protect your spa using a cover.”

“There has been a steady rise in demand for automatic pool and spa covers in the United States.”

VP of sales for Automatic Pool Covers, Mike Shadoan

Nonetheless, Shadoan says that automatic pool and spa covers are costly. But people are always willing to buy products that offer value for money. There’s, therefore, a golden opportunity for pool professionals who wish to sell these safety features.

Is selling automatic spa covers a good idea?

A good percentage of pool owners love automatic spa covers because they are simple to use. I mean, no one wants to struggle to remove the automatic pool/spa cover after a grueling day. With auto covers, you can open and close the pool using a remote.

A unique opportunity for pool contractors

Last year, the industry experienced a surge in demand for pool services. Homeowners were looking for ways to upgrade their backyards. Consequently, they installed swimming pools, among other outdoor features. Automatic pool and spa covers were therefore in high demand. Pool contractors who sell these safety features are often privileged. When they go onsite to provide installation services, they will most likely sell other pool products and water features. For example, high-end customers may request an additional water feature like a spa. And this helps pool contractors to increase their revenue. Ultimately, there are so many golden opportunities that come with selling automatic pool covers.

Installing automatic spa covers

Is there a difference between automatic pool covers and automatic spa covers? Well, yes. The major difference between these features is space and aesthetics. Automatic spa covers are more versatile since they are smaller. Thus, they tend to provide more aesthetics. Pool contractors can install auto covers on spas that are above the deck or flush with the deck.

Suppose the spa is above the ground; you’ll have to raise it by approximately 20 inches above the deck. It would help if you also placed the cover box above the deck. Nevertheless, note that the installation process is different for existing spas. In such instances, there’s usually limited space to work with. Consequently, there might be insufficient space to install the housing for the cover mechanism.

Dealing with such projects requires you to be innovative. You may decide to flush mount the safety cover on the paver. Doing this helps you create a nice, clean look. You can also add a storage space along the edge of the spa; here, you can store your cleaning equipment, among other products. Subsequently, you end up making the most out of your space.

Balancing between functionality and aesthetics

You have to find the perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality when installing an automatic spa cover. Most clients prefer using concrete lids on their pool covers so that they can walk around the cover. Also, concrete lids are more popular because they provide more aesthetics. Meeting the customer’s requirements will require you to use a heavy-duty bracket. This way, it can handle the weight of the concrete lid. Even so, always tell your clients to minimize their movement on the cover. At times, the stone can move, and this can lead to serious accidents.

Shadoan says, “Pool contractors should explain how these features work. They should inform their clients that lifting the stone from time to time is important. Also, let them know that walking, standing, or sitting on the lid can lead to serious accidents.”

Are automatic spa covers worth the purchase?

Currently, there is a broad spectrum of automatic spa cover designs. Therefore, every spa owner can find something that caters to their needs. Needless to say, automatic spa covers are not for everyone. They are ideal for pool owners who want to match their pool cover and spa cover more often than not. Ultimately, automatic spa covers offer excellent functionality and aesthetics.