Industry News
Winter is for Strategy: Build Your 2026 Business Plan Now

As the last pools are covered and the phone calls settle down, winter gifts the pool industry something rare: time to think.
For builders, service pros, and retailers alike, winter isn’t downtime — it’s the strategic season. It’s when smart operators look beyond the next call or contract and start shaping the business they want two years from now.
“Winter is when we build the business, not the pools,” says Jake Henderson of Blue Horizon Pools, who uses December to review margins, reset systems, and plan hiring before spring rushes back in. “If we wait until March to think strategically, it’s already too late.”
Across the industry, that mindset shift is catching on. Instead of winding down completely, more companies are using winter to strengthen their foundations by refining systems, training teams, and designing growth plans for 2026 and beyond.
Because in today’s market, the companies that treat winter as an opportunity, not an off-season, are the ones leading the pack when the weather warms up.
From Reaction to Intention

After the intensity of summer, the quiet of winter brings clarity. The rush fades, phones calm, and for the first time in months, owners can actually think.
It’s the perfect time to step back and ask big-picture questions: What worked? What didn’t? What do we want to do differently next year?
That space for reflection is what separates reactionary businesses from intentional ones.
“We used to treat January as catch-up season,” says Angela Ruiz of ClearBlue Pool Services. “Now it’s strategy season. We review our wins, fix the bottlenecks, and set our training plan for the year ahead. It changes everything.”
For many companies, this kind of winter planning isn’t about filling out spreadsheets — it’s about creating space to think. It’s also about designing a business that works on purpose rather than by momentum.
Winter gives owners emotional, operational, and financial distance. The stress of the season melts away and you can finally look at your business without the noise of chlorine deliveries, weather delays, and customer calls.
That distance is what allows growth-minded companies to identify patterns, anticipate challenges, and align their next moves with long-term goals.
What the Pros Are Doing This Winter
Across the country, pool professionals are putting their quiet months to work. Instead of to-do lists, strategic initiatives are forged and designed to strengthen their business before the next rush hits.
1. Modernizing Systems
Technology is taking center stage this winter. Companies are upgrading scheduling software, linking accounting tools, and adopting CRMs that help teams communicate more efficiently.
“We finally integrated our job tracking and invoicing software,” says Tony Miller of AquaEdge Pools. “It’s saving us hours every week and eliminating those little mistakes that used to cost us credibility.”
For many owners, it’s not about chasing the latest app. It’s more about using the off-season to simplify and systemize. When spring hits, there’s no time to experiment. Winter is when operational upgrades happen quietly in the background so the busy months can run smoothly.
2. Investing in People
Ask any pool company what their biggest challenge is, and you’ll hear the same answer: labor. Skilled, motivated, reliable labor.

That’s why many firms are treating winter as their training season. Cross-training service techs, offering leadership workshops, and paying for certifications are becoming common winter investments.
“We started a mentorship program for our younger crew,” says Henderson. “It keeps them engaged, and by spring, they’re already ahead of schedule on skills.”
Companies are also rethinking retention — offering flexible scheduling, performance bonuses, or simply creating space for team members to be heard. As Ruiz puts it: “If you don’t invest in people during the slow months, you’ll spend twice the amount replacing them during the busy ones.”
3. Refreshing the Brand
With fewer site visits and customer calls, winter is prime time to update your public face. Many businesses are using the off-season to revamp their websites, refresh photography, or launch new marketing campaigns.
“We do our brand audit in January,” says Miller. “New photos, updated testimonials, maybe a fresh logo tweak. By the time homeowners start dreaming about their next pool, we’re already in front of them.”
Others are leaning into storytelling by publishing project spotlights, filming behind-the-scenes videos, or writing articles that show their expertise. The off-season is the ideal moment to build authority and trust before the buying season begins.
Looking Ahead: Planning for 2026, Not Just 2025
Many business owners are no longer planning for the next season. They’re planning for the next two. With technology, materials, and customer expectations evolving so rapidly, forward-looking strategies are becoming the new norm.
Sustainability, automation, and efficiency top the list of 2026 priorities. Builders are exploring energy-efficient equipment and low-impact materials; service companies are focusing on automation and predictive maintenance; retailers are diversifying their offerings with smart pool technology.
“We’re budgeting for next year’s upgrades, but also setting aside for 2026 equipment transitions,” says Ruiz. “We know automation and energy savings are where the market’s heading. Planning ahead gives us a competitive edge.”
That kind of foresight also protects companies from economic swings. As discretionary spending fluctuates, diversified and well-structured businesses are more likely to stay stable.
In other words: when competitors are coasting, the strategic ones are charting.
The New Shape of Winter Strategy
The modern pool professional’s off-season isn’t about hibernation — it’s all about transformation.
Here’s what’s changing:
- Data-Driven Decision Making: More owners are tracking metrics year-round — from profit margins to lead conversion rates — and using winter to analyze that data in depth.
- Collaborative Planning: Instead of keeping plans top-down, many companies now involve their teams in goal setting. “It builds ownership,” says Miller. “People buy into what they help build.”
- Sustainable Growth: Fast growth isn’t the goal anymore. Smart growth is. Companies are choosing intentional scaling by adding services or expanding geography only when systems can support it.
There’s a growing awareness that the pool industry, once driven by instinct and tradition, is now defined by planning, professionalism, and adaptability.
Community Over Competition
Another emerging theme this winter: collaboration.
Across regions, owners who used to view each other as competitors are now comparing notes, sharing resources, and supporting each other’s success. Whether through online groups, trade associations, or informal meet-ups, there’s a sense that the industry wins when everyone levels up.

“We share our vendor contacts, talk about pricing pressure, even swap advice on hiring,” says Ruiz. “Five years ago, that would’ve been unheard of. Now, we all realize we’re fighting the same challenges.”
That openness has made planning seasons like this one richer and more productive. When people talk honestly about what’s working, the entire industry grows stronger.
A Season for Builders to Build
Every strong season begins with choices made in the quiet months — in the calm before the rush.
Winter gives pool professionals something rare: time to think. And for those who use it wisely, that time becomes the foundation of growth, stability, and innovation.
“The work we do now pays off all year,” says Henderson. “We treat the winter like we treat excavation — it’s the groundwork. If you skip it, nothing else stands right.”
When the phones start ringing again, the companies that used winter for strategy won’t be scrambling. They’ll be ready with systems dialed in, teams aligned, and goals set in motion.
Because success in the pool industry might be built in the summer, but it’s planned for in the winter.
So grab a notebook, pour a cup of coffee, and ask yourself: What kind of business do you want to open in the spring?
Winter is the time to build it.
Industry News
Why Pools Matter: Pool Horizons Takes Its Message Global

For an industry that spends a great deal of time talking about how pools are built, operated and maintained, Pool Horizons is advancing a different conversation: why swimming pools matter in the first place.
Launched in 2023, Pool Horizons is a global initiative bringing together leaders from the swimming pool industry and broader aquatic community to examine and communicate the role pools play in society. Its work focuses on areas including health and wellbeing, community development, water safety and sustainability, with an emphasis on giving the industry research and real-world examples that demonstrate the value of aquatic spaces beyond recreation.
Over the next several months, Pool Horizons will continue that conversation at major industry gatherings in the United States and Europe, with appearances scheduled in Phoenix, Lyon and Atlantic City.
Pool Horizons Heads to the MasterMind Summit
The first stop will be the PHTA & GENESIS MasterMind Summit, taking place September 16–18 at The Wigwam in Litchfield Park, Arizona.
Pool Horizons will host a two-hour session on Friday, September 18, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., connecting the cultural and social history of swimming pools with the data-backed narrative the industry is working to develop.
Author and historian Jeff Wiltse will explore the history of swimming pools and their enduring social, cultural and economic importance. Attendees will then hear about the latest Pool Horizons initiatives and how that work applies to the U.S. market.
The session will conclude with industry leaders discussing how different stakeholders can work together to better communicate the value of pools and create new opportunities for the industry.
Taking the Conversation to France
The initiative will head overseas in November for Piscine Global 2026 in Lyon, France.
On November 18 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Pool Horizons will present preliminary findings from the Global Aquatic Social Impact Framework (GASIF) pilot study. The project is aimed at developing a more data-driven understanding of the social impact created by swimming pools and aquatic facilities.
Representatives from participating industry associations in France, Spain and the United States will take part, followed by a roundtable examining the challenges and future of the swimming pool industry. Leaders from CF Group, Fluidra, Hayward and Pentair are scheduled to participate in the discussion.
Pool Horizons will make a second appearance in Lyon during Aqualie on November 19 from 4:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. That session will introduce Pool Horizons and showcase a French public swimming pool Best-in-Class project, providing a real-world example of the role aquatic facilities can play within their communities.
Returning to Connect With The Industry in Atlantic City in 2027
The schedule continues into the new year with the Pool Horizons Summit in Atlantic City on January 25, 2027, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Following its 2026 gathering, Pool Horizons will return with a program that includes a keynote presentation, a new Best-in-Class project and contributions from leading figures throughout the swimming pool industry.
Together, the upcoming events provide Pool Horizons with an opportunity to continue building the conversation on both sides of the pond.
Industry News
Skimmer Expands Into Pool Construction Software With Acquisitions of Pool Builder Geek and Poologics
The two software platforms form the foundation of a unified offering for pool professionals; Pool Builder Geek founder Tommy Reynolds joins Skimmer to lead construction strategy.

AUSTIN, TX, August 24, 2026 — Skimmer, the leading operating system for pool service and maintenance professionals, today announced the acquisitions of Pool Builder Geek and Poologics, two software platforms purpose-built for pool construction businesses.
The acquisitions mark Skimmer’s expansion into pool construction and establish the foundation for a unified platform serving pool professionals from construction through ongoing service and maintenance.
As part of the acquisition, Pool Builder Geek founder Tommy Reynolds, who has extensive experience in the pool construction software space, will join Skimmer, leading the company’s construction strategy and continued investment in solutions for pool builders.
“Our vision is to build an end-to-end platform for the pool and spa industry,” said Jack Nelson, CEO of Skimmer. “Pool Builder Geek brings an AI-native platform designed to evolve quickly with the industry, while Poologics brings a proven product that builders have relied on for years. Together, they significantly accelerate our ability to serve pool construction businesses.”
Pool builders manage complex estimating, permitting, project management, subcontractor coordination, customer communication, and job costing processes. Many still rely on spreadsheets or generic construction tools that were not designed for their specific needs. Pool Builder Geek and Poologics address those challenges with purpose-built capabilities, including estimating, project management, permitting, job costing, and AI-powered visualization.
“Pool builders do not need generic contracting software with a pool label added to it,” said Reynolds. “We built Pool Builder Geek specifically around how pools are sold and built with AI at the core of the platform. Joining Skimmer gives us the resources and expertise to accelerate our product roadmap and deliver even more for the builders we serve. I’m excited about what we can build together and what this means for the future of the pool industry.”
“We built Poologics on the belief that pool construction deserves software designed specifically for the industry,” said Nate Pruitt, CEO of Poologics. “Skimmer has built its business on that same belief for pool service. Together, we can give builders more resources, stronger support, and a faster path to innovation.”
Service and maintenance remain a core focus of Skimmer. The expansion into construction advances the company’s long-term strategy to provide connected, purpose-built tools for pool professionals across the industry.
About Skimmer
Skimmer is one of America’s leading pool service platforms. The company is on a mission to modernize the pool and spa service and repair industry through easy-to-use software and best-in-class support. Over 35,000 pool service professionals servicing 1,000,000+ pools in North America use Skimmer to get organized, get paid faster, and grow their businesses. For more information, visit getskimmer.com.
About Poologics
Poologics is an all-in-one business management platform built specifically for swimming pool builders. It streamlines CRM, estimating, project management, and job costing, helping professionals run their businesses with greater efficiency, accuracy, and control. For more information, visit poologics.com.
About Pool Builder Geek
Pool Builder Geek is an AI-powered project management platform built exclusively for the swimming pool construction and renovation industry. Created by a team with deep experience building software for pool builders, it gives builders purpose-built tools for project tracking, scheduling, subcontractor coordination, budgeting, job costing, and AI-powered backyard visualization. For more information, visit poolbuildergeek.com.
Media contact
Travis Wingate
Skimmer, CMO, [email protected], 416-838-9161
Industry News
Landmark Aquatic Names Jason Hill Kansas City General Manager

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Landmark Aquatic, a national leader in commercial aquatic construction and renovation, is pleased to announce the promotion of Jason Hill to General Manager of its Kansas City, Missouri market. Hill brings nearly two decades of commercial aquatic experience to the role, having worked his way through the industry as a laborer, plumber, project superintendent and project manager. That hands-on path through the trades gives him a perspective few general managers share.
“I truly understand the jobs of everyone here,” explains Hill. “It’s not just how they’re supposed to perform, I actually understand their day-to-day struggles, their desire for growth, and their need to have the best tools at their disposal to do their job efficiently.”
As he begins his tenure, Hill said mentorship and workforce development will be a top priority, particularly given how few professionals nationwide specialize in commercial pools.
“The commercial pool industry is such an anomaly,” he said. “As we grow our team, we are not likely to find commercial pool people waiting in our market to be hired, rather I am going to have to make commercial pool people. Training and coaching them is a big part of making that happen.” Hill’s emphasis on training echoes the company culture that earned Landmark a Top Workplace award, given in part for its investment in employee career development.
Hill is already collaborating closely with Landmark’s marketing team to grow the company’s visibility across the Kansas City market, contributing fresh ideas that are helping generate excitement. “I’m excited to compete with our other markets and see how far we can climb,” he said, noting his hometown ties add extra motivation.
With his depth of field experience and people-first approach, Hill is positioned to grow Landmark Aquatic’s presence and reputation throughout the region.
Jason can be reached at [email protected].
About Landmark Aquatic:
Landmark Aquatic is a nationwide provider of commercial aquatic facility design, construction, and maintenance services, with more than six decades of industry experience. Serving clients across most of the U.S., Landmark delivers construction-led solutions and on-going support though its AquatiCare maintenance team, ensuring excellence “for the life of your pool.” Committed to the full lifecycle of every facility, Landmark prioritizes long-term partnerships while adapting to client needs through exceptional service, operational excellence, and forward-thinking solutions. For more about Landmark Aquatic visit www.landmarkaquatic.com.
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