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BridgeUSA Program Resolution Receives Strong Industry Support

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(Washington, DC) – Over 400 organizations, including the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, the American Hotel and Lodging Association, the IAAPA – the global association for the attractions industry, FMI – the Food Industry Association, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the U.S. Travel Association, support the resolution introduced last week by Reps. Blake Moore (R-UT), Annie Kuster (D-NH), and Chris Pappas (D-NH). This House resolution reaffirms bipartisan Congressional support of the U.S. Department of State BridgeUSA programs—formerly the Exchange Visitor J-1 Visa Program—and confirms that these programs are vital to the economy and national interests of the United States.


“The aquatics industry truly appreciates Representatives Moore, Kuster, and Pappas for recognizing the value of exchange visitors to our nation,” said Sabeena Hickman, CAE, President and CEO of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance. “Pools and other aquatic venues provide fun and safe places for families to enjoy. The Summer Work Travel participants who work as lifeguards not only acquire valuable surveillance and rescue skills, but also fill an important role within the industry and the larger community. These lifeguards work side by side with American families in their shared mission of protecting the safety of swimmers. Their brief time in the U.S. provides a deep, daily encounter with Americans and American culture.”

“The BridgeUSA program provides exchange students from around the world the opportunity to experience and learn about the people and culture of the United States,” said Jakob Wahl, President and CEO of IAAPA. “The program enables the exchange visitors to work temporary seasonal jobs to help offset the costs associated with these cultural experiences, broadening the economic diversity of the program participants. As an added value, the exchange visitors provide a small but valuable supplement to the workforce of many seasonal IAAPA members around the country that simply can’t operate at full capacity without them. The exchange visitors are helping staff the business while adding diversity to their teams to enhance the guest experience.”

“FMI – the Food Industry Association appreciates the leadership of Congressman Moore, Congresswoman Kuster, and Congressman Pappas in reaffirming the importance of the U.S. Department of State BridgeUSA programs through their bipartisan resolution,” said Jennifer Hatcher, Chief Public Policy Officer with FMI. “FMI members who run supermarkets in resort communities across the country know firsthand the important role of the international work/travel students and the value they provide to our businesses as well as the cultural and educational experiences we are able to provide them through the program.”

“The U.S. Chamber of Commerce commends Representatives Moore, Kuster, and Pappas for reintroducing their resolution expressing congressional support for the State Department’s BridgeUSA programs,” said Jon Baselice, Vice President, Immigration Policy for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “Summer Work Travel program participants help meet the critical workforce needs for many seasonal businesses across the country that would struggle to operate without them. More importantly, the cultural exchanges created by these opportunities serve as a critical soft power tool for our nation. These experiences create lifelong people-to-people connections between Americans and the international students that participate in these programs, which increases mutual understanding among our nations and helps serve our national security interests.”

“The American Hotel & Lodging Association commends Representatives Moore, Kuster, and Pappas for reintroducing their bipartisan resolution in support of the State Department’s BridegUSA programs. Americans are planning more hotel stays and vacations this summer than they did in the summer of 2022, and that is great news for the lodging industry and its employees,” says Chip Rogers, President & CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. “The hotel industry thrives because our employees are as global as our guests. We have always been a major employer of immigrants, and we also rely on vital legal guest worker and visitor programs like BridgeUSA to augment our workforce.”

The BridgeUSA programs were created alongside the Peace Corps and U.S. Agency for International Development during the Cold War to promote the diplomatic and foreign affairs goals of the United States, which the State Department still advances in administering BridgeUSA as federal cultural exchange programs. The programs make travel to the United States possible for a broad and diverse group of approximately 300,000 international students and young people from 200 countries and territories each year.

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About the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a non-profit organization with more than 3,600 members from around the world, was established in 1956 to support, promote, and protect the common interests of the $36.5B pool, hot tub, and spa industry. PHTA provides education, advocacy, standards development, research, and market growth initiatives to increase our members’ professionalism, knowledge, and profitability. Additionally, PHTA promotes the use of pools by expanding swimming, water safety, and related research and outreach activities aimed at introducing more people to swimming, making swimming environments safer, and keeping pools open to serve communities. For more information, visit www.phta.org.

About the American Hotel & Lodging Association

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) is the largest hotel association in America, representing more than 30,000 members from all segments of the industry nationwide – including iconic global brands, 80% of all franchised hotels, and the 16 largest hotel companies in the U.S. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AHLA focuses on strategic advocacy, communications support, and workforce development programs to move the industry forward. Learn more at ahla.com.

 
About FMI – The Food Industry Association

As the food industry association, FMI works with and on behalf of the entire industry to advance a safer, healthier, and more efficient consumer food supply chain. FMI brings together a wide range of members across the value chain—from retailers that sell to consumers, to producers that supply food and other products, as well as the wide variety of companies providing critical services—to amplify the collective work of the industry. Learn more at www.FMI.org.

About IAAPA

IAAPA is a diverse and dynamic community of global attractions professionals. As the largest international trade association for permanently located attractions, IAAPA unifies the attractions community, connects people to learn and grow together, and strives to promote the highest professional standards for excellence and safety around the world. Founded in 1918, IAAPA represents leading industry attractions and supplier companies, consultants, and individual members from more than 100 countries. Members include professionals from amusement parks, theme parks, attractions, water parks, resorts, family entertainment centers, zoos, aquariums, science centers, museums, cruise lines, manufacturers, and suppliers. The association’s global headquarters and North America office are in Orlando, Florida, U.S. IAAPA also maintains offices in Brussels, Belgium; Hong Kong, China; Shanghai, China; and, Mexico City, Mexico. Visit IAAPA.org or connect through IAAPA’s social media channels: @IAAPAHQ #IAAPA

About the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business organization representing companies of all sizes across every sector of the economy. Their members range from the small businesses and local chambers of commerce that line the Main Streets of America to leading industry associations and large corporations. They all share one thing: They count on the U.S. Chamber to be their voice in Washington, across the country, and around the world. For more than 100 years, the U.S. Chamber has advocated for pro-business policies that help businesses support jobs and grow our economy. Visit uschamber.com.

About U.S. Travel Association

U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the U.S. travel industry—a key contributor to America’s economic success. Our mission is to increase travel to and within the United States, and in doing so, fuel our nation’s economy and future growth. Learn more at ustravel.org.

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Marianne Trusty is a Press Correspondent for the pool & spa industry. A published author and social media influencer reaching over 20 million people around the world each day. Contact Marianne about publishing op-editorials, breaking pool news and press releases at [email protected].

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Trade Shows

Coverings 2026 Brings Wow Factor to Tile & Stone Industry Event

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April 29, 2026 – LAS VEGAS – Coverings 2026, the largest international tile and stone event in North America, convened thousands of industry professionals from around the world at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, March 30–April 2, reaffirming the annual show’s position as the premier marketplace for tile, stone, design innovation and global business exchange.

The four-day event, which spanned the convention center’s large North and Central Halls, attracted highly qualified attendees with strong buying power across all industry segments, 77% of whom were directly involved in purchasing or specifying products.

Architects, builders, contractors, designers, distributors, fabricators, installers, retailers and other professionals explored creatively designed, immersive displays showcasing the latest in tile, stone, machinery, tools, technology, and installation products. 750 exhibitors from nearly 40 countries participated in Coverings 2026.

“Coverings is where the international tile and stone industry comes together to forge new relationships, gain education, explore the newest trends and products, and take advantage of unique opportunities for business growth and development,” said Jamie Rich, Coverings managing director. “The event’s ‘For the Industry, By the Industry’ commitment ensures every decision centers on delivering an event that is inclusive, impactful and valuable for all who exhibit and attend. Hosting Coverings in Las Vegas this year expanded the show’s reach, bringing the industry together in one of the world’s premier destinations for business and innovation.”

Attendance from California and Nevada increased 412% compared to Coverings 2025 when the show took place in Orlando. The architect and designer (A&D) attendee segments also saw an increase at Coverings 2026. A&D attendance was up 24% compared to Coverings 2022, which was the last time Coverings was hosted in Las Vegas.

“The Coverings show was an incredible experience. The range of tile and stone on display was not only impressive but truly valuable for designers looking to stay current, inspired and informed. It’s an environment that sparks creativity and exposes you to materials and applications you simply wouldn’t encounter otherwise,” said Jana Donohoe, Jana Donohoe Designs/Shape Space.

Among many highlights for Coverings 2026 attendees was the keynote session, “Building Hope: A Conversation with Gary Sinise, NTCA, and NSI on Serving Veterans Through Skilled Craftsmanship,” supported by Headline Sponsor MAPEI and Supporting Sponsor PROFLEX.

Those who attended learned how tile and stone professionals have contributed to the specially adapted, smart homes built by the Gary Sinise Foundation for our nation’s most severely wounded veterans and other American heroes, along with guidance on ways to participate in future builds.

A private, curated tour with Gary Sinise, the founder of the Gary Sinise Foundation and acclaimed actor and humanitarian, took place following the keynote during which Sinise thanked current donors and met exhibitors showcasing products designed with accessibility in mind. The tour featured a range of exhibits with residential products that improve safety, mobility, comfort and independent daily living for inhabitants, such as curbless showers, slip-resistant tile for floors and other surfaces, and indoor-outdoor transitions.

Other show floor tours were available to attendees to explore the vast Coverings 2026 exhibit hall, whether through the guided Contractor Tour or Contractor Tour en Español led by the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA), to see the latest tools, equipment and allied products, or with the self-guided Audio Tours. The Audio Tours were available in both English and Spanish, featuring four options for those interested in touring at their own pace: “Reimagining Porcelain,” “Tile & Stone Technology,” “Outdoor Living Spaces” and “Stone Trends & Fabrication.”

The popular Coverings Lounge served as a hub for all Coverings attendees to network with new and familiar industry peers, gain new knowledge at the Trends & Solutions Stage, and attend happy hours. The Lounge was also home to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) School of Architecture collaboration. Showgoers were captivated by the suite of mosaic-tiled furniture, which included two chairs, a coffee table and two lamps, designed and installed by UNLV students. The finished suite of furniture created in an earth-toned palette formed a cozy, “old-school” lounge-grotto for attendees to kick-back and enjoy. The furniture is now on permanent display at UNLV.

The Coverings’ Stages—Installation Innovation Stage, Fabricator Stage and Trends & Solutions Stage—as well as the Stone Fabricator’s Alliance (SFA) Cage offered Coverings 2026 attendees more than 50 educational opportunities. The Artisan Showcase was also a celebrated show floor feature, with art tile makers and artisans demonstrating the steps required to create one-of-a-kind, hand-made tile. Attendees visiting the Artisan Showcase were able to create their own mosaic tile coasters to take home as a Coverings memento.

Mindfulness Workshops, led by Gianna Vallefuoco, eternal artist, mindfulness meditation teacher and speaker, co-owner of Vallefuoco Contractors, NTCA board member and founder of Disability Inclusion Guild®, were hosted at the Trends & Solutions Stage and the Galvanize Lounge. Attendees participating in these sessions learned practical techniques for maintaining mental fitness in their workplaces, how to use a growth-focused mindset to lead their organizations and more.

This year’s top ten tile trends were featured in several educational presentations and show floor tours led by Alena Capra, Coverings spokesperson, industry ambassador and owner of Alena Capra Designs. The 2026 trends were seen throughout the show’s nine miles of tile and stone in many different eye-catching and creative exhibit booth displays.

A specially arranged “badge swap” program between Coverings 2026 and NHS Concept to Commerce show allowed hundreds of attendees to experience two shows with one registration. Coverings 2026’s showcase of the world’s most innovative tile and stone products adjacent to NHS Concept to Commerce’s full retail ecosystem of global manufacturers, brands and inventors provided easy and productive access to both events taking place at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Those interested in attending Coverings 2027, scheduled for April 6-9, 2027, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, can sign up to be notified when event registration opens at coverings.com.

About Coverings: Coverings is the largest and preeminent ceramic tile and natural stone trade fair and exposition in the United States and North America. It features exhibitors from 40 countries and is the stage for introducing some of the most innovative tile and stone products in the world with hundreds of exhibitors.

The exposition and conference, with more than 35 years of successful history, serve as a valuable and complimentary learning resource for all segments of the industry, with dozens of educational opportunities throughout the show. Coverings attracts thousands of distributors, retailers, fabricators, contractors, specifiers, architectural and design professionals, builders, real estate developers, as well as journalists, reporters, broadcasters, podcasters and bloggers who cover the vital tile and stone industry.

Key sponsors of the show are Ceramics of Italy/Confindustria CeramicaCeramic Tile Manufacturers Association of Spain (ASCER)/Tile of SpainTile Council of North America(TCNA), National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA)Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA) and International Product Assurance (IPA) Laboratories.

The show is managed by Taffy Event Strategies.

For more information about attending, sponsoring or exhibiting at Coverings 2026, contact Taffy Event Strategies at 571-313-5801 or [email protected].

Media/press contact for questions, interviews, additional photos, press tour attendance, etc.: Eberly & Collard Public Relations.

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Manufacturer

Pentair Announces Leadership Transition for Pentair Pool

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Pentair Announces Leadership Transition for Pentair Pool

Pentair plc (NYSE: PNR), a leader in helping the world sustainably move, improve, and enjoy water life’s most essential resource, today announced that Jerome Pedretti, Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of Pentair Pool, will depart the Company effective July 1, 2026. Pedretti concludes a distinguished career with Pentair spanning more than 20 years.

In connection with Pedretti’s departure, Pentair is eliminating the Chief Executive Officer of Pentair Pool role. De’Mon Wiggins, current EVP and President, Pentair Flow and Pentair Water Solutions, will assume responsibility for the Pool segment as EVP and President, Pentair Flow, Water Solutions and Pool, effective April 28, 2026. Pedretti will remain with Pentair through his departure date to support an orderly transition.

“Over more than two decades with Pentair, Jerome has made a significant and lasting impact on our Pool and Flow businesses through his leadership, deep expertise, and unwavering commitment to our customers and our culture,” said John Stauch, Pentair President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are truly grateful for Jerome’s many contributions and for his thoughtful partnership in supporting a smooth transition. With De’Mon’s strong track record of execution and strategic leadership, I am confident in the continued momentum of our Pool business and excited about the opportunities ahead.”

CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains statements that we believe to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Without limitation, any statements preceded or followed by or that include the words “targets,” “plans,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “will,” “likely,” “may,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “positioned,” “strategy,” or “future” or words, phrases, or terms of similar substance or the negative thereof are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include the overall global economic and business conditions impacting our business, including the strength of housing and related markets and conditions relating to international hostilities; supply, demand, logistics, competition and pricing pressures related to and in the markets we serve; the ability to achieve the benefits of our restructuring plans, cost reduction initiatives and Transformation Program; the impact of raw material, logistics and labor costs and other inflation; volatility in currency exchange rates and interest rates; failure of markets to accept new product introductions and enhancements; the ability to successfully identify, finance, complete and integrate acquisitions; risks associated with operating foreign businesses; the impact of seasonality of sales and weather conditions; our ability to comply with laws and regulations; the impact of changes in laws, regulations and administrative policy, including those that limit U.S. tax benefits or impact trade agreements and tariffs; the outcome of litigation and governmental proceedings; and the ability to achieve our long-term strategic operating and sustainability goals and targets. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. All forward-looking statements, including all financial forecasts, speak only as of the date of this release. Pentair assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update the information contained in this release.

ABOUT PENTAIR PLC

At Pentair, we help the world sustainably move, improve, and enjoy water, life’s most essential resource. From our residential and commercial water solutions, to industrial water management and everything in between, Pentair is a core large cap value S&P 500 equity stock focused on smart, sustainable water solutions that help our planet and people thrive.

Pentair had revenue in 2025 of approximately $4.2 billion, and trades under the ticker symbol PNR. With approximately 9,000 global employees serving customers in more than 150 countries, we work to help improve lives and the environment around the world. To learn more, visit www.pentair.com.

Contacts

Media Contact:

Shelly Hubbard
Vice President, Investor Relations
Direct: 612-812-0148
Email: [email protected]

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Landmark Aquatic Integrates Splashtacular’s SlipStream® Water Slide for Aquatic Facilities

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Landmark Aquatic is proud to partner with Splashtacular to offer the SlipStream® water slide for new construction and aquatic facility renovations. Unlike any ride on the market, the SlipStream delivers the sensation of waterskiing — riders take a running start, grab the side rails, and glide down on their heels, controlling their own speed. It’s the perfect attraction for older teens and adults seeking thrills without getting soaked. Through its partnership with Splashtacular, Landmark Aquatic brings a full range of fiberglass waterslides to community pools, parks and recreation facilities, luxury resorts, and beyond — combining Landmark’s expertise in design, construction, renovation, and service to create exciting aquatic experiences for all ages. 

About Splashtacular

Splashtacular designs, manufactures, and installs custom water slides, aquatic play structures, and spray features for water parks, resorts, and aquatic facilities. Their Restoration & Maintenance department offers slide restoration, feature upgrades, and a “Keep It New” maintenance program, ensuring longevity and performance for their innovative, high-quality aquatic attractions.

About Landmark  

Landmark Aquatic is a premier provider of commercial aquatic facility design, construction, and maintenance, with more than six decades of industry leadership. Serving clients nationwide, Landmark delivers construction-led solutions supported by its CPO-certified 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. 

Direct link: 

https://landmarkaquatic.com/products-aquatic-play-water-slide-systems

More information contact: 

[email protected] 

1-888-871-2887

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