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Certified Pool & Spa Operator Certification Program Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Published

3 years ago

March 9, 2023

(Alexandria, Va.) – The Certified Pool & Spa Operator (CPO) certification program is celebrating its 50^th anniversary in 2023. In the last five decades, more than 500,000 pool, spa, and hot tub industry professionals have earned this certification, awarded exclusively by the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA).

CPO is the world’s leading education and certification program for keeping pools safer and keeping them open. It provides individuals with the knowledge, techniques, and skills required for proper pool operations. CPO certification satisfies state and local jurisdiction requirements for pool operator professionals.

The formal introduction of the CPO certification was a benchmark in the realization that those who operated and managed swimming pools needed some type of formal training to safeguard their patrons. In 1973 the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF) took the first steps to develop a program, that could be taught by well qualified aquatic specialists, by introducing a text that covered the basic knowledge an operator might need.

PHTA would like to give a special thank you and tribute to the late Leif Zars, who provided the space and additional resources to NSPF (known as NSPI at the time) when the CPO program was first introduced in San Antonio, TX, in 1973. Zars was the chair of the national association’s drain cover standard writing committee when it drafted the first standard cited in the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGBA) that was done with the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP).

By 1978, Zars established the first Instructor School Institute that was held in Dallas, TX, a move that would allow the CPO course to be offered nationally. Three of the 50 certified candidates (Bruce Carney, Fontaine C. Piper, and Phillip Reynolds) became members of the original Instructor Education Committee, and Piper and Reynolds are still part of the PHTA Instructor Assessment Committee to this day.

When NSPF and APSP merged into PHTA in 2019, CPO remained the most popular professional certification in the industry. To meet this high demand and ensure all CPO students receive the highest quality of instruction, PHTA offers the CPO Instructor Assessment School twice a year. Currently, there are more than 700 CPO instructors around the world who provide training in 122 different countries.

Over the years, the CPO certification course materials have been updated and expanded to keep pace with changes in technology and in knowledge. The most significant changes occurred in 2005 and again just recently in 2021 with the introduction of a significantly updated operator’s manual.

“The CPO program continues to be the gold standard by which state health departments develop and define their individual standards,” says Fontaine C. Piper, Ph.D., Dean Emeritus of Truman State University and Chair of the PHTA Instructor Assessment Committee. “Without the original CPO certification program, the operational quality of aquatic facilities would not be as exceptional as it is today.”

“Congratulations to PHTA on the 50^th anniversary of the CPO program!” says Zach Skinner, Chair of the CPO Advisory Council. “I took my first CPO certification course in 2000 and I continue to be amazed at the opportunities for lifelong learning within this community 23 years later. Serving as the Chair of the CPO Advisory Council has made it even more evident how CPO certification provides structure and framework to assist swimming pool operators and improves safety for guests. I look forward to continued program growth and expansion in years to come.”

“I have that honor of being able to help new CPOs in their journey to service their customers and to help new instructors formulate their own unique style to teach the CPO course,” says Wayne Ivusich, Vice Chair of the CPO Advisory Council and member of the PHTA Instructor Assessment Committee. “After 31 years in the industry, I’ve seen and experienced an incredible wave of needed education and am happy to be a small part of that wave. Congratulations on the 50^th anniversary of the CPO program, and here’s to 50 more!”

The 50^th anniversary will be celebrated throughout the year, culminating in the 50^th Anniversary Luncheon Celebration at the 2023 World Aquatic Health Conference, November 13-15 in Las Vegas, NV.

For more information, please contact Amy Willer, PHTA’s Associate Director of Marketing and Communications, at [email protected] or 703-838-0083, ext. 121.

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About the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a non-profit organization with over 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 to increase our members’ professionalism, knowledge, and profitability. Additionally, PHTA facilitates the expansion of 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.

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Beatbot Unveils iF DESIGN AWARD 2026 Winner Sora 30 along with New Sora 10 for Effortless Spring Cleaning

Published

2 days ago

March 30, 2026

Alise Everton

Award-winning innovation that elevates smart pool care into a simplistic lifestyle expression

Richmond, TX — [Mar 30, 2026] —Beatbot, a global leader in innovative pool robotics, is welcoming the spring season with the launch of two new additions to its Sora lineup: the Beatbot Sora 30, winner of the iF DESIGN AWARD 2026, and the Beatbot Sora 10, a new entry-level model designed to make intelligent pool cleaning more accessible. Built for reliable, hassle-free pool maintenance, the new Sora series helps pool owners tackle seasonal cleaning with powerful performance and thoughtful design.

The newly launched Beatbot Sora series models deliver complete cleaning coverage across floors, walls, waterlines, and platforms. Both the Beatbot Sora 30 and Sora 10 feature powerful 6,800 GPH suction, an ultra-large 5L debris capacity with 150μm filtration, and smart parking for easy retrieval, helping pool owners maintain cleaner water with less effort. The two models also feature bold color accents contrasted with deep black finishes, adding a modern visual touch that complements poolside environments.

Engineered for consistent performance, the robots actively navigate shallow areas and pool platforms, ensuring broad coverage throughout the pool. Powered by Beatbot’s innovative HydroBalance™ Structure, they deliver powerful suction and stable movement throughout the cleaning process.

The award-winning Sora 30 further distinguishes itself with a refined, minimalist design, featuring smooth contours, clean flowing lines, and a distinctive structure that gives it a recognizable look while blending naturally into backyard environments. It also enhances performance with a 10,000mAh battery, supporting up to five hours of floor cleaning for longer cleaning cycles.

The Beatbot Sora 30 is available with an MSRP of $999, while the Beatbot Sora 10 is priced at $699. Consumers now can place their orders on Beatbot’s official website and Amazon.
To provide pool owners with more choice and make spring pool maintenance even easier, Beatbot has also launched its Spring Cleaning promotion. For a limited time, select products are offered at up to 40% off on the Beatbot official website and Amazon.

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PoolDial Launches Modern Pool Service Software with Built-In AI Phone Answering

Published

2 days ago

March 30, 2026

Alise Everton

Pool Dial - Pool service software company

PHOENIX, AZ, March 28, 2026 — PoolDial, a new pool service management platform built for small and midsize pool service companies, is now available nationwide. The platform combines route optimization, customer management, billing, chemical tracking, and AI-powered phone answering for $2 per pool, per month.

Most pool service companies are small operations: solo owners or teams of two to five technicians. Existing software options were built nearly a decade ago for larger operations, often on older technology that is slow to load and difficult to use. PoolDial was built from the ground up to address what small and growing companies actually need.

“Too many pool businesses are stuck with clunky old software, messy spreadsheets, or paper logs,” said Parker Conley, founder of PoolDial. “My goal is to build the best pool service software on the market. Software should handle the boring business stuff so pool pros can focus on what they do best: taking care of pools.”

What PoolDial Includes

PoolDial is a mobile-first platform designed for pool service businesses running 30 to 300+ pools. It is the first pool service software to include AI phone answering and an AI business assistant in every account. Key capabilities:

AI Phone Answering: A 24/7 AI receptionist that answers calls, captures leads, responds to customer questions, and sends summaries to the owner.
AI Business Assistant: Available in the dashboard, mobile app, and via SMS. Answers questions, pulls up customer info, and provides business insights.
Route Optimization: Map-based route planning with drag-and-drop scheduling.
Billing & Invoicing: Online card payments with automatic QuickBooks sync.
Chemical Tracking: Water test logging, LSI calculations, and service history for every pool.
Website Builder: A professional pool company website included in every account.

The platform also includes work order management, a field mobile app with offline support, a customer portal, team management with unlimited users, and data import from Skimmer, Pool Brain, and other pool service software.

How PoolDial Compares

The pool service software market is currently served by products like Skimmer, Pool Brain, Paythepoolman, and PSS. PoolDial differs in three key ways:

AI built in: AI phone answering and an AI business assistant are included in every account. Other pool service software does not offer this.
Modern architecture: Built in 2025 on a modern tech stack. The platform loads fast, works reliably on mobile, and is actively developed.
Simple pricing: $2/pool/month with every feature included, unlimited users, and no tiered plans.

Pricing and Availability

PoolDial is available now on web, iOS, and Android. Pricing is $2 per pool per month with a $40/month minimum. Every feature is included at every level with unlimited users. A 30-day free trial is available with no setup fees. The company is currently onboarding its first customers.

About PoolDial

PoolDial is pool service software for small and midsize companies. Founded by Parker Conley, a software engineer, the platform handles routing, billing, customers, and communication so pool professionals can focus on taking care of pools. Learn more at pooldial.com.

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Pentair Pool Raises More Than $80,000 Through Nationwide Polar Plunge Fundraising Effort in Celebration of its Official Swimming Sponsorship of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games

Published

1 week ago

March 24, 2026

Alise Everton

Minneapolis, Minnesota — March 24, 2026 — Pentair Pool, a global leader in sustainable
pool solutions, recently participated in Special Olympics Polar Plunges across Florida,
Minnesota and North Carolina. Pentair Pool and its employees are proud to support the
2026 Special Olympics USA Games as the Official Swimming Sponsor furthering its
commitment to inclusion, community impact, and helping people safely and sustainably
enjoy water.

In celebration of the partnership, nearly 80 Pentair executives, employees, and family
members took part in the annual Polar Plunge, raising more than $80,000 to support local
Special Olympics delegations. Funds raised will help athletes from each delegation travel
to Minneapolis this June to compete in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, taking
place June 20–26 at the University of Minnesota and National Sports Center.

Participation in this year’s Polar Plunge grew significantly, increasing 16-fold year-overyear — a testament to the passion and dedication of Team Pentair in support of Special
Olympics athletes and their communities.

CPO Class - Virtual Online Classes - Become a Certified Pool Operator

“Supporting the Special Olympics USA Games is a natural extension of who we are at
Pentair Pool,” said Jerome Pedretti, Executive Vice President and CEO for Pentair Pool.
“Swimming brings people together, builds confidence, and creates opportunity, and we’re
proud to stand alongside Special Olympics athletes, volunteers, and organizers to help
deliver an unforgettable experience in and out of the water.”

As the Official Swimming Sponsor of the 2026 USA Games, Pentair Pool will work closely
with Special Olympics leading up to and throughout the event, providing support, raising
awareness, and engaging employees through volunteer opportunities designed to enhance
the athlete experience during swimming competitions.

To learn more about the partnership, visit www.pentair.com/en-us/poolspa/landing/special-olympics.html.

About Pentair Pool

At Pentair, we help the world safely and sustainably move, improve, and enjoy water, life’s
most essential resource. From our residential and business solutions to industrial water management and everything in between, Pentair is focused on smart, sustainable water
solutions that help our planet and people thrive.

As an industry leader in the pool and spa space, Pentair Pool is driven to help people
sustainably enjoy water. Our solutions include industry-leading pumps, automation,
lighting, heating, and filtration technology that help our customers enjoy a smarter and
more sustainable pool. Customer success is at the heart of our vision for bringing family
and friends together in the pool and on the deck to build social connections, create lifelong
memories, and help promote fitness and enjoyment. For more information, visit
www.pentairpool.com.