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Florida Swimming Pool Association Offers Tips on How to Prepare Your Pool for Hurricane Season

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FSPA 2022 Hurricane Safety Graphic

(SARASOTA, Fla.) – As hurricane season continues, the Florida Swimming Pool
Association (FSPA) looks to provide tips and information to prepare swimming pools
safely in case of a storm.

There are many misconceptions about how to prepare your pool for a hurricane. Below
are several important ways to ensure both public and private pools can be maintained
safely throughout the inclement season.

Should I drain my pool?
No, you should keep your pool water level maintained. The weight of the water in the
pool helps hold the sides and bottom in place. This is especially important with rising
water table levels during a storm.

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Can I put my pool loungers into my pool so they won’t blow away?
Yes, but you should not throw anything into your pool. Gently place items into your
pool to avoid damaging your pool. Whenever possible bring your items inside instead.
Additionally, you should never put any glass items into your pool.

FSPA 2022 Hurricane Safety Graphic
Provided by the FSPA

What other things can I do to prepare my pool for an incoming storm?
• Shock your pool.
o You may lose power for an extended amount of time, so your pool should
be ‘super chlorinated.’ This will help your pool’s water chemistry.
• Turn off all power at the circuit breakers before a storm hits.
o Any exposed electrical equipment such as motors for the pumps should
be covered with plastic wrap or removed completely if flooding is expected.

FSPA 2022 Hurricane Safety Graphic
Provided by the FSPA

Consumers who are seeking additional professional advice on storm preparation or
who have additional questions can search for an FSPA member professional via the
FSPA Membership Directory: www.FloridaPoolPro.com

Other hurricane safety tips for your pool can be found at:
www.floridapoolpro.com/hurricane-pool-safety

The Florida Swimming Pool Association is a trade association for the pool and spa
industry in Florida. There are approximately 750 member businesses in 16 Chapters
across the state. Members are required to abide by a code of ethics and to be properly
licensed and insured. FSPA provides the industry with access to continuing education
courses, information on current trends and issues, and an arbitration program and
government relations representation. FSPA is governed by a Board of Directors.

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Alise Everton has been working in the pool industry for the past decade and is an experienced press correspondent and contributor for numerous trade publications and web portals including PoolMagazine.com and PoolContractor.com among others. Contact her for guest posting opportunities, press releases, and pool equipment related news.

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Manufacturer

Clear Blue Water Tech, UAG Team Up on Affinity Pool

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Syracuse, NY — 07/03/25 — James Melnicoff, President of Clear Blue Water Tech, is pleased to announce a new partnership with United Aqua Group (UAG), one of the most respected buying groups in the pool and spa industry. Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, UAG has been transforming how pool and spa professionals purchase products and services since its founding in 1963.

“At United Aqua Group, we’re always looking for vendor partners who share our commitment to quality, innovation, and member success,” said Craig Goodson, President of United Aqua Group. “Clear Blue Water Tech brings a strong reputation and a robust line of products that will enhance the value we deliver to our members. We’re excited to welcome them to the UAG family.”

Through this partnership, Clear Blue Water Tech will offer its Affinity-branded line of pool and specialty chemical products to UAG members across the country. The product line includes liquid pool stabilizer, liquid clarifiers, pod clarifiers, liquid phosphate removers, phosphate remover tablets, flocculants, enzymes, solar treatments, spa products and more—all designed to deliver exceptional value, trusted quality, and fast shipping.

“We are honored to be selected as a vendor to such a well-established and forward-thinking organization,” said Melnicoff. “Our team is committed to providing UAG members with innovative, reliable, and cost-effective solutions for their pool and spa chemical needs.”

For more information about Clear Blue Water Tech or the Affinity product line, visit clearbluewatertech.com or contact us at [email protected].

To learn more about United Aqua Group and the benefits of membership, go to unitedaquagroup.com or email [email protected] for more information.

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Dr. Adam Katchmarchi Joins PHTA as VP of Educational Development

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(Alexandria, Va.) – The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), the trade association representing the swimming pool, hot tub, and spa industry, is pleased to announce that Dr. Adam Katchmarchi (Ph.D.) has joined the organization as Vice President of Educational Development. Dr. Katchmarchi begins his role effective July 1, 2025.

As Vice President of Educational Development, Dr. Katchmarchi will collaborate closely with PHTA staff, partners, and industry professionals to enhance and expand PHTA’s educational programming. His primary responsibilities will include developing innovative courses and trainings, elevating the quality and accessibility of educational content, and fostering strategic partnerships aimed at enriching industry-wide professional development. He will coordinate closely with Jeanne Mendelson, Vice President of Educational Operations & Sales, to lead PHTA educational programs and services.

“I am extremely honored and excited to join the incredible team at the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance in this role,” says Dr. Katchmarchi. “I look forward to leveraging my background in aquatics education and water safety advocacy to support PHTA’s mission. Together, we will deliver high-caliber, impactful educational opportunities that help our members thrive professionally and enhance industry standards.”

Dr. Katchmarchi brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new position. Prior to joining PHTA, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA), where he successfully implemented national initiatives focused on water safety awareness and drowning prevention. His leadership facilitated transformative partnerships across the public and private sectors, significantly advancing water safety education.

In addition to his executive experience, Dr. Katchmarchi was a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Allied and Public Health at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), a position he held from 2014 to 2025. An accomplished educator and researcher, Dr. Katchmarchi has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and frequently presents at both national and international conferences.

Dr. Katchmarchi earned his Ph.D. in Coaching and Teaching Studies from West Virginia University, with research specializing in water safety education. He also holds a Master of Science in Sport Management from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Slippery Rock University, both with focuses on aquatics and aquatic safety.

“Dr. Katchmarchi is an exceptional addition to our leadership team,” says Sabeena Hickman, CAE, President & CEO of PHTA. “His distinguished career and dedication to aquatic safety, education, and advocacy make him ideally suited to elevate PHTA’s educational initiatives. We are excited about the impact he will have on our members and the industry as a whole.”

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

About the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a non-profit organization with 4,000 members from around the world, was established in 1956 to support, promote, and protect the common interests of the $62B 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.

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Manufacturer

CCEI Taps Martin Grenier to Head North American Operations

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CCEI, is pleased to announce the hiring of Martin Grenier to head their North American operations. Martin has over 10 years of experience in the swimming pool industry having worked for Hayward for over 7 years plus other positions in both retail and distribution. CCEI is a manufacturer of automation and controller systems in the US as well as lighting systems in Canada, Mexico, Europe and Africa with its head office located in France.  

Martin is now responsible for operations and sales for both the company’s US and Canadian markets and is also charged with raising brand and product awareness of CCEI’s products throughout the North American pool industry. “As an established supplier in Europe, we are focused on raising awareness of our products and services with pool builders, retailers and distributors, while also working to form strategic partnerships in the US and Canada,” says Grenier.  A native of Canada, Martin is also fluent in English and French. “Martin has already made a significant impact in the Canadian swimming pool market and we are confident CCEI will continue to experience exponential growth in sales of our products in both the US and Canadian markets,” says Sébastian Chéreau, Head of CCEI’s Global Marketing. “We are pleased to have Martin join our team and share his expertise with our company as he helps align our marketing strategies and goals across all branches of CCEI around the world,” says Sébastien Chéreau, Marketing Director for CCEI.  

Since 1973, CCEI has been designing and manufacturing electrical equipment for private and public pools. Over the years, we have acquired in-depth experience with pools and their specific constraints. Starting as a manufacturer specialized in electrical boxes, CCEI has expanded to different areas, including automatic water treatment and lighting for pools.

CCEI’s technical team has also grown and now has a team with recognized skills in electronics, optics and electrochemistry. With this knowledge, CCEI is now able to provide global, adapted solutions to pool builders and industries and enhance the safety, ergonomics and reliability of pool facilities. 

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Martin can be reached at the company’s offices in Montreal at:  [email protected].

More information about the company’s US operations can be found at:
www.ccei-pool.com/us/
CCEI USA Inc., Inglewood, CA 90301

 

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