News
PHTA Launches New $5,000 Greg Garrett Scholarship Award
Annual scholarship supports continuing education and certification
(Alexandria, Va.) — The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) is pleased to announce the launch of the new Greg Garrett Scholarship Award. Developed by the PHTA Recreational Water Quality Committee (RWQC), this $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to one PHTA member in the builder or service sector each year to use for PHTA educational or certification fees. The application deadline for the 2022 scholarship is Friday, September 16.
This scholarship was developed as a tribute to Greg Garrett, who dedicated 45 years to the pool, spa, and hot tub industry and served in many leadership roles in the RWQC, Builders Council, and Standard Writing Committees. He held the highest honor within PHTA as an Industry Fellow and was a great advocate for education and standards. His enthusiasm was shared at committee meetings and all the places he traveled around the country to teach for various trade organizations. Garrett passed away in 2019.
To be considered for the Greg Garrett Scholarship Award, an application form and two recommendations need to be provided. PHTA members can self-nominate or nominate a fellow member. After receiving the scholarship, the recipient must provide a written report of what was learned and how that new knowledge will advance their career in the pool, spa, and hot tub industry.
The winner will be honored at the PHTA Awards of Excellence Reception as part of the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo (PSP/Deck Expo) in Las Vegas, NV, on November 14, 2022.
“Greg Garrett was an educator and mentor to many, and his sudden passing impacted all who knew him. This scholarship created in his memory has been many months in the making,” says Genevieve Lynn, PHTA Director of Standards and Technical Services. “By financially supporting the continuing education and certification of our members, the Greg Garrett Scholarship Award helps PHTA further its mission to educate and elevate the industry.”
For more information about the Greg Garrett Scholarship Award and to submit an application form, visit the PHTA website. Please send any questions to [email protected].
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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 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.
About PHTA’s Recreational Water Quality Committee (RWQC)
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance’s RWQC develops and maintains verifiable science-based information regarding sanitization technology and chemical products, for use in pools, spas and hot tubs. The committee also helps develop the chemical and sanitation sections for American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-approved PHTA standards, including the ANSI/APSP/ICC-11 American National Standard for Water Quality in Public Pools and Spas. For a current listing of Committee members or more information, email Genevieve Lynn, Director of Standards and Technical Services, at [email protected].
News
Coverings 2024 Announces 10th Class of Rock Stars, Celebrating a Decade of Industry Excellence
April 9, 2024 – Atlanta – Coverings (coverings.com), the premier international tile and stone exhibition and conference in North America, has unveiled the honorees of the annual Rock Star Awards ahead of Coverings 2024, taking place April 22-25, 2024, at the Georgia World Congress Center, in Atlanta, Georgia.
2024 marks the 10th year of the coveted awards program, underscoring Coverings’ unwavering, decade-long commitment to fostering industry growth by honoring exemplary young leaders in the tile and stone industry.
This year’s Rock Star recipients epitomize the industry’s most resourceful and exceptional young professionals who consistently innovate as forerunners of achievement, setting new standards in performance and excellence to further industry advancement.
“Over the past decade, the Rock Stars program has become a Coverings cornerstone, commemorating the innovative spirit and remarkable achievements of emerging tile and stone leaders,” said Jenn Heinold, president of Taffy Event Strategies, the show management company for Coverings. “The 2024 Rock Stars represent shining examples of professionals who demonstrate leadership, creativity and commitment to excellence, helping to drive the industry forward in countless positive ways. Coverings is proud to honor these exceptional individuals as part of the program’s 10th anniversary celebration.”
A panel of tile and stone industry leaders carefully reviewed nominations to determine this year’s 16 Rock Star inductees. The 2024 winners encompass a wide range of industry segments as follows:
Contractor/Installer (7):
Sean Gordy, Owner
Gordy Tile
Atlanta, Ga.
Shanan Hehir, Owner
Shanans Absolute Tile LLC
Manchester, Vt.
Trevor Hook, Owner
Hooked on Tile LLC
Evansville, Wis.
Nathan Merrill, Installer/Owner
Vision Stone and Tile
Mogadore, Ohio
Megan Renk, Owner
Mosaix Tile Installation Company
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Aryk Snowberger, Owner
Snowbee Custom Tile
Canton, Ohio
Gus Tolleson, Project Manager
J&R Tile, Inc.
San Antonio, Texas
Designer (2):
Marie Page, Sales Design Consultant
Architessa
Rockville, Md.
Amala Raj Swenson, Principal Interior Designer
Amala Raj Interiors
San Diego, Calif.
Distributor (4):
Steven Bellew, Operations Manager, Warehouse Coordinator / Co-owner
Bellew Tile & Marble Co / TJB Imports
Hingham, Mass.
John Donaghy, Director of Operations – Commercial Division
Best Tile
Fairhaven, Mass.
Jordan Johnson, Procurement Associate
International Tile & Stone
Daytona Beach, Fla.
Matthew Marchildon, Tool & Accessory Division Manager
Centura Tile
Toronto, Ontario
Manufacturer (2):
Markus Dworowy, National Technical Manager
Blanke Corporation
Rolling Meadows, Ill.
Kali Pharand, Product Standards and Sustainability Coordinator
Schluter Systems
Plattsburgh, N.Y.
Retailer (1):
Dani Williams, CEO and Creative Director
Artesana Tile
Tucson, Ariz.
The 2024 Rock Stars will be celebrated at Coverings 2024 alongside winners from the past nine years, uniting both new and previous award recipients in a grand celebration of industry excellence. A panel with previous Rock Stars about unlocking the key to a successful career will top off the celebration.
Showgoers are invited to participate in the festivities by attending the 2024 Rock Star Awards Ceremony & 10th Anniversary Celebration, which will be held April 22, 4-5 p.m. EDT, in the Outdoor Oasis (Hall C, Booth 7006) at Coverings 2024.
Recognition for this year’s winners also includes Coverings press content, a year-long professional feature on the Coverings website as well as postings on Coverings’ social media channels and blog.
Coverings 2024 attendees and other industry professionals can learn more about the Coverings 2024 Rock Stars at coverings.com/coverings-rock-stars.
For more information and to register for Coverings 2024 at no cost, visit coverings.com.
Pool News
Patent Pending Apple Watch SOS Feature Could Prevent Drownings
A forthcoming feature potentially destined for the Apple Watch, as detailed in a recent patent application, could serve as a lifesaver for swimmers at risk of drowning.
Outlined in the patent is a capability for the Watch to identify “irregular behavior” and automatically trigger a distress call for assistance.
Apple underscores the alarming statistics surrounding drowning, particularly its prevalence among children, as a leading cause of accidental fatalities.
In the United States alone, drowning claims the lives of over 3,500 individuals annually, ranking as the fifth most common form of accidental death. Tragically, a significant portion of these victims are children.
Emphasizing the critical importance of swift intervention during water emergencies, Apple highlights the dire consequences of prolonged submersion without resuscitation, which can result in brain damage and ultimately, drowning.
A Growing Need For Cost-Effective Wearable Solutions
While acknowledging existing underwater camera systems in some swimming pools aimed at detecting distressed swimmers and alerting lifeguards, Apple notes their costliness and unreliability.
Consequently, there’s a pressing need for a simpler, more cost-effective drowning prevention solution suitable for all types of water bodies, including public and private pools, as well as natural settings like lakes and ponds where installing underwater cameras is impractical.
The patent proposes leveraging wearable devices such as the Apple Watch for broader applicability, increased reliability, and the ability to detect various types of emergencies.
Alerting When Swimmers Are In Distress
For instance, if the Watch detects a wearer who is not proficient in swimming entering deeper water, it can promptly dispatch an alert instead of waiting for signs of distress.
These alerts can be transmitted to nearby devices, including those of friends and family, and seamlessly integrate with existing drowning detection and alarm systems to ensure lifeguards are promptly notified.
Apple Watches already boast capabilities to detect and respond to falls, vehicle accidents, and cardiac irregularities. Heartwarming testimonials featured in Apple’s “Dear Apple” video series show individuals whose lives were saved by these functionalities.
As with many patents from Apple, it’s important to note that not all concepts may materialize into actual products. Nonetheless, this innovation stands as a promising addition for potential integration into future watchOS updates.
News
Local Veteran Brings First California Pools Location to Temecula
70-Year-Old Custom Residential Pool Construction Franchise Signs Deal to Bring Services to Temecula
TEMECULA, Calif. (April 1, 2024) – California Pools, the industry leader in custom residential swimming pool construction, is breaking ground with a franchise deal to bring its services to the Temecula market. This is the 16th California Pools location in California, with this location set to debut by April 2024.
Acquaintances turned business partners, the new location will be owned and operated by Ron Marquez and Laron Daffin. Marquez served in the U.S. Marine Corps for over two decades before he became a Project Manager for a different California Pools franchise while he earned a degree in manufacturing and engineering. Daffin has been in the construction industry since he was 17, working on a wide range of projects before focusing mainly on pools for the last 20 years.
When the two crossed paths by chance in 2022, Daffin quickly became a mentor for Marquez. The duo clicked immediately and the next move was simple, by combining Marquez’s leadership and project management experience with Daffin’s network, pool and construction industry knowledge, they decided to venture into business together. Knowing the history and quality of the California Pools franchise system, it didn’t take long for them to know it was time to bring one to their hometown.
“We are excited to give people their dream and be a part of making memories for them,” said Marquez. “California Pools provides great service and quality to its customers, and to be able to continue to provide that to our community is something we pride ourselves on.”
Since 1952, California Pools has guided countless homeowners through the process of creating their dream backyard retreat. The franchise has a trusted process for delivering a customer’s dream by offering a turnkey solution for custom pools, spas, waterscapes, landscapes, and much more. By working directly with the customers and trusted local sub-contractors, California Pools streamlines what can be a difficult and costly headache into a dream-made-real.
“We’re looking forward to adding Ron and Laron to the California Pools family as we expand our services into the Temecula market,” said Steve Terry, President of California Pools. “Our goal has always been to turn peoples’ backyard dreams into a reality. With Ron and Laron’s help, we’re going to help bring paradise right into the backyards of the Temecula community.”
Now, Temecula homeowners will receive a hands-on experience with a partner that will provide custom design and quality construction. Their expert designers provide guidance from initial consultation through final walkthrough as a customer’s dream is brought to life in a positive and engaging process.
To learn more about California Pools and its franchising opportunities, please visit www.franchisecp.com.
ABOUT CALIFORNIA POOLS
California Pools began its dream building in 1952 when founder Wayne Steimle wanted to build a swimming pool in his own backyard. Using what he had around him, Steimle built his pool and inspired his neighbors to want Steimle-built pools of their own. Since then, California Pools’ services began to spread nationwide and by 2018, the brand created a franchising model to support the goal of serving and guiding the dreams of homeowners across the nation. California Pools Franchise now has many franchise locations in California and other states. With its extensive experience building pools in California over the decades, the leadership has goals to continue the expansion throughout the nation and beyond. To learn more about California Pools and its franchising opportunities, please visit www.californiapools.com.
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