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PHTA Launches New Jobseeker Website: WorkInAquatics.com 

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PHTA Launches New Jobseeker Website: WorkInAquatics.com - Pool Industry Job Seekers

(Alexandria, VA) – The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), the trade association representing the swimming pool, hot tub and spa industry, today announced a major milestone in its workforce development program as it launched its brand new jobseeker website, WorkInAquatics.com and robust job board made exclusively for PHTA member companies, careers.WorkInAquatics.com.  

The cornerstone of the program is the consumer website, which serves as the program hub and provides jobseekers with critical information about the industry, including in-demand positions, career tracks, earning potential, personal success stories and more. Members of PHTA are invited to create their very own Employer profiles and post jobs free of charge on the only industry-specific job board on the market. 

PHTA leadership first revealed plans for the program, known as the Pool Professionals Pipeline, at its board meeting last November. Alongside its experienced steering committee of industry experts, PHTA developed the program to enhance jobseeker awareness of the aquatics industry and to meet the demands for new talent amid member concerns over the labor shortage and the compounded effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“The pool and hot tub industry is awash with potential for growth, but like many other industries today, we are limited due to the shortage of skilled labor and younger generations of workers entering trades such as ours,” said PHTA President and CEO Sabeena Hickman. “The importance of this program cannot be understated – we heard our members’ concerns loud and clear, and we’re proud to finally unveil this next step in our plan to welcome jobseekers to our industry.” 

Along with the jobseeker website and job board, the program will be supported by a social media presence on Facebook and LinkedIn, public relations, advertising campaigns and ongoing content development of videos, new resources and other assets. PHTA members can expect additional resources and ways to expand their visibility among today’s active jobseekers. 

The work for PHTA and the industry is just beginning. “To truly make a splash, we must prioritize investing in recruiting and training a new pool of candidates to join our industry,” said Hickman. “Having a visible presence and voice out there advocating for our industry is vital for our continued growth and success. PHTA is committed to supporting this jobseeker awareness campaign for the long-term – and ultimately, to driving engaged and qualified candidates to our members to find their new careers.” 

To learn more about PHTA’s program and access exclusive resources and opportunities, visit phta.org/workforce or contact [email protected].  

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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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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. 

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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Pool Service News

Michelle Kavanaugh Joins Western Show Board

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Long Beach, CA – June 25, 2025 – The Western Pool & Spa Show proudly announces the appointment of Michelle Kavanaugh to its Board of Directors, bringing decades of industry expertise, strategic leadership, and a passion for education and empowerment to one of the pool industry’s most respected events.

According to Show Director Eric Nielson, “Michelle brings a wealth of experience in the swimming pool industry in both association management and education. She possesses unique skill sets that will be invaluable in sustaining the show’s growth and fulfilling its mission to promote education in the industry. We couldn’t be more pleased.”

Michelle Kavanaugh is a renowned business strategist, marketing mentor, and advocate for both trade professionals and women. With over 20 years of experience in strategic planning, marketing, and leadership, she has consistently driven transformation and growth across organizations, helping small business owners thrive through personalized coaching and her signature SMART solutions.

She is the founder of Michelle Kavanaugh Inc., where she works closely with entrepreneurs to bring clarity, structure, and momentum to their businesses. Her previous leadership roles include serving as Executive Director of the California Pool & Spa Association and spending 14 years with the National Swimming Pool Foundation, where she led mission development, managed the Certified Pool Operator (CPO) Certification program, and produced major industry events, such as the World Aquatic Health Conference.

Outside of the industry, Michelle’s passion for impact extends into advocacy. Inspired by the book Half the Sky, she dedicated four years to supporting survivors of domestic violence through TESSA of Colorado Springs. Today, she serves on the board of Awaken Your Lioness, a nonprofit that empowers formerly incarcerated women to rebuild their lives and communities.

Originally from South Dakota and raised in Colorado, Michelle relocated to Texas in 2023. She is a proud mother, a dynamic public speaker, and a lifelong learner known for her professionalism, optimism, and results-driven leadership.

Now celebrating its 48th year, the Western Pool & Spa Show is the largest pool industry trade show on the West Coast. Since 1978, the nonprofit, all-volunteer organization has remained a leader in both education and industry exhibition, offering an expansive show floor and what many consider the best educational programming in the pool and spa industry.

Michelle Kavanaugh’s appointment reinforces the Show’s ongoing commitment to innovation and education as it looks toward the future.

For more information about the Western Pool & Spa Show, visit www.westernshow.com.

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Ceramic Tile Coalition Files Anti-Dumping Appeal with USCIT

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(Clemson, SC) — On Monday, June 23rd, the Coalition for Fair Trade in Ceramic Tile (Coalition) filed a Complaint with the U.S. Court of International Trade (USCIT) following the Summons it filed on May 23rd, contesting certain aspects of the final determination issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) in its antidumping investigation of ceramic tile from India. The final determination was published by Commerce in the Federal Register as Ceramic Tile from India: Final Negative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and Final Negative Determination of Critical Circumstances, 90 Fed. Reg. 17030. 

In the Complaint, the Coalition challenged Commerce’s handling of the affiliates of the largest Indian exporters, Commerce’s accepting of new information during on-site verification, and Commerce’s handling of scrap in the tariff calculation. 

“As we previously noted, by statute, Commerce is time-limited in its investigation, at a time when more trade remedy actions were launched than at any other point in Commerce’s history,” said Eric Astrachan, executive director of the Coalition. “We are truly sympathetic to the obstacles Commerce investigators faced, but we firmly believe Commerce didn’t have all the facts at hand to decide this case.” 

“In particular, for their own financial well-being, we want the importer and distributor community to be aware that any finding resulting in an anti-dumping tariff should be retroactive to April 23, 2025,” added Mr. Astrachan. “That tariff may be substantial,” noted Andrew Whitmire, trade data analyst for the Tile Council of North America. “Anyone tracking the world prices for ceramic tile knows that once Commerce has all the requisite information, a dumping tariff is entirely possible.”

About Tile Council of North America (TCNA) 
TCNA is a trade association representing manufacturers of ceramic tile, tile installation materials, tile equipment, raw materials and other tile-related products. Established in 1945 as the Tile Council of America (TCA), it became the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) in 2005, reflecting its membership expansion to all of North America. 

The Tile Council is recognized for its leadership role in facilitating the development of North American and international industry quality standards to benefit tile consumers. Additionally, TCNA regularly conducts independent research and product testing, works with regulatory, trade, and other government agencies, and publishes installation guidelines, tile standards, economic reports, and promotional literature.

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