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Step Into Swim Celebrates Program Partnerships in Mission to Create More Swimmers

Pool & hot tub industry partners help Step Into Swim increase access to water safety education, kick off program year at the Pool and Spa Show

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Step Into Swim Celebrates Program Partnerships in Mission to Create More Swimmers

(Atlantic City, NJ) – Step Into Swim, an initiative of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) dedicated to creating more swimmers through safe swim education, announced ongoing partnerships with key program supporters Fluidra, Hayward Holdings, Inc., and Heritage Pool Supply Group. Each one shares Step Into Swim’s commitment to increase access to swim lessons and instill overall water confidence in the name of drowning prevention, reflective in key partner celebrations at this week’s Pool and Spa Show hosted by the Northeast Spa and Pool Association.

“It is so great to have the opportunity to meet with our partners in person and celebrate their contributions to the next generation of swimmers,” says Rowdy Gaines, three-time Olympic Gold Medalist and Vice President of Partnerships and Development for PHTA, who leads the Step Into Swim initiative. “Fluidra, Hayward, and Heritage Pool Supply Group have been integral in growing our mission and their financial contributions will help Step Into Swim reach our goal of raising $750,000 to provide learn-to-swim grants. These grants will provide thousands of children with proper, safe swim education and help reduce drowning.”

Partnership Celebration with Fluidra – Bruce Brooks, Fluidra CEO; Sabeena Hickman, CAE, PHTA President & CEO; Rowdy Gaines, PHTA Vice President of Partnerships & Development, Lennie Rhoades, Fluidra North America President; Scott Frost, Fluidra North American Vice President of Sales; Charlie Claffey, PHTA Chair; Joe Laurino, PhD, PHTA Chair-Elect.)

Fluidra, a publicly listed company focused on developing innovative products, services, and IoT solutions for the residential and commercial pool markets, committed $100,000 to Step Into Swim. The partnership, which was celebrated with a ceremonial check presentation and photo opportunity at the industry tradeshow, underscores Fluidra’s mission to provide the perfect pool and wellness experience for all and its shared belief in investing in the effort to teach people the lifesaving skill of learning to swim so that they may do so. The generous donation will help Step Into Swim provide learn-to-swim programming for 2,000 children.

“As a leader in the aquatics industry, it’s on us to help create equal access to aquatic enjoyment and that includes the opportunity to learn how to swim,” says Lennie Rhoades, President of Fluidra North America. “That’s why we are honored to be working with Step Into Swim again and are delighted to contribute to their cause as they continue to make waves by prioritizing learning to swim, saving lives, and raising awareness about drowning prevention as well as water safety.”

Hayward Holdings donates $50,000 to Step Into Swim
Hayward Holdings donates $50,000 to Step Into Swim

Partnership Celebration with Hayward Holdings, Inc. – L to R: Eifion Jones, Hayward Senior Vice President & CFO; Stuart Baker, Hayward Vice President of Business Development; Rick Roetken, Hayward President North America; Albert Miller, Hayward Vice President of Sales North America; Kevin Holleran, Hayward President & CEO; Rowdy Gaines, PHTA Vice President of Partnerships & Development; Sabeena Hickman, CAE, PHTA President & CEO; Charlie Claffey, PHTA Chair; Joe Laurino, PhD, PHTA Chair-Elect; Bob Blanda, PHTA Board Member.)

Hayward Holdings, Inc., a global designer, manufacturer, and marketer of a broad portfolio of pool and outdoor living technology, committed $50,000 to Step Into Swim. The partnership, which was celebrated with a photo opportunity at the industry tradeshow, furthers Hayward’s purpose-driven approach to community commitment. The generous donation will help Step Into Swim provide learn-to-swim programming for 1,000 children.

“At Hayward, our vision—to inspire happiness and well-being through safe, smart, and sustainable solutions—drives everything we do, including our impact on the world. We are proud to continue to support Step Into Swim and help inspire the next generation of swimmers,” says Kevin Holleran, President & CEO of Hayward.

Benefit Concert Hosted by Heritage Pool Supply Group - Donates $30,000 to Step Into Swim
Benefit Concert Hosted by Heritage Pool Supply Group

SIS Heritage Cares Atlantic City – L to R: Dave Cook, Heritage Cares Pool Group President; Rowdy Gaines, PHTA Vice President of Partnerships & Development; Andrew Petrozziello, Heritage Pool Supply Group COO; Clayton Hatten, Heritage Pool Supply Group Regional Vice President of Tile/Pool Hardscapes & Florida.)

Heritage Pool Supply Group, one of the largest and fastest-growing privately held wholesale distributors in the U.S., continues to support Step Into Swim and Swim Across America with benefit events hosted by its Heritage Cares, the Heritage Family of Companies philanthropy. The philanthropy planned a charity concert during the industry tradeshow with 38 Special and Lynyrd Skynyrd taking the stage at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City.

“As a member of the aquatics industry, we believe learning to swim is a critical lifesaving skill that can empower young swimmers to stay safe in the water,” says Dave Cook, President of Heritage Cares Pool Group. “Heritage Cares prides itself on supporting initiatives that align with our mission and positively impact communities across the country, such as Step Into Swim.”

Contributions from industry partners are integral to growing Step Into Swim’s mission. In 2022, the program raised over $750,000, which provided grants to more than 60 facilities in 43 states and funded swim lessons for 23,500 children. The initiative has gifted more than 300,000 swim lessons since 2012 through YMCAs, Jewish Community Centers, Boys and Girls Clubs, and many more. The program is funded through contributions and 100 percent of donations go to Step Into Swim initiatives and learn-to-swim programming. To learn more, visit www.StepIntoSwim.org.

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

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Marianne Trusty

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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Landmark Aquatic Taps Britton Nielsen and Tim Garner to Lead Utah Growth

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Side-by-side portraits of Britton Nielsen and Tim Garner, newly promoted leaders at Landmark Aquatic.

Landmark Aquatic is pleased to announce it has promoted Britton Nielsen to General Manager of its Utah market and Tim Garner to Vice President of Construction and Renovation Operations.

As General Manager, Nielsen will lead sales and operations across Utah, with a focus on customer experience, building a strong local team and expanding Landmark’s role as a trusted partner to facility owners and operators.

Nielsen has worked in commercial aquatics since 2014. He started as an estimator and has spent the past decade as a construction project manager, leading projects from early planning through final delivery. He holds a degree in Construction Management from Brigham Young University and a Master’s Degree in Real Estate Development from the University of Utah.

“I’ve spent my career on the project side, so I know what facility owners need from a partner: clear communication, realistic schedules and a team that’s still there after the pool opens,” said Nielsen. “My goal is to build that kind of team here in Utah and make Landmark the first call for anyone who owns or operates an aquatic facility in the state.”

Joining Britton is Tim Garner, who has been promoted to Vice President of Construction and Renovation. With more than 25 years of experience in commercial aquatics construction and renovation, Tim has demonstrated strong leadership in building and guiding teams while delivering high-quality commercial aquatic construction and renovation projects. Tim most recently served as General Manager of Landmark’s Salt Lake City branch. Before that, he was President of CEM Aquatics until Landmark acquired it earlier this year. A Salt Lake City native, Tim holds an MBA from the University of Utah.

“Bringing CEM into Landmark this year has been a great experience, and I’ve had the opportunity to learn from talented teams across the organization,” said Garner. “In this role, I’m looking forward to building on the strengths of each branch, sharing best practices, and helping our teams deliver consistent quality and accountability for every customer.”

These promotions come as demand for new construction and renovation of commercial aquatic facilities continues to grow across Utah, and they position Landmark to serve owners and operators throughout the region with experienced local leadership.

About Landmark Aquatic
Since 1967, Landmark Aquatic has helped communities and organizations bring complex aquatic facilities to life and keep them performing. Today, we are the nation’s largest integrated commercial aquatics platform, providing design, construction, renovation, restoration, and maintenance services nationwide. Our construction-led expertise and long-term service capabilities give customers one trusted partner across every stage of a facility’s lifecycle. For the life of your pool. Learn more at www.landmarkaquatic.com.

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America’s Swimming Pool Co. Launches Interactive Pool Design Tool for Homeowners

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America’s Swimming Pool Co. (ASP) logo displayed over a background of shimmering blue swimming pool water.

Leading pool franchise introduces a digital experience designed to support early-stage inspiration and connect homeowners with local pool professionals

MACON, GA (October 13, 2026) – America’s Swimming Pool Co. (ASP), the nation’s leading swimming pool service franchise, today announced the launch of its Pool Design Tool, an interactive digital experience exclusively designed for ASP to better engage homeowners earlier on in their pool installation planning journeys. It is intended to support early-stage inspiration and planning by helping homeowners explore design possibilities and connect with their local ASP franchise location, rather than serving as a final design or estimating platform.

Since launching in late February, the Pool Design Tool has successfully helped drive engagement and generate qualified leads across ASP’s franchise network. Important data points include:

  • 322 homeowners across 81 franchise markets have entered a ZIP code inside the tool, resulting in dozens of quote requests.
  • 73% of visitors are inside existing ASP service markets, showing alignment between homeowner interest and ASP’s ability to service them.
  • The tool has generated quote requests across 19 existing territories nationwide, demonstrating broad interest across the franchise network.

“Many homeowners don’t know where to begin when it comes to pool design and installation, and that’s why America’s Swimming Pool Co. wants to step in and help,” said Jimmie Meece, brand president of America’s Swimming Pool Co. (ASP). “As we head into prime pool construction season, more homeowners are spending time researching major backyard projects before speaking with contractors. We want our Pool Design Tool to be the first step in that journey – giving homeowners an interactive way to explore options while setting the stage for more productive conversations with our local pool experts who can bring those ideas to life.”

Now live on ASP’s website, Pool Design Tool allows homeowners to visualize and design a customizable in-ground pool using detailed 3D renderings before requesting a consultation. Homeowners can experiment with various pool shapes, sizes, finishes, decking styles and popular water features, from spas to infinity edges, to see how different combinations might look. By interacting with these design options, homeowners can gain a clearer understanding of the types of decisions involved in building a pool and are better prepared for the initial consultation.

After completing a design, homeowners are prompted to enter their ZIP code and are instantly connected with their local ASP franchise location to set up a consultation to review the plan and discuss next steps. For consumers, ASP expects the tool to streamline planning, reduce redesign timelines and help homeowners move from inspiration to installation faster. For ASP franchise owners offering pool construction services, Pool Design Tool helps create stronger and more productive customer conversations from the start. Key features include higher-quality leads, earlier customer engagement, improved lead routing and a more efficient sales process, as homeowners arrive at consultations with design ideas already in mind.

Alongside Pool Design Tool, ASP is expanding its digital resources to further support homeowners throughout the pool planning process. These enhancements include new pool installation service pages across local franchise websites, localized construction content highlighting the experience of individual franchise owners, and additional educational resources to help homeowners understand pool design considerations, installation timelines and project requirements. Together with the Pool Design Tool, these upgrades have helped increase online visibility, connect homeowners with local pool professionals earlier in the planning process, and generate more qualified leads across ASP’s markets. As a result, the franchise has nearly doubled its keyword rankings related to pool installation and remodeling over the past year.

Since its inception in 2002, ASP has continued to set a higher standard of performance and stability within the industry, cementing itself as a leading swimming pool service brand with the trust of pool owners nationwide. The company is known for its affordable, reliable and knowledgeable service – including maintenance, inspections, repairs, renovations and construction. For more information or to schedule a service, visit asppoolco.com.

About ASP – America’s Swimming Pool Co.
ASP is the largest swimming pool cleaning, repair, renovation and construction franchise in the nation. Founded in 2002 by Stewart C. Vernon, the company is based on the belief that by providing a higher quality pool service at a reasonable price, the brand would raise the industry standards for pool service. In 2005, ASP began franchising and now covers more than 1,500 cities in 25 states across the nation. For more information on ASP’s swimming pool franchise opportunities, click here. For more information on ASP – America’s Swimming Pool Co., visit the website or find us on Facebook @asppoolco.

About Authority Brands
Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Authority Brands’ companies include 15 leading home service franchise brands: ASP – America’s Swimming Pool Co., Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, The Cleaning Authority, DoodyCalls, DRYmedic Restoration Services, Homewatch CareGivers, The Junkluggers, Lawn Squad, Mister Sparky Electric, Monster Tree Service, Mosquito Squad, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, Screenmobile, STOP Restoration, and Woofie’s. Together, these brands provide home services through more than 2,700 territories operated by more than 1,000 franchise owners. Authority Brands is dedicated to supporting individual franchise owner growth by providing strong marketing, technology and operational support. See authoritybrands.com for more information.

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Modern Method Gunite Goes Pink for October

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Modern Method Gunite team members wearing gray shirts with pink MMG logos in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

(HOUSTON, TEXAS, October 19, 2026) – Modern Method Gunite (MMG) proudly announces its participation in Breast Cancer Awareness Month by going “Pink” this October.

“MMG has been an active proponent of the fight against breast cancer for more than 10 years,” said Al Escobar, MMG Director of Marketing and Growth. “We wanted to do something impactful in the field to continue spreading awareness, so each year we design specific apparel that team members can purchase and support the program.”

This year’s specialized apparel features slate grey hats and shirts with a pink MMG logo and #StrongerTogether on various shirts. The pink logo symbolizes MMG’s commitment to supporting the fight against breast cancer.

To expand awareness, MMG’s social media platforms will feature photos of team members and builder participation highlighting the apparel and program exposure. MMG has committed to a $2,000 donation to UT MD Anderson Cancer Center to support its cancer research programs.

About MMG
With over 40 years of experience, MMG is a family-owned and operated company known for its exceptional service and innovative solutions. Based in Southwest Texas, MMG’s dedication to quality and customer satisfaction has established its reputation as a can-do leader in the industry.

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