Industry News
The pool industry: The Invention of Swimming Pool and Spa Designs

Over time, there have been numerous innovations in the pool industry. Now, there is a broad spectrum of twenty-first-century pool designs that transform yards into luxurious resort-like destinations. Over the past few years, a good percentage of pool contractors in the industry won multiple pool design awards. All this is proof of the significant expansion in the industry.

Currently, water features, among other pool design materials, are more available than ever. Thus, pool builders can easily find quality and appealing pool features to boost the pool’s aesthetics. Moreover, pool contractors have more experience in creating world-class pools, even for small pool projects. Founders of Genesis, a design education group, also confirm that the pool industry has experienced enormous growth.
Evidence of growth in the pool industry
Unlike before, pool builders are now raising their game by trying out new features. Most pool designers do not have a fear of uncertainty anymore. They are incorporating different fire features and water features to create exceptional swimming pools. Additionally, pool designers are using glass to come up with first-class pool floors and walls. The majority of pool and spa contractors are gradually learning to prevent flashy materials from taking over the industry.
Pools look better with more features. Therefore, the more features you can incorporate into the pool, the better. Nonetheless, pool designers are now facing new restraints on the pool features to incorporate in first-class pools.
Principal designer at San Diego-based Sage Outdoor Designs, Kate Wiseman
Despite these constraints, some pool designers often go ahead and make the most out of their creativity. And we call this exclusive mastery, going against the norms professionally. We witnessed this type of mastery with the top winners of the Masters of Design. The two pool designers created extra-large pools intentionally and specially designed the pools to offer excellent functionality and aesthetics to users.
Wiseman says, “It all starts in the mind. Once pool designers have the right mindset, the change naturally reflects in the pool industry.” She also proceeds to say that there have been significant changes in the industry. A decade ago, no one thought that we would create modern, spectacular pool designs.
In fact, very few pool professionals then saw themselves as designers in the future. Things are now different. And all this change started in the minds of pool contractors and designers. More pool builders started thinking of how they can raise the bar. In turn, they changed their marketing strategies, company objectives, among other things contributing to their success. As a result, pool contractors started embracing and installing new water features to see how they would affect their aesthetics. It was a gradual step-by-step process that led us to where we are today.
“Today, this mindset change is now reflecting on the pool trends and designs currently in the industry,” Skip Phillips, Genesis co-founder, says. Also, designing companies are more willing to work with pool contractors. Before, the design industry was hesitant to bring pool builders on board. Consequently, there is a wide variety of pool designs used to switch up backyards into serene havens. Skip Philips proceeds to say, “As the pool industry, we have always worked hard to earn respect for what we do. Now is when we’re seeing the fruits. Other design companies are more interested in working with qualified pool builders and designers in our industry.”
The future that lies ahead
Although the pool industry is currently in a good place, there is still a lot to be done. The sky is the limit, so we have to keep on becoming better. Pool professionals should still spare some time to learn more about designing pools. There are so many things to learn about designing pools, from color theory to scaling. All pool designers have to keep learning, both experienced and inexperienced.
Fortunately, some pool contractors understand they have to keep growing their skills. But some do not have enough information and are not willing to learn more. In fact, some pool designers have no clue how to construct several pool designs. Not everyone in the industry has the same mindset. So, there is still a long way to go. Everyone has to be on board so that our industry can be the best.
More information about the pool industry
Furthermore, the pool industry should take the initiative of releasing relevant information on how to design pools. This way, pool designers and contractors will come up with the best techniques for executing a particular pool design. Also, they will know how to deal with the problems that arise when designing the pool. There is still a lot that pool contractors need to learn. If the industry takes the responsibility of educating the industry, all pool projects will be successful.
Industry News
Why Pools Matter: Pool Horizons Takes Its Message Global

For an industry that spends a great deal of time talking about how pools are built, operated and maintained, Pool Horizons is advancing a different conversation: why swimming pools matter in the first place.
Launched in 2023, Pool Horizons is a global initiative bringing together leaders from the swimming pool industry and broader aquatic community to examine and communicate the role pools play in society. Its work focuses on areas including health and wellbeing, community development, water safety and sustainability, with an emphasis on giving the industry research and real-world examples that demonstrate the value of aquatic spaces beyond recreation.
Over the next several months, Pool Horizons will continue that conversation at major industry gatherings in the United States and Europe, with appearances scheduled in Phoenix, Lyon and Atlantic City.
Pool Horizons Heads to the MasterMind Summit
The first stop will be the PHTA & GENESIS MasterMind Summit, taking place September 16–18 at The Wigwam in Litchfield Park, Arizona.
Pool Horizons will host a two-hour session on Friday, September 18, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., connecting the cultural and social history of swimming pools with the data-backed narrative the industry is working to develop.
Author and historian Jeff Wiltse will explore the history of swimming pools and their enduring social, cultural and economic importance. Attendees will then hear about the latest Pool Horizons initiatives and how that work applies to the U.S. market.
The session will conclude with industry leaders discussing how different stakeholders can work together to better communicate the value of pools and create new opportunities for the industry.
Taking the Conversation to France
The initiative will head overseas in November for Piscine Global 2026 in Lyon, France.
On November 18 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Pool Horizons will present preliminary findings from the Global Aquatic Social Impact Framework (GASIF) pilot study. The project is aimed at developing a more data-driven understanding of the social impact created by swimming pools and aquatic facilities.
Representatives from participating industry associations in France, Spain and the United States will take part, followed by a roundtable examining the challenges and future of the swimming pool industry. Leaders from CF Group, Fluidra, Hayward and Pentair are scheduled to participate in the discussion.
Pool Horizons will make a second appearance in Lyon during Aqualie on November 19 from 4:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. That session will introduce Pool Horizons and showcase a French public swimming pool Best-in-Class project, providing a real-world example of the role aquatic facilities can play within their communities.
Returning to Connect With The Industry in Atlantic City in 2027
The schedule continues into the new year with the Pool Horizons Summit in Atlantic City on January 25, 2027, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Following its 2026 gathering, Pool Horizons will return with a program that includes a keynote presentation, a new Best-in-Class project and contributions from leading figures throughout the swimming pool industry.
Together, the upcoming events provide Pool Horizons with an opportunity to continue building the conversation on both sides of the pond.
Industry News
Skimmer Expands Into Pool Construction Software With Acquisitions of Pool Builder Geek and Poologics
The two software platforms form the foundation of a unified offering for pool professionals; Pool Builder Geek founder Tommy Reynolds joins Skimmer to lead construction strategy.

AUSTIN, TX, August 24, 2026 — Skimmer, the leading operating system for pool service and maintenance professionals, today announced the acquisitions of Pool Builder Geek and Poologics, two software platforms purpose-built for pool construction businesses.
The acquisitions mark Skimmer’s expansion into pool construction and establish the foundation for a unified platform serving pool professionals from construction through ongoing service and maintenance.
As part of the acquisition, Pool Builder Geek founder Tommy Reynolds, who has extensive experience in the pool construction software space, will join Skimmer, leading the company’s construction strategy and continued investment in solutions for pool builders.
“Our vision is to build an end-to-end platform for the pool and spa industry,” said Jack Nelson, CEO of Skimmer. “Pool Builder Geek brings an AI-native platform designed to evolve quickly with the industry, while Poologics brings a proven product that builders have relied on for years. Together, they significantly accelerate our ability to serve pool construction businesses.”
Pool builders manage complex estimating, permitting, project management, subcontractor coordination, customer communication, and job costing processes. Many still rely on spreadsheets or generic construction tools that were not designed for their specific needs. Pool Builder Geek and Poologics address those challenges with purpose-built capabilities, including estimating, project management, permitting, job costing, and AI-powered visualization.
“Pool builders do not need generic contracting software with a pool label added to it,” said Reynolds. “We built Pool Builder Geek specifically around how pools are sold and built with AI at the core of the platform. Joining Skimmer gives us the resources and expertise to accelerate our product roadmap and deliver even more for the builders we serve. I’m excited about what we can build together and what this means for the future of the pool industry.”
“We built Poologics on the belief that pool construction deserves software designed specifically for the industry,” said Nate Pruitt, CEO of Poologics. “Skimmer has built its business on that same belief for pool service. Together, we can give builders more resources, stronger support, and a faster path to innovation.”
Service and maintenance remain a core focus of Skimmer. The expansion into construction advances the company’s long-term strategy to provide connected, purpose-built tools for pool professionals across the industry.
About Skimmer
Skimmer is one of America’s leading pool service platforms. The company is on a mission to modernize the pool and spa service and repair industry through easy-to-use software and best-in-class support. Over 35,000 pool service professionals servicing 1,000,000+ pools in North America use Skimmer to get organized, get paid faster, and grow their businesses. For more information, visit getskimmer.com.
About Poologics
Poologics is an all-in-one business management platform built specifically for swimming pool builders. It streamlines CRM, estimating, project management, and job costing, helping professionals run their businesses with greater efficiency, accuracy, and control. For more information, visit poologics.com.
About Pool Builder Geek
Pool Builder Geek is an AI-powered project management platform built exclusively for the swimming pool construction and renovation industry. Created by a team with deep experience building software for pool builders, it gives builders purpose-built tools for project tracking, scheduling, subcontractor coordination, budgeting, job costing, and AI-powered backyard visualization. For more information, visit poolbuildergeek.com.
Media contact
Travis Wingate
Skimmer, CMO, [email protected], 416-838-9161
Industry News
Landmark Aquatic Names Jason Hill Kansas City General Manager

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Landmark Aquatic, a national leader in commercial aquatic construction and renovation, is pleased to announce the promotion of Jason Hill to General Manager of its Kansas City, Missouri market. Hill brings nearly two decades of commercial aquatic experience to the role, having worked his way through the industry as a laborer, plumber, project superintendent and project manager. That hands-on path through the trades gives him a perspective few general managers share.
“I truly understand the jobs of everyone here,” explains Hill. “It’s not just how they’re supposed to perform, I actually understand their day-to-day struggles, their desire for growth, and their need to have the best tools at their disposal to do their job efficiently.”
As he begins his tenure, Hill said mentorship and workforce development will be a top priority, particularly given how few professionals nationwide specialize in commercial pools.
“The commercial pool industry is such an anomaly,” he said. “As we grow our team, we are not likely to find commercial pool people waiting in our market to be hired, rather I am going to have to make commercial pool people. Training and coaching them is a big part of making that happen.” Hill’s emphasis on training echoes the company culture that earned Landmark a Top Workplace award, given in part for its investment in employee career development.
Hill is already collaborating closely with Landmark’s marketing team to grow the company’s visibility across the Kansas City market, contributing fresh ideas that are helping generate excitement. “I’m excited to compete with our other markets and see how far we can climb,” he said, noting his hometown ties add extra motivation.
With his depth of field experience and people-first approach, Hill is positioned to grow Landmark Aquatic’s presence and reputation throughout the region.
Jason can be reached at [email protected].
About Landmark Aquatic:
Landmark Aquatic is a nationwide provider of commercial aquatic facility design, construction, and maintenance services, with more than six decades of industry experience. Serving clients across most of the U.S., Landmark delivers construction-led solutions and on-going support though its AquatiCare maintenance team, ensuring excellence “for the life of your pool.” Committed to the full lifecycle of every facility, Landmark prioritizes long-term partnerships while adapting to client needs through exceptional service, operational excellence, and forward-thinking solutions. For more about Landmark Aquatic visit www.landmarkaquatic.com.
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