Now in its third year, the Pentair Pool Pro Awards Recognize the Best of the Best in the Pool Industry

[LONDON, August 17, 2026] — Pentair Pool, a leading global provider of safer, smart, and sustainable pool solutions, is pleased to announce the launch of the 2026 Pentair Pool Pro Awards. This annual event, now in its third year, celebrates pool industry professionals who work to keep pools swim-ready in their communities. Appropriately, this year’s theme recognizes backyard legends.

The Awards will recognize and honor seven dedicated pool professionals who exemplify a deep commitment to the pool industry, possess extensive product knowledge, prioritize their customers and safety, and demonstrate outstanding leadership. This year’s Pool Pro Award categories are:

• Premiere Pool Pro (Two winners)
• Lifetime Achievement (Two winners)
• NEW: Wave Maker Award
• Unsung Hero
• Safety Advocate

Nominations for the Pentair Pool Pro Awards open on Sept. 1, 2026. Pool professionals are invited to nominate themselves or peers who have provided standout service and made significant contributions to the pool industry.

Voting will take place in October and will give the community the opportunity to select the most deserving professionals from the list of nominees. Winners will be announced in January 2027 and honored during a private awards ceremony at the Pool and Spa Show in Atlantic City, New Jersey on Jan. 25, 2027.

For more information on the Pentair Pool Pro Awards, including nomination guidelines and voting details, please visit www.pentair.com/pool-pro-awards.

About Pentair Pool

At Pentair, we help the world safely and sustainably move, improve, and enjoy water, life’s most essential resource. From our residential and business solutions to industrial water management and everything in between, Pentair is focused on smart, sustainable water solutions that help our planet and people thrive.

As an industry leader in the pool and spa space, Pentair Pool is driven to help people sustainably enjoy water. Our solutions include industry-leading pumps, automation, lighting, heating, and filtration technology that help our customers enjoy a smarter and more sustainable pool. Customer success is at the heart of our vision for bringing family and friends together in the pool and on the deck to build social connections, create lifelong memories, and help promote fitness and enjoyment. For more information, visit www.pentair.com/poolandspa.

Exhibiting at World of Concrete & International Roofing Expo – Jan. 20–22, 2026

Global workwear leader STRAUSS.com will showcase its latest collections at World of Concrete 2026, the industry’s leading event for concrete, masonry, and construction professionals; and during the International Roofing Expo (IRE) 2026, the premier roofing and exteriors event. 

A family-owned, global company in its third generation, STRAUSS designs and makes technical workwear and footwear trusted by contractors and skilled trades professionals worldwide.  

STRAUSS gear is more than standard workwear – it’s a tool you wear. Each fabric, each pocket placement, and each small detail help those working on demanding jobsites and in harsh environments without compromising comfort or mobility. 

STRAUSS footwear is made for durability, comfort, and protection across every jobsite and project—ideal for a seasoned trades pro. Our lineup includes rugged work boots and shoes, safety toe work shoes and boots, and stylish safety sneakers. Explore the full range of footwear built for hard work, everyday wear, and everything in between. 

Practical accessories like the STRAUSS Tool Vest and ergonomic knee pads set us apart from other brands. The lightweight Tool Vest is a wearable toolbox with multiple pockets to securely hold gear in place while working. Our ergonomic knee pads easily slide into the built-in knee pockets of our work pants. Built with impact, compression and abrasion resistance, they offer superb stability when working from the floor or ground.  

At World of Concrete and IRE get a firsthand look at the full lineup of STRAUSS products made specifically for those working on concrete and industrial job sites, or those doing roofing or exterior construction work. Products to be displayed include reinforced work pants and durable outerwear made for kneeling, climbing, and withstanding weather; safety-focused footwear providing sure-footed traction andstability on variable surfaces; along with lightweight tool vests, and other performance-driven gear. 

Stop by either STRAUSS booth for personally guided product tours and hands-on opportunities to explore the technical craftsmanship and innovation that set the brand apart. 

MEDIA OPPS:
Booth tours highlighting STRAUSS’ most popular and new releases
Connect with STRAUSS brand representatives
Photography and b-roll of technical workwear and footwear
Complimentary product provided to media attendees

WHEN & WHERE:
January 20-22, 2026
Las Vegas Convention Center, 3150 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, NV

World of Concrete Booth #N2436 (North Hall)
Tuesday – Thursday: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Call or email Leigh Ann Cleaver to schedule your booth tour.
(913) 269-4676
[email protected]

International Roofing Expo Booth #5674 (West Hall)
Tuesday – Wednesday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Call or email Jill Means to schedule your booth tour.
(515) 710-2667
[email protected]

ABOUT ENGELBERT STRAUSS:
Engelbert Strauss, or simply STRAUSS, is a global leader in workwear design and manufacturing. Founded in 1948, the family-owned company is overseen by brothers Henning and Steffen Strauss, the third generation of the Strauss family. Its iconic ostrich logo reflects the family’s name and roots — Strauss means ostrich in German. The ostrich is trusted by tradespeople, builders, farmers, and DIYers across the globe for its pioneering style of technical, multi-pocket workwear that melds performance and function with comfort and design. Now firmly established in the U.S., STRAUSS ships nationwide, operates a flagship store in Venice, California, maintains a strong presence at trade shows across the country, and is setting up a new headquarters in Columbus, Ohio. For more, visit STRAUSS.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: 
Leigh Ann Cleaver 
Executive Vice President, Mod Op 
[email protected] 
(913) 269-4676

The Grit Game is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Watershape University—a collaboration built to strengthen professional training, expand access to high-quality education, and raise the standards of excellence across the pool and spa industry.

Education is the foundation of progress, and Watershape University has distinguished itself as the premier institution for meaningful, lasting continuing education for pool builders, designers, and service professionals. Rather than teaching to the minimum standards,  Watershape U delivers meaningful, hands-on learning, technical accuracy, and ongoing support. Their classes help professionals truly master their craft and build safer, smarter, and more profitable projects. Watershape U is committed to ongoing learning and mentorship, not simply transactional one-time education.

Host Watershape University Training at Your Location

Through this partnership, distribution centers, pool builders, and service companies now have additional resources to host their own Watershape University mini events. WU      provides the instructors, The Grit Game provides the support—hosts simply provide the space and light hospitality.

Hosting benefits include:

• Bring high-quality customers that invest in their education directly to your facility
• Bring highly qualified educators directly to your facility
• Offer technical training for builders, installers, designers, and service technicians
• Provide IACET CEU-eligible education for your customers or team
• Strengthen dealer loyalty and foot traffic
• Improve workmanship and reduce callbacks through better training

This initiative makes high-quality pool builder education more accessible than ever.

About Watershape University

Watershape University delivers comprehensive education in construction, engineering,      design, business, and service & repair for outdoor living projects, including pools, spas, and other watershapes. Its curriculum—developed by respected industry masters—emphasizes:

• Technical mastery in hydraulics, structures, and water-in-transit systems
• Design excellence built on creativity, safety, and sustainability
• Business and leadership training to help companies scale and thrive
• Service and repair best practices that ensure long-term performance

Every course is taught by educators who uphold the same values: excellence, integrity, accuracy, and ongoing support.

“I came to Watershape University with a big vision for what education can be–and needs to be–for our industry. I recognized a big problem with attracting good people to work in the pool business at all levels. I firmly believe our trade deserves to be viewed with the same respect as other major trades, and in order to make that happen, we need a higher education and ongoing mentorship. I want everyone in this industry to have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.

I am excited to bring on The Grit Game, because they are a great fit for our mission, in that they have demonstrated exceptional skills that we need. More importantly, we are completely aligned with our values. With The Grit Game’s help, we can reach more people, host more private events around the country, and provide value that students cannot get anywhere else.” – Eric Knight, Executive Director, Watershape University.

About The Grit Game

The Grit Game is redefining what a modern manufacturer’s rep agency can be. Named Pool Nation’s 2024 Sales Rep Group of the Year and nominated again for 2025, the team combines high-performance sales with education, digital content, dealer engagement, and brand-building for many of the industry’s most respected manufacturers.

By partnering with Watershape University, The Grit Game expands its mission of empowering pool pros with practical, reliable education. TGG will support the initiative through social media promotion, digital marketing, and regional event planning, helping more companies bring professional-grade training to their teams and customers.

“Education is the backbone of a strong industry. As the pool industry continues to evolve, dealers and distributors are hungry for training that actually moves their needles, and Watershape University delivers the kind of learning that genuinely changes how people build, service, and run their businesses. That impact is exactly where our values connect, and it’s why this partnership is exciting. WU and The Grit Game are both doing things differently with the common goal of helping the pool pro excel and a shared belief that this industry is at its best when the people in it are committed to helping one another. If we can create more spaces for that kind of education- that kind of community, then this industry’s future will be incredibly healthy and very bright.” – Laci Davis, The Grit Game CEO 

Education Vacation 2025 – Phoenix, AZ

As part of this partnership, The Grit Game will attend Watershape University’s Education Vacation, held in Phoenix, AZ, December 4–6, 2025. The event features hands-on classes, advanced technical workshops, and builder-focused training, guided by leading experts. Many sessions have already sold out, with limited availability remaining for select advanced courses.

A Shared Commitment to Raising Industry Standards

Together, The Grit Game and Watershape University are committed to raising standards, expanding access to education, and supporting the next generation of builders and service technicians through training that moves the industry forward.

For more information on hosting a class or exploring upcoming events, visit Watershape.org.  To learn more about The Grit Game, visit TheGritGame.com or contact your local rep about hosting your own WU event.