When it comes to your professional development, here’s an easy decision to make — come to the Big Easy this month for the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo. With 450 exhibitors, 45 conference sessions and 10,000 of your peers in attendance, the PSP Expo is sure to be a hit.
The International
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When it comes to education, the PSP Expo offers a robust schedule of sessions for all segments of the industry and all experience levels. Retailers who are interested in elevating their in-store experience will enjoy sessions like “Power Merchandising and Store Design” (Tuesday, 7:30 a.m.) and “Power to the Polish: Empower Employees to Keep Your Stores Shining & Selling” (Wednesday, 9:15 a.m.). Service techs can take their PHTA CMS, CPO, CST and/or CHTT certification courses on-site as well as sessions like “Proper Pool Care Maintenance: An Examination of Myth and Fact” (Tuesday, 9 a.m.).
Finally, builders should take note of Genesis’ on-site classes, including the compellingly named “Pool Structural Disasters: The What and the Whys” (Tuesday, 7:30 a.m.). The Genesis lineup includes something for builders at every level, from “Design 101: Introduction to Perspective Drawing” (Saturday, 8 a.m.) to “Design 361: Waterfall Design & Construction” (Tuesday, 7:30 a.m.).
Speaking of pool design: After last year’s successful inaugural event, the Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge is making its highly-anticipated return at this year’s show. The competition tasks pool designers to take an ambitious wish-list from fictitious clients and create a wow-worthy backyard with a million-dollar budget. At the show, five finalists, including one student, will present their designs, one of whom will walk away with a $5,000 cash prize.
This year, the Expo is reintroducing one of its most popular events, the Power Panel. These three panels — one for builders, retailers and service techs — are fast-paced, interactive sessions that cover the most pressing issues industry pros face today, as told by distinguished leaders in the field. All panels take place Tuesday morning, 10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m.
In addition to the power panels, we at AQUA are excited to announce our first forum at the PSP Expo, one rooted in one of the hottest issues in water chemistry: The Great CYA Debate. The panel, moderated by Executive Editor Scott Webb, will feature leading experts in water chemistry engaging in a lively discussion of proper CYA usage in swimming pools. The forum will take place Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Booth 953.
The sights of Bourbon Street are just a few blocks away, but show organizers have also planned some fun events to help attendees wind down from the day’s show. This year’s Welcome Party, scheduled for Tuesday night, takes place at The Sugar Mill, a warehouse-turned-party venue with an outdoor courtyard. Beer, wine and soft drinks are complimentary; tickets are $55. Those 40 or younger will want to start their Tuesday night at Fulton Alley, the site of this year’s WAVE Young Professionals Network event. There, guests can mingle with fellow young pros and try to bowl a strike at one of the bowling lanes.
Whether you’re there for the education, the bustle of the show floor or simply to enjoy a couple beignets, the Crescent City has something for everyone.
PSP EXPO SCHEDULE
Saturday, Nov. 2
8 A.M.
- PHTA Certified Service Technician Course (CST) (Day 1 of 3)
- CONSTRUCTION 201: Basic Pool Construction (Day 1 of 3)
- DESIGN 101: Introduction to Perspective Drawing
- ENGINEERING 311: Advanced Fluid Engineering (Day 1 of 2)
- PHTA Pool Spa Construction Course (PSCC) (Day 1 of 3)
Sunday, Nov. 3
8 A.M.
- PHTA - Certified Pool & Spa Hot Tub Specialist (CHTT) (Day 1 of 2)
- PHTA - Certified Pool & Spa Maintenance Specialist (CMS) (Day 1 of 2)
- PHTA Certified Pool/Spa Operator Certification Course (CPO) (Day 1 of 2)
- PHTA Certified Service Technician Course (CST) (Day 2 of 3)
- CONSTRUCTION 201: Basic Pool Construction (Day 2 of 3)
- ENGINEERING 311: Advanced Fluid Engineering (Day 2 of 2)
- DESIGN 231: Color Theory & Its Application (Day 1 of 2)
- DESIGN 211: Elements of Design (Day 1 of 2)
- PHTA Professional Pool and Spa Operator Commercial Certification (Hybrid PPSO)
- PHTA Pool Spa Construction Course (PSCC) (Day 2 of 3)
Monday, Nov. 4
8 A.M.
- PHTA - Certified Pool & Spa Hot Tub Specialist (CHTT) (Day 2 of 2)
- PHTA - Certified Pool & Spa Maintenance Specialist (CMS) (Day 2 of 2)
- PHTA Certified Pool/Spa Operator Certification Course (CPO) (Day 2 of 2)
- PHTA Certified Service Technician Course (CST) (Day 3 of 3)
- CONSTRUCTION 201: Basic Pool Construction (Day 3 of 3)
- BUSINESS 432: Cost Estimating
- DESIGN 231: Color Theory & Its Application (Day 2 of 2)
- DESIGN 211: Elements of Design (Day 2 of 2)
- PHTA Pool Spa Construction Course (PSCC) (Day 3 of 3)
9 A.M.
- PHTA Retail Certified Professional 101 (CRP 101)
4 P.M.
- First Timer’s Reception
Tuesday, Nov. 5
7:30 A.M.
- DESIGN 361: Waterfall Design & Construction
- Advanced Pool Design
- Stories From the Field: Real-World Water Care Solutions
- Power Merchandising and Store Design
- The Most Common Reasons for the Color Loss of Pool Interior Finishes
- If the Shoe Fits: Deliver a Contagious Experience at Every Service Touchpoint
- Empowering Your Leadership Team
- CONSTRUCTION 407: Pool Structural Disasters: The What and The Whys
8 A.M.
- PHTA Exams
9 A.M.
- BUSINESS 243: Designing or Building a Backyard Oasis
- Breaking the Mold: Fiberglass Pool Manufacturing, Sales, and Installation Techniques Explained
- Influence the Buying Power of the Most Dominant Customer in the Economy…Women!
- How Retail 3.0 will Transform the Pool & Spa Business
- Proper Pool Care Maintenance: An Examination of Myth and Fact
- 21st Century Science for Residential Pool Ozone - A New Way to Look at Ozone Systems
- Teaching Your Employees To Be Owners – Paying Forward Your Legacy
9:15 A.M.
- National Plasterers Council Start-Up Certification
10:15 A.M.
- Builder Power Panel
- Retail Power Panel
- Service Power Panel
11:15 A.M.
- Installation of Vinyl Liner Pools
11:30 A.M.
- DESIGN 114: The Art of Innovation Leveraging The Latest Technology Trends, School of Business, Booth #953
11:45 A.M.
- 3 Critical Aspects of a Tried and True Ad Plan to Grow Your Retail Business, Booth #1111
12:30 P.M.
- Healthy Water for Bathers & Pool Equipment Begins with Testing, Commercial Education Classroom, Booth #451
12:45 P.M.
Pool Equipment and Plumbing, Booth #935
1 P.M.
- PHTA Exams
- NPC Recertification
1:30 P.M.
- DESIGN 404: Create Digital Engagement With Your Presentation, Booth #2339
- U.S. Residential Pool Markets Report
1:45 P.M.
- Above Ground Pool and Spa Consumer Financing: The Benefits and How to Offer, Booth #1111
2 P.M.
- Overstabilization and the Consequences of High CYA, Commercial Education Classroom, Booth #451
2:45 P.M.
- Vinyl Liner Installation, Booth #935
3 P.M.
- BUSINESS 111: Genesis Lifestyle Program (Wine Tasting), Booth #2339
- Update on PHTA Unification, Booth #951
4 P.M.
- PHTA WAVE Network Reception, Fulton Alley
5:15 P.M.
- Welcome Party, The Sugar Mill
Wednesday, Nov. 6
7:30 A.M.
- DESIGN 112: Small Space Design & Outdoor Living
- BUSINESS 241: Establishing Internal Controls: Checks & Balances That Help to Avoid Fraud
- Owner Summit for the Service and Renovation Market
- The 10 Keys to Service Department Success
- The Top 12 Business Killers, and How to Eradicate Them All
- 2019 Builders, Bloopers & Blunders
- Hiring, Training, and Procedure Manuals: A Systematic Approach to Duplicating your Retail Success
- Building Effective Management Skills
8 A.M.
- ASA Shotcrete Nozzleman Education (a requirement for ACI Shotcrete Nozzleman Certification through ASA)
8:30 A.M.
- PHTA Manufacturers’ Agent Session
9:15 A.M.
- Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge
- DESIGN 412: Designing and Building the Landscape Master Plan
- Swimming Pool Selling Secrets: Get inside the Minds of Today’s Pool Buyers
- CONSTRUCTION 301: Advanced Site Work & Forming
- Creating a Proper Work Environment
- Maintenance Agreements: The Contractors Golden Goose!
- POWER TO THE POLISH: Empower Employees to Keep Your Stores Shining & Selling
- How to Attract, Hire and Retain Rockstar Employees
11 A.M.
- ASK THE MASTERS — “Damp Proofing,” Booth #2339
11:15 A.M.
- Start-up Water Chemistry, Booth #935
11:30 A.M.
- PSN & Jandy Top 50 Service Awards, Booth #951
11:45 A.M.
- Current Spa Retail Trends and 5 Best Practices to Keep Up, Booth #1111
12:30 P.M.
- Pool Room Automation: The Missing Link, Commercial Education Classroom, Booth #451
12:45 P.M.
- Principles of Concrete Placement, Booth #935
1 P.M.
- ASK THE MASTERS - Alternative Sanitation Systems, Booth #2339
1:30 P.M.
- Stop Losing Sales: Consumer Financing Made Easy, Booth #951
1:45 P.M.
- Social Media for the Pool & Spa Industry, Booth #1111
2 P.M.
- Understanding The Basics of Photovoltaic/Thermal (PV/T) Systems, Commercial Education Classroom, Booth #451
2:45 P.M.
- High Efficiency Pools (Energy Efficient Pools), Booth #935
3 P.M.
- ASK THE MASTERS - Construction at Difficult Sites, Booth #2339
- The Great CYA Debate, Booth #951
7 P.M.
- GENESIS Family Reunion and Winemaker Dinner
Thursday, Nov. 7
7:30 a.m.
- DESIGN 132: The Value of Good Design
- CONSTRUCTION 308: The Beauty of the Edge – The Definitive, Internationally Acclaimed
- Vanishing Edge & Water-in-Transit Design
- Selling Online > E-Commerce for the Pool and Spa Industry
- Successfully Integrating Pools & Water Features into the Landscape
- The Five Senses of the Backyard
- Sweat the Small Stuff: Simple Strategies to Keep YOUR Employees from Becoming THEIRS
- Intermediate Water Chemistry & Testing
- Managing Effectively Through Effective Leadership
9:15 a.m.
- How to Prepare for Federal Pool Pump Regulations That Will Impact Your Business and Boost Sales
- How to Safely Build, Renovate or Repair a Swimming Pool as per the PHTA Standards
- Mastering the Millennial Mindset: How to Attract and Retain Emerging Leaders
- Double Your Lead Conversion with a Sales Funnel
- Becoming a Satisfaction-Driven Company
- Understanding Leak Detection
11 a.m.
- ASK THE MASTERS - Forensics / Pool Defects, Booth #2339
11:15 a.m.
- Automatic Pool Cover Installation, Booth #935
11:30 a.m.
- The Impact of Disinfection Byproducts and Combined Chlorine on Air and Water Quality, Commercial Education Classroom, Booth #451
12:30 p.m.
- ASK THE MASTERS - Automatic Control Systems, Booth #2339
12:45 p.m.
- Pre-Cast Coping Installation, Booth #935
