As 2025 has recently come to a close, let’s reflect on the major headlines and significant trends that shaped the pool and spa industry throughout the year.
Safety and Standards
1. Regulatory updates affecting pump motors, heaters, and controls drew early attention in 2025, as industry professionals prepared for changes impacting equipment compliance, availability, and long-term planning.
2. A Consumer Product Safety Commission recall linking child drowning deaths to a pool design flaw became one of the year’s most widely referenced safety stories, placing national focus on aboveground pool design and installation considerations.
3. The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance introduced the PHTA-12 plastering standard, and significant changes were made to reflect current industry best practices. In addition, a new ANSI/PHTA/ICC American National Standard for residential inground swimming pools was published, updating construction and safety benchmarks. (Among more standards and regulations.)
Disaster Response and Industry Support
4. Severe wildfires in California emerged as one of the most impactful events of the year, directly affecting pool and spa professionals, businesses, and communities across the state. In response, the Pool & Hot Tub Foundation launched a dedicated fire relief fund, providing financial assistance to industry professionals impacted by the fires, which saw donations from the likes of IPSSA and more throughout the industry.
5. In other parts of the country, industry professionals continued to report ongoing recovery efforts following major storms towards the tail end of 2024, including Hurricane Helene (September 2024) and Hurricane Milton (October 2024).
Philanthropy and Drowning Prevention
6. Industry support for Step Into Swim continued throughout 2025, with multiple manufacturers and distributors reaffirming long-term commitments to drowning prevention. Companies including Hayward Pool Products, Fluidra, Pentair Pool, Heritage Pool Supply Group and more announced continued partnerships and significant financial contributions supporting swim education initiatives.
7. In other water safety news, the Every Child a Swimmer program proudly announced the successful passage of its life-saving water safety legislation in New York, Arizona and New Mexico, with each state’s governor officially signing the bills into law.
8. The National Drowning Prevention Alliance introduced an all-new membership program for current and new members, designed to “deliver more value, more tools and resources, more benefits and more impact” as they continue their mission to prevent drowning and water-related tragedies.
Workforce Development, Education and Mentorship
9. GENESIS and Fluidra announced the Vance Gillette Scholarship, honoring the late industry leader while supporting continued professional education. Under the scholarship, a total of four professionals receive $2,500 that can be applied to courses and certification fees.
10. Watershape University named Eric Knight as executive director, marking a leadership transition within the education and training space.
11. The Florida Swimming Pool Association launched Florida JobPool, the first job board dedicated specifically to Florida’s pool industry, addressing ongoing workforce recruitment challenges.
12. The Talking Pools Podcast launched a Mentor of the Year award to formally recognize industry mentorship and leadership. This year’s recognition drew 70 nominees from across the globe.
13. The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance and POOLCORP launched the Women of Water initiative, aimed at supporting connection and professional development for women in the industry. From the organization’s debut at PSP/Deck Expo this past October to its upcoming virtual sessions and beyond, WOW aims to uplift and empower.
14. The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance introduced a new Center of Excellence training hub, expanding access to skills training and professional education via online, on-demand curriculum.
Leadership, Recognition and Milestones
15. Heritage Pool Supply Group announced a major leadership transition with the appointment of Scott Frost as president of Heritage Pool. The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance also announced he will serve as the organization’s 2026 chairman of the board.
16. AQUA introduced the 2025 AQUA 100, recognizing standout pool and spa companies across the country. Now in its eighth year, this prestigious program recognizes the best of the best: retailers who set the standard for innovation, service, and leadership in an ever-evolving market.
17. The International Swimming Hall of Fame celebrated its 100th anniversary, marking a century of aquatic achievement and continues to stand firm in the city of Fort Lauderdale and pursue its mission to “Inspire, Immortalize, Imagine.”
18. AQUA celebrated 50 years of industry coverage and offers a look at how the pool and spa industry matured together through booms, challenges and reinvention.
