The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), the trade association representing the swimming pool, hot tub, and spa industry, is proud to announce the recipients of its 2026 Superlative Awards: Builder of the Year, Service Company of the Year, Retailer of the Year, International Hot Tub Association (IHTA) Hot Tub Retailer of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Young Professional of the Year, Chapter of the Year, and the inaugural Woman of the Year.
The 2026 PHTA Superlative Award recipients will be recognized during the PHTA Awards of Excellence ceremony on Monday, November 16, in New Orleans, La., as part of the Pool Spa Patio Expo.
“The 2026 Superlative Award recipients represent what it means to lead with purpose — whether through innovation, service, mentorship, education, safety or community impact,” says Sabeena Hickman, CAE, president & CEO of PHTA. “They are not only excelling in their own work; they are strengthening teams, raising standards, and creating opportunities for others. PHTA is proud to recognize their achievements and the lasting impact they are making across our industry. Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees.”
This year’s award recipients are as follows:
Builder of the Year
BMR Pool & Patio
The PHTA Builder of the Year Award is the highest honor for pool and spa builder companies, recognizing those that set the standard in craftsmanship, professionalism, innovation, and service to the industry.
BMR Pool & Patio has strengthened its building operation through structured training, clear standard operating procedures, and a focus on accountability at every stage of a project. These initiatives have improved jobsite efficiency, safety compliance, build quality, and consistency while supporting a stronger customer experience. The company reports reducing average pool construction timelines by 55 percent, combined pool-and-patio timelines by 26 percent, and permit processing times by 50 percent. Its Step Up & Lead leadership program and comprehensive operating manual help develop team members and create a scalable foundation for growth. BMR Pool & Patio also supports pool safety and drowning prevention and remains actively engaged with PHTA and other industry organizations.
Service Company of the Year
Absolute Pool & Spa Care
The PHTA Service Company of the Year Award is a prestigious peer-nominated accolade bestowed annually upon a PHTA service company member that has significantly advanced the service profession through achievement and dedication to the industry.
Founded in 2001, Absolute Pool & Spa Care has built 25 years of technical excellence, education, innovation, and customer service in North Georgia. The company provides pool and spa maintenance, repair, and renovation services through a highly trained team holding a range of industry credentials, including Certified Pool & Spa Maintenance Specialist (CMS), Certified Pool & Spa Service Technician (CST), Certified Pool & Spa Inspector (CPI), Certified Pool & Spa Service Professional (CSP), and Certified Pool & Spa Operator (CPO). Owner Mark Thompson serves on the PHTA Service Council and the PHTA Georgia Chapter Board, extending the company’s impact beyond its customers. Absolute Pool & Spa Care has also been named Best of Forsyth seven times, including six consecutive years.
Retailer of the Year
Great Valley Pool Service
The Retailer of the Year Award is a peer-nominated award recognizing an outstanding retailer that has advanced the retail profession through exceptional achievement, customer service, and dedication to the industry.
Great Valley Pool Service has built a 34-year record of industry involvement and customer trust by integrating retail, service, and education. Its Frazer, PA, store serves as an educational resource with organized displays, equipment demonstrations, computerized water testing, complimentary analysis, and customized treatment plans. Programs such as Pool School, customer loyalty rewards, and a robotic cleaner loaner program help pool owners make informed decisions. With an average technician tenure of 13 years, the company emphasizes experienced troubleshooting, honest recommendations, and clear communication. Great Valley Pool Service also supports the broader industry through Penn-Jersey Pool & Spa Association leadership and participation in the Women in the Industry Committee.
IHTA Hot Tub Retailer of the Year
Olympic Hot Tub
The International Hot Tub Association (IHTA) Hot Tub Retailer of the Year Award is a peer-nominated accolade honoring an outstanding hot tub retailer that has significantly advanced the hot tub retail profession through achievement and dedication to the industry.
Founded in Seattle in 1977, Olympic Hot Tub has helped shape the modern hot tub retail experience through customer education, wellness-focused sales, and long-term service. A 20-year PHTA member, the company has served more than 30,000 customers and expanded to eight showrooms across the Puget Sound region. Don Riling, who joined Olympic in 1995 and acquired the company in 2016, and Vice President Rob Anderson have carried forward founders Blair Osborn and Alice Cunningham’s legacy while investing in people, facilities, and service capabilities. Olympic pioneered complimentary test soaks and emphasizes knowledgeable guidance rather than high-pressure sales. Through Olympic Cares and its annual Founder’s Event, the company also supports veterans, first responders, military families, food banks, organizations addressing homelessness, arts organizations, LGBTQ initiatives, and other charitable causes throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Volunteer of the Year
Roy Vore, PhD, CPOI, Vore & Associates
The Volunteer of the Year Award is bestowed annually upon one prominent individual who has made distinguished contributions that elevate professionalism in the aquatic community through volunteer service with PHTA.
Roy Vore, PhD, CPOI, owner of Vore & Associates, has made significant volunteer contributions to the industry through his expertise in recreational water chemistry. Vore chairs the PHTA-11 Standard Writing Committee and serves on the PHTA Recreational Water & Air Quality Committee, the Certified Pool & Spa Operator (CPO) Handbook Task Force, and the CPO Instructor Assessment Committee. PHTA regularly calls upon him for technical insight on water chemistry, standards, and education. By sharing his knowledge across committees, standards development, and instructor training, Vore strengthens the technical foundation of the industry and improves safety and professionalism for aquatic facilities and the people they serve.
Young Professional of the Year
Bryce Heer, Precision Pools & Spas
The Young Professional of the Year Award is a peer-nominated award recognizing a forward-thinking leader under the age of 40 who will be a voice for the next generation of pool and spa professionals.
Bryce Heer, project manager at Precision Pools & Spas, is a second-generation industry professional who is creating new pathways for emerging leaders. Heer holds a Certified Pool & Spa Operator (CPO) as well as other industry credentials, actively pursues education, and encourages other young professionals to become involved in industry committees and leadership groups. He has participated in PHTA panel discussions and Master Pools Guild (MPG) Generation Next programming, and spearheaded MPG’s new Momentum group to support professionals moving into management. Heer also champions PHTA’s Step Into Swim drowning prevention initiative through Precision Pools & Spas and MPG.
Chapter of the Year
PHTA Nashville Chapter
The Chapter of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding PHTA chapter that goes above and beyond in advancing the industry; supporting its members; and delivering high-quality programs, activities, and services.
The PHTA Nashville Chapter has become a growing professional hub for the pool and hot tub industry across Middle Tennessee and the greater Nashville region. The chapter brings builders, service professionals, retailers, suppliers, and designers together through regular meetings, educational workshops, networking events, and family-focused gatherings. It connects members with PHTA education and certification opportunities and keeps them informed about code compliance, local ordinances, contractor licensing, and state regulatory developments. Its programming encourages knowledge sharing, professional development, ethical business practices, and collaboration on regional challenges. Through sustained membership growth, inclusive engagement, advocacy, and community-building activities such as its Community Baseball Night, the Nashville Chapter is strengthening professional relationships and providing a unified voice for aquatics throughout Tennessee.
Woman of the Year
Amanda Annis, Ohio Hot Tub & Sauna
Newly introduced in 2026, the PHTA Woman of the Year Award honors an exceptional woman whose leadership, service, and influence have made a transformative impact on the pool, spa, and hot tub industry.
Amanda Annis, owner of Ohio Hot Tub & Sauna, combines business leadership with a strong commitment to water safety and community access. A seven-year PHTA member and current chair of the IHTA Strategic Leadership Team, Annis is known for her professionalism, integrity, product knowledge, and dedication to customer care. She supports free swim lessons for children to help remove financial barriers and volunteers annually with the “Do It Afraid” Community Swim Program, which provides water safety clinics for children and adults. Through her leadership and service, Annis uses her business platform to advance industry standards, expand access to lifesaving skills, and strengthen public awareness of water safety.
For more information, please contact Amy Willer, PHTA’s Senior Director of Content and Communications, at [email protected] or 703-838-0083, ext. 121.
