Everyone wins when they attend a trade show — so it's apt that this year, the PSP Expo returns to Las Vegas, a traditional fan favorite.
"Las Vegas is the top trade show destination in the world, so it's a great location for the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo," says Show Director Tracy Garcia. "Both attendees and exhibitors repeatedly rate Las Vegas high as a preferred location in our post-show surveys and we are happy to accommodate those requests to return to Vegas."
And just like Vegas, the PSP Expo is filled with fun and exciting options for attendees. Making its debut is the new Casual Furniture Marketplace, which will show off the latest in outdoor furniture from lounges and couches to tables and chairs. Show organizers say the new pavilion reflects the industry's growth into comprehensive backyard design.
"Without a doubt, the Casual Furniture Marketplace is the best new addition to the show this year," Garcia says. "While the PSP Expo is the must-attend event for residential and commercial pool, spa and backyard industry professionals, we continue to expand our influence into the outdoor and backyard market."
In addition, the show floor will feature the Outdoor Living Pavilion, home to grills, fire features and more; the Commercial Pavilion & Education, for pros who want to learn more about the commercial side of the industry; the Genesis Pavilion, which will host tile, water feature and other high-end pool and spa products; and the APSP Pavilion & ESCAPE Lounge, which is a must-see for those interested in the Association's new consumer campaign.
For attendees looking for things to do off the show floor, the PSP Expo has you covered. The annual Welcome Party will again be held at LIGHT Nightclub at Mandalay Bay, an eclectic setting known for its state-of-the-art visual effects. At the event, APSP will reveal the "Fan Favorite" from the 2015 Awards of Excellence as decided by you, the voters. (There's still time to vote, too, at apsp.org/FanFavorite.)
If you're a young professional in the industry, there's something for you as well: The APSP WAVE Network Expo Reception. The WAVE group, now three years old, brings together young pros from all segments of the industry to network and discuss the industry's future. This year's event will be held at the Border Grill in Mandalay Bay, a restaurant for its modern take on Mexican cuisine. (To attend, call 703.838.0083 ext. 301.)
The fun continues all the way through the end of the Expo with the Pool Prize Party, a raffle held on Thursday at 1 p.m. All registered attendees receive a ticket with their name badge, and winners will take home a cool industry product — last year, prizes included a spa from Passion Spas and a chaise from Ledge Lounger. Cooler still, the winners will be announced by none other than Wayde King and Brett Raymer, hosts of Animal Planet's "Tanked" series.
Whether you're hunting for new products, learning from the experts or simply taking in the sights of the Strip, one thing is clear: You just can't lose at this year's PSP Expo.
Saturday, Nov. 7
8 a.m.
Certified Service Technician Course (Day 1 of 3)
CONSTRUCTION 401: Advanced Watershape Construction (Day 1 of 3)
DESIGN 101: Introduction to Perspective Drawing
APSP Pool & Spa Construction Course (Day 1 of 3)
5:00 p.m.
NSPF Certified Pool-Spa Operator Basic Course (Day 1 of 3)
Sunday, Nov. 8
7:30 a.m.
NSPF Certified Pool-Spa Operator, Basic Course (Day 2 of 3)
8:00 a.m.
Certified Service Technician Course (Day 2 of 3)
CONSTRUCTION 401: Advanced Watershape Construction (Day 2 of 3)
DESIGN 231: Color Theory & Its Application (Day 1 of 2)
DESIGN 412: Advanced Design Skills (Day 1 of 2)
ENGINEERING 311: Advanced Fluid Engineering (Day 1 of 2)
APSP Pool & Spa Construction Course (Day 2 of 3)
Monday, Nov. 9
7:30 a.m.
NSPF Certified Pool-Spa Operator Basic Course (Day 3 of 3)
8:00 a.m.
Certified Service Technician Course (Day 3 of 3)
CONSTRUCTION 401: Advanced Watershape Construction (Day 3 of 3)
DESIGN 231: Color Theory & Its Application (Day 2 of 2)
DESIGN 412: Advanced Design Skills (Day 2 of 2)
ENGINEERING 311: Advanced Fluid Engineering (Day 2 of 2)
APSP Pool & Spa Construction Course (Day 3 of 3)
1:30 p.m.
NPC Start-Up Recertification Course
Tuesday, Nov. 10
8 a.m.
National Plasterers Start-Up Certification
DESIGN 221: Water in Architecture
ENGINEERING 251: Model Aquatic Health Code — Design & Construction Section
BUSINESS 208: 10 Ways to Crush the Competition
How to Make 50K a Year without Digging a Hole: The Art of Selling the Backyard Experience
Healthy Water Requirements: Advanced Chemistry
Follow-Up and Repeat Sales … The Key to Success
Find, Hire and Retain Motivated Workers
How to Use Organic Marketing to Grow your Brand
10:30 a.m.
Genesis Lifestyle Booth — BUSINESS 270: Be a Coach, Not a Boss (Booth #662)
11 a.m.
Hayward School of Business: The ACTS of Leadership (Booth #3250)
11:30 a.m.
Energy Audit Training: Bringing Opportunities to Your Facility for Better Performance and Money Savings (Booth #5042)
Splash Talk: Social Media Success — How to Stand Out and Share your Story via Social Channels (Booth #5029)
12 p.m.
Genesis Lifestyle Booth — CONSTRUCTION 171: Project Profiles, An Interactive Discussion on Design & Construction (Booth #662)
1 p.m.
Splash Talk: Fantasy Islands — Creating the Dream Outdoor Kitchen Experience (Booth #5029)
1:30 p.m.
Hayward School of Business: SOCIAL MEDIA — The "Do's" and "Don'ts" for Pool Companies (Booth #3250)
Using Houzz to Showcase your Business and Communicate with Clients (Panel Discussion)
2 p.m.
Model Aquatic Health Code (Booth #5042)
APSP Certified Building Professional Exam, Certified Service Technician Exam
2:30 p.m.
Genesis Lifestyle Booth — BUSINESS 111: Genesis Lifestyle Program (Booth #662)
Automating Pool and Hot Tub Maintenance to Create High-Margin Services (Booth #5029)
3 p.m.
Hayward School of Business: Pool Builder Websites: How to Get More Visitors and Convert those visitors into Hot Prospects (Booth #3250)
3:30 p.m.
Self-Contained Spa Installation & Design
Refresh & Repeat …10 Secrets to Keeping your Stores New & Exciting
Managing a Multi-Generational Workforce
Technically Speaking: Variable Speed Pumps
Effective Leadership Skills for Contractors
5:30 p.m.
Welcome Party, LIGHT Nightclub/Mandalay Bay
Wednesday, Nov. 11
8 a.m.
ENGINEERING 391: Passive Solar Systems for Pools
Revenue Through Relationships
Hot Water Chemistry & Testing
Get Found Online! How to Manage, Control & Increase your Online Visibility
The 10 Keys to Retail Store Success
Advanced Project Design: From Ergonomics to Energy Efficiency, Get the Details Perfect
How Interior Design Influences Outdoor Design
DESIGN 121: Contemporary Organic Architecture
9 a.m.
ASA Shotcrete Nozzleman Education
9:45 a.m.
ENGINEERING 491: Photovoltaic Solar Systems
CONSTRUCTION 241: Advanced Construction: Structures and Massive Watershapes
Swimming Pool Selling Secrets — From a Marketing Guy
The Psychology of Pricing: How to Create Your Own In-Store Artificial Economy
Competing on Business Analytics: How Do You Measure Up?
Source Water — Fit to Drink Does Not Mean Ready to Swim
Making the Grade: Designing and Building on a Hillside
11 a.m.
Hayward School of Business: Website Marketing 101: Get Found Online! Tips & Tricks on How to Help your Online Visibility (Booth #3250)
11:30 a.m.
Heat Pumps Provide Energy Efficiency on Commercial Installations (Booth #5042)
Genesis Lifestyle Program — ENGINEERING 381: Renovation of the Equipment Pad (Booth #662)
Splash Talk — Topic TBD
1 p.m.
Splash Talk: Automating Pool and Hot Tub Maintenance to Create High-Margin Services (Booth #5029)
1:30 p.m.
Genesis Lifestyle Program: DESIGN 108: Plans, Useful Data and Attributes; A Builder's Standpoint and Obligation (Booth #662)
Hayward School of Business: Growing Profit Exponentially
U.S. Residential Pool Markets Report
2 p.m.
Healthy Water for Bathers & Pool Equipment Begins with Testing (Booth #5042)
2:30 p.m.
Spa Sanitizers — The Bromine Option
3 p.m.
Genesis Lifestyle Program — CONSTRUCTION 171: Project Profiles, An Interactive Discussion on Design and Construction (Booth #662)
Hayward School of Business: Managing Cash Flow and Optimizing Business for Growth (Booth #3250)
3:30 p.m.
50 Shades of Green: Water and Energy Conservation Tips & Tricks
It's Not Who You Know, It's Who Knows You!
Make your Outdoor Living Business Contagious
Water Features
Sell More, More Often, for More Money with Less Effort
Creating a Total Customer In-Store Experience
Mobile Apps to Kickstart your Service Company's Productivity
7 p.m.
Genesis Family Reunion and Winemaker Dinner
Thursday, Nov.12
8 a.m.
DESIGN 322: Audible & Visual Considerations of Water Feature Design
ENGINEERING 312: Understanding Water Current
BUSINESS 265: Coaching Strategies to Improve Profitability
Candid Contractor 2015
Improve your Core Business with Profitability and Service
Competing with Amazon: Strategies and Implementation Plans from Successful
Retailers (Panel Discussion)
10:30 a.m.
UV-C Water Treatment for Commercial Aquatics; Medium-Pressure and Low-Pressure UV-C Technologies (Booth #5042)
Genesis Lifestyle Program — DESIGN 165: From the Beginning with AAW (Animal Planet) (Booth #662)
12:30 p.m.
Genesis Lifestyle Program — BUSINESS 341: Fostering Growth and Preventing Contraction (Booth #662)
1 p.m.
Pool Prize Party (Booth 141)
