Catching Up in Dallas

After going virtual in 2020, this year's International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo, co-located with Deck Expo, will welcome attendees and exhibitors to reunite in Dallas, Texas. There is much to celebrate and catch up on — after all, the best and busiest time in industry history coincided with the loss of in-person trade shows and networking.

With demand still soaring, it’s more important than ever to take advantage of opportunities for professional development. The 2021 Expo will offer pros a chance to get informed about trends, market directions and technology — and of course, reconnect with their peers and stroll the show floor once again. In addition, Deck Expo’s newly announced partnership with PSP continues for another year, with a broader selection of outdoor living vendors and deck-focused education.

The Expo will open with pre-conference education sessions on Sunday, Nov. 13. Festivities kick into gear on Nov. 15 with the PHTA’s 2021 International Awards of Excellence reception, honoring state-of- the-art pool projects and the builders who made them possible.

The morning of Nov. 16 will feature a keynote address from author Wallace J. Nichols, Ph.D. and Olympian Rowdy Gaines. Later that evening, guests can head over to the iconic Gilley's Dallas for a Welcome Party. Younger professionals can arrive early to participate in a PHTA WAVE Network reception. 

Attendees won’t want to miss the Grill + Chill outdoor exhibits area, with vendors specific to deck building, outdoor kitchens, grills and patio furniture. Open during normal expo hours, the area will also be home to the returning BBQ Bash event: When the expo hall closes on Wednesday, the Bash begins, and guests can head outside to relax and enjoy refreshments and grilled food.

In light of the pandemic, organizers are taking advanced measures to ensure the health and safety of attendees and exhibitors. This year's Expo will have enhanced deep cleaning before, during and after events, non-contact registration, distancing and crowd management, and the deployment of screening and protective equipment. While all guests should follow CDC and local guidance, face masks are recommended and will be available on-site. After nearly two years, it’s about time we saw each other again. The industry has huge accomplishments to celebrate, and a lot of stories to share — and since everything’s bigger in Texas, the Lone Star State should be an excellent host. 

PSP SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, NOV. 13

8 a.m.

C201: GENESIS Construction School: Concrete Pools (Day 1 of 3)

E211: Fluid Hydraulics for Pools & Spas (Day1of2)

PHTA Certified Hot Tub Technician (CHTT) Course (Day 1 of 2)

PHTA Certified Maintenance Specialist (CMS) Course (Day 1 of 3)

PHTA Certified Service Technician (CST) Course (Day 1 of 3)

Watershape CON 4111: Advanced Watershape Construction (Day 1 of 3)

Watershape ENG 4311: Advanced Fluid Engineering (Day 1 of 2)

SUNDAY, NOV. 14

8 a.m.

PHTA | ICC Presents the 2018 International Swimming Pool & Spa Code

C201: GENESIS Construction School: Concrete Pools (Day 2 of 3)

D180: Drawing for Professionals (Day 1 of 2)

 D231: Color Theory and Its Application (Day 1 of 2)

D271: Architectural Styles (Day 1 of 2)

E211: Fluid Hydraulics for Pools & Spas (Day 2 of 2)

PHTA Certified Hot Tub Technician (CHTT) Course (Day 2 of 2)

PHTA Certified Maintenance Specialist (CMS) Course (Day 2 of 3)

PHTA Certified Service Technician (CST) Course (Day 2 of 3)

Pool & Spa Operator (CPO) Certification Course (Day 1 of 2)

Watershape CON 4111: Advanced Watershape Construction (Day 2 of 3)

Watershape ENG 4311: Advanced Fluid Engineering (Day 2 of 2) 

MONDAY, NOV. 15

8 a.m.

NADRA’s Deck Evaluation/Inspection Certification

PHTA | ICC Presents the 2021 International Swimming Pool & Spa Code

C201: GENESIS Construction School: Concrete Pools (Day 3 of 3)

D180: Drawing for Professionals (Day 2 of 2)

D231: Color Theory and Its Application (Day 2 of 2)

 D271: Architectural Styles (Day 2 of 2)

PHTA Certified Maintenance Specialist (CMS) Course (Day 3 of 3)

PHTA Certified Service Technician (CST) Course (Day 3 of 3)

Pool & Spa Operator (CPO) Certification Course (Day 2 of 2)

Watershape CON 4111: Advanced Watershape Construction (Day 3 of 3)

Watershape DGN2211: Essential Principles of Design Workshop

1 p.m.

Master Deck Professional Certification — CODE

6 p.m.

PHTA 2021 International Awards of Excellence, The Owner’s Box at Omni Dallas 

TUESDAY, NOV. 16

7:30 a.m.

B306: Elements of Litigation

Best Practices for an Optimized Service Department

C125: Fiberglass Construction

D109: Design Fees — Charging for Design

Deck Design for Hot Tubs

E151: Do’s and Don’ts of Engineering

Saltwater Pool Troubleshooting: Beyond the Equipment

Selling During & After a Pandemic: Coming Out Stronger

8 a.m.

ASA Curso de educación para el lanzador de concreto (shotcrete) Presentado por la American Shotcrete Association (ASA)

ASA Shotcrete Nozzleman Education Course (English)

NPC’s Start-Up Technician Certification Course 

9 a.m.

Keynote: It’s a Water-full Life by Wallace J. Nichols, Ballroom A

10:45 a.m. 

Picture-Perfect Baluster Layout, Booth #3411

11:00 a.m.

D235: The Impact of Color on Your Brand, Booth #1345

PHTA Apprenticeship Program for the Service Industry. Powered for You! Booth #1505

Jandy Variable-Speed Pumps Installation, Programming and the New Dedicated Purpose Pool Pump Regulations with Hands-On Instruction, Booth #4111 

11:15 a.m.

Exposing Dangerous Drains — Renovation of a Commercial Pool, Booth #2045

11:30 a.m.

Leak-Proof Deck Ledger Flashing, Booth #3411

11:45 a.m.

The 3 Critical Aspects of a Tried and True Ad Plan to Grow Your Retail Business, Booth #2421 

12:30 p.m.

Advanced Oxidation Process, Booth #1505

C352: Splash Pad Construction, Booth #2045

D325: Mind Reading Your Clients, Booth #1345

 1 p.m.

Deck Ledger Attachment: Codes and Installation Practices, Booth #3411

Next Level Connection Tips and Tricks for Web-Based Automation for the Pool & Spa Industry, Booth #4111

1:45 p.m.

Challenging Deck Ledger Installations — and Solutions, Booth #1345

From Search to Sold — 100% Digitally, Booth #2421 

2 p.m.

BUSINESS 2231: Create a Culture of Accountability, Booth #1505

D215: Intro to Pool Photography, Booth #1345

E312: Understanding Water Current, Booth #2045

3 p.m.

Introduction to ION Pool Care Software, Booth #4111

3:15 p.m.

Deck Lateral Load Reinforcement, Booth #3411

3:30 p.m.

C310: Interview With a Master, Booth #1345

Enhancing Your Digital Footprint, Booth #1505

4 p.m.

Sizing Wood Deck Joists and Critical Installation Details, Booth #3411

5 p.m.

First Time Attendee Reception, Gilley’s Dallas

PHTA WAVE Network Young Professionals Reception, Gilley’s Dallas

6 p.m.

Welcome Party, Gilley’s Dallas 

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 17

7:30 a.m.

10 Steps to Be an Outstanding Pool and Outdoor Living Designer

Building Your Own Online Store

Compatibility of Hydraulic Components

How to Produce Videos for Websites, Social Media, Drip Marketing and Beyond!

Larger Pools Equal a Larger Potential for Leaks

Use Automation to Sell More and Satisfy More, Without More Manpower!

What Women Want From Your Business

D345: The Art of Landscape / Architectural Lighting and How to Paint a Lighting Portrait

8:00 a.m.

Quality Shotcrete — Know It When You See It

9:15 a.m.

7 Crucial Marketing Secrets Every Pool Builder Should Know

Basic Water Chemistry & Testing 101

D131: Identifying New Business & Design Trends

Hiring, Managing and Leading People in Pool Service

How to Prepare for Existing Federal Pool Pump Regulations

Outdoor Living — The Design Process

Wood and Water: Deck Considerations at Swimming Pools

10:45 a.m.

Picture-Perfect Baluster Layout, Booth #3411

11 a.m.

How Adding Fiberglass Pools to Your Offering Adds Profits to Your Projects, Booth #1505

D415: Designer Dialogues: How I Deal with Client Changes: Power Panel, Booth #1345

Introduction to ProEdge Build Software, Booth #4111

11:15 a.m.

Exposing Dangerous Drains — Renovation of a Commercial Pool, Booth #2045

11:30 a.m.

Deck Guardrail Post to Frame Connections, Booth #3411

12:30 p.m.

How to Get More and Better Leads Online, Booth #1505

Stay Current in Pools: The Activities of the Recreational Water Quality Committee (RWQC) — a PHTA Resource, Booth #2045

1 p.m.

Deck Ledger Attachment: Codes and 

 Installation Practices, Booth #3411

C310: Interview With a Master, Booth #1345

Introduction to Fluidra Pro App, Booth #4111

1:45 p.m.

Challenging Deck Ledger Installations — and Solutions, Booth #3411

Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge, Booth #2045

2 p.m.

In-Floor Cleaning Systems, Booth #1505

2:30 p.m.

GENESIS: Small Group Discussion, Booth #1345 

3 p.m.

Building Your Brand to Become the Deck Star in Your Community, Booth #2045

Jandy Variable-Speed Pumps Installation, Programming and the New Dedicated Purpose Pool Pump Regulations With Hands-On Instruction, Booth #4111

3:15 p.m.

Leak-Proof Ledger Flashing, Booth #3411

3:30 p.m.

BUSINESS 2342: Managing High Lead Volume, Booth #1505

3:45 p.m.

GENESIS: Small Group Discussion, Booth #1345

4 p.m.

Sizing and Designing Wood Deck Beams, Booth #3411

5 p.m.

BBQ Bash, Grill + Chill area Pool Nation Awards

7 p.m.

21st Annual GENESIS Family Reunion and Winemaker Dinner, The Tower Club Dallas 

THURSDAY, NOV. 18

7:30 a.m.

5 Keys to a Lasting Positive Sales Attitude

B331: Job Costing for Profit Versus Existence

C225: Quality Shotcrete Placement for Pool Contractors

D111: Small Space Design 

Electricity, Bonding and Controls for Service Professionals

How Google Has Changed Since COVID and What to Expect for 2021 Online

How to Find, Recruit, Attract, Hire, Motivate and Retain Great Talent

Successfully Integrating Pools & Water Features Into the Landscape

9:15 a.m.

Finding Leaks — Turn Headaches Into Profits

Hidden Design — The Importance of Designing Things You Can’t See

Making Time Count (Time Management for People Who Don’t Think They Need Time Management)

Pro-Active Systems & Strategies to Achieve Construction Project & Field Production Results

Should I Use Borates in Pools?

Swimming Pool Structural Failures: How to Avoid Them and How to Fix Them

Take Your Retail Game to the Next Level — Top 10 Retail Pitfalls to Avoid

10:45 a.m.

Deck Lateral Load Reinforcement, Booth #3411

11 a.m.

SERVICE 2311: Automating a Service Dept., Booth #1505

GENESIS: Small Group Discussion, Booth #1345

Next Level Connection Tips and Tricks for Web-Based Automation for the Pool & Spa Industry, Booth #4111

11:30 a.m.

Deck Guardrail Post to Frame Connections, Booth #3411

The “Ins and Outs” of Chlorine Delivery Systems, Booth #2045

12:30 p.m.

How to Create & Execute a Growth Plan, Booth #1505

GENESIS: Small Group Discussion, Booth #1345

1 p.m.

Sizing and Designing Wood Deck Beams, Booth #3411

1:30 p.m.

Pool Prize Party, Booth #1141

1:45 p.m.

Sizing Wood Deck Joists and Critical Installation Details, Booth #3411