On April 1, 2019, a historic event in the pool, spa, and hot tub industry took place: the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) and the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF) unified the industry by merging into one organization, the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA).
Prior to the merger, the two associations had been competing with each other not only for members, students, and event attendees, but industry resources overall. The industry was inundated with rumors, conflicting programs, and misinformation that led to confusion among industry professionals.
In hindsight, the unification could not have come at a better time. Less than one year later, the world changed with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. PHTA jumped into action to help its members, from drafting letters to government officials requesting that our industry professionals be deemed "essential workers" to creating a toolkit of resources and moving its educational offerings to online virtual or on-demand courses.
The pool, spa, and hot tub industry boomed more than anyone could have anticipated during 2020-2021, and PHTA grew with it. Now, at its fiveyear birthday celebration, with 3,900 member companies (a 25% increase since the unification) across the globe, PHTA is fulfilling its mission to educate, advocate, and elevate the industry. Here are just a few of the achievements that highlight the past five years.
PHTA members at the U.S. Capitol for the first annual PHTA Day on the Hill.Photos courtesy PHTA
EDUCATE
One part of the merger that caused some angst was what would happen to GENESIS, the premier education program for pool construction, design, and engineering. After becoming part of PHTA, GENESIS enjoyed a rebrand and created a logical pathway for certification. Since 2021, nearly 1,000 students have started on the Certified Pool Builder & Design Professional Pathway, with more than 50 professionals earning the highest designation of Master CBP. GENESIS continues to lead the way with the highest quality of instruction across on-demand, virtual, and in-person training. It continues to expand its list of esteemed faculty, adding new courses that industry professionals need to succeed, and developing new events and resources such as MasterMind and the Pool Professionals Podcast.
PHTA also certifies nearly 40,000 Certified Pool & Spa Operators (CPOs) each year, with 2024 expected to exceed the numbers from 2019, the most successful year on record. PHTA established the CPO Advisory Council, led by a dedicated group of CPO Instructors who have helped to elevate and streamline the program and work hand-in-hand with PHTA staff to update and improve the CPO course and exam on a continuous basis.
The success of the CPO program has led to the creation of the PHTA Certified Pool Service Professional Pathway, which launched in 2023. This pathway encourages pool service professionals to build upon the knowledge learned as a CPO and expand their skills through the Certified Pool & Spa Maintenance Specialist (CMS), Certified Pool & Spa Service Technician (CST), and Certified Pool & Spa Service Professional (CPS) programs.
Other notable achievements have been the creation of the Class Pass, which gives members free access to ondemand PHTA and GENESIS education, as well as developing a partnership with Cornell University to host a certificate program for executives and emerging leaders.
Olympians Rowdy Gaines, Cullen Jones, and Cammile Adams on NBC's Today promoting water safety and sharing the mission of Step Into Swim.
ADVOCATE
PHTA is constantly monitoring federal, state, and local government decisions that may have an impact on the pool and hot tub industry. Some of the most important wins have been:
- Setting the standards for energy efficiency, particularly for portable hot tubs
- Raising awareness of water conservation during droughts, with a focus on fighting the misconception that pools and hot tubs are "water wasters"
- Working with the U.S. Congress to reauthorize the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGBA)
- Ensuring continued support of the Summer Work Travel (SWT) and H2-B visa programs, allowing aquatic facilities to maintain proper staffing levels
PHTA hosted its first Day on the Hill in 2023, an opportunity for members to visit Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and meet with members of Congress to discuss the important role the industry plays in the U.S. economy. This will now be an annual lobbying event.
As part of the unification, PHTA welcomed the Texas Pool & Spa Coalition (TPSC) and the California Pool & Spa Association (CPSA) under its umbrella. These two organizations lead the grassroots government relations efforts in their states, with lobbyists and volunteers focused on fighting for the pool and hot tub industry.
A program that everyone in the industry can get behind is Step Into Swim, PHTA's drowning prevention initiative. Step Into Swim provides grants to learn-to-swim programs around the United States (and beyond!), giving children in underserved areas free or low-cost access to lifesaving swim lessons. Since 2020, Step Into Swim has granted nearly $3 million to more than 400 learn-to-swim programs, reaching 83,000 children and counting. PHTA is so thankful to its many donors across the industry who are truly saving children's lives through their generosity.
ELEVATE
PHTA is the leading industry organization recognized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop and promote national consensus standards for residential and public swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas. This commitment to standards development is at the core of PHTA's mission. PHTA is proud to have published 15 ANSI standards over the last 40 years.
In 2022, PHTA conducted a regovernance on the technical side that comprised of committees guided by pool, spa, and hot tub leaders that ensure PHTA's technical activities and initiatives are at the forefront of the industry. This regovernance has unleashed an incredible group of volunteers, who are experts in their respective fields, to work diligently to ensure PHTA's ANSI standards are up to date, follow the latest scientific data, and keep industry professionals and consumers safe and healthy.
PHTA continues to expand its industry research, an area of great value to its members. In addition to the biannual Economic Impact Study and annual Market Report, PHTA launched Quarterly Pulse Surveys and the Business Operations Survey in 2023. These surveys, now being collected at regular intervals, will allow PHTA to track trends and monitor industry performance across the build, service, and retail sectors. These surveys also allow participants to benchmark themselves against the industry average and see how they compare to others in their region.
We are also elevating the industry by focusing efforts on workforce development. PHTA now has two apprenticeship programs registered with the U.S. Department of Labor, for the builder and service sectors. In 2023, PHTA also launched Work In Aquatics, a comprehensive website and job board created for jobseekers to learn about the many and varied careers in the pool and hot tub industry and a place for them to find jobs with PHTA members. To date, more than 7,000 people have applied to positions in the industry through Work In Aquatics.
THANK YOU
PHTA would not be celebrating these achievements without the continued support of members and partners, and would like to take this opportunity to thank its Board of Directors, Strategic Partners, associations such as the Northeast Spa & Pool Association (NESPA) and the Florida Swimming Pool Association (FSPA), and its friends at Master Pools Guild (MPG) and Carecraft.
The hard work and passion of all these groups have been the driving force behind PHTA's collective success. Much more lies ahead, as PHTA continues to educate, advocate, and elevate on behalf of the industry. To its 3,900 member companies, PHTA sends its profound gratitude.
This article first appeared in the September 2024 issue of AQUA Magazine — the top resource for retailers, builders and service pros in the pool and spa industry. Subscriptions to the print magazine are free to all industry professionals. Click here to subscribe.
