Olympian Rowdy Gaines, PHTA Vice President of Partnerships & Development, was recently quoted in a U.S. News & World Report article, "12 Ways to Stay Safe at the Pool This Summer." His advice? Don't engage in extended underwater breath-holding activities. Holding your breath underwater can disrupt your oxygen and carbon dioxide balance and can lead to passing out.

In the newest episode of the Step Into Swim Podcast, host Rowdy Gaines sits down and talks with Bill Kent, board chairman of the International Swimming Hall of Fame and CEO and board chairman of Team Horner. The two discuss Kent’s journey to the top of the swimming pool industry and the monumental ideas that helped propel the industry forward.

The PHTA Awards program recognizes prominent achievements and outstanding performers in the pool, spa, and hot tub industry. We want to know who is most deserving of the awards this year! Nominate yourself or someone you know for PHTA Fellow, Builder of the Year, Retailer of the Year, Service Professional of the Year, Young Professional of the Year, or Chapter of the Year. Nominations are due Friday, August 27!

It's been almost two years since we last saw each other in person, and PHTA is pulling out all the stops! Join us for our educational programming and network at our social events. We've created a schedule-at-a-glance that covers all of the PHTA and GENESIS® offerings at PSP/Deck Expo. We're excited to see you again! (Please note: All times are CT.)

On October 12-13, as part of the World Aquatic Health Conference (WAHC), you can become a Certified Pool & Spa Operator (CPO)! The CPO course is the world’s leading verifiable pool and spa training credential for aquatic facility maintenance personnel, health officials, retailers, property owners, and other professionals. CPO certification provides individuals with the basic knowledge, techniques, and skills of pool and spa operations. This training has helped protect millions of swimmers by reducing hazards at aquatic facilities. Upon course completion and successfully passing the exam, students will become CPOs. Register for WAHC today to reserve your spot!

Understanding architectural styles will enable you to coordinate details and relate water elements back to the surrounding environment in an appropriate way. When the pool is designed to match the home's architecture, the effect can be breathtaking and add value to the property. Register today for GENESIS® D271: Architectural Styles, November 14-15, as part of PSP/Deck Expo.

Join the California Pool & Spa Association (CPSA) on Wednesday, August 18 at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT for the free webinar, "How to Protect Your Pool Business and Its Equity Right Now." You will learn how to determine the value of your business, the importance of succession planning, and if your current plan is taking care of you. Although this webinar is geared towards a California audience, all PHTA members are welcome.

Meet Dan McManus, CEO of Evosus Software, one of PHTA's Strategic Partners. Dan has been in the pool and hot tub industry since 2003 and currently serves on the Retail Council. Evosus joined PHTA because "we wanted to give back to the industry that helped build our business."

Stay on top of what others in the industry are talking about. This week in the myPHTA Online Community, the newest discussions are about:

—Pool books and math books
—Retailer of the Year

PHTA is currently seeking Standard Writing Committee (SWC) members for revising PHTA-4 Standard for Aboveground/Onground Residential Swimming Pools and PHTA-5 Standard for Residential Inground Swimming Pools. Stakeholders for PHTA-4 include manufacturers and producers of aboveground/onground residential swimming pools as well as consumers who wish to enjoy this pool type. Stakeholders for PHTA-5 include builders, code officials, installers, and consumers. Apply today!

PHTA Director of Government Relations Jason Davidson traveled to Austin, TX to spend the day with Texas Pool & Spa Colation (TPSC) lobbyist Jake Posey. Jason was briefed by Jake on the latest news from the Texas Legislature, which was called into a Special Session by Governor Greg Abbott. Jake gave Jason a tour of the Texas Capitol and arranged for a meeting with Texas State Representative Steve Toth. Representative Toth sponsored House Bill 2205 on behalf of PHTA, which requires the Department of Health to adopt a version of the International Swimming Pool & Spa Code (ISPSC) that is not older than the statewide version in effect on May 1, 2019, by reference. HB 2205 was passed by the legislature and allowed to become law, effective on September 1, 2021.

Questions or input on any legislative, regulatory, or local matters should be directed to Jason Davidson at jdavidson@phta.org.

National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)
Following the announcement of the budget resolution introduced on Monday, National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons issued a statement.

U.S. Small Business Administration
The SBA will host a three-day live summit of learning and online education sessions for small businesses. Activities include educational panels providing retooling and innovative practices for entrepreneurs and networking opportunities.

Fast Company
A job ad can turn off good candidates if the language is too vague, superficial, or even antiquated.

Forbes
LLCs have the benefit of providing limited liability protection for the business owners and can also provide for “pass through” tax treatment, which means that only the owners are taxed and there is no tax at the LLC level.

Business Wire
PHTA Strategic Partner Fluidra, a global leader in pool and wellness equipment, closed the first half of the year with magnificent results driven by a very strong Residential Pool season in the Northern Hemisphere and the continued step change in demand.

Float Like a Duck collaborated with UMC Children's Hospital to produce a water safety public service announcement called "Family Time: The Joys of Water Activities with Your Child." You can watch the English version here and the Spanish version here.

AQUA Magazine
“Start-up” is the term most frequently used when a pool is freshly filled but can also be used when opening a pool for the swimming season. This article focuses on the start-up procedures as recommended by the National Plasterers Council (NPC).

Pool and Spa News
There are many in-pool stain detection kits designed to help identify the type of stain. Here’s how to get the most benefit from these kits so you can recommend the correct treatment.

AQUA Magazine
With unprecedented hot tub demand, inventory is a guessing game for retailers. The used hot tub sector is growing to meet that demand.

PoolPro Magazine
We’ve come a long way from paper maps and pay telephones. Programs for plotting routes and tracking service vehicles are essential for today’s pool service businesses.