The PHTA Board of Directors has made the unanimous decision to hold the 2021 World Aquatic Health Conference (WAHC) in a virtual format only, in the interest of public health and safety. WAHC 2021 will now be presented as an entirely virtual event on December 7-9. All current registrations will automatically transfer to the virtual event. Please contact Lisa Ryckeley, PHTA Director of Events, at lryckeley@phta.org with any questions about WAHC.

Tune in to Episode 9 of our Step Into Swim Podcast: Drowning IS Preventable. National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) Executive Director Adam Katchmarchi speaks to us about their efforts to reduce the incidences of drowning and aquatic injuries in the U.S. and abroad. You can find the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and the PHTA website.

Our first virtual GENESIS® course of the fall/winter season starts Monday, September 20. E245: Standards, Codes, and Ordinances: A Builder's Guide to Proper Implementation will familiarize students with the current provisions and requirements of the standards, codes, and ordinances governing swimming pool and spa construction. Instructor Terry Brannon, P.E., has 50 years of engineering experience and will help students understand that by following these documents, they are saving lives.

Please join us today at 1pm ET for an overview of the new PHTA Certified Pool Builder and Design Professional Pathway. This webinar will provide an explanation of the new pathway and certifications, from CBP to Certified Master Pool Builder and Design Professional. If you are a GENESIS® Associate, SWD Registered, or SWD Master, you will also learn how these certifications affect your current designation. This will also be an important overview for current CBP or those currently studying for the exam. If you are unable to attend live, a recording of the webinar will be posted on the PHTA website shortly after.

There will be a Certified Service Technician (CST) Course in-person on November 13-15 as part of the PSP/Deck Expo pre-conference offerings. The CST Course provides 24 hours of education for service technicians looking to elevate their knowledge. The course reviews common problems regarding pool finishes and examines potential solutions. Students will explore circulation, filtration, hydraulics, and electricity, culminating in a well-rounded understanding of potential problems and solutions. The exam will be proctored on-site at the end of the course. Those who pass the exam will then be CST certified.

AQUA Magazine
Three PHTA members share why they send their employees to GENESIS® courses and explain why a more formal education in pool building and design can help you and your business.

Take advantage of text’s 98% open rate with SMS marketing campaigns that get a real response and measurable results. Plus, building a prior consent opt-in list has never been easier. See how Podium can modernize your business. PHTA members receive a discount.

Stay on top of what others in the industry are talking about. This week in the myPHTA Online Community, the newest discussions are about:
– Top Business Issues
– Business Software
– My Pump Won't Prime!

Forbes
Effective delegation is a key managerial skill. One great resource is the Situational Leadership Theory and model, devloped by Dr. Paul Hersey and Dr. Ken Blanchard at Cornell University – the idea that one should adapt his or her leadership style to the nature of the task and the profile of the employee.
(Pro tip: PHTA is partnering with Cornell University on a leadership summit!)

Pool and Spa News
What is “showrooming” and is it a scourge or an opportunity for retailers?

Harvard Business Review
When employees feel empowered at work, it’s associated with stronger job performance and commitment to the organization. However, leaders should consider the scenarios in which empowering works best.

Inc.
For the most part, business leaders both want to succeed and have the drive to do so, but they don’t know everything. Here are things to keep in mind as you lead yourself and your team.

AQUA Magazine
The Float Like a Duck program was created in 2003 in response to the harsh scare tactics of anti-drowning programs of the time.

PoolPro Magazine
Keeping maintenance logs when servicing commercial pools is often considered a tedious regulatory requirement, but it also helps protect the service professionals.