PHTA is pleased to announce Justin Wiley as the new Vice President of Government Relations, Standards, and Codes. Wiley began in this expanded role on February 14.

In his new role, Wiley will lead advocacy for the pool and hot tub industry on federal, state, and local levels. He will also be responsible for the development and maintenance of PHTA’s safety and performance standards and their adoption into codes and regulations across the nation. He will work closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, and PHTA’s councils and committees to lead strategic initiatives and strengthen efforts to carry out PHTA’s mission.

As part of its commitment to elevating the professionalism of the pool industry, GENESIS® launched a concierge program to foster professional development among its students. Through this service, students will be guided in finding the education best suited for their career goals, while companies will be offered opportunities to build personalized curriculum for their teams through the Knowledge by Design program.

Longtime GENESIS® and PHTA staff member Lisa Ryckeley will lead this effort. Ryckeley will help students navigate their learning path and provide consultation and guidance to ensure a positive learning experience.

We're looking for volunteers to join the PHTA Education Committee! As a committee member, you will provide guidance and oversight for PHTA education, including:

– Offering education and resources for members to expand their businesses and achieve personal success
– Creating an educational platform to increase the number and quality of education and training opportunities
– Creating pathways of learning for careers in the profession
– Increasing the number of skilled professionals through our training and apprenticeship programs

Fill out an application by clicking the Learn More button below. Applications are due March 18!

In the latest episode of the Step Into Swim podcast, Rowdy Gaines and Sabeena Hickman welcome Jennifer LaMont, the CEO of the American Swimming Coaches Association. They discuss how to get more people in the water, while also keeping them safe. 

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and directly on the PHTA website.

The PHTA Wave Young Professionals Network (under 40) provides a platform to exchange and share interests, ideas, events, services, and products that are designed for this community. WAVE has its own Facebook group with regular discussions on upcoming industry events, the best products and services to use, and fun anecdotes from being in the field. If you're a young professional, join the WAVE Facebook group today!

GENESIS® is building professionals through the Advanced Builder Workshop, an intensive, two-day interactive learning experience, hosted by PHTA Strategic Partner Fluidra at their headquarters in Carlsbad, CA. Beef up your construction acumen, build up your business contacts, and brush up on your building skills, in just two days. This workshop includes E245: Standards, Codes, and Ordinances and C410: Advanced Pool Construction, both required courses for moving up the Certified Pool Builder & Design Professional Pathway.

GENESIS® is putting you on the fast track to becoming a Certified Advanced Pool Builder Professional (Advanced CBP). In one week, you can take both C201: GENESIS CONSTRUCTION SCHOOL: Concrete Pools and E211: Fluid Hydraulics for Pools & Spas to earn your Advanced CBP designation. Save time and money by taking the Fast Track! By completing both courses in the same week, you can take just one combined exam to become an Advanced CBP. Live and in-person at the NESPA Headquarters in New Jersey.

The Everything Under the Sun Expo is celebrating 50 years! It all began in 1972 as the Florida Pool Show, a small tabletop event. Over the years it was also known as the Orlando Pool Show and now the Everything Under the Sun Expo. PHTA will be exhibiting, and GENESIS® will be offering pre-conference courses as well as education sessions during the expo.

Instructor Kate Wiseman, MLA, will take you from water features of ancient times to today's most impressive installations during D280: History of Pools and Water Features, taking place March 14-15 in Charleston, SC, as part of the Master Pools Guild Meeting. Having a deeper understanding of how pools have developed and evolved over time will have an impact on your designs and how you relate to your clients.

D280 is a required course for the Certified Master Pool Builder & Design Professional designation.

Join the California Pool & Spa Association (CPSA) on March 9 at Skylinks at Long Beach Golf Course for a special golf tournament open to everyone in the pool, spa, and hot tub industry! Come to town a day early for the Western Pool & Spa Show and spend the day on the golf course networking with your industry colleagues and clients. There are plenty of ways to show your support for our industry through sponsorship opportunities at this event.

Aqualine is PHTA members' go-to source for questions and information regarding group medical benefits, general liability, auto, property, and workers compensation. They represent multiple insurance carriers nationwide that offer a variety of insurance solutions. In addition to insurance offerings, they offer 401(k) programs where companies can outsource the fiduciary liabilities of running the plan to them. They work with clients to develop specific processes and plans to keep them in compliance and help reduce their tax liability.

PHTA is looking for seasoned industry professionals who want to give back to the industry by sharing their knowledge, experiences, and advice with another PHTA member through our unique, members-only mentoring program. Your level of commitment is in your hands – you can select your start and end dates, identify how many mentees you’d like to accept, and approve or decline requests from prospective mentees.

Does a work question have you stumped? Interested to see if other pool industry professionals around the country are experiencing the same challenges as you? Have a funny or insightful anecdote that you think others would like to hear? Share all of this and much more at myPHTA, the online community exclusively for PHTA members.

AQUA Magazine
Online marketing outperforms traditional, outbound marketing. Pool and spa companies can use search engine optimization to communicate meaningfully with customers.

Inc.
Becoming a smart leader is an inside job – it’s about who you are and not what you do from a list. Here is a quick roadmap to help you start on that path.

AllBusiness.com
Customers aren’t always chasing the ‘better deal.’ While technical proficiency is a priority in hiring, don’t overlook the importance of team members who can deliver a good experience for the customer.

Pool & Spa Marketing
One may not be in control of the supply chain, but what chemicals are being used and how they are applied can be leveraged to improve water quality. PHTA Recreational Water Quality Committee (RWQC) member Terry Arko explains.

AQUA Magazine
Working with pool builders and designers – including GENESIS® co-founder Brian Van Bower and instructor Andy Kaner – Ray Corral’s company Mosaicist creates stunning works of art in pool floors.