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PHTA UPDATES
Make an impact on the pool and hot tub industry by serving on the PHTA Education Committee! As a member of the Education Committee, you will provide guidance and oversight for PHTA education in support of the PHTA Strategic Plan, which includes 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; and increasing the number of skilled professionals through our training and apprenticeship programs. Applications are due next Friday, March 18!
The PHTA International Awards of Excellence (AOE) program recognizes and rewards installations of pools, spas, hot tubs, and water features that showcase the most beautiful and creative work in the industry. Looking for inspiration for your next project? Browse through photos of the 2021 winners from five different categories.
 
RESOURCE OF THE WEEK
  
PHTA has launched a new Certification Tool Kit to provide more resources and support to certified professionals. You can download certification logos, access press release templates to announce your accomplishment, read through marketing ideas, and more. The Certification Tool Kit is available to all certification holders: CPO, CMS, CST, CSP, CHTT, CPI, CRP, CBP, Advanced CBP, Expert CBP, and Master CBP.
EDUCATION AND EVENTS
  
PHTA and CPSA are in Long Beach Thursday through Saturday for the Western Pool & Spa Show! Come by Booth #525 to learn about the Let's Pool Together drought and conservation awareness campaign, upcoming PHTA and GENESIS® education, how to get the most out of your PHTA/CPSA membership, and more.

Plus, we hope to see you at the CPSA Under the Sea Golf Tournament later today!
  
The upcoming D280: History of Pools and Water Features just got even better! On the second day of this 2-day course, students will take a field trip to the historic Middleton Place and put the content they learned on Day 1 into practice by designing an appropriate water feature for one of the estate's beautiful gardens. D280 starts next Monday, March 14 in Charleston, SC, as part of the Master Pools Guild Meeting. Register today!

Photo Courtesy of Middleton Place
  
Make sure you're certified before the busy season starts! PHTA and GENESIS® are hosting the Fast Track to Advanced CBP March 28-April 1 at the NESPA headquarters in Hamilton, NJ. The Fast Track includes C201: GENESIS® CONSTRUCTION SCHOOL: Concrete Pools (required for CBP certification) and E211: Fluid Hydraulics for Pools & Spas (required for Advanced CBP certification). Don't delay – space is limited!
  
You have three weeks left to submit your presentation ideas for the 2022 World Aquatic Health Conference! Submissions are due Thursday, March 31. We're looking for presentations about water and air quality, codes and standards, facility management, employee management and aquatic programming, and water safety. Share your ideas with us! We'll be in touch by the end of April to let you know if your presentation has been accepted.
Interested in becoming a CPO (Certified Pool & Spa Operator) Instructor? Fill out an application and mark your calendar for the upcoming PHTA Instructor Assessment Schools. The next in-person school will be October 10-12 in Houston, TX, as part of WAHC. The next virtual school will be March 2023.

 

 
MEMBERSHIP
PHTA is always growing! In February, 49 companies and individuals from around the country and the world joined PHTA. Meet our newest members and reach out to them to say hello!
  
PHTA members always receive up to 25% off Avis rental, plus enjoy additional offers like dollars off, a complimentary upgrade, or a free weekend day. With a complimentary membership in Avis Preferred®, you’ll travel better, save time, and gain access to exclusive offers. Skip the counter and paperwork at many locations and go straight to your car.

To make a reservation, visit Avis.com/PHTA or call 1 (800) 331-1212.

 

  
Mentor Matching is the latest addition to an expanding lineup of our services to support members’ professional development needs. It is an online tool – including a searchable database – that facilitates the establishment of mentoring relationships. It is user-driven, allowing registered Mentees to search among registered Mentors using specified criteria to find individuals whose experience and expertise match areas in which they wish to be mentored. Likewise, registered Mentors can search for and identify potential Mentees. Sign up to become a Mentor or Mentee today!
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.
STANDARDS AND CODES

PHTA Codes and Government Relations staff, PHTA counsel, and ICC staff met with New York Department of State regulators on code-related issues including two items of proposed legislation: one to add a safety cover exception to the state’s hot tub barrier requirements and one for a study of the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) for potential adoption by New York State.

PHTA Codes staff will participate on the ICC A117.1 Standard Committee call on Thursday, March 10. This standard relates to accessibility. PHTA staff has been in communication with subject matter experts on A117.1 proposals that impact the pool and spa industry.

Dell Inc.
ADVOCACY

In Virginia, House Bill 669 was passed out of the full Senate and now sits on Governor Youngkin’s desk for final signature. HB 669 requires the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) to establishes a workgroup of stakeholders (PHTA is included on the workgroup) to determine if the VDH should be allowed to expand its regulatory authority over additional public pools and spas and requires the VDH to consult with the workgroup on the regulations. PHTA is currently lobbying Governor Youngkin to sign HB 669.

FOR YOUR BUSINESS
The CDC issued new COVID-19-related metrics that will allow many communities to ease their indoor masking requirements. Employers may have continuing obligations under state and local laws, but many localities are also relaxing their pandemic-related safety rules.
AllBusiness
It’s not only huge corporations that need a marketing plan; small companies need to consider every marketing option available to succeed.
Inc.
Leadership generosity is not only about giving more money; it’s also about giving more respect. Ultimately your team will reciprocate by doing their best without needing to be told to do so.
INDUSTRY NEWS
  
In Episode #70 of the SpaRetailer Podcast, WAVE Young Professionals Network Chair Rick Harvey and Vice Chair Megan Kendrick discuss what WAVE is, why it’s important, and how people can get involved.
PoolPro
Pool professionals must contend with severe weather events ranging from record-breaking heat to deep freezes and wildfires to hurricanes. John Norwood, Government Relations Officer for CPSA, explains the impact of drought on California’s swimming pool industry.
AQUA
Historically, gunite/concrete pools have been favored in the U.S. However, fiberglass is gaining market share due to several factors.

UPCOMING EVENTS
10
Mar 2022
 
March 10-12
Long Beach, CA
14
Mar 2022
 
March 14-15
Charleston, SC
28
Mar 2022
 
March 28-April 1
Hamilton, NJ (NESPA Headquarters)