PHTA is pleased to announce that Charlie Claffey has been appointed to Chairman of the Board for 2023. Claffey is President of Claffey Pools in Southlake, TX, which has been in business for over 35 years. We are also excited to welcome Board Members Joe Laurino, Ph.D. (Chair Elect), Keith Harbeck (Secretary), Scott Frost (Treasurer), Andy Levinson (Immediate Past Chair), Bob Blanda, Caley Gibbs, Tracine Marroquin, Matt McDermott, Albert Miller, and Kevin Post.

Join the PHTA Government Relations team and our Federal/Congressional lobbyists DCLRS today at 1:30 p.m. ET for an insider's outlook on the effects of a changing Congressional landscape and the impact a divided Congress will have on agenda-setting and legislation. We'll discuss the impacts of the election results on the pool, spa, and hot tub industry and answer your questions about the upcoming 118th Congress. There's still time to register!

Please join PHTA in congratulating the winners of our 2022 Superlative Awards:
–Builder of the Year: Kyle Chaikin, Chaikin Ultimate Pools
–Service Professional of the Year: John Citta, Claffey Pools
–Retailer of the Year (sponsored by LOU): Dustin Lockwood, Bontrager Pools
–Young Professional of the Year: Caley Gibbs, Gib-San Pool and Landscape Creations
–Volunteer of the Year: Nathan Coelho, Master Spas
–Chapters of the Year: PHTA Central Arizona Chapter and PHTA Southern Arizona Chapter

PHTA and the Recreational Water & Air Quality Committee (RWAQC) have awarded the 2022 Greg Garrett Scholarship Award to Kelli Clancy, Owner of Legacy Pool & Spa. "I look at education in this industry as ongoing, and I also believe in taking advantage of opportunities and living a life free of 'what ifs.' When I saw that PHTA had opened its application process for the Greg Garrett Scholarship Award, it was a no-brainer," Kelli said. "My personal and professional convictions were standing on my shoulders, shouting, 'Go for it!' into my ears. I am so glad that I did." Congratulations, Kelli!

On Monday, December 5, Olympic Gold Medalist and PHTA Vice President of Partnerships & Development Rowdy Gaines was awarded Auburn University's International Quality of Life Lifetime Achievement Award for his work with water safety and drowning prevention. Rob Butcher - former PHTA Board member, Auburn alum, fellow competitive swimmer, and friend - was there to present Rowdy with this prestigious award.

The latest version of the PHTA Market Report, prepared by Pkdata, offers more than 70 pages of information and statistics on the residential inground and aboveground markets, labor, equipment and raw materials, hot tub sales, and more. This is an exclusive members-only resource. Download your free copy today!

Congratulations to the pool, spa, and hot tub industry professionals who earned new certifications in August, September, and October!
– 2 Certified Pool & Spa Maintenance Specialists (CMS)
– 2 Certified Pool & Spa Service Technicians (CST)
– 4,721 Certified Pool & Spa Operators (CPO)
– 12 Certified Builder Professionals (CBP)
– 5 Certified Advanced Pool Builder Professionals (Advanced CBP)
– 3 Certified Expert Pool Builder & Design Professional (Expert CBP)
– 6 Certified Master Pool Builder & Design Professionals (Master CBP)

See the full list on the PHTA website.

Our members asked, and we answered! Take advantage of this exclusive opportunity to get three months of Ivy League education and earn an Ivy League certificate through the PHTA Leadership Certificate Program Powered by Cornell University. Whether you're a C-level executive or growing in your leadership role, there is a program for you! The first cohort starts January 9, and seats are filling up fast! Learn more and register today.

We're kicking off 2023 with education and events at the Pool & Spa Show, powered by NESPA! From January 22-26, PHTA and GENESIS® will be in Atlantic City. If you're looking for pre-conference education, we have three options:
– PHTA | ICC Present the 2021 International Swimming Pool & Spa Code
– C201: GENESIS® CONSTRUCTION SCHOOL: Concrete Pools
– GENESIS® D265: Master Designer Methods: Kirk Bianchi, Crafting the Outdoor Space as a Living Art Form

Plus, be sure to stop by and say hello to us at Booth #2355. We look forward to seeing you there!

GENESIS® will be at the Southwest Pool & Spa Show in Houston, TX, this February. We're offering two pre-conference courses: E211: Fluid Hydraulics for Pools & Spas and D231: Color Theory & Its Application. If you're looking to earn your Advanced CBP or Expert CBP certifications, take advantage of these course offerings! Both are required core courses.

PHTA is always growing! In November, 88 companies and individuals from around the U.S., Canada, China, and Australia joined PHTA. Meet our newest members and reach out to them to say hello!

Join the PHTA Southern Arizona Chapter at the DoubleTree Reid Park in Tucson tomorrow, December 8 to learn about what is new and exciting for 2023. This is a great opportunity to meet with local sales reps and reconnect with other pool professionals. There will be free education sessions on marketing, water chemistry, and water testing. Raffle and door prizes too!

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. For more information, visit aqualineinsurance.com or contact Brandon Riggs at briggs@aqualineinsurance.com or (949) 421-3522.

Please take a moment to check that your staff roster is up to date in your PHTA membership account! We want to make sure that all of your staff are taking advantage of the member benefits that extend to your entire company. By updating your roster with correct email addresses, your employees will receive information about key benefits and important notifications.

The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance Mentor Match program reflects our commitment to you and your professional development. This unique online networking and career development tool helps you find, connect, and share experiences with others. Your mentor or mentee can be in the same city or on the other side of the world. Apply today to become a mentor or mentee!

PHTA is inviting public review and comments on reaffirmations of ANSI/APSP/ICC-3 2014 American National Standard for Permanently Installed Residential Spas (published in ANSI Standards Action November 18; public review deadline January 2) and ANSI/APSP/ICC-6 2013 American National Standard for Residential Portable Spas and Swim Spas (published in ANSI Standards Action November 11; public review deadline December 26). Public review is an important part of the ANSI standards consensus development process. For more information, contact standards@phta.org.

Get the latest news on our advocacy efforts at the federal, state, and local levels, and find out ways you can get involved. Plus, get legislative alerts when there's an upcoming event or action item in your area.

Pool & Spa Marketing
Pool and spa retailers must look at how to grow their business organically to offset the higher costs caused by materials shortages.

Multichannel Merchant
While ecommerce allows retailers to reach wider audiences, more customers are likely to return products when they haven’t seen them in person. But retailers can strengthen their businesses by setting up a strong return policy.

allBusiness
Public relations aren’t just for big businesses anymore as social media has leveled the playing field for small businesses and startups looking to reach new customers.

AQUA Magazine
Shortages in the chlorine supply mean that outdoor pool owners need to take extra measures to reduce the evaporation of their pool’s water. PHTA RWAQC member Terry Arko explains.