Step Into Swim announced ongoing partnerships with key program supporters Fluidra, Hayward Holdings, Inc., and Heritage Pool Supply Group. Each one shares Step Into Swim’s commitment to increase access to swim lessons and instill overall water confidence in the name of drowning prevention, reflective in key partner celebrations last week at the Pool and Spa Show hosted by the Northeast Spa and Pool Association.

Our next Member Deep Dive features Megan Kendrick, Chair of the PHTA WAVE Young Professionals Committee and owner of trade media brands SpaRetailer and PoolPro. Kendrick’s education in journalism and integrated marketing, combined with her five years now as a business owner, have helped her hone her business’s 2023 marketing plans. In this article, she shares her five marketing tips for other business owners.

PHTA has issued a call for participation on the Standards Consensus Committee (SCC), PHTA's official consensus voting body. The SCC is responsible for reviewing and voting on all pool, spa, and hot tub standards to be approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

Looking for new ways to show you're a proud PHTA member? Want to stay comfy and cozy year-round? We now have PHTA hoodies available for purchase in the PHTA Online Store. Buy yours before they run out!

Thinking of attending Everything Under the Sun in Orlando February 24-25? Both GENESIS® pre-conference courses have CILB credits pending, so you may need to take these to earn or keep your license. E245: Standards, Codes, and Ordinances; A Builder's Guide to Proper Implementation and C410: Advanced Pool Construction will set you apart from the competition and raise your professionalism in the eyes of your clients. Register today!

PHTA and GENESIS® will be at the Southwest Pool & Spa Show next week in Houston. In addition to the pre-conference courses E211: Fluid Hydraulics for Pools & Spas and D211: Elements of Design, we'll be offering sessions during the show on topics like industry standards and codes, identifying new trends, pool construction and design, and more.

The PHTA Day on the Hill is back—March 29-30 in Washington, DC! The PHTA Day on the Hill educates you on how to effectively advocate for the pool, spa, and hot tub industry; brings you face-to face with policymakers; and gives you an opportunity to discuss issues important to you. The experience also allows you to build relationships with Congressional offices and convey our industry’s story and the impact we have on the national economy.

C201: GENESIS® CONSTRUCTION SCHOOL: Concrete Pools always sells out early! If you've missed your chance for a seat the last few times, we have more C201 offerings coming up! Choose from March 1-3 in New Jersey, March 20-22 in Alabama, or May 1-4 virtually. Topics covered include site analysis, introductory fluid engineering, geotechnical and structural engineering, shotcrete, waterproofing, tile, interior finishes, coping, and concrete decking. Take the course and find out for yourself why it's our most popular!

To meet the educational demands of an increasing market, GENESIS® now offers a 24-hour vinyl liner / fiberglass pool construction course. We have two upcoming offerings of C260: GENESIS® CONSTRUCTION SCHOOL: Vinyl Liner/Fiberglass Pools. Choose from March 1-3 in New Jersey or March 8-10 in Illinois. You'll gain a better understanding of the installation process, bearing capacity, the physics of water, and so much more. Plus, C260 fulfills the requirement to earn your Certified Builder Professional designation!

Do you live or work in Texas? If so, please take a few moments to complete our brief, 10-question survey about the Texas Pool & Spa Coalition (TPSC). PHTA is conducting this survey to better understand how we can service the industry, our Texas members, and Texas pool companies in general. We appreciate your participation! The deadline to submit your answers is February 28.

Your PHTA Office Depot® Member Benefits Program, previously Office Depot Business Solutions Division, has been rebranded to ODP Business Solutions™. Now a B2B-focused company serving small, medium and enterprise level companies like yours. You’ll receive savings of up to 75% on the Best Value List of preferred products with free next-business-day delivery or in-store and curbside pickup. To continue to receive your member discounts, you’ll need to re-enroll or register for an account through our dedicated ODP site. Register here.

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!

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.

The CEE Integrated Home Competition provides designers and manufacturers the opportunity to stand out from the crowd by awarding energy saving, connected products that deliver an excellent consumer experience. The connected pool pumps category is open to products with primary applicability in the residential sector. Products must be available for sale through retail or distribution channels serving the residential new construction and major renovation markets in the United States or Canada.

Pool and Spa News
Millennial business owners must balance the work-life mindsets of older and younger employees as they both make up a significant portion of the workforce.

Pool & Spa Marketing
Whether it’s an employee applying for a new job or a company trying to expand its reach, their online presence is a vital aspect of their personal or company brand.

Inc.
Fifty-five percent of Americans report being behind on retirement savings, but the federal government’s SECURE Act 2.0 will make retirement benefits more accessible for a company’s workforce.

Lyon Financial, the leading source of pool financing, is proud to announce its newest team member, Scott Pleasant. He will join the Lyon Financial team as the Business Development Liaison, overseeing key accounts and strategic partnerships within the pool industry.

Pleasant joins Lyon Financial after serving as the Director of Finance & Business Solutions for Paramount Capital for 13 years, building relationships with pool builders, manufacturers, and remodelers alike. His background in sales, customer service, and business development will enhance Lyon Financial’s growth into 2023. Lyon Financial boasted more than $1.7 billion in funded loan volume in 2022.

Jimmy Miller, senior engineering technical lead at Pentair, explains how variable-speed pumps have gained popularity in recent years, so technicians should brush up on their inner workings to be ready for the upcoming pool season.

Pool Pro Magazine
Before professionals even consider filling a pool with water for the first time, there are a number of factors to check to confirm it’s ready.

Pool and Spa News
Cement producers are looking for new ways to decrease their carbon footprint, and the latest solution involves increasing the proportion of limestone in cement.