Participate in PHTA's first of its kind Business Operations Survey! This annual survey will provide PHTA members and the industry as a whole with comprehensive, detailed performance information that will help companies identify important trends about pool and hot tub business operations. The results from this exclusive new survey will enable industry professionals to be more competitive and run their businesses more effectively. Each participant will receive a personalized report that provides a valuable benchmark comparison between their company and the overall industry.

Step Into Swim is back at the TODAY Show! Tune in this Friday, April 28 at 8 a.m. ET to hear from PHTA Vice President of Partnerships and Development Rowdy Gaines and his fellow Olympians Cullen Jones and Missy Franklin. They'll be sharing important water safety information all families should know ahead of National Water Safety Month.

The PHTA Board of Directors and PHTA staff met in Dallas last week, where they had the opportunity to tour Claffey Pools. PHTA Board Chair Charlie Claffey, President of Claffey Pools, presented a $30,000 donation to Step Into Swim. It was great for our staff and our board members from all sectors of the industry to have a behind-the-scenes look at pool building and design. Thank you for hosting us, Claffey Pools!

As a PHTA member, you have many opportunities to save money on day-to-day business operations! Take advantage of the offerings from our Affinity Partners on things like car rentals, 401(k) plans, office supplies, and much more. We just updated our member discount flier, so take a look!

Join Fred Manno of Hayward and Scott Cohen of The Green Scene Landscaping & Swimming Pools for the next CPSA webinar, today at 4 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. ET. The two pool professionals will be discussing swimming pool sales tips that they've learned and developed over their many years of experience. This webinar is free and applicable to anyone in the industry, not just those in California! Be sure to register before the start time.

PHTA's new Pool and Hot Tub Industry Introduction on-demand education program is an introduction to the pool industry. A new employee goes through this program with the goal of understanding the basics of how the industry works, and some of the main components of pools and hot tubs. Topics covered include job roles in building, service, and retail; certification paths; definitions of main pool and hot tub components; basic water chemistry and the chemicals involved; safety; and water testing techniques.

No one is more qualified than Terry Brannon, P.E., to teach aquatics engineering to pool builders! Brannon has more than 50 years of engineering experience and has worked on everything from public fountains to splash pads, water parks, competition venues, lakes and streams, and private pools. You'll learn from the best when you register for E211: Fluid Hydraulics for Pools & Spas, happening virtually May 8-11.

Does having a deeper understanding of historical water features impact your design work? The short answer is yes! D280: History of Pools and Water Features will show you how to identify global water features, teach you about contemporary features used in new designs today, and explain how history incorporates into the design and development of your own work and what your clients are looking for. Register today for this virtual class, taking place May 16, 18, 23 & 25 from 6-9:30 p.m. ET.

Whether you build concrete, fiberglass, or vinyl-lined pools, GENESIS® has the pool construction education you need! We're looking forward to offering two virtual courses this summer: C201: GENESIS® CONSTRUCTION SCHOOL: Concrete Pools (July 24-27 in the afternoons) and C260: GENESIS® CONSTRUCTION SCHOOL: Vinyl Liner/Fiberglass Pools (August 14-17 in the evenings). These are the last GENESIS® courses we're teaching before the in-person fall conference season, so don't miss out. Plus, both courses qualify you to earn your Certified Builder Professional (CBP) certification!

Why wait for Cinco de Mayo when you can celebrate Quatro de Mayo with the PHTA Southern Arizona Chapter? Come to the Arizona Sands Club at the UA Football Stadium in Tucson on May 4 from 4-6:30 p.m. and enjoy appetizers, drinks, mixing & mingling, the latest news and updates from the chapter, and the 2023-24 Board of Directors election. RSVP required!

PHTA members save up to 25% off Budget base rates, plus get other great offers like dollars off, a complimentary upgrade, or a free weekend day. Plus, with a complimentary membership in Budget Fastbreak, enjoy the fastest, easiest rental experience! To make a reservation, visit Budget.com/PHTA or call 1 (800) 527-0700 and use the code D423520.

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!

The NFPA Standards Council approved updates to the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) related to pools on April 10, 2023. These updates were proposed by a task group comprising representatives from PHTA, utility companies, and Consumer Product Safety Commission, and were approved by the NFPA Code Making Panel. The updated standards include several changes:
– The definition of "pool" in the NEC now explicitly excludes bodies of water such as lagoons and surf parks, even if they contain a swimming area.
– Steel wire or copper grid can be used for perimeter bonding on conductive paved areas as long as they are listed for corrosion resistance and mechanical performance. This listing requirement will take effect on January 1, 2025.
– The code language on unpaved portions of perimeter surfaces has been clarified.
– Nonconductive portions of perimeter surfaces that meet code requirements will not require equipotential bonding.

Currently, no states have adopted the 2023 NEC; however, several states including Texas, Wyoming, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oregon, and Massachusetts are reviewing and scheduled to adopt during the next twelve months. For more information on NEC adoptions, please visit the NEC adoptions page. For more information, contact PHTA Director of Codes and External Standards Nick Capezza.

The Department of Energy (DOE) issued a pre-publication final rule for pool heater standards. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) prescribes standards for various consumer products including pool heaters. In this final rule, DOE is adopting new standards for consumer pool heaters. In the coming weeks, DOE will issue a final rule in the Federal Register which will take effect 60 days after. Compliance with the updated standards is required five years after the final rule is published. PHTA's Energy Coalition worked with the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) to craft formal comments submitted to DOE. Those comments, along with individual comments from PHTA members, had a positive effect on the final DOE rule, including allowing a plus/minus 5% threshold for electric pool heaters. For more information or to get involved in the PHTA Energy Coalition, please reach out to Justin Wiley, PHTA Vice President of Government Relations, Standards, and Codes.

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.

As a pool builder or installer, Raypak understands the pain points surrounding resistant heating technology and the difficulty in finding products in the market that will stand up to the harsh conditions of both standard and saltwater pool systems. That’s why Raypak has created a solution for YOU! Their new E3T 3-Phase commercial pool and spa heater is a high-capacity electric heater that incorporates both durability and best-in-class controls to enhance everyday operation. Your pool life shouldn't be complicated, and Raypak is building solutions to bring you peace of mind in every swim moment!

SpaRetailer
What customers first see when they enter a store shapes their impression of the company before they ever interact with an employee.

Aquatics International
As leisure pools become the norm at aquatics facilities, it’s more important than ever for the facility’s rules to be clearly posted and enforced to ensure everyone’s safety and enjoyment.

allBusiness
The National Retail Federation’s 2023 forecast predicts that sales will grow by 6% in 2023, and brick-and-mortar stores will continue to play an important role for fulfillment.

Float Like A Duck celebrates two-decades of sharing the importance of water safety. Float Like A Duck was founded by Paragon Pools’ President Joseph M. Vassallo as part of the company’s philanthropic endeavors with a mission of Educating the public on the importance of safety while celebrating the joys of water sports!

Pictured: Float Like A Duck Mascot Duckie and Founder Joseph M. Vassallo encouraging families to practice the ABCD’s of water safety around all bodies of water.

Solenis
Solenis, a leading global producer of specialty chemicals used in water-intensive industries, has released its 2022 Sustainability Report, summarizing the company’s environmental stewardship, social responsibility and governance (ESG) initiatives for the previous fiscal year.

AQUA Magazine
Animal feces can contain parasites that are very dangerous to humans, so pool service technicians should know how to sterilize pools after such an incident.

Pool Magazine
A TikTok warning parents of the effects of swimsuit color on child safety in the pool went viral, sparking a conversation about the safest colors for children to wear in the pool.