ow in its third year under new ownership, the International Pool & Spa Expo continues to grow.
A total of 13,156 entered the exhibit halls at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans Nov. 5-7, according to Rick McConnell, senior show director for Expo owner Hanley Wood.
That’s nearly a 17 percent increase over the 2002 Dallas Expo, which saw a total attendance of 11,257.
“We’ve had more swipes (booth visitors) in the first day than we’ve had collectively in the last several years,” said Wayne Ivusich, sales manager at exhibitor Taylor Technologies, based in Sparks, Md. “We are very pleased.”
Exhibitors reported strong international representation. According to McConnell, 1,096 pool and spa professionals attended from outside the United States, compared with 613 last year, in Dallas.
“We’ve done well with international clients, particularly Turkey, Israel and Korea,” said Sam Natter, marketing director of Dynasty Spas Inc. in Athens, Tenn. “This show is no comparison to the ones we’ve been to in the past. It’s all been positive.”
The Expo boasted 622 exhibiting companies, compared with last year’s 550, and encompassed a total of 234,000 square feet of exhibitor space. Of this, 31,000 square feet were occupied by companies showcasing ancillary backyard products.
On the educational side, there were 58 seminars, the same as last year. However, 30 of the subjects were new, many of which were suggested by attendees and the Conference Advisory Board, which contained industry representatives, according to Hanley Wood Conference Manager Tracy Beaulieu.
Past attendees also requested more advanced content, and Hanley Wood responded by emphasizing higher level courses this year, McConnell said.
“The classes are a lot better,” said Mike Hagemann, president of Master Pools by New Bern Pools in Raleigh, N.C. “They are a lot more involved. I’m here longer this trip because of all the classes. I’ve seen a lot of new instructors.”
This direction will continue in future conferences, said McConnell. Next year’s Tuesday schedule will include all-day courses devoted to hot tubs and spas, and to designing and building high-end pools. “We want to continue to strengthen the retailer component of the program,” he said. “We’re clearly a leader in the builder segment.”
This was also the first year that the Ultimate Backyard was opened to design submissions from industry professionals. James A. Burba, CBP, of Rosebrook Carefree Pools Inc. in Highland Park, Ill., won the First Annual Ultimate Backyard Design Competition, and his creation was brought to life on the show floor.
Next year, Hanley Wood will join forces with the National Spa & Pool Institute’s Retailers Council to erect a Retailer Concept Store. The theme will be “The Store of the Future.”
The next Expo is set for the Las Vegas Convention Center, Dec. 1-3, 2004, with Tuesday courses slated for Nov. 30.
Staffers AmyJo Brown, Bob Dumas, Margi Millunzi and Rhonda J. Wilson contributed to this story.
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