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Updated December 10, 2004
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| Pool & Spa News welcomes news tips from our readers. Send news items, with company and contact information included, to Joshua Keim at jkeim@hanleywood.com or fax to 323-801-4986. |
Attendance Up at Canadian Expo
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This year’s Canadian Pool & Spa Conference & Expo came to a successful close with record-breaking turnouts despite a scheduling variance. Held at the Toronto Congress Centre in Ontario, the event attracted more than 2,100 attendees — a 50 percent increase from the previous year. A few show officials were concerned that attendance might suffer when the organization was forced to move the event to early November instead of December because of a conflict with the International Pool & Spa Expo in Las Vegas.
“We didn’t know how much that was going to affect the turnout, but it ended up being a nonissue,” said Ken Tomihiro, executive director of the Pool & Hot Tub Council of Canada. Another highlight included NSPI of Canada’s unveiling of its official name change to the Pool & Hot Tub Council of Canada. “In general, the reception was that our members were revitalized,” he noted. “Following the [Las Vegas Expo] in December with NSPI’s transition to [the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals], I think people will view it positively as a move forward in the right direction.” The 2005 Canadian show is slated for Dec. 6-8.
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Recreonics Aids U.S. Troops in Iraq
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Some U.S. soldiers in Iraq now can have fun in the sun, thanks to a shipment of swim accessories from Recreonics Inc. The 1st Marine Expeditionary Force stationed at Camp Fallujah had recently reopened a nearby pool ravaged by war, in hopes of getting some R&R. The Marines and sailors received swim goggles and caps from the pool equipment manufacturer. Recreonics is headquartered in Louisville, Ky.
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New Jersey Registration Law Delayed
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As one of his final official acts, former New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey granted a delay for the Home Contractors Registration Act, which requires contractors doing home construction or repairs worth $500 or more to register with the state. The Northeast Spa & Pool Association and other groups plan to lobby state lawmakers to alter a clause granting consumers a three-day right of rescission for any contract over $500. The contractor groups want the law to allow waivers for emergency repairs. Originally intended to take effect Nov. 9, it will now be implemented Dec. 31, 2005.
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Rec Warehouse Sponsors Diabetes Research
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Rec Warehouse, a large pool/spa retailer in Orlando, Fla., donated $100,000 to the Central Florida American Diabetes Association during the 9th Annual Walk for Diabetes. Held in Winter Park, Fla., last month, the event raised a total of $210,000 to support diabetes research, information and advocacy. David Doebler, the Rec Warehouse president and Diabetes Walk chairman, has sponsored the walk-a-thon since 1995, when it first began in Orlando.
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Swim-a-Thon Keeps Pool Afloat
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An aquatics center in Berkeley, Calif., can keep its doors open for the winter due to the efforts 80 local swimmers, who conducted a 24-hour swim-a-thon. Officials said that diminishing city funds and rising gas and electricity prices would’ve forced Parks and Recreation to close the West Campus Pool and the Willard Pool, the city’s two least-used facilities. However, swimmers were able to raise the $13,500 necessary to keep the West Campus Pool running during the winter. Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates, an event participant, said that means swim programs will not have to be slashed.
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© 2004, Pool & Spa News
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