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Industry News
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Service Tip
Drain Cover Replacement
When replacing a drain cover to comply with the federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act, make sure to check and record the product’s warranty. UV rays will eventually degrade the drain cover’s plastic, and the service technician should be aware of when to offer a replacement. Some techs recommend creating a label inside the time clock, informing the owner about the kind of cover that was installed and when they will need to put in a new one.
• More Service Tips
Visit our Website to find industry experts’ tips on installation, troubleshooting, repair and maintenance.
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MOD Design Tip
 What great design concept are you working on?
“We have begun to see greater emphasis on using more creative materials for the finish hardscapes. People are requesting something more unique, and they’re willing to wait and pay more money.”
How does it work?
“Where once [people only opted for] bluestone, slate and local granite, now they are saying, ‘Well, what else have you got?’ There are now all these products coming out of China and limestone from the South — beautiful stones that five or 10 years ago we never had access to. So we’re getting creative with our stonework.
“There are very colorful or dark black granites coming out of China. They’re cost effective and can be custom-cut into radiuses, or carved into statuary. From the Southern states, we can get colorful stones like Tennessee crab orchard or eramosa limestone. It seems we’ve been using those more and more.”
— Michael Giannamore, vice president, Aqua Pool & Patio, East Windsor, Conn.
PSN 2006 Masters of Design Winner – Concrete Pools
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Retail Snapshot
 “Here in Oregon, we have such a seasonal business, so we try to do as much as we can to grow. It has been our strategy to diversify. We do retail, we build, we service … now we’re doing more online and with technology.
“We’re getting ready to launch an online store that has been a year in the making. The site will integrate with our accounting and point-of-sale systems. The sales from this should help us expand, as well as get bigger discounts from our suppliers. We’re shooting to launch this by the first of the year.
“I just got back from the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo and came away with some new ideas as well. I overheard someone there talking about [in-store strategies that worked for them]. So, we’re going to put computer kiosks in our three locations. There, customers can check out new products, print out instructions and watch videos. It’ll be more interactive than just having a video that loops. And, it will allow us to showcase new products without having to actually invest in a lot of inventory.
“Going to the show prompted me to think that we need to spend time on social networking, too. I just signed up for Twitter. In April, one of my co-workers started [an account], but nothing has been happening with it since then. But, now we’re trying to get a better handle on what we can do with it. We’re going to use it to educate our customers. It’s about us providing a tool for them. Plus, it should drive people to our Website.”
— Suzanne Heim, marketing director, Classic Pool and Spa, Portland, Ore.
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Trade Show News
Thank You!
The 2009 International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo organizers would like to thank all the participants who helped make the Expo a huge success! From the attendees, exhibitors, speakers and press, to the vendors, temporary staff, live workshop presenters and volunteers — the Expo would not have been successful without all of you!
It’s not too early to start planning for next year. The 2010 dates have been announced: The exhibit hall will be open Nov. 3-5, while the conference portion of the event will begin Oct. 31 and will feature 60+ seminars.
If you would like to teach a class, lead a demonstration, or learn more about exhibiting or attending, contact show organizers (see below for complete contact info).
 Exhibits: Nov. 3-5, 2010
Conference: Oct. 31-Nov. 5, 2010
Mandalay Bay Convention Center
Las Vegas, Nevada USA
972.536.6350
www.PoolSpaPatio.com | info@PoolSpaPatio.com
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