Orlando is so famous, you might think you know all about it, but do you really? Sure, it’s a major fun capital, but did you know that this city has 100 lakes and over 100 parks — or that downtown Orlando’s iconic Lake Eola actually is a giant sinkhole?! And no one really knows how it got the name Orlando, but we do know that its first name was (drum roll, please) Jernigan, after the first permanent settler in the area.
Another thing we know for sure: The International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo is returning to the Orange County Convention Center’s North Halls A and B after a three-year absence. The exposition runs Nov. 1-3; the conference is Oct. 29 to Nov. 3.
To find out why the event is back in Orlando this year, we turned to Tracy Garcia, CEM, show director at Informa Exhibitions U.S. in Irving, Texas. “Orlando is an attractive destination because of the thriving industry, competitive costs and ease of travel,” Garcia explains. “In addition, the industry in the region is seeing an uptick.”
Official show numbers weren’t out at this writing, but organizers are optimistic. Estimated total attendance is 10,000, with exhibitors expected to number 525 in the 138,000-square-foot exhibit space.
Garcia reports a 20% increase in spa manufacturers exhibiting this year, and she sees a correlation: Vendors in the Outdoor Living Pavilion truly complement the spa and pool manufacturers. “Builders, designers and retailers are connecting the dots, realizing that it’s not just about building or installing a pool,” she explains. “It’s important to consider the entire outdoor experience as a whole. Outdoor living — including fire- and waterfeatures, barbecues, kitchens, furniture, lighting, décor — all play a vital role in the industry.”
A new development for 2017 is the expansion of the Spa Retailer Hosted Buyer and VIP Program, which debuted in 2016. That program identifies top spa retailers and makes it more feasible for them to attend the show by offsetting travel expenses and offering perks such as an express line at registration, a show-floor lounge equipped with Wi-Fi and refreshments, and more. Now the program will include pool builders. In all, 50 Hosted Buyers (25 spa retailers, 25 pool builders) will be chosen, and additional VIP access will be given to qualified attendees.
Yet another change will literally affect all show-goers. In a recent survey, people cited the overlap between exhibit hall hours and the conference program as the No. 1 reason they didn’t attend educational sessions. So organizers have changed the hours. Last year, educational tracks began at 8 a.m. and ran the entire day. This year, seminars will be from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m., Wednesday-Friday. The exhibit hall will open at 10:30 a.m. every day, closing at 5 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday and 2:30 p.m., Friday.
Speaking of education, there will be 45 all-new sessions as part of the core conference program. Sixteen have been approved for Florida DBPR/CILB CEU’s, plus two pre-conference programs by Genesis. Other offerings include sessions by the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals, the National Swimming Pool Foundation, Hayward School of Business, National Plasterers Council and American Shotcrete Association.
Attendees can stay on top of all that action with the PSP Expo mobile app. This year, features include the ability to sync your profile with your registration; connect with other attendees; take notes on exhibitors or seminars, which you can then send to yourself. The app is available in the App Store and Google Play, or visit app.poolspapatio.com on your mobile device.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
PARTY TIME
Welcome Party: Start your trip on a high note at Howl At The Moon, famous for its dueling pianos and lively music. The party is Nov. 1, 5:15 to 7:15 p.m. Advance registration required. Tickets are $55 advance or $60 after Sept. 15, and include beer, wine and appetizers; admission included in Conference Super Pass. Sponsored by Aristech.
APSP WAVE: Young Professionals Network Event: Gather Nov. 1, 4-6 p.m., at The Pub, a British-style establishment in Pointe Orlando. The $15 admission includes appetizers, select alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Space is limited; it’s recommended that tickets be reserved during Expo registration.
PSP Block Party: Join the festivities Nov. 2, 4:30-6 p.m. in the parking lot next to Convention Center North Hall B. Enter through the Product Showcase (Booth #240) and enjoy complimentary refreshments, including wine and beer. Sponsored by Real Flame Co. Inc. and Silver Bullet.
Pool Prize Party: This giveaway at Booth #458 on Nov. 3, 1:30-2:30 p.m., features exhibitors’ products. Each attendee gets a ticket with their name badge, and can collect more tickets by visiting participating booths at the Expo. Water for a Warrior will announce the 2018 recipient(s) of a new pool at the party.
PAVILIONS AT-A-GLANCE
Outdoor Living Pavilion: Interest in products such as outdoor structures/pergolas, outdoor accessories and more continues to grow, making this multi-booth pavilion a popular stop for backyard living professionals.
Casual Furniture Pavilion: Consumer demand for outdoor furniture to make backyards more inviting and usable remains high, so this pavilion should see plenty of foot traffic again this year.
Commercial Pavilion: This pavilion sports booths with products for commercial pool and spa installations, while the adjoining education area (Booth #2455) has several seminars slated. Topics include a discussion/explanation of the MAHC and update process; performing leak detections on commercial pools, spas and splashpads; and more.
Genesis Pavilion: At Booth #761, you’ll find networking opportunities and free educational seminars offered by the Genesis Lifestyle Program. Sessions on engineering, construction, design and business topics occur Nov. 1-3. Registration recommended, but not required; limited seating.
APSP Pavilion: APSP members can stop by Booth #1955 to relax and recharge.
EXHIBIT HALL ACTION
Splash Talks: Free, half-hour seminars will be held at Booth #210 on Nov. 1-3. Topics will include spot etching, increasing pool project profits, pool/hardscape design and estimating, and more. Registration recommended, but not required; limited seating.
Hayward School of Business: At Booth #1011, the 60-minute seminars will concentrate on subjects such as sales, marketing, lead generation and social media. Registration recommended, but not required; limited seating.
Product Showcase: For an up-close look at new products, Booth #240 is a must. Winners of the 2017 Best New Product and Best Green Product will be displayed, too.
