The annual Canadian pool and spa show returned to the Toronto Congress Centre Dec. 1-4, 2014, attracting 1,833 participants from all 10 provinces and 23 U.S. states/districts, as well as 134 exhibiting companies.
Calling it a healthy turnout, Robert Wood, executive director, Pool & Hot Tub Council of Canada, said the show went “even a little better than I thought it might.” After all, he explained, pool and spa companies struggled last year due to poor weather and pool starts being down. But they didn’t let that stop them from joining in the yearly event.
The show’s seminars, short courses and round-table discussion were well attended — indeed, a session on automation drew a record 60 students. Another popular event, the gala Awards Banquet, saw several important announcements. Of course, winners of the pool and spa design awards were unveiled, and PHTCC officially launched its trade certification program for the Canadian industry. APSP and PHTCC signed a momentous affiliation agreement as well.
Show organizers had to deal with another event not on the agenda — a brief evacuation due to a gas leak. A crew patching the roof had been using a propane tank that may have been old and leaking. It set off the building’s alarm system Dec. 2 at 7 a.m., causing police and firefighters to respond. Everyone was back inside at 8:10 and courses started on time. “There was a mad scramble for people to register and get to class, and some were late,” Wood related.
The 2015 Canadian Pool & Spa Conference & Expo will be in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Nov. 30 to Dec. 3.
