Pool and spa professionals are in a mood to celebrate. The 50th Anniversary Everything Under the Sun Expo is coming to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., on March 4-5, 2022.
Health protocols will be observed so everyone is kept safe in this time of coronavirus, but that doesn’t mean the 2022 show won’t have a party vibe. It’s time to celebrate this major milestone anniversary!
Attendance numbers are expected to reflect that more upbeat attitude. While the pandemic naturally has had an effect on trade shows in recent years, a rebound for this expo is not only possible, but anticipated. In 2020 there were 4,500 attendees; in 2021 there were around 2,300. Organizers expect approximately 5,000 attendees for the 2022 show.
“It’s an annual opportunity in our region, a very time-efficient opportunity to network with old friends and new,” observes Elizabeth McMurray, executive director of the Florida Swimming Pool Association, which hosts the event. Besides being a chance to get together, she says, “It’s a huge revenue generator for us (FSPA), and there are the educational opportunities, too.”
Not surprisingly, attendees will see that the convention center is taking into account health protocols similar to last year. That means things such as portable sinks around the show floor, face masks and social distancing of 6 feet. As McMurray points out, the show has to comply with the convention center regulations.
Also, it should be noted that while some trade shows have offered a virtual component that enables people to access classes during a show or for a while after a show, that’s not the case for the Orlando event. McMurray says she’s been talking with exhibitors and they think an in-person situation is best. “They’re looking forward to, and value, that,” she notes.
Education is always a key component of the Everything Under the Sun Show, and this year is no exception. Attendees will find more than 65 classes and, in the exhibit hall, eight to 10 Learning Labs. When asked which sessions she expects will be most popular, McMurray immediately points to certification classes — those that pool/spa professionals need to help them get or renew their Florida licenses. (More on classes in a minute.)
For McMurray, this will be her first FSPA show “I’m new in this position and I look forward to meeting attendees and exhibitors,” she says.
