The Independent Pool & Spa Service Association continues to grow.

Recently, the Long Beach, Calif.-based group formed several new partnerships and programs across California and Texas.

In the Lone Star State, IPSSA Region 9 and APSP Region 3 have combined forces to work on upcoming legislation and licensing issues.

Representing a total of 674 companies, the Texas groups will funnel their efforts through the Aquatic Professionals Education Council, an industry lobbying organization.

“We need to let [legislators] know what we want and what needs to be done,” said Joe Jones, president of the APSP Region 3 Advisory Council. “We’re all trying to do the same thing: make our work better and safer for our customers.”

On Feb. 24-28, the two groups will offer dual education programs at the Southwest Pool & Spa Show, held in Galveston, Texas. IPSSA also will team up with the Genesis 3 Design Group to provide educational opportunities at the Texas Pool & Spa Expo, held in Fort Worth on Jan. 13-17.

Meanwhile, in California, new amendments to Title 20 have prompted the trade group to organize an energy conference and fund field tests on pool pump energy usage.

The conference is scheduled for Feb. 5 in Newport Beach, Calif., just before IPSSA’s annual leadership seminar.

Organizers hope to gather attendees from state utilities, distributors, trade associations and manufacturers.

“It is extremely important that accurate information be afforded to the entire industry, from manufacturing to installation,” said Bob Nichols, chairman of IPSSA’s Government Relations Committee.

IPSSA also has committed $5,000 to test the actual energy consumption of pumps out in the field. Service technicians will set up meters on hundreds of uniquely configured pools to help collect data.

“There’s just not enough good field information coming from the manufacturers, and it seems like a good role for IPSSA to fill,” said Celia Hugueley, co-owner of Oasis Pool Service in Chicago Park, Calif., who will help spearhead the project.

The project doesn’t have an end date because IPSSA plans to keep testing new pumps and motors as they’re introduced to the market, she added.