In some ways,this will be a Northeast show like no other. True, it started out as usual as the Northeast Spa & Pool Association worked with Atlantic City, N.J., venues and industry folks.

Then COVID-19 arrived on our shores.

Organizers adroitly adjusted to a different way of doing things to keep attendees safe. Working with PSAV, a full-service global event company, NESPA crafted an experience that includes the time-honored elements of shows past, bringing them to life in a new way.

Here’s what attendees can expect.

The experience

Welcome to the Pool & Spa Show Experience 2021! This live-streaming event is slated for Jan. 26-27, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EST), and will include on-demand educational opportunities as well.

In past years, NESPA predicted 11,000 or more industry professionals would be at the show. What will happen in 2021? Instead of seeing an attendee drop-off, Show Manager Trish McCormick says there’s more interest than ever. “We have the ability to market to other regions now [so] we can expand our marketing beyond the East,” she says. With this new format, pool and spa professionals who might not have been able to travel long distances to Atlantic City, N.J., in the past will be able to take part easily from their offices or homes — at times that fit their schedules.

How it works

McCormick explains that when you log in online, you’ll click on the platform and find options such as “visit exhibitor” or “new products” … or you can participate in live-streaming presentations from industry speakers on the Main Stage. She notes that show organizers will open the website one week prior to the event and train attendees. So by the opening day, they’ll be comfortable with the process.

Likening the experience to scrolling TV channels, McCormick says a visitor will find options that allow him or her to view up-close demos on technical topics by industry experts at the popular Training Wall — live or on-demand. Or they can scope out new items at the Featured Products Area. And who doesn’t want to visit the exhibit hall to check out various exhibits and chat with booth personnel? McCormick says there are four ways to arrange a meeting with an exhibitor: make a reservation in advance; send in a contact form; live text them; or drop into a Zoom meeting.

And that’s not the only way to connect with folks. Organizers are working on live-streaming parties, and coffee and conversation opportunities. And, yes, the show’s popular giveaways will occur this year as well, McCormick adds.

The Outstanding Achievement Awards ceremony honoring builders and service companies is set for Wednesday, Jan. 27, at 4 p.m.

The welcome party

The Welcome Party has always been a popular show feature, but what can party-goers expect for 2021?

“It will be like Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve!” says McCormick.

Hosted by the Northeast Spa & Pool Association in conjunction with a group of major sponsors, the online welcome party is slated for Tuesday, Jan. 26, at 4 p.m. It offers a chance to have fun, reconnect with industry friends and make new ones, And, yes, there will be live music by a band.

The event typically would attract 2,000 party-goers to Bally’s Wild Wild West in Atlantic City, says McCormick. This year is anyone’s guess and details were being worked out at press time, but organizers intend to make it memorable. (Check the show’s website for details in the days ahead.)

Educational lineup

Education has been a major focus of the Northeast show, and so it will be this year.

“We have a very robust educational program,” McCormick declares. “We’ll be live-streaming presentations on our Main Stage, and some on-demand will be available for two weeks after the show ends.” She adds that “tried-and-true topics, favorite speakers — the heavy-hitters” — will be returning.

The lineup includes 30 to 40 classes, notes Dominick Mondi, NESPA executive director. Topics were still being finalized at press time, but he could confirm that there will be a variety of business and technical topics, including programs from GENESIS, Watershape University, PHTA and NPC. Two to four programs taught in Spanish will be held, as well.

Also, there will be roundtable discussions, with panelists covering Northeast topics.

Finally, the On-Demand Learning Library will enable students to earn CEU’s — and companies can customize training schedules for their teams.

Looking ahead

It’s natural to wonder if the event will return to an in-person format in 2022. “Of course, it will be in person, but you can’t discount this live-streaming experience,” McCormick says. Stay tuned to find out how that shapes up!

For updates and to register for the Pool & Spa Show Experience 2021, visit thepoolspashow.com