Organizers of the Western Pool & Spa Show have been fine-tuning their opening-day social event, and they think they’ve come upon the right formula.
This year’s WPSS, which took place Feb. 12-14 in Long Beach, Calif., saw attendance numbers among the highest ever, at nearly 10,500. In addition, more than 1,700 professionals attended the educational program.
At “Rock the Pool Industry: A Night of Music for a Great Cause” the first night, attendees could network and enjoy the Journey cover band. Between the sales of 800 tickets and corporate sponsorships, they raised approximately $70,000 that was given to the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance’s Step Into Swim program, which provides funds for free or inexpensive swim lessons to those who otherwise could not afford them.
To accommodate the concert, everything on Thursday’s schedule was backed up: Seminars started in the morning rather than the afternoon, with the show floor opening in the afternoon, rather than the evening.
“That allowed us to make it earlier, so you’re not going until way after midnight,” explained Show Director Eric Nielson.
Organizers have continued their move toward making business classes a bigger part of the mix, which included 94 sessions this year. According to Nielson, the additions are getting a favorable response, with courses on such topics as marketing, accounting, human resources, employee hiring and retention, and artificial intelligence filling more than their fair share of seats.
Nielson said the same schedule will be used for next year’s Western Pool and Spa Show, set to take place Feb. 25-27, 2027 at the Long Beach Convention Center.
