Seeing each year as a new opportunity, organizers of The Pool & Spa Show, powered by the Northeast Spa & Pool Association, build on its success layer by layer, refreshing and enriching its distinctive features.

“We’re bringing our vision to life,” says Trish McCormick, longtime show manager, referring to her team’s dedication to providing a show full of activities and educational opportunities. “Nowadays, people talk about virtual shows and say [physical] shows are dead,” she observes. “I say ‘no,’ and I will say so as long as I’m here. There’s nothing like it. … People can’t get such an experience sitting at desks at home.”

Now in its 37th year, the event is returning to the Atlantic City (N.J.) Convention Center. The show is slated for Jan. 23-25 and the conference for Jan. 22-25. Organizers anticipate 10,760 attendees to view the wares of over 400 exhibitors in the 100,000-square-foot exhibit space.

Pool and spa professionals will find something a little different on the educational side. There will still be more than 50 technical seminars and 25 business sessions but, as McCormick puts it, “We’re bringing the upstairs downstairs.” In other words, taking an upstairs feature (seminars) and bringing it downstairs (to the show floor below). For example, The Wall: Water in Motion, will provide even more instructional moments for attendees. Now in its third year, this large-scale, interactive area on the show floor is designed to instruct attendees on the latest pool and spa technologies and innovations.

Another development: While NESPA has bestowed design awards for years, new honors have been added. As McCormick explains, last year there was a “low-key introduction” of the Outstanding Achievement Awards for builders and service technicians at the annual Awards Celebration. This year, those new honors will be front and center during a gala celebration at Haven Nightclub in the Golden Nugget. NESPA plans to “shine a spotlight on the amazing building projects and stellar service” provided by NESPA members who do work in Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Tickets are $40 and include an open bar, food and music. For more information about this limited ticket event, visit nespapool.org.

The show’s mobile app is back this year with features such as an interactive show-floor plan; a personalized planner; a “notes” function to keep track of things to do and people to see; and featured products at the show. The app can be downloaded from iTunes or Google Play.

Meanwhile, the conference portion boasts not only technical and business seminars, but also industry specialty and general sessions, and seven industry certification programs.

Admission to the exhibit hall is free for industry members. To register for a show badge and to buy education passes, visit thepoolspashow.com.

Seminar central

“We’re excited to see seminars sold out early,” McCormick says. One class causing advance buzz this year is called “From Rookie to All-Star: The Fundamentals of Pool & Spa Service,” slated for Monday, Jan. 22, 12:30 to 5 p.m. It’s to help new employees go to the next level, McCormick notes.

Another session that looks to be a standout is the “Tile and Coping Essentials with Hands-On Workshop,” running Tuesday, Jan. 23, or Wednesday, Jan. 24, 9-11 a.m., including an hour of hands-on training at The Wall: Water in Motion on the show floor.

Interest in sales-focused business seminars also generated early sign-ups, added McCormick.

Demand for courses conducted in Spanish remains high, and there will be seven this year, covering the following topics: pumps and motors; basic water chemistry; intermediate water chemistry; principles of proper circulation and hydraulics; automatic controls; heater installation and troubleshooting; and pool math for pool technicians.

Certifications

For those seeking certification courses, The Pool & Spa Show doesn’t disappoint. The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals provides the APSP Certified Hot Tub Technician (CHTT), Certified Maintenance Specialist (CMS), Certified Service Technician (CST) and the Pool & Spa Construction Course (PSCC). The APSP certification exams will be on Wednesday, 1-5 p.m.

The National Swimming Pool Foundation is offering the Certified Pool Operator (CPO) Course. And the National Plasterers Council is holding the Pool Start-Up Certification Course as well as its Pool Start-Up Recertification Course.

General and Specialty Sessions

The general session is free and open to all attendees. This year’s topic is “Creating a Retirement Plan That Works for You” on Wednesday, led by Aljen Asset Management, LLC.

The Specialty Sessions require separate registration and aren’t included in business or technical passes. Business coaches Jay Forte and Guy Gruenberg will lead two in-depth business sessions: “The Stand-Out Business — 4 Steps to Separate Your Business from the Pack” on Sunday, Jan. 21, and “Your Business Roadmap: How to Achieve Success in 2018” on Monday, Jan. 22.

Other specialty sessions include “Diagnosing Plaster Finish Problems” and “Genesis Construction 202: Reinforced Concrete Pools,” both on Monday. Two other sessions, mentioned earlier, are “From Rookie to All-Star” on Monday and “Tile & Coping Essentials with Hands-on Workshop” on Tuesday or Wednesday at The Wall: Water in Motion.

A ‘Wild’ Welcome

The 2018 Welcome Party is returning to the Saloon Bar at the Wild Wild West (Bally’s Casino). Attendees will find live music, food, beer pong and, of course, a mechanical bull at this Western-themed event. The soiree is Monday, 7-10 p.m., and tickets are $20 each.

“It was a wild success last year,” McCormick notes. “I had the best time of any I’ve been at over the years.” She hints at some new aspects of the festivities this year, but says it’s a secret, so you’ll just have to go to find out for yourself. The event is expected to sell out, so advance ticket purchase is recommended.