Celebrating its 23rd year, the Pool Industry Expo hosted another successful show on the California coast.
Held on Oct. 1-3, PIE attracted more than 5,600 attendees to the Monterey (Calif.) Convention Center, with a variety of new products, educational seminars and networking opportunities.
Though the total attendance was down from the 2008 event, seminar attendance actually increased. In fact, many of the show’s 47 classes were standing room only.
“I think [seminar] attendance was around 1,000 or 1,200,” said Don Koss, PIE’s co-executive producer. “Every year, we try to keep the good classes and get rid of the ones that weren’t as successful.”
Organizers have made an effort in recent years to create targeted seminars for builders, but the vast majority of attendees continue to work in the service field, he added.
A citywide power outage on Thursday night didn’t stop show-goers from enjoying off-hours activities, including the welcome reception and golf tournament. PIE also set up an display of antique equipment, some of which has fortunately been retired for more convenient service.
In the exhibit halls, most firms reported good foot traffic, despite exhibitor numbers being lower.
“Even in the smaller room, when there weren’t that many people in there, it seemed all the booth [personnel] were talking to somebody,” Koss said.
Next year’s show will return to Monterey from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2.
