The enthusiasm is impossible to miss when talking with organizers of the 2024 Pool & Spa Show, coming to Atlantic City, N.J., on Jan. 23-25. “My team and I have been thinking about 2024 since last January,” says Trish McCormick, show manager. “After four decades of hosting this show, we continue to reinvent ourselves, uncovering new and exciting opportunities to provide our attendees with transformative experiences.”
The Atlantic City Show is expected to attract approximately 15,000 attendees from across the country. They will find cutting-edge pool and spa technologies as well as the latest design trends and accessories, say organizers.
But the event goes beyond showcasing products and services. It’s also a professional development and learning opportunity, McCormick says. It offers more than 100 courses covering a wide range of topics, from basic to advanced technical skills to the latest business trends. For attendees, it’s an opportunity to refine their expertise and stay ahead of the curve.
Indeed, show-goers will get exclusive access to educational opportunities at the event with the VIP Experience Pass. It includes the 4-day pass and 4-day Technical Pass. They’ll be able to access the VIP Lounges on the show floor and at the educational conference. Pass holders also get a ticket to the Welcome Party.
The Welcome Party will be held in the Avalon Room at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City. “We are excited to offer an expanded and reimagined Welcome Party at the 2024 Show,” McCormick says. “We’re bringing together all your party favorites with a few new surprises. Our new location at Harrah’s will give us room to offer more entertainment, extra space to connect, and even more food and drinks. The party will include live music, yummy treats, and time with friends.”
She adds an important reminder: “Tickets for this event go fast, and even with our expanded space, this event will sell out!” Note: Tickets for the party can be added to any existing registration if you forgot to select this option when first registering.
Another key aspect of the show is education. The Education Conference will offer morning, afternoon and all-day courses starting on Sunday, Jan. 21, and ending on Thursday, Jan. 25.
Industry professionals can attend in-depth workshops and certification courses presented by GENESIS/PHTA and Watershape University. Also, nine technical courses in Spanish are being offered — including a business course titled “Stop Servicing Pools, Start Servicing Customers.”
Show planners also recognized the need for many companies to strike a balance between strategic planning and adaptability in their preparations for the 2024 season. So a new full-day workshop called “Pivoting for Success: How to Prepare Your People & Business for Change” was included in the curriculum.
One of the new hands-on workshops offered at the show is “Pump It Up!” It’s an interactive session designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills to successfully navigate the intricacies of pump system design and replacement for various applications, including pools and hot tubs. Other workshops cover aboveground pool assembly and liner installation, and workshops covering tile and coping, and heaters.
Also, the “Women in the Industry Workshop: A Personal Deep Dive” is set for Monday, Jan. 22, running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This workshop was created by women working in the pool and spa industry for women in the industry. Topics will include networking, interactive presentations and, say organizers, a lot of fun. The workshop was made possible with the support of industry partners Solenis, AquaCal/AutoPilot, Baystate Pool Supplies, BioLab, Hayward, and PoolCorp.
A fitting final thought came from Trish McCormick: “True to our roots, we remain committed to delivering on our promise of being the show created for the industry by the industry.”
