Long Beach, California
Adobe Stock / SeanPavonePhoto Long Beach, California

It’s full speed ahead for the 2024 Western Pool & Spa Show! With the COVID pandemic in the rear-view mirror, organizers are moving forward with plans for the popular event.

Eric Nielson, director of this year’s show, looks forward to it drawing a large crowd. Set for March 28-30, the event is expected to attract approximately 10,000 attendees to the 78,000-square-foot exhibit hall at the Long Beach (Calif.) Convention & Entertainment Center.

Nielson says it’s difficult to predict exactly how many booths will fill the show floor this year, noting that a number of companies have been bought out in recent times. That said, there were approximately 140 booths confirmed at presstime for the 2024 event.

Class in session

Many people come to the Western Pool & Spa Show to not only reconnect with colleagues and see the industry’s latest, greatest products and services, but also to learn. Attendees seeking trade education will find an extensive class schedule. Some sessions will be aimed at the “business side of the business,” Nielson says, such as book-keeping and marketing. Other classes will focus on topics such as how to fix heaters, hands-on wiring and chemicals.

Classes will be held at the Long Beach Convention Center and at two hotels — the Renaissance and the Westin. It’s a perfect opportunity for industry professionals to learn about new and/or improved products, tools and techniques, business skills and more.

Nielson says the educational offerings will include everything from water chemistry to the programming of new equipment, how to maintain a salt system in a pool, and much more. The schedule also offers “blended classes,” Nielson adds, with a person instructing in English and then someone else translating into Spanish for the Spanish-speaking attendees. Attendees from Mexico and Guatemala also are expected to attend the show, Nielson says.

Besides an extensive class lineup, a new two-day Boot Camp by Pool Nation is being offered prior to the show on March 26 and 27. Attendees interested in the Boot Camp will need to register here: poolnation.com/western-boot-camp.

In addition, Waterscape University will offer a total of eight sessions, which includes seven for pool builders on topics ranging from shotcrete placement and concrete defect identification to pool renovations and tile installation techniques. One class is geared towards service professionals to master electricity, bonding and controls. To register, go to watershape.org/western-pool-spa-show-2024.

Lastly, attendees have the opportunity to become Certified Pool Operators. The post-show, two-day course will be offered March 28-29. Go to cpo.training/wpss_landingpage/ for more details.

Show highlights

As for the show’s other features, the putting green typically located on the show floor has been retired, but there’s still much to look forward to. Valuable equipment prizes such as motors, pumps, heaters, filters and the like will be given away each hour, Nielson says. And, of course, show-goers will be anticipating the top prize giveaway — a $20,000 check that comes from the spinning of a giant wheel. Definitely a crowd-pleaser!

There will also be a golf tournament, with proceeds going to the California Pool & Spa Association, Nielson adds. CPSA members include the state’s pool and spa builders, service companies, manufacturers and distributors, as well as other industry associations. CPSA promotes the industry’s interests in various ways, including lobbying the California State Legislature, governor’s office, and state and regulatory agencies.

When all is said and done, WPSS’ Nielson says, “We’re a nonprofit — there’s no paid staff. We’re all about education and promoting the industry.”

For more information and to register, visit westernshow.com.