Glen Knecht, president of the Western Pool & Spa Show, is serious about hitting the goals he set for this year’s event.
“Our goals are two-fold: educate the industry and promote pool safety,” he says. Regarding the latter, he says, “we need to make people in the industry aware of the drowning epidemic we have in front of us.” To that end, he has invited 40 people from the region’s health department to attend the show this year.
They join the nearly 10,000 people expected to converge at the annual trade show in Long Beach, Calif. More than 200 exhibitors will set up shop in Convention Center Hall C’s 100,000-square-foot exhibit space from March 21-23.
Besides checking out the exhibitors, many show-goers will want to take advantage of the educational track, which is brimming with technical and business sessions, many of which are brand-new.
Meanwhile, returning show favorites include prize giveaways, including a pickup truck giveaway on the final day. And the Product Showcase once again will feature merchandise that’s new, innovative or energy-saving.
Admission to the exhibit hall is free, but visitors must register to get show badges, which gain them admittance. Advance registration online is strongly encouraged. It’s possible to register in person at the center, but a nominal $5 fee will be charged.
To pre-register for the show and to get information about seminar fees and schedule, visit westernshow.com
Focus on Education
With more than 80 classes this year — 50 of which are new — there’s bound to be something for everyone. Technical, business, Spanish-language and special sessions — it’s all there. “We are committed to providing the best education experiences and business classes we can,” Knecht says.
Water chemistry seminars are always popular, so there are quite a few in the lineup, ranging from basic to advanced. Other technical classes abound, covering a variety of topics, such as variable-speed pumps, chemical controllers, pool lighting, heaters and stain removal.
When it comes to the Spanish-language curriculum, the selection is even larger than last year. “The Spanish-language classes have been very successful, so much so that every year we have had to add more classes,” says Knecht. “We started with seven and we are now at 18.” The sessions are spread out over the three days of the show and cover a wide range of topics, from business management to water chemistry.
Finally, WPSS offers a certificate program for a fee of $10. It provides a record that shows the seminars attended and the number of education hours acquired.
Trucks and golf
Ask any past attendee, and they’re likely to say that the two most fun highlights of the show are the truck giveaway and the putting green on the show floor.
Every year, folks gather on the last day of the show in hopes of winning a brand new pickup truck. This year, show organizers have arranged for even more valuable prizes — a total of 10 with an estimated value of more than $50,000 — leading up to the truck giveaway.
Here’s how it works: Three names are drawn on Thursday and again on Friday, and four names on Saturday. The 10 finalists win prizes from manufacturers. The final drawing occurs at the end of the day on Saturday.
You must be present to win, and WPSS officials will keep drawing tickets until a winner comes forward.
Next, golfers can try their skill, or luck, at the nine-hole putting green on the show floor. A nominal admission fee encourages many to come back again and again to try to better their scores. The proceeds are split 50/50 between the winner and the California Pool & Spa Association, an industry advocacy group.
