
In Las Vegas, the capital of the high rollers, few things are a sure bet.
But pool and spa professionals can count on one thing: They will get valuable information on growing their business and also enjoy themselves at the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo, to be held Nov. 9-14 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Convention Center.
Returning to its longtime host city after a very successful staging in New Orleans last year, the 2013 Expo promises to be the must-attend event it has always been, bringing together builders, retailers, architects, manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and service providers. This year’s Expo is a unique opportunity for industry professionals to network, learn about new products and market trends, and showcase their own capabilities.
The Expo’s conference program will start Nov. 9, while exhibits will open Nov. 12.
The show floor will include more than 1,350 vendor booths displaying every imaginable pool and spa product, equipment and service, from water features and hot tubs to chemicals and lighting systems. There also will be manufacturers and suppliers specializing in the enhancing of the whole backyard experience, including casual furniture, barbeques, landscaping and more.
A product showcase will provide attendees the opportunity to review new products in a direct, non-selling environment with side-by-side comparisons. A panel of industry experts will select first, second and third place winners in the categories of best new product and best green product.
New products will be just one aspect of a highlight-packed Expo. The event also will include seminars targeted at increasing profitability and productivity for pool and spa professionals. The Expo’s main conference program — which starts Nov. 9 — has undergone a complete redesign with new courses, new speakers and 68 new “hot topic” seminars.
The Association of Pool and Spa Professionals have redesigned their education offerings and certification opportunities, and Genesis 3 has a new line-up of conference offerings as well.
For complete details on the Expo schedule, fees and to register online, go to www.PoolSpaPatio.com/attendee.
Other new features of this year’s expo include:
Welcome party
Unleash your imagination at this not-to-be-missed welcome party at LIGHT Nightclub, the Cirque du Soleil bar at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino. The event, sponsored by the APSP Awards of Excellence, will be held Nov. 12 from 5:15 to 7:15 p.m. Come network with industry colleagues at the first-ever nightclub turned on by Cirque du Soleil, merging cutting edge creativity with incredible music to produce a new kind of nightclub experience. Enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer and soda while taking in the chic fashion-forward venue that features state-of-the-art visual effects and world renowned disc jockeys.
New pavilions
The Hot Spot will turn up the heat on outdoor living. Right off the show floor in the beautiful Vegas sun, this area contains everything that’s hot: outdoor kitchens, grills, heaters, fire pits and more. Enjoy food, drinks, music, live demonstrations, as well as the Saber Grills BBQ Bash all right here. Saber Grills and the Expo planners have challenged Kayleen McCabe, from DIY Network’s Rescue Renovation, to do a live, on-site build. She will have only two days to turn the flat, drab, black-top parking lot into a happening Vegas Hot Spot for Saber Grill’s BBQ Bash. Her time starts ticking at the show’s opening, so check in throughout Day 1 and Day 2 to see her progress and don’t forget to see the completed project and celebrate at the Saber Grill BBQ Bash, Wednesday, 4:30–6:30 p.m.
The Rec Room will showcase pool house and game room products such as billiard tables, pingpong tables, foosball, darts, pinball machines and other recreational products and games. If you’ve got game, this pavilion — located at the intersection of Recreation Row and Billiards Boulevard — is the place for you. There will be demonstrations by professionals, and a chance for attendees to win gold!
At the Hayward Business School pavilion, located on the show floor across from the Hayward Pool Products booth, visitors can benefit from top-level business education. The company-sponsored classes will be led by a University of Nevada, Las Vegas business professor and a number of consultants, sharing their knowledge and imparting business tools that can be applied to pool and spa companies.
Treasure Quest
It’s never been easier to plan your Expo show floor experience than now by participating in the 2013 IPSPE Treasure Quest Cash Prize Game. Follow the treasure map, available at the registration desk, to each of the participating treasured exhibitors and receive a jewel stamp on your map. You’ll cover the show floor, see new products, meet new exhibitors, stop and see old friends, and potentially win $3,500 cash.