The annual Western Pool & Spa Show wrapped up with a record number of vendors.
The 38th edition of the conference and trade show, held March 10-12, maxed out the 72,000 square feet of space in Hall C at the Long Beach (Calif.) Convention Center.
Over the three days, approximately 850 people attended educational sessions, said Western Show organizer Peter Haverlation. Spanish language classes continue to be popular, as are those geared toward industry newcomers, he said.
This year’s event was markedly different from its first incarnations. Originally, WPSS didn’t have an exhibition hall: It began simply as a symposium for professionals to learn about maintaining equipment. But little by little, manufacturers began requesting booth space to display their latest wares. Growing pains soon followed.
The show changed locations several times before settling into the Long Beach Convention Center, its venue since 1993. And there it will likely remain, Haverlation said.
The event is exactly the size it needs to be to reach its intended audience of repair and service professionals, Haverlation said.
WPSS is put on entirely by a committee of 10 volunteers.
