They say the third time’s the charm — and that seems to be the case for the Western Pool & Spa Show. The coronavirus pandemic caused its cancellation in 2020 just as the doors were opening and people were entering the exhibit hall. When 2021 rolled around, the show was put on hold again.
But this year, the show is on! Once again, pool and spa professionals will head for the Long Beach (Calif.) Convention & Entertainment Center’s Hall C. On March 10, 11 and 12, the 78,000-square-foot exhibit space will contain booths offering products and services that appeal to pool and spa professionals, from service technicians to builders and retailers. A robust education program also will be offered.
It should be noted that there wasn’t a total void during the two years that WPSS did not occur. In place of the 2021 show, a virtual conference called the World Pool Summit was held. It attracted around 1,000 industry professionals and included approximately 35 classes.
WPSS is back on track for 2022, but there will be a few changes. In keeping with health authorities’ stance on very large indoor gatherings, the show’s opening party is not slated to occur this year. The Exhibitors Mixer also has been canceled, but in this case it was due to financial reasons. As WPSS President Peter Haverlation explains, it’s an expensive event to put on and WPSS lost substantial money when the 2020 show was shut down by authorities, so to stage the mixer this year was not do-able.
Like other trade shows, some new safety precautions will be in effect for WPSS. For example, convention center officials are monitoring coronavirus developments and have implemented actions ranging from regular cleaning of “high touch point areas” such as stair railings, escalator handrails and door handles to the placement of more hand sanitizer stations throughout the facility.
People entering the show floor will need to wear masks and show proof of vaccination. Also, the entrance and exit are designated in the exhibit hall to more safely handle the flow of foot traffic.
Attendees will find that certain popular aspects of the show have not changed though. For example, golfing enthusiasts will no doubt be happy to see the putting green on the show floor again. There they can try their hand at the 9 holes, and the nominal admission fee is sure to encourage many to return as often as they like to improve their scores. The proceeds are split between the winner and the California Pool & Spa Association, an industry advocacy group.
Speaking of CPSA, show-goers might want to head for Long Beach a day early to participate in that group’s golf tournament. Held at Skylinks at Long Beach Golf Course on Wednesday, March 9, the tournament is open to all pool and spa professionals, and includes a buffet lunch beforehand, as well as prize contests at select holes.
Product giveaways are a popular part of the Western Pool & Spa Show, too. In the past, a truck giveaway would end the show on a high note, but contrary to what you may have heard, that giveaway had to be put on hold this year. As Haverlation explains, the vehicles are more expensive these days and the show has limited funds. Nevertheless, there will be a giveaway that’s sure to create some excitement: One lucky attendee will win $20,000. And there will be equipment giveaways, too, but exactly what the prizes will be was still being determined at press time.
Soaking up knowledge
When it comes to education, WPSS covers all the bases. There will be 70 to 80 classes this year, with topics ranging from gas-fired heaters and equipment installation/repair to business management, marketing, new laws and more. (A complete schedule can be found at westernshow.com. )
Which sessions will be most popular? That’s not easy to predict with certainty, but Haverlation thinks many attendees will be drawn to water chemistry and the programming of new equipment. Sessions focusing on the changing energy demands of pumps and how to maintain a salt system in a pool should experience good turnouts too.
Haverlation is teaching a session himself titled “There’s More to Know Than Pushing a Pole.” And, he adds, there also will be a CPO class that’s entirely virtual on Thursday and Friday.
But wait, there’s more. Once again, a number of classes will be conducted in Spanish — 20, in fact. With so many Spanish-speaking pool professionals in Southern California, it only makes sense to include sessions appealing to that demographic. Topics will range from chemistry to electrical issues, basic licensing, liability, billing and more.
When you get right down to it, Haverlation concludes, “It’s a great show. We just want people to come and enjoy.”
