Region 10 Show Overcomes Storm
APSP Region 10 held its Southeastern Pool & Spa Show Jan. 10-13 at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel in Atlanta. Despite a severe thunderstorm, nonexhibitor attendance rose 15 percent, with 581 showing this year, compared with last year’s 507. “So our exhibitors were pretty happy,” said show manager Lisa Bouton. Exhibitor numbers dropped, however: 109 companies showed their wares, compared with 128 last year. “Last year, we had no other regional show in our area,” said Wendy Purser, this year’s show chairperson and incoming Region 10 chairperson. “This year, we had the national show in Orlando, which is close to Atlanta. So [for exhibitors], there was a choice to be made between a regional show or the national show.” Show organizers plan to conduct a survey to assess why the numbers dropped, she added, and perhaps make adjustments to the event.
Keiser College Announces Scholarship
Keiser College will be offering a scholarship program for CPO and CPI graduates as a way to foster continuing education in the aquatics field. Dr. Arthur Keiser, chancellor of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Keiser College, will give a $500 scholarship toward the college’s two-year online Aquatic Engineering Degree program to any student who completes the CPO Program, or the CPI course and holds a current certification from the National Swimming Pool Foundation. “We want to encourage their pursuit of this degree so they will continue to expand their knowledge of the pool and spa industry,” Keiser said.
Former Olympic Swimmer Dies
Erik Namesnik, who won silver medals swimming in the 1992 and 1996 Olympics, died at age 35. He was injured in a car accident in Pittsfield Township, Mich., on Jan. 7, and had been in a medically induced coma to reduce swelling around his brain. According to USA Swimming, the accident was caused by icy conditions. Namesnik won silver medals in the 400-meter medley at the ’92 Barcelona Games, and then again in Atlanta. He was in his second season as a volunteer assistant coach at Eastern Michigan University and was coaching with the Wolverine Aquatics Club.
Pool People USA Partners with Firms
Pool People USA, a marketing initiative developed by pool manufacturers and distributors, has partnered with ImproveNet and Service Magic, among others, to provide leads to members free of charge. From January to September in 2005, the program generated 88,641 leads for pool professionals. To take advantage of the service, dealers should visit www.poolpeopleusa.com.
MAAX Consolidates Operations
MAAX Spas Inc. will cease manufacturing in Beamsville, Ontario, Canada. In February, the company’s spa operations will be consolidated into its Chandler, Ariz., facility. MAAX, maker of Coleman Spas, is said to be the nation’s third-largest spa manufacturer and a producer of high-end bath products.
Steam-Whirl Under New Ownership
Judith Gordon, former owner and CEO of Len Gordon Co./Brett Aqualine, has acquired Steam-Whirl Products in Las Vegas. Terms of the acquisition were undisclosed. Gordon has worked for Steam-Whirl for three years as vice president and sales manager. Previously, she had an interest in Allied Innovations, LLC, the company formed after the assets sale of Len Gordon/Brett Aqualine in February 2002. Steam-Whirl was founded in 1972 in Southern California by Milton Zaslowsky, who has since retired. A division of Active Water Systems, Steam-Whirl produces kitchen and bath products.
Pentair, ITT Create Faradyne Motors
Golden Valley, Minn.-based Pentair Inc. has entered into a joint venture agreement with ITT Industries Inc. to create Faradyne Motors, LLC, a stand-alone company based in Newark, N.Y. Faradyne will design, develop and manufacture submersible pump motors for both companies. Manufacturing will begin this year. The new enterprise is under the management of a six-member governance board. Terms of the joint venture agreement extend for five years.
Bullfrog Int'l Adopts TUV Safety Rating
Bullfrog International, LC, a Bluffdale, Utah, manufacturer of portable spas, announced that it has transferred its product safety rating from the U.S.- and Canadian-recognized Underwriters Laboratories to internationally recognized TUV. Management made the decision to switch because of the company’s rapid expansion into international markets, particularly Europe and Australia.
