Kim Rogers
Hanley Wood Exhibitions
KRogers@HanleyWood.com
972.536.6353
2008 INTERNATIONAL POOL | SPA | PATIO EXPO HITS THE JACKPOT IN LAS VEGAS
DALLAS -- December 16, 2008 -- A tough economy and shrinking sales did not keep attendees away from the 2008 International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo, which took place November 18-20, in the Bayside Halls at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada USA.
Total attendance was 11,203, with verified attendees just 544 less than 2007’s show in Orlando. Participants at this year’s event came from all segments of the backyard living industry, including pool/spa builders/installers, retailers, service technicians, manufacturers, distributors, contractors/subcontractors and landscape architects/design agencies.
“We’re very pleased the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo was a tremendous success for both exhibitors and attendees," said Donna Bellantone, Director of the Expo. "With solid attendance during a tough economy, the show continues to deliver a valuable service as the leading industry event for products, education and networking in the pool, spa and backyard industry."
On the show floor were attendees from the industry’s leading retailers and pool builders, including Anthony & Sylvan Pools, Blue Haven Pools, Leslie's Poolmart, Gohlke Pools, Pinch-APenny, Advanced Pools, Aquarius Pool & Spa Service, California Pools, Cameo Pools, Fun Pool & Spa, Hydro Wave Spas, Master Pools By Paul Haney, Presidential Pools and Spas, and Spa & Billiard World.
Attendees represented all 50 states, with the largest number from California, Texas, Florida, Arizona, Nevada, New York, Illinois, Georgia, New Jersey and Ohio. The largest number of international attendees came from Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Australia, China, Japan, France, Sweden, Israel, Argentina, Germany, Norway, Switzerland and the Netherlands.
Attendees were amazed with the show and especially with the product selection. “It was a great show. I saw many new products and received hands-on demonstrations,” said Dirk Owen, Coral Swimming Pool Supply, Tulsa, OK. “Anyone who does ordering for a company should attend this show.”
Exhibit Hall
With 203,800 net square feet of exhibit space and 627 exhibiting companies, the tradeshow floor featured an array of products, new value-added services and the most innovative ideas in pools, spas, hot tubs, water features, casual furniture, pumps and heaters, lighting, landscape décor, hearth, grills and much more.
Energy filled the exhibit halls and exhibitors were pleased with three days of steady traffic and solid attendance. “The show exceeded our expectations in traffic flow and new leads,” said Ashley Gill, CEO, Leisure Pools. “It was one of the best shows we have exhibited at and we will be sure to be back in 2009.”
“The show was exceptional in terms of the volume and quality of attendees -- a great show,” said David Knox, Lightstreams Glass Tile. “We met with hundreds of old and potentially new clients all three days.”
"This was a not-to-be-missed event that allowed us to introduce our new pool and spa range to the broadest possible buying audience,” said Marcel van Opbergen, Stallion Sports. “We received ample compliments and buying leads for our products."
Of the 627 exhibiting companies, 118 were first-time exhibitors or exhibitors who haven’t exhibited in several years, including Ace of Hearts BBQ, Bliss Hammocks, Fiesta Gas Grills, Recway, Floatstorage.com, PoolSkim USA.
“We found that the traffic in our booth was constant and those we met with were here to do business,” said first-time exhibitor, Dave Frakes of RecWay. “The show exceeded projections and was an important event for us.”
“The Expo was fantastic; a great venue for us to network, set up dealerships and sell lots of product said first-time exhibitor, James Kantorowicz of SolarAttic. “We definitely are coming back; it’s worth the investment.”
Educational Conference
In addition to the show floor’s buying and selling activity, the Expo’s educational conference featured 83 educational seminars addressing a myriad of industry issues, including 46 technical classes, 37 business courses, 22 retail classes, and eight green/eco-friendly seminars.
“This was my first time attending and I came specifically for the conference seminars,” said Anthony Polkinghorne, Quantum Pools, Australia. “It was a great opportunity for me to get a lot of information in a short period of time that I could take back to my business and implement immediately.”
Attendance was strong in both the business and technical classes, reinforcing the industry's desire to pursue excellence in all areas of the pool, spa and backyard industry.
“I attend every year because the conference seminar topics,” said David Thompson, Temecula Valley Custom Pools, Temecula, CA. “The seminars give me information I can apply to my business right away.”
The pre-show educational programs included the APSP Builders Institute, APSP Retail Institute and APSP Technical Service Institute, as well as the Genesis 3 Design Schools and Perspective Drawing School.
Making a successful debut was the launch of the Executive Academy, a four-part seminar series on upper-level management. “I attended the Executive Academy and each of the speakers was an expert in their field,” said Mark Ragel, Patio Pools & Spas, Tucson, AZ. “To have all four together was one of the most educationally enlightening conferences I’ve attended.”
Show Floor Highlights and Special Events
The New Product Pavilion continued to be a popular stop for attendees looking for the latest, most innovative products and hottest industry trends. From a selection of 67 products, attendees voted Critter Skimmer “Best New Product” for their environmentally-friendly devise that is placed in pools to prevent frogs and other small animals from drowning in the skimmer basket. Continuing the animal-safety theme, the second place winner was Skamper-Ramp, a patented water-exit ramp that protects animals from drowning by providing a way for them to get out of pools and walled ponds on their own. Capturing third place was Water Tech’s Pool Blaster™ re-chargeable, battery powered, underwater vacuum cleaner.
Another exciting pavilion generating buzz was the launch of the Green Pavilion, sponsored by Del Ozone. This new area highlighted 29 of the latest environmentally friendly and energyefficient pool/spa maintenance products and services.
Attendees added an extra dimension to their learning process by sharpening their skills at 13 Live Workshops, sponsored by the APSP Builders Council and Service Council. Topics covered eco-friendly installation, salt water pools, self-cleaning chlorine generators, green technology in pools, solar pool covers, heat pumps, as well as a shotcrete and plastering demonstration, in addition to many other issues.
A.O. Smith taught attendees tricks, tips and detailed instructions through a series of three Exhibitor Product Clinics covering their lines of motors, pumps and safety vacuum release systems.
Attendees flocked to see NBA great Bill Walton, who shared his tales of success at the Keynote Address on Tuesday, November 18. The audience of about 1,000 enjoyed his engaging personality as he shared how his success on the court could be translated into success for those in the pool, spa and backyard industry.
The opening night Welcome Party on Tuesday, November 18 was held at TAO at the Venetian Hotel. This high-energy event attracted nearly 1,500 show participants who enjoyed delicious hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer and soda, while mixing and mingling with old friends, networking with industry leaders and innovators.
Start Planning for 2009
The 2009 International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo will be held November 16-18 [Monday - Wednesday], at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. The educational conference will be held November 13-18 and will feature 75+ seminars, with most classes offering accreditation.
About International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo
The International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo is ranked #101 in the 2008 Tradeshow Week 200 and was named by Tradeshow Week as one of the 50 fastest growing tradeshows in North America from 2004-2006. The event is owned and produced by Hanley Wood Exhibitions, a division of Hanley Wood LLC. Sponsors include the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP), Pool & Spa News and Custom Home Outdoors. The show is endorsed by the Genesis 3 Design Group.
About Hanley Wood
Hanley Wood, LLC, is the premier media company serving housing and construction. Through four operating divisions, the company produces award-winning magazines and Web sites, marquee trade shows and events, rich data and custom marketing solutions. The company also is North America’s leading publisher of home plans. Hanley Wood Exhibitions [Dallas] conducts 17 trade shows, including World of Concrete, one of the top 20 trade show events in the country.
Founded in 1976, Hanley Wood is a $250 million company owned by affiliates of JPMorgan Partners, LLC. CCMP Capital Advisors manages the Hanley Wood investment for JPMorgan Partners.
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