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Each year, Pool Spa Patio Expo partners with the leading associations (such as PHTA) and industry leaders to provide additional education and certification opportunities. So fly in a few days early and join us to gain business-building knowledge that you can use to build a thriving, sustainable business. All pre-conference sessions include a Super Pass and access to the Expo!
GENESIS®, a company of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, provides the only education that fulfills the requirements for the Certified Builder Professional (CBP) certification. Their premier pool industry education program features over 100 accredited courses in business, construction, engineering, and design, which are taught by subject matter experts with decades of hands-on experience.
Continuing Education Units:
*Register early and receive complimentary CBP certification testing onsite—a valuable benefit exclusively for early bird registrants. After the early bird registration period ends, you'll receive an email with a special code to secure your free testing slot.
Description:
This comprehensive concrete construction school is one of two programs that satisfies the education requirement to sit for the Certified Builder Professional (CBP) exam. Attendees spend three days with a team of expert faculty, learning all of the necessary disciplines for building a structurally sound water vessel. Topics covered include site analysis, introductory fluid engineering, geotechnical and structural engineering that includes a review of difficult sites, shotcrete, waterproofing, tile, interior finishes, coping, and concrete decking. This program is designed to move each student through all phases of concrete pool construction in great detail, unlike anything else offered in the industry. Attendees have the opportunity to learn from top experts in their field, ask questions, and begin a relationship with the faculty that doesn't end when the class is over. GENESIS® courses deliver the highest quality education in the industry.
This is a required course to become a Certified Builder Professional.
Continuing Education Units:
Description:
The single greatest challenge for Swimming Pool Contractors (SPC) to expand their business is the lack of competent and accountable Construction Managers and Superintendents. Although being an engineer, a skilled craftsman, or having pool industry experience is helpful, it is certainly not a prerequisite to becoming a quality superintendent. The likely candidate is trained! In this course, we will explore what makes a good construction superintendent, and how they are an integral part of running a profitable business that provides quality work in a timely period with a reasonable (or greater!) client satisfaction of the product result.
Continuing Education Units:
Description:
This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of good design and will teach you how to lay out the different improvements in your projects (e.g. pool, spa, patio, etc.). We will break the fundamentals down into two categories: the Elements of Design and the Principles of Design. Once you have a good grasp of the fundamentals, you will learn how to apply them. We will start with short practice exercises and build up to a final project: creating a master plan that includes a pool and spa.
This is a required course to become a Certified Expert Pool Builder & Design Professional.
Continuing Education Units:
Description:
Join industry experts Greg Andrews and Ken Milbery for a two-day hands-on GENESIS Masterclass in pool tile installation and dampproofing workshop designed for experienced professionals, seasoned installers looking to refine their skills, and those with foundational experience seeking to elevate their tile installation techniques. This masterclass combines expert-led lectures, live demonstrations, and interactive practical experiences, ensuring you can directly apply what you learn to your next project. The course focuses on enhancing your skills in surface preparation, dampproofing, floating, and tile installation, making it an invaluable opportunity to distinguish yourself in the pool tile industry. Participants will benefit from practical demonstrations and guided exercises that solidify their understanding of key techniques. They will also be guided through the entire tile installation process for pools, spas, and water features. Gain the confidence to tackle challenging projects with skills and knowledge that will help you simplify and intensify your tile installation techniques.
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) is a non-profit organization with over 3,800 member companies, making it the largest trade association representing the pool, spa, and hot tub industry. Their internationally known professional certifications enable pool professionals to build thriving businesses and stand out from their competitors with credentials that prove their valuable skillsets.
Continuing Education Units:
Description:
The Pool & Spa Operator® (CPO®) Certification is the world's leading verifiable pool and spa training credential for aquatic facility maintenance personnel, health officials, retailers, property owners, and other professionals. CPO® certification provides individuals with the basic knowledge, techniques, and skills of pool and spa operations. This training has helped protect millions of swimmers by reducing hazards at aquatic facilities. Upon course completion and successfully passing the exam, students will become Certified Pool & Spa Operators® (CPO®).
Continuing Education Units:
Description:
This course takes you through the PHTA Service Tech Manual and gives you what you need to know to conform to industry standards. Whether you are starting out in the pool industry, have a new business, or want to ensure all your employees are recognized as the top of their craft, this course is the perfect opportunity! When you earn the CMS certification, you also earn a name for yourself in the pool industry as a maintenance person in the know.
Certified Pool & Spa Inspector® (CPI®)
Continuing Education Units:
Description:
The Certified Pool & Spa Inspector® (CPI®) creates a foundation for health officials and pool operators to conduct pool and spa inspections to support the assurance of a sanitary, healthy, and safe environment for staff and patrons of public swimming pools and spas.
Why Become a Certified Pool Operator® (CPO®)?
Becoming a Certified Pool & Spa Operator® (CPO®) is a smart investment for pool professionals who are looking to grow their business, expand their skillset, and stay compliant with state and local health regulations. The CPO® certification, which PHTA offers during International Pool Spa Patio Expo, is nationally recognized and provides 16 PHTA continuing education units (CEUs), helping you meet licensing requirements while deepening your knowledge of pool and spa operations.
This credential demonstrates expertise in key areas like water chemistry, filtration, safety protocols, and facility management—making you a more trusted provider for clients and employers alike. Whether you’re a pool technician, property manager, or business owner, becoming a CPO® gives you a competitive edge in a growing market.
In addition to the CPO®, the International Pool Spa Patio Expo Pre-Conference offers other high-impact certifications — including Certified Maintenance Specialist®, Certified Pool & Spa Inspector® — and the GENESIS® program for builders and designers. Each course provides CEUs and career-building credentials that help you grow your service offerings, build client trust, and stand out from the competition.
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