The Pool, Spa, Patio, and Decking Industry's
Choice for Education.
The International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo, co-located with DeckExpo's conference is where thought-leaders come together to deliver the highest standard of education. Whether you are new to the industry or a seasoned professional, there are classes and courses for everyone!
Investing in your education is the key to creating and sustaining a successful business. The PSP/DeckExpo Virtual Edition allows you to learn and connect with your fellow professionals, providing the resources necessary to thrive.
Our immersive three-day program includes live Power Panels - one each day of the event. Plus, 20 on-demand sessions. Topics cover cash flow and budgeting, upcoming pool regulations, leak detection, and merchandising advice.
Schedule: Live Events
Day 1: Wednesday, November 11 | LIVE! 10-11:15 a.m. ET
Power Panel: Retail
Track: General Business/Special Events- Retail
PRESENTED BY:
Matt Gohlke, President at Gohlke Pools
Mallory Bjekich-Wachowski, Retail Operations Manager at DesRochers Backyard Pools and Spas
Jane Merritt, Owner at Anchor Pools & Spas Inc.
Designed especially for pool, spa and backyard retailers, this LIVE Power Panel will bring together the best forward-thinking minds in the industry.
Join us as the most accomplished retail experts share their insights on the current state of the pool and spa retail industry, economic trends, issues facing the industry, future growth and more.
Day 2: Thursday, November 12 | LIVE! 10-11:15 a.m. ET
Power Panel: Builder
Track: General Business/Special Events- Builder
PRESENTED BY:
Steve Barnes, Director of Science and Compliance at AquaStar Pool Products
Scott Cohen, President at The Green Scene
Charlie Claffey, President/CEO at Claffey Pools
Buzz Ghiz, Self-Employed
Come prepared to listen, learn and ask questions of the leaders guiding our industry.
During this fast-paced, interactive session, you will have the opportunity to ask questions and hear the panel offer real solutions for tackling today’s toughest issues. Bring your entire team to really strengthen your operation.
Day 3: Friday, November 13 | LIVE! 10-11:15 a.m. ET
Power Panel: Service
Track: General Business and Special Events- Service
PRESENTED BY:
Javier Payan, President and CEO at Payan Pools
Julie Kazdin Boucher, Vice President & Partner at Kazdin Pools
Steve DeCook, Owner at Ekonomy Pool Service
Dan Lenz, Vice President at All Seasons Pools & Spas, Inc.
Mitch Donald, Owner at Superior Pool Service
Topics up for discussion include alternative sanitizers, cyanuric acid levels, specialty products like enzymes, phosphate remover, and clarifiers. Plus, speed pumps and what the upcoming pool season will look like.
Schedule: Free On-Demand Education
Carefully selected. Conveniently delivered. These on-demand classes were chosen from the 2020 education lineup, and are being made available - free - to all attendees. Starting on November 11, and running until 30 days post-show, you can explore the education at your leisure. But, we highly recommend getting a start during the show days of November 11-13, when select instructors will be available for a Q&A.
A pass to the education is also a pass to the virtual expo hall.
Cash Flow and Cash Flow Budgeting
Track - General Business
PRESENTED BY:
Tom Grandy, President at Grandy & Associates
This session walks the contractor through the process of developing a month-by-month, department-by-department, cash flow budget. During this session, we will also discuss payables, receivables, and a formal collection policy. Numerous cash flow tips will also be covered including a discussion on the benefits, and potential pitfalls, of having a line of credit.
Learning Objectives
- Discuss how to create a month-by-month, department-by-department, cash flow budget to project future cash flow needs.
- Determine how to find out if one department is subsidizing another department.
- Evaluate the creation of a formal collections policy will help ensure improved cash flow.
- Learn the pros and cons of having a line of credit.
Winning Customer Satisfaction – How to Win Your Clients' Hearts, Minds and Wallets
Track - General Business
PRESENTED BY:
Brett Abbott, Strategic & Tactical Marketing Systems at Pool Builders
This session will show you how to create a culture within your company that encourages all employees to maximize customer satisfaction without “giving away the farm.” It includes specific tips on:
- Evaluate how to deal with angry customers.
- Evaluate how to deal with negative reviews.
- Determine how to get employees to take ownership of problems.
- Evaluate how to become memorable in the minds of your clients.
The 10 Keys to Retail Store Success!
Track - Retail
PRESENTED BY:
Matthew Gray, Retail & Hot Tub Sales Manager at Gohlke Pools
Attendees will learn tips from a successfully trained and experienced manager who will share how they continue to survive, and even thrive, in increasingly difficult retail environment.
Learning Objectives:
- Evaluate how to market your retail store that will help ensure success against internet competition.
- Discuss how to properly staff a retail store—hiring, training, and compensating for success.
- Discuss how to set up and implement procedures and checklists to create a less stressful and more profitable retail store.
- Discuss how to create the right atmosphere that can make your retail store a fun place for both consumers and staff.
Bouncing Forward: Ideas to Remain Afloat and Profitable!
Track - Retail
PRESENTED BY:
Anne Obarski, President at Merchandise Concepts
Only the best survive.
One thing that is for sure is that competition is still alive and well. New businesses are still appearing in the marketplace. How are you maintaining a strong online
presence? Have you developed a new strategy to stay in touch with your current and potential customers through virtual and video links?
Is your website and your best social media platforms maintained to the highest level? Has your unique proposition changed in your customers mind or are they your best cheerleaders…watching each and every new step you take? Staying strong in this ever changing business horizon means NOT changing everything you do…but doing everything you do…a little bit better.
Learning Objectives
- Discover the strongest performers in your digital platform and the ones that you should delete.
- Develop strategies to stay in touch with your customers the way they’ve been used to….virtually!
- Uncover the real descriptors your customers are using to describe you and why?
- Understand how the little changes you can make in three areas of your pool business will breathe fresh air in your business.
Mounting Secure Deck Ledgers
Track - Builder
PRESENTED BY:
Mike Guertin, Michael R Guertin, Inc
This session will showcase a show and tell of the prescriptive IRC code options for fasteners, fastener locations on ledger, and fastener spacing based on joist span, explanation of the code span table, and comparison with structural screws.
Limitations of IRC options:
- Unable to drop ledger one step from interior floor level
- Pilot and clearance holes required
- 2018 and previous IRC versions have maximum of 40 psf Live load
SST SDWS and SDWH screws:
- Proper use, fastener length, location, spacing... based on joist span
Advantages of structural screws:
- Screws can be driven into mudsill, top plate or studs
- Easier to set ledger one step from interior floor level
- Mount ledger mid-wall to studs rather than rim joist
- No pre-drilling
- 60 psf live load table and 100 psf engineering letter
Adding Leak Detection To Your Services
Track - Service
PRESENTED BY:
Darren Merlob, Owner at LeakTronics
This session will discuss how to provide complete leak detection services to your customer without having to refer them to a third party.
Learning Objectives:
- Determine how to perform a thorough non invasive leak detection.
- Evaluate how to turn leak detections into repair bids.
- Identify how to use non invasive leak detection equipment.
- Identify how new technology is making leak detections easier.
Water Balance Basics - The LSI is Your Friend!
Track - Service
PRESENTED BY:
Wayne Ivusich, BA, MS, CPO®, CPI™, PHTA CPO® Instructor; Manager of Education & Technical Services at Taylor Technologies, Inc.
An interactive seminar discussing the parameters of water balance, how the parameters interrelate, and how maintaining proper water balance can increase your profit margins. Class will troubleshoot specific water balance scenarios as they relate to unusual conditions and circumstances.
Learning Objectives
- Discuss how to improve understanding of water balance parameters by a systematic presentation/review of the parameters involved.
- Evaluate the inter-relationship between these parameters.
- Discuss how to teach and review the recommended guidelines for pool/spa water balance parameters.
- Determine how to initiate group problem-solving activities.
Managing Effectively Through Effective Leadership
Track - Business
PRESENTED BY:
Mario Rossetti, President at Rossetti Enterprises, LLC
Management may be the most misunderstood sector in the company structure. It seems as if every year there is a new style of management being promoted to business ownership. This seminar cuts through the hype and centers upon the key elements to great management – Leadership.
Learning Objectives
- How to prepare to become a successful manager.
- Discover what leadership is really all about.
- Uncover the best attributes of the successful manager.
- Determine how to measure success in management
Secrets to Retail Merchandising: Beating the Big Box Stores
Track - Retail
PRESENTED BY:
Mario Rossetti, President at Rossetti Enterprises, LLC
The small industry retailer has had a difficult time overcoming the lure that the Big Box stores have over consumers. Their inventory selection, floor space and low prices seem a hard combination to beat. This seminar will explore some innovative options available to the small retailer that may provide a blend of choices to more than even the odds for continuing sales success.
Learning Objectives
- Identify why big box stores have been successful in pushing price over value.
- Discuss how to apprise the weaknesses in the low-price philosophies of the big box stores.
- Determine how to assess the opportunities for success made available to you by the Big Box marketing philosophies.
- Determine how to increase success by applying effective systems and procedures that cannot be easily imitated or duplicated by the big box stores.
Design the Ultimate Staycation
Track - Builder
PRESENTED BY:
Mike Farley, Designer at Claffey Pools
Clients are asking for everything experienced from a vacation resort brought into their home backyard. How are these features and styles incorporated, how much do they cost, what challenges do they create, and what will give clients the best resort style in their space?
Learning Objectives
- Discuss the active and adventure features and benefits.
- Discuss the relaxation and social features and benefits.
- Discuss the wellness resort features and benefits.
- Evaluate hybrids and features requested on every successful project.
The Deadly Dozen Company-Crushing Killers
Track - Business
PRESENTED BY:
Brett Abbott, Strategic & Tactical Marketing Systems at Pool Builders
There are 12 company-crushing killers that are potentially running loose inside your business right now. Any one of these "Deadly Dozen" can cause your
company to get stuck, stagnate, and even go out of business. This course will expose those revenue assassins and give you the weapons to root out and destroy these enemies of profit and progress – before they destroy your company.
Learning Objectives
- Discuss how to create marketing that will cut through the clutter, and get your message noticed above all your competitors.
- Discuss how to attract and engage your prospects in a way that lets your marketing do most of the selling for you, BEFORE your face-to-face meeting.
- Determine how to set up processes that strengthen the bonds with your customers, and keeps them referring new clients, and coming back for more.
- Determine how to control the growth and revenue of your business like a “profit faucet."
Schedule: GENESIS/PHTA Presented Seminars
Earn those CEUs. With the PHTA/GENESIS Bundle, you're still getting cutting edge education, just with the bonus of credit hours. All ten courses, plus the free courses, and a pass to the virtual expo hall, are yours for $199.
Classes will be available starting on November 11, until 30 days post-show. Take the classes at your convenience, but, we highly recommend getting a start during the show days of November 11-13, when select instructors will be available for a Q&A. Learn more about GENESIS/PHTA Presented Seminars.
GENESIS® and PHTA are accredited Authorized Providers by IACET. We comply with the ANSI/IACET 1-2013 Standard for Continuing Education and Training, which is recognized internationally as a standard of excellence in instructional practices. As a result of this accreditation we are authorized to issue the IACET CEU. The number of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) is calculated as one (1) CEU equals ten (10) contact hours of learner interaction with the content of the learning activity, which includes live and online lectures, coursework, projects, exams, tours, travel, hands-on field training, self-paced instruction, pre/post assignments, and/or homework in support of a learning outcome.
Credits:
1 hour
0.1 IACET CEUs
Track: GENESIS - General Business
10 Ways to Crush the Competition | B208
PRESENTED BY:
Brian Van Bower, SWD Master; CEO at Aquatic Consultants, Inc.; Ambassador and co-founder of GENESIS®
This session will explore how to find the right clientele for you and your business. Discussion topics include a plan of identifying your best clientele, establishing confidence in your customer service, leading your team through a project all while maintaining the goal of keeping your work/life balance.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify what your personal style is.
- Illustrate and improve your level of customer satisfaction.
- Discuss who your clients are, and who isn’t your client.
- Develop your ability to focus on the most important things first.
- Identify how to take command of the work/life balance and play as hard as you work.
Credits:
1 hour
0.1 IACET CEUs
Track: GENESIS - Builder
The Five Most Common Pool Tile Issues and How to Avoid Them | C248
PRESENTED BY:
Greg Andrews, Co-founder at National Tile and Stone Authority, Inc
Tile installation is tedious and meticulous work. To ensure tile maintains its integrity and position is vital the success of a project. Nationally renowned and award-winning tile contractor Greg Andrews will provide you a summary of dos and donts in the process of installation with inside tips and trades.
Learning Objectives:
- Review proper tile installation techniques including waterproofing and bonding.
- Identify a checklist of where the project can go wrong.
- Examine processes on how to rectify tile problems.
- Examine photos of projects that turned out well and others that went horribly wrong.
Credits:
1 hour
0.1 IACET CEUs
Track: GENESIS - Outdoor Living
Outdoor Living: How to Create Beautiful and Comfortable Outdoor Rooms | D423
PRESENTED BY:
Kate Wiseman, MLA; Principal Landscape Designer at Sage Outdoor Designs; GENESIS Design Faculty Advisor
What does it take to design a beautiful and comfortable outdoor room? We will discuss the elements to take into consideration, with plenty of designer tips and tricks to get your clients living alfresco.
Discussion on methods and practices will help you determine the layout and location of site improvements, how to tie the outdoor living spaces together with the water elements on-site, as well as the creation of aesthetics and style for outdoor living elements. We will also discuss up-and-coming trends in outdoor living.
Learning Objectives:
- Define a design method for the creation of comfortable and beautiful outdoor living spaces.
- Discuss outdoor living trends and the common elements in outdoor rooms.
- Understand how to better integrate the outdoor living spaces with the water elements onsite.
- Apply these concepts to a case study in outdoor living.
Credits:
1 hour
0.1 IACET CEUs
Track: PHTA University - Service
How to Prepare for Federal Pool Pump Regulations That Will Impact Your Business and Boost Sales
PRESENTED BY:
Jeff Farlow, Program Manager of Energy Initiatives at Pentair Aquatic Systems
Scott Petty, Global Product Manager: Pumps and Filters at Hayward Pool Products
In July 2021, new federal regulation for energy-efficient pool pumps go into effect and it will eliminate the poorest-performing pool pumps from the market.
Many homeowners wish to save energy and reduce their energy expenses. By purchasing energy efficient products, including pool pumps, consumers can benefit from ENERGY STAR rebates and long-term energy savings. Attendees of this session will gain a solid understanding of future U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) pool pump regulations and how to effectively address this issue with their customers.
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss how to properly design a plumbing system to greatly reduce pool operating costs.
- Discuss why energy-efficient and eco-friendly equipment saves power.
Credits:
1 hour
0.1 IACET CEUs
Track: PHTA University - Service
Analysis and Understanding of Source Water
PRESENTED BY:
James Egan, Ph.D., Vice President of Research and Development at LaMotte Company
Terry Arko, Independent Contractor Recreational Water at Hasa Chemical
This discussion will include the problems associated with using chlorinated water to fill pools, common problems encountered with fill water, such as high total dissolved solids (TDS) and metal concentration, and information on testing interferences. The panel will discuss how to anticipate, prevent, and/or address many of these challenges with the latest technologies currently available.
Learning Objectives:
- Evaluate the different types of source water.
- Discuss how these sources are managed.
- Evaluate what effects your source water can have on the operation of your pool.
- Discuss how to test your pool water and how to overcome some common problems encountered when testing.
Credits:
1 hour
0.1 IACET CEUs
Track: PHTA - General Business
Millennial Matters: Attracting a New Generation of Talent
PRESENTED BY:
Reid Schindler, Owner at Schindler Design Co.
Rick Harvey, Director of Sales at Biolab Inc./KIK Custom Products
Tyler Rasmussen, Owner and Co-Host at Pool Chasers Podcast
Hiring quality staff is a challenge for any business and the struggle is real to find new and innovative ways to attract talent from multiple generations. However, as Millennials make up the largest percentage of the workforce, it’s imperative now, more than ever, to create a strategy for attracting them to your organization.
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss how recruiting millennials differs from recruiting members of other generations.
- Explain how parents and other people in millennials’ lives influence their decision making.
- Identify the strengths of their opportunities and how to sell those benefits to millennials.
- Identify the communication methods preferred by millennials.
Credits:
1 hour
0.1 IACET CEUs
Track: GENESIS - Engineering
Dos and Don'ts of Pool Engineering | E151
PRESENTED BY:
Terry Brannon, P.E., Founder-Emeritus at The Brannon Corporation; GENESIS Engineering Faculty Advisor
This session breaks down the engineering portions of a project with a checklist detailed from years of in-the-field experience. From plans and soils reporting to waterproofing and compressive strengths, students will leave with high-level information to easily relay these tips to your team
Learning Objectives:
- Review areas of engineering on a job site, including plans, soils reports, waterproofing
- Examine potential failures
- Identify ways to rectify problems
Credits:
1 hour
0.1 IACET CEUs
Track: GENESIS - Service
Advanced Water Purification Technologies | E221
PRESENTED BY:
Tim Chew, Sales Manager at ClearWater Tech – Pentair
Long after the pool is built and the excitement of this beautiful new addition to their home is completed the client is left with one on-going issue: water quality. In this session, you will learn how to improve water quality and prevent recreational water illnesses while simultaneously reducing the chlorine and pH chemicals in the water.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe chlorine, ozone, and ultraviolet sterilization technologies for the watershaping industry.
- List facts and fallacies of alternative water purification technologies.
- Outline a strategy for properly sizing ozone generators, injectors, contact tanks, and other components.
- Discuss how to market, value, and sell advanced water treatment systems.
Credits:
1 hour
0.1 IACET CEUs
Track: GENESIS - Service
Sanitation Controls and Monitoring | S242
PRESENTED BY:
Alvaro Mendoza, President, CEO at Commercial Energy Specialists
For high-end water vessels, off-the-shelf residential grade sanitation solutions do not always meet the needs of the client. Commercial treatment has been successfully integrating industrial-grade controls and treatment technologies on residential pools for decades. This session will review popular applications, identify potential challenges, and provide solutions for residential projects.
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss advanced chemistry controls.
- Define advanced pump controls.
- Identify Remote controls with communications and alert notifications.
Credits:
1 hour
0.1 IACET CEUs
Track: GENESIS - Builder
Waterproofing | C424
PRESENTED BY:
Ken Milbery, Director of Technical Services at Lunada Bay Tile
Waterproofing has become more challenging as projects become increasingly more complicated, and the solutions are not always easily implemented. This session will examine various trades within waterproofing and finishes, explain challenges, concerns, and identify potential solutions.
Learning Objectives:
- Review definitions, clarify terminology and identify critical elements of successful waterproofing applications.
- Identify applicable codes, standards, guidelines, and best practices for the waterproofing and finishes industry.
- Review specific processes that are guaranteed to create failures with either the waterproofing or the finishes.
- Explain liabilities, warranties, risk, and what can be expected, regarding support, for various installation types.
- Identify items that could be researched and developed by industry stakeholders to advance the industry and reduce liability for builders.
