April 16, 2008

Online Registration Now Open For Awards of Excellence
Registration is now open for the 2008 International Awards of Excellence which will culminate in a must-attend banquet at the International Pool | Spa | Patio EXPO on Wednesday, November 19, 2008. These awards recognize and reward installations of pools, hot tubs, and water features representing the most beautiful and creative examples of the industry’s efforts. Entrants must be an APSP member. To learn more about the entry process click here. To enter online, click here. The entry deadline is July, 18, 2008.

APSP Pool & Spa Safety Week: Show Consumers You Care!
Differentiate yourself from the competition. APSP members are THE professionals. We want consumers to know, when they are building or servicing pools or spas, they need someone who is up on the latest information that will make their experience enjoyable and safe.  Get involved in the first APSP Pool & Spa Safety Week, May 31-June 6. Have an event. Use the safety logo in your ads. Put a poster in your window. For more ideas and free artwork and templates, click here. Show your customers that you care. Celebrate safety!

Are You Taking Advantage Of Your Member Benefits?
Liability Insurance (provided by Horton and Navigators)
Businesses are not all the same and insurance policies should not all be written the same way.  The Aqua Pak advantage offers you a wide range of coverage designed specifically for you. The program recognizes members who have demonstrated their commitment to professional practices by their participation in APSP continuing education and certification programs. To find a broker in your area, call Horton at 866-808-7665 or find more information at www.apsp.org/223/index.aspx

Housing Is Now Open for 2008 Int’l Pool | Spa | Patio Expo
Online housing reservations can now be made for the 2008 International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo, taking place November 18-20 in the Bayside and Shoreline Halls of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. MORE.    

APSP, NESPA Working on Exemption in New York for Portable Spas
APSP and NESPA are working with regulators in New York State to get an official statement that portable spas are not required to comply with the suction entrapment provisions listed in section AG 106, of Appendix G, Swimming Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs, of the International Residential Code (IRC). Instead, portable spas should meet the requirements in ANSI/APSP-6 American National Standard Portable Spas and the UL 1563 Standard for Electric Hot Tubs, Spas, and Associated Equipment. MORE.

Last Chance to Complete the APSP Education Survey!
In the year-plus lead-up to the 2008 Presidential election, the public has been asked their opinion on every conceivable question. Now APSP is getting into the spirit with a brief survey of our own. The APSP Career Institute is seeking member input on some general questions relating to next year’s professional development programming. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the employee development needs of your organization. We promise, there won’t be any of those annoying pre-recorded follow-up phone calls from any Presidential candidates—just solid programming for your most pressing professional development needs!

Please click here, download and fill out this APSP Education Survey, and fax it back to APSP at 703.549.0493 by Friday, April 18, 2008. Thank you.

Longtime NESPA Member John Romano Honored
John Romano, owner of All American Pools & Spas, Norwalk, Connecticut, was recently honored by the Connecticut House of Representatives for his dedication to the pool and spa industry and for having been named “Member of the Year” by the Northeast Spa and Pool Association (NESPA) in 2007. MORE.

Tips on Making an Effective Presentation
Got a big meeting coming up? Need to put together an effective presentation? Make sure your ideas don’t get lost in the shuffle. Here are a few tips to strengthen your presentation. MORE.

Service Council and Service Education Committee Meet at APSP Headquarters
The APSP Service Council and APSP Service Education Committee held meetings on March 29 at the APSP Offices in Alexandria, Virginia. Plans were discussed for the APSP Advanced Service Program, the Live Workshops educational demonstrations, and the next edition of the APSP Service Tech Manual. MORE.

You can contribute to IC. Click here to find out how, or send an email to ic@APSP.org. You may also fax 703.549.0493.