April 30, 2008

Just Released: 2007 Pool and Hot Tub Industry Update
The 2007 swimming pool and hot tub market research and statistics have recently become available for purchase, and specific free data has been given to the APSP for distribution to its members. P.K. Data, Inc., market research and consulting firm for the APSP, has provided the APSP with general industry consumer data, sales and installation trends which have proved extremely useful when working with the media. To view the FREE 2007 pool and hot tub industry status report, please click here.

As an interesting side note, the 5-millionth inground residential swimming pool will be put into the ground sometime this spring! For the full 2007 Pool and Hot Tub Industry report, contact Loren Brown of PK Data, lbrown@pkdata.net. 

APSP Meeting is Lead Story in Product Safety Newsletter
The APSP meeting on April 15 with commissioners of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to discuss implementation of the federal Pool and Spa Safety Act was reported as the lead story in the April 21 issue of Product Safety Letter -- an independent newsletter published weekly for executives concerned with consumer product regulations, legislation, and standards. The primary focus of the newsletter is the CPSC. It also covers other federal agencies and injury prevention activities. APSP President and CEO Bill Weber and Senior Technical Director Carvin DiGiovanni were quoted in the article. MORE.

Your Membership Can Save Fuel Expenses
In typical service industries, fuel costs represent upwards of 12 percent of the cost of doing business. And with the average price of diesel fuel going up every week, energy bills can really cut into a company's profit margin. Jim Sorrenti, editor of American Towman magazine recently described the effect of high fuel prices on businesses this way: "Right now, the rising cost of fuel is killing truck drivers, towers and anybody else [providing customer service] in the field." Rising fuel costs have been cited by pool and spa business owners as the single hardest expense to control, and one of the greatest impacts on profit potential. APSP members can get a significant discount on a cost-cutting GPS fleet management system from FleetBoss. To lower your fuel bills through the monitoring of idle time and improve your customer service by re-routing field personnel in the field, call 877.265.9559 to schedule a demo and free consultation.

Your APSP membership provides great networking, professional development, and members-only benefit programs to maximize profits, reduce expenses and lower risks! Visit APSP.org and renew today! Questions about your membership? Please contact Member Services at memberservices@APSP.org or 703.838.0083, ext. 301.

Spa Energy Efficiency Testing Underway
APSP is pleased to announce that spa energy efficiency testing at the National Pool (& Spa) Industry Research Center (NPIRC) at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) is now underway. For a complete update of the program and to learn how you may donate a hot tub model for testing, click HERE.

2008 Awards of Excellence Has New Commercial Categories
This year’s APSP Awards of Excellence competition has new categories to offer the commercial segment of our industry. New commercial categories include waterparks as well as competition, recreation and leisure, therapy, and multi-use pools. Entry deadline is JULY 18. Look for more information in your mailbox soon. Click here to download the Call for Entries. 

Get Ready for Pool & Spa Safety Week
Be sure you take a look at the resources available to you for participating in the first APSP Pool & Spa Safety Week, May 31-June 6. Click here.

Don’t forget to order the special Safety Week package of consumer safety materials and promo items to distribute to your customers. Show your customers you care about their safety.  Let them know you’re the professionals they should use for all their pool and spa needs.Click here

APSP Advanced Pool Builder Program Offers High-Level Education
Spotlighting important topics challenging today's pool builders, the APSP Builders Council will present the Advanced Pool Builder Program during the 2008 International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo in Las Vegas. This fifth annual two-day educational program provides pool builders with high-level, cutting-edge seminars on current and emerging technologies and concepts. Scheduled on November 16 and 17, the program's planned topics include concrete decks, vanishing-edge and rim-flow pools, construction of large waterfalls, upscale glass tile installation, gunite and shotcrete in pool construction, and advanced hydraulics. Plan to attend and visit the www.poolspapatio.com website for more details. For sponsorship opportunities, click here.

Retire Your Old NSPI Logo; Report Unauthorized Logo Use
With our association’s name change from the National Spa & Pool Institute, it is no longer legal for members to use the old NSPI Member logo. If you’re still using your NSPI Member logo in your ads, publications and website, it’s time to replace it with a new APSP Member logo. Here are easy steps to access and download the APSP Member logo from APSP.org.
1.   From the APSP.org home page, click on the link to “Industry” and then click “Resource Center.”
2.   Enter your APSP member user name (e.g., your e-mail address) and your password.
3.   Click “Sign In.”
4.   Click on the link to “APSP Logos.”

Some companies that have not renewed their membership continue to use our logos—both NSPI and APSP—in violation of both the law and public trust. APSP members support the association and its mission, and are committed to a high industry ethic. They pay for the privilege of displaying the APSP Member logo.

Membership is an investment in your company’s success, so protect it! If you see unauthorized use of the APSP or NSPI Member logo on a website or elsewhere, please notify Member Services at memberservices@APSP.org or 703.838.0083, ext. 301. Include the date you saw the violation, the name and contact information for the company, the URL of the web page(s), and any other information you think is relevant.

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.